Flood/throw video. The throw on this light is actually really impressive - I guess the simple fact that there are 8 W1s together overcomes the somewhat floody optics.
Also, preview of some data gathering in progress to keep everyone excited:
A lot of people, including myself, were seeing the M44 as a D18 replacement - an enthusiast light with some extremely high power, but more modern with aux LEDs and flashing pads. When it was revealed to be a horizontal scaling of the existing 2A/LED boost driver, I will admit I was mildly disappointed, but still excited because there is still nothing else like it that exists.
When the details came out that it was a 2A/LED boost driver, I personaly felt it wouldn’t work that well as a flood/throw light due to how shallow the DT8 optics are. With an M44 in my hand, I can say that the throw is excellent - yes, my DM1.12s are lighter, smaller, and throw further, but the M44 puts out way more lumens, and throws almost as far.
When I went to test the throw on the W1 outside at night, I was amazed. It’s a lot throwier than I thought. I guess, the W1 is an efficient LED at lower currents, so 2A means the W1 is still being driven at a reasonable level, while LEDs like 519A or W2 that can take higher currents are closer to the bottom of their operating window. That, plus the simple fact that there are eight of them, makes this actually a great thrower in my opinion. Sure, you can get more throw for the dollar, but with the flood channel too and the extremely high efficiency, it’s a unique combination.
On a more personal note:
I’ve been going through a very difficult time in my life recently, and all of this happened relatively unexpectedly for me, that I would be possibly the first person to get her M44s, and my decision to do a review at all was impulsive and a way to distract myself from some bad things that were going on in my life, but I’ve really enjoyed everything and this community has made me feel welcome. Certain community members, in particular @ToyKeeper herself, have really gone above and beyond in making me feel welcome - I know I’ve been here for a short time in comparison to some people, but I tend to be passionate about things I like (in less than a year I went from buying my first new light to finding and fixing bugs in anduril, after all… :P), and it makes me happy to know other people out there are getting happiness from my work too.
I want to thank everyone, and I hope that I can keep being helpful to a community that has given me light (literal and metaphorical) in a very dark time in my life, and I feel glad I can bring that same light to other people’s, whether with an impulsive unscripted unprofessional review, firmware mods, or just giving advice. Sometimes this community has been a reason for me to keep going. Thank you.