Here is another meter that looks good, the CT-1330B from Luxmeters: thoughts, findings, comparison
Cheapest i found is at fasttech for $25.36
Check out the end of this thread for some more meter discussions.
I have also seen this effect that you describe, when i placed a pre collimator lens of 12.5mm above a dedomed XP-L 3A, the 3A when dedomed got pretty warm, but still nice. But the added lens made it almost back to 3A again, maybe not quite so much whiter but an ANSI step or 2 more NW again at least, very nice effect 
And because i used it as an pre collimator it also got a much bigger spot.