luvlites
March 6, 2014, 3:24pm
46
Higher is better, it shows more of the available light making it downrange.
If 3000 lumens put’s light out to 500 yds it’s sheer power making it happen.
Edit: It might be a misleading formula though, as the light that reaches distant targets while spilling light on the surroundings between is a much more powerful light than the one that threads a trace of light through the darkness to illuminate a small area downrange. So based on the number alone, one might choose an XR-E light that is focused perfectly to illuminate marker signs or meters (say an electrical meter) for reading in poor light from a distance, whereas the lower relative number light may actually throw further and show more in the surrounding area, like a cow that is having calving problems that you can easily see at 700 yds distant through binoculars. So 2 lights with fairly different numbers in this formula might not be good for the same task, and the higher number could mislead as to which task it’s good for. Unless, of course, one knows his formulas…
EditII: To clarify, a pencil beam might show a cow in the distance having trouble calving, but not the 4 coyotes 10 yds away waiting for that calf to drop. The broader beam spill pattern of a more powerful light can show other things that are relative and equally important.
A higher throw factor only means higher relative throw after equalizing for differences in luminous flux. As I wrote a few posts ago, rdrfronty’s TN31mb has higher relative throw than any of his lights here, although all but the K40vn throw farther.
To avoid any misunderstandings about what this metric does and does not do, here’s more info about relative throw and flood. Throw factor is metric #3 .
Under construction to make more user friendly