Brightest 18650 ramping light?

patmurris · 2019-09-13T22:01:49.000Z

Small single 18650 form factor and sustainable high output just does not compute. The best sustainable output you can expect from such tube like lights is around 600-800 lumens - nothing to brag about.

However if you can live with a 15-30 seconds real bright turbo, then Emisar D4V2 is probably one of the best these days - and it may even help if you need to start a fire somewhere lost in the deep forest, although it still has to be demonstrated.

Harborseal · 2019-09-14T16:53:49.000Z

Thanks for the replies. As usual I didn’t explain clearly. What I meant by excluding the FW3A was that the claimed output doesn’t last long enough to be useful. It drops to half or less in microseconds, before your eyes can even adapt (seemingly). I’d be happy with something like 30 - 90 seconds of turbo which could be regained after a cool down, at the expense of short battery life.

IOW I don’t think the claimed lumens of the FW3A is an appropriate number and I can’t find any info on what the output would be that it could sustain for, lets say, a minute or 2. It might still be the best option if I knew how it performed in greater detail. Especially compared to the D4V2. The flashlight itself is beautiful so I’m disappointed a little.

I haven’t bought a light in many years so I haven’t kept up with what’s out there now. I appreciate the help.

As far as ramping goes, well, to each their own.

I’ll check out all the suggestions except the Q8

Thanks!

pennzy · 2019-09-14T17:01:03.000Z

You have to think about pocket rockets as 500 lumen lights with benefits.

Scallywag · 2019-09-14T17:05:07.000Z

Harborseal:

Thanks for the replies. As usual I didn’t explain clearly. What I meant by excluding the FW3A was that the claimed output doesn’t last long enough to be useful. It drops to half or less in microseconds, before your eyes can even adapt (seemingly). I’d be happy with something like 30 - 90 seconds of turbo which could be regained after a cool down, at the expense of short battery life.

IOW I don’t think the claimed lumens of the FW3A is an appropriate number and I can’t find any info on what the output would be that it could sustain for, lets say, a minute or 2. It might still be the best option if I knew how it performed in greater detail. Especially compared to the D4V2. The flashlight itself is beautiful so I’m disappointed a little.

I haven’t bought a light in many years so I haven’t kept up with what’s out there now. I appreciate the help.

As far as ramping goes, well, to each their own.

I’ll check out all the suggestions except the Q8

Thanks!

I kind of understand what you’re saying. The FW3A should have an ANSI lumens rating, the standard for which calls for measurement after 30 seconds of being on.
There are some lights out there more like what you describe. Nitecore has a few lights with XHP35 HD that do ~1800-2000 lumens for a ninety-second turbo run. It is timed. You can immediately resume it by going back into turbo, but eventually you’ll start overheating things if you do that constantly.

But I guess that really goes back to my earlier comment that recommended the XHP70.2: the XHP series in general will get you more lumens with less heat. 70 would be the most efficient there, but you can look at XHP35 and XHP50 lights as well.

pennzy · 2019-09-14T17:10:53.000Z

The Sofirn SP32AV2 holds turbo forever. Mine does anyway. Mine steps down when in step mode but not in ramping mode. ??? Doesn’t make sense to me either. Anyone else’s do this? Does’t overheat either. Both turbos look the same to me.

nzlux · 2019-09-16T00:09:32.000Z

Im not well versed on whats available nowdays so im sure there is something higher - but iv got a Maxtoch rainbow 1+ on the way that is 5000+lm on a single 1850 and has ramping. (4 x XP-L2 HD leds)

Sillen · 2019-09-16T00:59:27.000Z

I’m a big fan of the Astrolux S43 and S43S

Macka17 · 2019-09-16T03:21:49.000Z

Also the Astrolux S41/S41S (Stainless)

Pity you don’t like the 26650 size rather than the skinny 18650’s.
I have both, Use both.
But for range. heat per output. size of beam and comfort.

Much more comfy in hand. grips better.
More weight when you snot somebody.
Plus it instantly opens up a much wider range of beams.
Strength, and time duration.
IE. Imalent DN35/70. Just as starters

I’d try (read up on) a couple. they really are a better range with more comfortable grip.

Harborseal · 2019-09-16T03:27:10.000Z

I’m not at all opposed to the 2xxx0 battery. That’s just a different thread.

Thanks for the ongoing replies. It will take me a few days but I will look into all of these.

