Help a newb...Emisar D4 vs D4S?

tsouzee · 2019-03-09T14:01:58.000Z

Hello. For whatever reason I started researching flashlights after I recently got my Fenix PD35. Before that I just collected a bunch of Maglites. So I starting looking for a recommended well known compact light with lots of flood and minimal spot, and everyone kept mentioning the D4.

I am not looking to mod or mess with it. Just something to play around with. I prefer to stick with a 18650 since I have a couple for the Fenix, but if the D4s is better then it should be ok. I read it manages heat better but is more throwy.

My questions are:

1) Which version has more flood and less hotspot…D4 or D4S?
2) What is the difference between the options? SST20, Nichia, 95CRI, XPL HI?….
3) I’m assuming I should go with the floody optic

Thanks.

mihlit · 2019-03-09T14:35:07.000Z

ad 3) there is no frosted (floody) optic for D4S, only for D4
If you already have 18650 batteries, I’d go for D4. You will probably buy the other one some time later, just out of curiosity or for your collection

Rdubya18 · 2019-03-09T15:24:24.000Z

Welcome tsouzee . Both lights are great . Personally, I use my D4 with short tube (18500) around the house more often than the D4s. But that would mean buyin another battery. Even with the 18650 tube , the D4 is a little more edc friendly being a bit smaller than the D4s.

tsouzee · 2019-03-09T15:50:00.000Z

Thanks all. I’ll probably try the D4. I’ll need to order from intl-outdoor because MTNelectronics is all out.

Which LED option would offer the most flood? I’m looking for a neutral white.

nokoff · 2019-03-09T16:06:26.000Z

tsouzee:

Thanks all. I’ll probably try the D4. I’ll need to order from intl-outdoor because MTNelectronics is all out.

Which LED option would offer the most flood? I’m looking for a neutral white.

get the 5000k HD and get a D4S if you want more flood. You’ll get the Aux LEDs and you’ll get reverse polarity protection with the D4S; the D4 doesn’t have either. Neither of them have USB charging. How are you for batteries and charger?

ToyKeeper · 2019-03-09T22:31:56.000Z

D4:

More flood
Smaller, lighter
18650 cell
Gets hotter faster
Compatible with a clip
Super-floody optic available

D4S:

More throw
Bigger, heavier
26650 cell
Takes longer to heat up, can sustain higher output
Newer UI with more features
Has aux LEDs
Tail magnet available

The LED choice also affects how floody or throwy it is… but pretty much anything in a D4 will be pretty floody, and almost anything in a D4S will be somewhat throwy. A D4 with the floody optic isn’t quite as floody as a mule (bare emitter with no reflector), but it’s close. So for a flooder I’d suggest picking an emitter mostly based on other factors, like color temperature, tint, heat, and efficiency.

saypat · 2019-03-09T22:42:50.000Z

will this optic work with the D4? 10624 Carclo Lens - Quad Frosted Wide Spot LED Optic

thank you -

koziy · 2019-03-09T22:43:53.000Z

Your question is a bit of a can of worms to answer because I think there are a few basics that need to be addressed first. I’ll let other people do that, but I just wanted to point out that both the D4 and D4S are very, very much hotrod flashlights. People talk about them because they are cool designs and made well, not necessarily because they are the best at “being a flashlight,” something that means different things to different people. Motorcycle enthusiasts talk a lot about fast Ducattis and big, loud Harleys — not so much about their mid size, metric cruisers that they actually own and ride every day. I can use my D4 to start fires (dark pieces of paper placed right in front of the lens), to illuminate entire fields at night or to output a variable brightness just bright enough for what I need, including so dim that my eyes can preserve their night vision. Notice how I mentioned the two least practical uses first? It’s just that kind of flashlight, they both are. If I use a D4 for more than 20-30 seconds on max brightness, it becomes too hot to hold bare-handed and the temperature regulator ramps the output way down to about 15% brightness, which is extremely dim by comparison. The D4S is different mainly in that the optic gives it more throw and less flood (but it’s still plenty floody outdoors), and it can go for longer on max brightness before becoming too hot to hold or too dim to be useful, but it does eventually become too hot to hold barehanded and gets considerably dimmer if left on max for several minutes.

