Coming here looking for some help in understanding ANSI standards- Candela tests. From what I understand the lights are tested at 2m, 10m, and 30m…and the average is taking from them to give the candela rating?
I have also gathered the readings should be from 30 seconds and 120 seconds. Is this all accurate? So 2 readings per set distance…?
I’m seeking this advice as I’m testing some flashlights and am curious on actual ratings. I’m going to be testing some higher end lights such as Modlite, Malkoff, Cloud Defensive, etc. Thanks for any advice and help given!
This document that is how Fenix performs their tests, might be good to try and use the procedures from there. Relevant pages are 11-12 and 19-20.
From what I found, you take the highest value, not the average. This is because sometimes lights aren’t well focused at short distances. Ideally you would just be using a datalogging lux meter and using the highest point in the time range of 30-180s since turn-on.
“Peak Beam Intensity test: Place the luxmeter at a test distance of either 2 or 10 or 30 meters
from the lens of the device to be tested. Use the luxmeter to identify the brightest point of the
beam pattern and record the highest indicated value. Results are reported in candela.
Measurements shall be taken 30s to 2 min of turning on the device.”
Pretty sure the time window is large to allow for accurate readings with lights using HID bulbs, which can take a more time to reach full brightness, and to let the brightness of LED lights to drop after the peak at turn-on.
I haven’t been able to find the 2019 updated version, but I doubt it has changed in testing procedures, most of what I found was just in safety (trying to “discourage” handling of unprotected flat tops).
For the newest version it costs something like $500 to buy a copy, which is ridiculous for individuals
You could ask the manufacturers how they test their lights then repeat the measurement to see what they “actually” are?
ANSI standard doesn’t really mean much round here. Unless they changed the stupid “runtime until 10% original brightness” measurement, the standard is deeply flawed.
Assuming it’s for hobby use, just report the distance and the lux and document your set-up. Should be good enough for anyone on here…?
Other than that, it is a pretty good standard for measuring lumens and candela because it means that a light with a quick ramp-down after turning on will perform badly, as well as water and impact resistance (pretty important for a high-end weaponlight).
Nowadays the reviews that really matter use a graph from ceilingbounce or some other datalogging meter for runtimes. It would be a great thing to include @CandelaIsKing
Sure but then you just game the system and stepdown hard at 2min 05 second, to 20% of original brightness and claim to have an (impossibly long) amazing runtime…
You raise a good solution I forgot to mention- graphical representation of brightness level(s) over time.
Runtime graphs should be compulsory for all of the more premium manufacturers, IMO.