Wow, make me worry about my Terminator4 now.
BlackShadow over claim the lumen specification this time or they are not talking about OTF?
I have to chime in here.
Unless all my other lights are waay off on their lumen claims, the Terminator CW HAS to be greater than 2125 lumens. Period. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Admittedly, it’s only a visible estimate of my particular sample compared to other lights that, incidentally, have been verified for OTF lumens by other reputable reviewers such as selfbuilt and turboBB. But I have to say my Terminator IS absolutely comparable to my TN30.
I can’t explain texaspyro’s low lumen estimates, but all I can say if one goes by how one actually visually experiences the beam one won’t be disappointed.
I will still enjoy her design and machining and UI. :bigsmile:
Though a bit let down if she can’t do 3500 lumens as claimed.
Visual comparisons, ceiling bounces, lux meter readings, and light box readings are meaningless when it comes to getting accurate lumen readings. Only an integrating sphere will do that. And it needs to calibrated against some known sources.
I have sources from 100-1000 lumens that were tested in a commercial lab with NIST traceable equipment. My readings agree with theirs to around 1. For sources in the 2000-15000 lumen range I have some Bridgelux arrays driven from constant current sources. My readings agree with their published data sheet values to less than 3.
Like it or not, MY Terminator does 2200 lumens on a fresh charge. JohhnyMacs seems to do around 20% more. But then, these actual lumen numbers may not have much to do with perceived beam brightness…
Test
I can’t argue with that. I hasten to add, however, that IMO, perceived brightness is really what counts.
I’m definitely not an engineer, but from the little that I do know, not all integrating spheres are created equal. I do, however, appreciate that you’ve done some calibration.
Regardless, there’s no way MY Terminator is only 2200 lumens. Period.
Interestingly, there was a delay in the shipment of my light because some correction/tweaking had to be done. I didn’t ask specifically what they did, but that may explain the difference……
I borrowed my TM11 holster and it’s a perfect fit! Replacement on order…
May I know where can I get TM11 holster? Thank you.
I did some tail cap current measurements with 4V in from a bench supply (wattage measurements are watts delivered to the LED and assume 88% driver efficiency):
Low 0.80A -> 2.8W to the LEDs -> 94.6 lumens/watt
Medium 3.55A -> 12.5W to the LEDs -> 89.2 lumens/watt
High 8.85A -> 31.2W to the LEDs -> 70.3 lumens/watt
Again, assuming 88% driver efficiency:
Low 0.80A/4*0.88 -> 175 mA/LED
Medium 3.55A/4*0.88 -> 780 mA/LED
High 8.85A/4*0.88 -> 1950 mA/LED
Assuming U2 leds are 12% more efficient than T6’s, the 12% driver losses are compensated for by the increased U2 efficiency, so we use using Match’s T6 testing numbers directly and assume a 100% efficient driver:
Low 0.20A/led -> 83.4 lumens*4 leds -> 332 emitter lumens
Med 0.89A/led -> 348 lumens*4 leds -> 1392 emitter lumens
High 2.21A/led -> 730 lumens*4 leds -> 2918 emitter lumens
There is no way the light can do better than these numbers!
Using my measurements:
Low 265 OTF/332 Emitter -> 80% optical efficiency
Med 1115 OTF/1392 Emitter -> 80% optical efficiency
High 2150 OTF/2918 Emitter -> 74% optical efficiency (this difference is probably due to the driver not actually being 88% efficient at 2.21A/led and increased LED heating)
80% optical efficiency is doing very good for these size reflectors and lenses.
It looks like my sphere numbers are rather well validated…
Here you go!
JohnnyMac or anybody, can you do some tailcap current measurements on your lights?
I was already pretty sure of that 
I think you got a bad sample…
I’d like to know why Johnny is getting 20% more goodies on high than me… or is he?
guess we’ll have an idea when he checks current, but a sample that’s 10% better and a 10% difference in meters wouldn’t surprise me
Any suggestions on how to test current on this bugger? I haven't been able to figure out how to do a tailcap reading on it. I feel a little like a dunce that I can't figure it out.
As for my OTF IS numbers, my IS is calibrated against known lights as well as against Match's and ChicagoX's and we are all within 1% of eachother. In fact my IS and Match's checked out nearly exact. I have discussed my readings with my liaison and the engineers at Black Shadow and they are concerned that even my sample is low. They retested 2 of their lights. One measured higher than their claimed figures with U3 1C emitters and another within 20 lumens on U2 1A emitters. They are sending me another light in case there is an issue with this one. I will retest my numbers once it arrives and post in my final review.
My SR King checks in at 2237 and the current Terminator is NOTICABLY brighter than the King so I am positive my output figures for my original sample are accurate. I truly believe that TexasPyro has either a bad sample or his Sphere O' Many Mysteries is mysteriously off and I doubt that it is the latter. Tex, I suggest you contact GG and see if they will allow you to swap for another Terminator.
in other news, I think that ‘parasitic’ drain is totally acceptable
i’m dying to know if the green button puts out enough light to see in front of your feet when holding it at waist level
I actually consider the power light as a night vision preserving firefly mode. Yes, it really does work like a firefly mode. :bigsmile:
Yes, my Terminator is also NOTICEABLY brighter than my SRK…
that is so awesome for camping
i’d be tempted to mod a holster to sit horizontally on my belt…
and after 2 beers when i start forgetting where i set it down, it’d be easy to find lol