1) D4 has more flood
2) Each emitter has different characteristics in terms of throwiness, the perceived tint of white light and how “true to life” it renders colors (i.e., the CRI).
3) Totally up to you.

tsouzee · 2019-03-10T04:19:21.000Z

^ Thanks Koziy.I appreciate the input. This will be more of a hobby light. Everyone is raving about it so I figured I’d check it out. All the different variations seem interesting. I have a Fenix P35 that works as a good all around light. I’m actually researching the proper battery maintenance as well. Kind if worried about that too.

smithd1 · 2019-03-10T08:56:44.000Z

buy the D4 with HD emitter to start, you will love it and buy the D4S as well.

tsouzee · 2019-03-10T16:10:59.000Z

Will start with the D4 then. Appreciate all the input. Seems to be a great forum.

mortuus · 2019-03-11T15:21:40.000Z

u will like the d4 for sure, its a shame tho they no longer making the green or cyan colors.

CREEXHP70LED · 2019-03-11T17:48:59.000Z

I only own one right now, but that will change ( Weapon lights from Surefire and Elzetta are needed first.) I got the D4 in XPL-HI V3 5000K and it is very nice. I got a couple Samsung 30Q’s for it so I can keep a spare in my pocket. You should be happy with it when you receive it.

tsouzee · 2019-03-11T18:48:42.000Z

Good news. Looking forward to it. Just ordered last night.
I have a question….I’m a little paranoid. There is mention that this light gets really hot on turbo (of course I’ll only be running it at low levels most of the time). Any dangers to the Li-On cell from the heat? I hear these things can explode if too much heat is nearby. I ordered a few 30Qs’ from illumn.com

mortuus · 2019-03-11T21:09:54.000Z

tsouzee:

Good news. Looking forward to it. Just ordered last night.
I have a question….I’m a little paranoid. There is mention that this light gets really hot on turbo (of course I’ll only be running it at low levels most of the time). Any dangers to the Li-On cell from the heat? I hear these things can explode if too much heat is nearby. I ordered a few 30Qs’ from illumn.com

yes the light will heat up quicker then u can count to 10, but since it cant manage highest before stepdown for very long or u turnoff its not an issue really since the batteries wont have time to heat up crazy high anyways. its a good handwarmer in winter tho.

no need to be paranoid, just treat the light with respect and u will be fine.

Firelight2 · 2019-03-11T22:44:54.000Z

To the OP: The Emisar D4 is a great choice. You’ll have a lot of fun with it. It’s my favorite flashlight.

It’s the ultimate “pocket rocket” with enormous output in a package small enough to everyday-carry in your pocket.

Maximum power on the D4 is really a burst turbo mode. It’s great having a light that can produce 4,000 lumens or more, but recognize that if you need any kind of sustained output, you’re probably going to get around 500 lumens max. The D4’s heatsinking isn’t sufficient to maintain more than that.

Note: A D4 with 18650 tube in your pocket does carry the risk of accidental activation. The button protrudes slightly and if it accidentally depresses the light will ramp up to turbo and stay there. This won’t damage the light at all as the temp sensor in the driver will rapidly ramp output down before any internal damage occurs. However, this may not be in time to prevent damage to your pants. I had a D4 burn through the pockets in a couple pairs of pants due to accidental activation in this way. To prevent this from happening I suggest locking out the light by slightly unscrewing the tailcap when not in use.

If you get comfortable modifying flashlights it is possible to modify the D4 to greatly reduce the risk of accidental activation making tailcap lockout unnecessary.

CREEXHP70LED · 2019-03-12T17:04:07.000Z

As mentioned your 30Q’s will be fine. I have run mine until it is too hot to hold, and then removed the cell. It is not too warm. The thick walls of this light pulls the heat rather well into the body and your hand will melt long before your cell explodes.

Starkm32 · 2019-11-25T01:57:07.000Z

Anyone know where you can buy a D4 these days?

toddcshoe · 2019-11-25T02:00:21.000Z

Neals Gadgets, Intl Outdoors, Mtn Electronics.

MascaratumB · 2019-11-25T02:04:01.000Z

toddcshoe:

Neals Gadgets, Intl Outdoors, Mtn Electronics.

I guess Neal doesn’t have them anymore! At least on the site…