I forgot that I have never actually posted here before! I want to share my journey of lights over the past year.
It was a year ago when I joined this wonderful family. I remember it clearly because I was researching the powerful Trust fire TR1200 I saw on dealextreme. It was $35, and very expensive for me at the time. I was already going over my budget by a whopping $5! I was confused about ‘Chinese’ lumen claims, real lumens and OTF lumens. I had no clue whatsoever about lux or candela. I just wanted something that was brighter than my energizer rechargeable torch.
I remember waiting for over a month for my torch to arrive (DX, duh) and being so excited that having a few nicks and scratches didn’t worry me at all. When I turned it on it was just a powerhouse and decimated everything I had previously owned.
And then I started to read more, participate in discussions more and eventually lead me to buying my still favourite torch the TF 3T6.
It was brighter, but had less throw. And then the Sky ray King emerged, and everyone said it was at least 50% brighter. At this time there were no such readings of lumens or throw as these were cheap Chinese lights. We could only go off people’s estimation.
Compared to the maximum of 2000 lumen lights we had then, we now have lights which easily go past 6000 lumens. We used to have 100kcd max, now we have 900kcd. When I think about how far we’ve come in the past year I think about how far we will have have gone in another year. Things that seem impossible now, will they become a reality? Will we achieve an LED light with 600+kcd that isn’t an aspheric? Will we achieve insane efficient lights that last for weeks on a single charge?
And then I look at myself today. I can tell which light will have more throw, more output, better heat sinking just by looking at the body and emitter. When I was still a newb I wouldn’t know what to look for in a light.
I want to say thanks to everyone - the people who have left, and the people here now. You all have helped me learn about this amazing hobby! I am truly grateful to be a part of this forum! :bigsmile:
