I wouldn't bother with a first-gen XPG. There's a lot more improvement from XPG to XPG2, much more than from XML to XML2.
I'm still waiting to finish all the competitors, as of right now I'm mostly just confused. The two S4s are finished, the older one with the dedomed XPG2, and the newer one with dedomed XML2, both driven at the same current, both on copper soldered into the pills, both using unmodified reflectors, both using double-AR UCL lenses. And while the XPG2 version has a noticeably smaller beam, I can't see that the XML2 one is putting out any more light. It should be pretty obvious but it's just not there. So what has me confused is, is the XPG2 version really special, outperforming what the parts would be expected to do 'on paper'? Or is there something not right with the XML2 version? That one is on its second emitter, too - the first one was obviously not right, either damaged during the reflow or some other problem, something happened to it to jack the Vf way up and it wouldn't even light up on the Nlite's moonlight mode. Emitter #2 doesn't have that issue but the output similarities between XPG2 & XML2 are puzzling.
Or maybe the S4 reflector is just in a sweet spot with the XPG2? I ran the XML2 version for a while before taking the dome off and was not happy with it AT ALL, it wasn't particularly floody (compared to the S3, at least) but it didn't throw worth a crap, either. Dedoming made a huge improvement.
If I had a meter, I think I'd be a lot less confused! (maybe... sometimes the numbers don't correlate to what the eye sees and makes things more confusing)
Which driver are you using?
From FastTech, the 2800mA is using 8*AMC7135 but the 3rd pic from the left looks like not. I don’t see any drivers on the spring side with the retainer ring.
OK Comfy. I saw the empty host from Fasttech. I got an UltraFire S5 have moded it but I still need to replace the driver with a Nanjg style one. Can’t figure out yet how to put it in-place. With component on the spring side will not have threads for the retainer ring to hold it.
Use some copper wire formed into a circle to use as a spacer at the bottom of the threads, so the spring side of the driver is flush with the rear of the pill, then solder as usual. I never use those silly threaded rings.
I don't know lux numbers well enough to say what it's similar to, but XML2 with the dome intact doesn't throw at all, it's just a great big fluffy center spot. Not as bad as the flood monster S3, but not throwy at all. I'm still planning to do a new set of comparison pics if I ever get around to building the S2 (which I really like design-wise, maybe better than the S4) and the other S4.
I dislike the S3 so much, I may see how the stumpy little reflector does with a MTG2 + 2x 16340. It's not like I can make it any worse...
A dome-intact XPG2 is still pretty damn good. Feed it 3A and it should be doing 700L or so... though I don't know the warmer/high CRI XPG2 parts that well.
Gords you've built enough of these weird combos, am I going crazy or is there something wrong with the XML2 version? Shouldn't the extra, what, ~400 lumens be readily apparent to the eye? I could understand not seeing the difference if it was only 200L, but this should be a big difference, nearly 1/3 more. They look the same to me, like they're the same LED just with different focus, of course with the XML2 spot being bigger and slightly less intense.
Tailcap currents are 2.72A for the XPG2, and 2.78A for XML2. Same reflectors and everything else etc. etc.
Sorry to drag this one out again but I just got my SMO reflector in for the S5. Looks like a subtle difference, maybe a wee bit more focused…more after dark. :bigsmile:
I’ll bet if I could find an XP-G2 on 16mm and get it in there without wrecking the light, it would make a difference in throw, right?! It’s getting 2.8A
they are bare and need flowing onto noctigons, I’ll report back on that.
comfy, I cant tell the difference between my over driven xm-l2 c8 upgrade and my convoy l2 - similar situation xm-l2 nw vs xp-g2 3d nw. the xm-l2 I know is brighter, just cant see it. That’s why I love overdriven xp-g2’s, brightness is good, throw puts a smile on my fizzog.
I tend to choose xm-ls/l2’s for close up work at low drive currents and if I want a thrower or a thrower looking beam I look at xp-g2’s, I’ve got a light meter now though so that is all up for revision.
I’ve got my workshop now so I’m hoping to do a bit soon, just not feeling all that motivated, been for another scan/consultation on the baby and the news is not good at all. I’m pretty gutted tbh.
Anyway back on track. I know what your saying that 400 lumen should be apparent but its not. At 1 lumen vs 400 itd be obvious, at 700 vs 1100 its really not, our eye’s aren’t linear, they get lumen soaked, its not the light, its the measuring device lol
In the interest of giving you something else to think about, what do you think about this LED: http://www.fasttech.com/products/1311505 Would it be OK with 2.8A?
I’m running a cutter alu mounted xp-g2 at 3a, its not popped yet, its probably saghing a lot due to heat build up, that’s why copper boards are recommended but it should be ok, I do really like the 3d tint though, it makes for a very pleasant to use light.
no worries on the baby, its just one of those things, can’t do anything to help, just have to wait and see. We’re going for an experimental mri scan next week. wont help the baby but hopefully some good comes from the research, I want to take some positive from all this.
I haven't forgotten about this, have all 4 lights built, domed XML2, dedomed XML2, domed XPG2, dedomed XPG2. XPG2, even with the dome intact, is the way to go. Removing the dome makes it throw a little better, but even the dedomed XML2 isn't as good as the stock XPG2.
I'll try to get the beamshots tonight, maybe that will show something my eyes can't see.
