Vinz Custom P60 Drop-Ins: Triple Nichia 219 High CRI and Quad XP-G2
Foy is the luckiest flashaholic on the planet. Imagine getting a note from the most skilled custom flashlight/drop-in builder, perhaps in the world, asking if you would do the favor of evaluating and commenting on two modules he has planned. "Would I mind" he asked . . .
The few of you that own a Vinz creation know that from conception to tracking number, buying something from this guy is a unique and thrilling experience. This makes three modules I have now from Vinz and like the first (XM-L/U3 "Meisterstück") the level of quality is astonishing and performance is simply breathtaking. Because I don't frequent other flashlight communities, the feeling that I am practicing the hobby at the bleeding edge of innovation may not be entirely accurate. Power up one of these howitzers however and the suspicion that you are holding one of the finest P60 drop-ins on the planet is impossible to ignore.
These modules provided by Vinz for evaluation.
Quick specs:
Quad XP-G2/R5/1A
2-mode user interface with 1-second mode memory
low: 200 lumens
high: 1,500 lumens
3.7 volt only
tail cap current measured using a Solarforce P1d and Panasonic NCR18650PD charged to 4.23 volts: 5.45 amps on high
price: $105 including registered shipping from Germany
Triple Nichia 219 B10-SW45 High CRI
ascending 3-mode user interface with 1-second mode memory
low: 20 lumens
medium: 180 lumens
high: 720 lumens
3.7 volt only
tail cap current measured using a Solarforce L2X and Panasonic NCR18650PD charged to 4.23 volts: 3.83 amps on high
price: $105 including registered shipping from Germany
Vinz recommends using only these low internal resistance/high capacity cells for maximum current and stable output. He asked that I purchase them to evaluate these modules.
Foy's small collection of rare German jewelry, left to right: Quad XP-G2/R5/1A, Triple Nichia 219/B10/SW45/High CRI and XM-L/U3/2S . . .
Vinz turns his aluminum on a small, manual lathe and polishes it to a mirror finish . . .
Every detail is scrutinized, almost to absurdity. Take for example, his potting . . .
Vinz has formulated his very own potting/thermal adhesive based on 80% pure diamond powder. Each drop is 15ct. and this bag cost almost $400! Why? The heat conductance value of aluminum is about 220. The conductance of his diamond powder mix is 2300.
Your order arrives carefully packed inside their own plastic case . . .
When's the last time you received a drop-in packaged like this?
We'll do a walk-around on the quad first . . .
And the Triple Nichia walk-around . . .
Here's a white-wall of the Quad XP-G2. No matter how close you get, even an inch from the wall the center spot is perfectly round with no lines or division of any kind. The tint is less cool than other CW I have. The corona is gradual and the spill is four curving lines of the optic that look like a kaleidoscope.
The Triple Nichia doesn't really have a defined center spot. It's just a round perfect with no artifacts or separations at all. It is basically a gigantic flood of neutral white light that makes any CW next to it look more green and any NW next to it look less neutral.
All beam shots taken with 1/4 second shutter speed @ f2.8.
Int'l Outdoor Store ALXM in a Solarforce L2M. (XM-L2/T6/3C)
Triple Nichia 219 High CRI in a Solarforce L2X.
Quad XP-G2 in a Solarforce P1d.
ALXM at left with the Quad XP-G2 on the right. Yeah . . . the quad is a little brighter.
ALXM at left with the Triple Nichia on the right. Is that incredible or what?
Triple Nichia at left with the Quad XP-G2 at right.
ALXM . . .
Triple Nichia . . .
Quad XP-G2 . . .
Ohhhh the humanity . . . (ALXM at left, Quad XP-G2 at right)
And the spanking continues . . . (ALXM at left, Triple Nichia at right)
Triple Nichia at left, Quad XP-G2 at right.
I need to go to bed but I'll say a bit more later. Suffice it to say however, these are some damn bright modules.
tiredFoy
Bravo!