Harborseal · 2019-09-16T03:43:07.000Z

Also, some of the ramping OS can set a limit to the ramp. Is the FW3A like that? Does anyone have experience limiting it to something like 1200 Lm and seeing how long it can last there?

And there’s another light that’s an FW3A with a little longer nose that I came across but now can’t find and can’t remember the differences.

scosgt · 2019-09-16T03:51:15.000Z

Harborseal:

Also, some of the ramping OS can set a limit to the ramp. Is the FW3A like that? Does anyone have experience limiting it to something like 1200 Lm and seeing how long it can last there?

And there’s another light that’s an FW3A with a little longer nose that I came across but now can’t find and can’t remember the differences.

You can set the floor and ceiling to whatever you want.

anonymous_user · 2019-09-16T04:47:24.000Z

Harborseal:

And there’s another light that’s an FW3A with a little longer nose that I came across but now can’t find and can’t remember the differences.

The FW1A? Basically a single emitter version of the FW3A.

scosgt · 2019-09-16T05:06:33.000Z

Go with the FireFlies E01 from the USA warehouse.
You can have it in 3 days for $35 shipped and it includes a 21700, charger, and 18650 adapter.
It is about 1.5” longer than the FW3, and on paper it may not be quite as bright.
HOWEVER.
It is a great design. It is bright and has an excellent throw for such a small light.
Biggest point: It can 5 on Turbo for 5 minutes without a discernable stepdown and it won’t burn your hand - heat handling is excellent.
Not really a pocket light, but there are small belt holsters on Amazon that work fine with it.

Turbo is rated at 2300 lumens, but you can keep it on for an extended period, unlike some of the other lights (D4V2, FW3, E07).

http://www.ff-light.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=58&search=E01

pennzy · 2019-09-16T13:19:07.000Z

scosgt:

Go with the FireFlies E01 from the USA warehouse.
You can have it in 3 days for $35 shipped and it includes a 21700, charger, and 18650 adapter.
It is about 1.5” longer than the FW3, and on paper it may not be quite as bright.
HOWEVER.
It is a great design. It is bright and has an excellent throw for such a small light.
Biggest point: It can 5 on Turbo for 5 minutes without a discernable stepdown and it won’t burn your hand - heat handling is excellent.
Not really a pocket light, but there are small belt holsters on Amazon that work fine with it.

Turbo is rated at 2300 lumens, but you can keep it on for an extended period, unlike some of the other lights (D4V2, FW3, E07).

http://www.ff-light.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=58&search=E01

Where do you find that deal?

scosgt · 2019-09-16T15:51:51.000Z

Last night the USA warehouse appeared to be sold out. Keep checking at the link I posted.

pennzy · 2019-09-16T19:17:20.000Z

I don’t see US warehouse on that link.

scosgt · 2019-09-16T19:30:17.000Z

pennzy:

I don’t see US warehouse on that link.

Enter E01 in the search box
It will show you the US warehouse.
E07 still shows in stock in US warehouse.

pennzy · 2019-09-16T19:53:03.000Z

Thanks for the help. It is showing out of stock now. No mention of battery or charger .

scosgt · 2019-09-16T20:10:03.000Z

pennzy:

Thanks for the help. It is showing out of stock now. No mention of battery or charger .

I bought two of them. Both came with a 21700 and a charger. Battery is not hi drain, because you can’t use that in this light. But it tests out at approx 5000 Mah

Firelight2 · 2019-09-16T21:10:13.000Z

Harborseal:

Thanks for the replies. As usual I didn’t explain clearly. What I meant by excluding the FW3A was that the claimed output doesn’t last long enough to be useful. It drops to half or less in microseconds, before your eyes can even adapt (seemingly). I’d be happy with something like 30 - 90 seconds of turbo which could be regained after a cool down, at the expense of short battery life.

IOW I don’t think the claimed lumens of the FW3A is an appropriate number and I can’t find any info on what the output would be that it could sustain for, lets say, a minute or 2. It might still be the best option if I knew how it performed in greater detail. Especially compared to the D4V2. The flashlight itself is beautiful so I’m disappointed a little.

I haven’t bought a light in many years so I haven’t kept up with what’s out there now. I appreciate the help.

As far as ramping goes, well, to each their own.

I’ll check out all the suggestions except the Q8

Thanks!

I recommend the Zebralight SC600w IV Plus. It features:

Good neutral tint
2300 lumen output with good beam pattern
Rampdown is very gradual and takes around 5 minutes. Stays brighter longer than an Emisar D4 or FW3A.