I’d interested in any new D or C (or even multiple AA) cell lights with high lumens out recently or coming out soon. Ideally, I’d like something like a Fenix TK70 with a neutral or better yet, a warm tint. And less than $229.
I’m interested in D, C and AA cells due to the number of cells I already have. I also own the Cyclone C88 and love it.
There is one light that I've had my eyes on for a while that comes in at price that is comfortable below the TK70 but I must admit it is a bit long. If you are used to the D series maglites then it should be no problem for you though this one uses 5 C size cells.
But a conservative guess would be ~ 750 initially and then going down. To me half of the attraction would be whether it can drain the batteries properly, maybe even beyond 0,9 V. I have a few lights that will do that and I love that when I run them on primaries they will not turn off until those batteries are EMPTY.
If it has a decent spacing between high and low then the runtime on this should be very good actually. 5 C cells are around 1,6 V initially and then down to say 0,9 V for a total discharge of about 4000 mAh (going by memory here so please correct me if my numbers are off).
Rough calculation of power is 4000 mAh * (1,6-0,9) = 2800 mW
5 cells => 5*2800 mW = 14000 mW
2,5 A initially to the led and 80% efficiency would give 3100 mAh consumed at the batteries and with a 3,2 V Vf of the led it would consume 9,9 W giving about 85 minutes of runtime on high. Actual numbers would be higher since I don't thing the driver will hold that so maybe 3 hours until the output is half of initial turn on. On low the output is probably something like 30% of high so the runtime would be 5 hours,
But this is all academic since I know of no reviews, I dont have the light and I have been waiting for a review to pop up but alas none has.
But the size of the head probably lends itself to a good balanced beam with fair throw and fairly bright flood of a big area in front of you.
You know what? I may have just talked myself into getting one to see if I am totally off with all my speculations here :-)
Only battery tubes for 26650 will fit C-size cells,
if it’s meant for 18650 only it’s too thin (~18mm)
According to Wikipedia C-size is 26.2mm dia × 50mm long
26650 is obviously 26mm dia x 65mm long (nominal, may be longer with protected cells)
so 3x 26650 should be ~195mm long, 4x C-size 200mm long
that is wonderful! if all 3x26650 lights can be replaced using 4x c cells, then heres another option for ya. the skyray 9xml light. but you should wait to see if others can chime in and confirm that 4 c cells will actually fit. if so, this would be the light to go for.
Mechanically/dimensionally 3x26650=4xC-size,
but if the driver doesn’t support the low voltage of 4x NiMH it might not work.
But it’s confirmed for TR-J12.
I also tried it on a TR-J18 that I have, but current draw with 4xC-size was a lot lower (only ~2A)
so with that one it doesn’t work as well.
Should be receiving a 9x XM-L soon, will see how that fares with NiMH
I had the “777” Smallsun.
It threw pretty well and was as bright as you would expect.
I think it was not regulated or something, since it faded pretty fast with Alkalines…