Thanks EJ
Just checked @ BG;
AU$220.69 with that code.
Still won’t accept that code - I get “Without this coupon” when I try to apply the code.
I’m logged in, & have set country to AU.
Glad you liked it! Writing the occasional "review" like that gives me a huge amount of appreciation on how much work goes into a nice one, like the one posted. I especially love the mouse over shots.
Turbo is exactly 3 minutes, but the light will also step down if it gets too hot, or the batteries aren't keeping up.
I think HID will always blow away any single led light and many multiple led lights. I still prefer HID over any led, but the price for a good one is just to much.
Great pics and mouseovers.
That may still hold true for a while, but not for long. Already LED lights are beating HIDs in throw, and with multiple LEDs in overall output. The MTG2, a single LED is being pushed to over 3000 lumens all the time now.
It just seems that while there has been an immense move forward in LED technology (from ~2006-2007 when I started paying attention) the HIDs have not kept up.
Best deal seems to be with Bang-Good with the “bgff4” coupon, but that still doesn’t bring it down to the US$199 that was in the deal thread recently.
- edit - yes it does, but I’m getting reamed when I change the currency back to $AUD 
- edit - I just partook in retail flashlight therapy… 
Interesting views, I would like to beg to differ….
Just what stock LED light will beat this…… 
I would be interested in buying one 8)
I am also curious, what led lights are in the pipeline, again stock that would beat a FF4 for throw and output?
Multi MT-G2s have the potential output but the heat issues are great. I have tried unsuccessfully so far to tame the heat issues with a shocker and that is with active cooling. Not saying impossible obviously but difficult and costly.
Huge outputs will happen with conventional LEDs I agree but have the feeling that HIDs will always have an edge. Now laser phos lamps are a totally different ball game.
There are rumours of a FF4/5 size light with active cooling and 120w standard out next year along with the FF5, if shine wants to do another. I very much doubt any stock LED light that will be available, would live with them.
If you compare a very heavily modded LED light with a stock FF4 and say the LED throws further well ? Compare a modded FF4 with the modded LED for a fairer comparison.
There are some LED lights that are certainly compareable if you consider lumens and Lux. The main light that is a serious competitor is the Supbeam X60vn. And I am a previous owner of a FF4 and did full testing on both lights. I did sell the FF4 actually to help pay for the X60vn.
The numbers on my FF4 - 7010 lumens & 430kcd (on PD’s)
The numbers on my X60vn - 6865 lumens & 460kcd (on 20R’s)
So very compareable. And the FF4 had one of the better combos of throw and lux among normal handheld HID’s. It is an awesome light. I just love the LED practicallity of the X60vn so much better.
And - GREAT REVIEW ON THE FF4 OP!
Sorry but in my view the X60vn is not a stock light, it should be compared to my modded FF4 not my standard one. Not denigrating the X60vn obviously a great light and a keeper. But has it not taken a lot of work and skill to take it to the level it is, relative to a stock version?
Interesting that you prefer the X60vn and that it is more practical. One of the things I love about the FF4 is that it can output around 5000 lumens for well over half an hour before changing cells and then can do the same again. Can the X60vn hold a similar output (or better?) for that length of time? Would be interested to hear the differences you have perceived and the advantages of the X60vn that you found.
You have a modded FF4? Details?
Actually, yes I’d say the X60vn will do an hour at 5000 lumens. Especially running the stock 2900mah cells. They still do a very respectable 64-6500 lumens on turbo and then it kicks down eventually to about 5000 lumens. And remember it had 6ea 2900mah cells. So even boosted by vinh, it has pretty good runtime. And I can also kick in back up to 6500 lumens(or 6865 lumens on 20R’s) anytime I want, unlike the FF4.
Not knocking the FF4. It was handsdown the best HID I ever used or tested. But HID’s are just not my cup of tea.
Dammit FmC why did you have to post that Banggood coupon code now ive gone and ordered one.
Sorry about that……… on a lighter note, mine has posted already 
@Xmint -
That's a fanstastic light... what is it? :D
With regards to the stock vs modded issue, I think the question should be more along the lines of price, than anything. For example the modded TK61vn, which hits ~620kcd is only ~$250. Compare that vs the price of some of these HIDs.
I also don't entirely agree that a single LED should be required to compete against an HID. To me the end result is more important.
As an aside, specifically where throw is concerned, lasers win out big time. If you can stomach the price, there are several builders out there who can make you a handheld white laser, which will destroy just about every, if not all lights out there. Of course the downside of using a laser is you have literally zero spill.
Good Day chriszhou,
Superb review.
Thank You Very Much,
Roberta 0:)
Interesting had my doubts whether the X60vn would have prolonged run time with that sort of output good to hear that it actually will do so.
Does the head get hotter than the super shocker? And do you think that the long handle contributes anything to the cooling? I wonder just how much output the light itself could actually handle.
Does your dislike for HIDs stem from the warm up factor?
Had it for some time now, had to do a lot of persuading to get it. Actually its too extreme, Low is say where high is on the standard one, high=turbo and turbo = too high…. Heat is the problem, the batteries get too hot too fast to be acceptable for their health….
Haven’t got any real numbers as I broke up my box of mysteries and measurement after the impressions/semi review I did of the FF4 when I got it last summer. Could not believe the figure on turbo, thought it was some sort of anomaly with the box and higher outputs measurement. Imagine how I felt when other reviews like RDF’s all had similar turbo outputs.
At the moment the modded FF4 is back being toned down a bit, and a new type of bulb fitted plus other things so that it can actually be used for more than a few minutes. The bulb change might also be an upgrade to a standard FF4 as well
It’s a Maxabeam about 2 miles throw.
I personally do consider that there is a distinction to be made between standard and modified lights, when comparisons between them are considered. I do totally agree that cost is a major factor.
Why I feel the FF4 is so good is it’s combination throw and usable output. Therefore the comparison that a TK61vn can out throw a standard FF4 to me is not a direct comparison. The x60 is to me a much closer comparison.
But apart from the mod/standard discussion, the size factor is I believe an important issue in any such comparison. For me the difference between a light that can and does fit in my jean’s pocket and one that I would need a shoulder strap to carry it, is substantial. And why I consider the FF4 the best bang for buck megalight.
Those of us that are involved and like HIDs and are involved in ‘projcects’ are I accept even more nuts than lights/laser modders. But when you actually have hand held lights illuminating at distances of 2 odd miles, I really don’t see (sorry) LEDs being able to do the same in the same form/size factor any time soon, let alone beat HIDS of that ilk.
I would love it if LEDs were developed so that they would easily beat HIDs. (would make some of my projects a lot less risky) but I fear that won’t happen.
But laser phos technology is where I believe in the next few years hyper lights will be developed from and that is what I will look forward to.
Yes the main issue I have with HIDs is the warm up time. Thats the biggie. I also don’t care for the tint on any I’ve handled. On the FF4 has the annoying lack of being able to go back into 60w mode.
As for heat on the X60vn, it does get pretty warm. Not as warm as the FF4, but warmer than the amped up Shockers. Shockers have a lot of mass to absorb the heat.
The X60vn isn’t that big and heavy really. It weighs 850g vs 526g for the FF4. Thats not too bad for a light it’s size. My SR90 likely weighs about twice what the X60vn does.
But back to the FF4 - it is an awesome little light. Unreal throw and power for it’s size. And if the moderate warmup time doesn’t bother a potential buyer, I highly recommend it.
Man this thing looks appealing.
Besides warm up time, what other drawbacks does an HID have? Is it dangerous to turn it on and off and on again without letting it cool down?