Anyone who has been underground with me over the last 18 months or so will have seen my really rather bright Chinese import SkyRay Li-Ion hand held torch, claimed output 4000 lumens. Its pretty good for the money and about equivalent to the combined output of the main beam headlights on my VW Polo (yes, I have tried it down an unlit road!) and lasts around 25 minutes on full power - more than enough to flood a cavern with light to take photos with, or for a quick flash around to generally stare in awe in places like Moel Fferna.
Recently gave in to temptation and bought the 13000 lumens model, this is a TrusFire, and at the time of purchase didn't seem to be available from UK based Ebay sellers. This caused a bit of an issue - when I ordered the lamp as a kit with batteries (26650 Li-Ion, x3) and charger, it failed to show up. Then came the explanation, the Chinese government have banned the export of lithium as it's predicated to be in short supply during the next few years. After a bit of faffing, I ordered the batteries from a UK seller (who himself was having difficulty sourcing them) and a 4-bay NiteCore charger - which whilst advertised as a 4-bay charger capable of charging 26650 cells, it only accepts two at a time, and there are dire warnings about attempting to charge only one cell. Hey ho, a way around this was found.
Various people seem to have taken great joy at telling others that their Chinese import lamp is not as bright as claimed - "SO WHAT" - my 4000 lumens lamp cost only £40 as a complete set (batteries, charger) and it's still 'kin bright for the money. It was with similar approach I bought the 13000 lumens model. Its probably not 13000 lumens, but hey, having got it home today its still blindingly bright. Id say its as least double the output of my existing model, and for £50 something quid, I'm happy. Obviously its a bit big, 330mm long and 80mm diameter at the largest point. There are some trips you'd just not take it on, but others like Moel Fferna, Cwmorthin, possibly CRTT, game on!
Ive tried to get some comparative night time shots but my Lumix camera is just far too clever for its own good* and doesn't really show the difference.
Side by side. the 4000 lumens uses three CREE T6 LEDs from two 18650 cells, The 13,000 lumens model, using larger diameter batteries is a LOT bulkier, and is running twelve CREE T6 LEDS from three, 26650 cells.
My old 4000 lumens model....
against the 13000 lumens. The LED tone seems a but whiter, but the photos do not do the increase in light output justice.
Just as the lamp FINALLY arrived, a friend messaged me to say that a 18000 lumens model, running 15 LEDS from FOUR 26650 cells is now available. When will they stop? :lol:
* possibly meaning, I still don;t know how to drive it
A friend of mine has one of these which i witnessed at Darkplaces bigbash August this year ... it was without doubt the brightest thing ive ever used, it put my skyray king to terrible shame. its an arse to get the batteries BUT it comes with tubes which you insert and are able to run it off 18650's.
heres a link to the chinese page you can get em from (apparently a reputable site im informed)
trustfire silly bright light (http://www.banggood.com/TrustFire-12XCREE-XML-T6-13000-Lumen-5-Modes-LED-Flashlight-p-906375.html)
http://www.banggood.com/TrustFire-12XCREE-XML-T6-13000-Lumen-5-Modes-LED-Flashlight-p-906375.html
And only £46 quid! :woohoo:
Delivered!!! :woohoo:
I'm not the best at finding the lowest price, but still grinning like an idiot at the new implement!
Watch the wiring in the head. 12 XM-L's is a lot of current even at low drive levels. Couple it with the heat dissipation, I'd suggest the wiring would get very toasty. Replacing it with Silicone covered wire is easy enough by all accounts.
Hi Guys
have just bought the cree 2x5000 luminums XM-L U2 with 4x 26650 batterys in a case with charger and headset and can be fitted on a bike as front headlights they are mounted in a aluminiun caseing and swivel foe £19.99 and free delivery should be here next week they are twin mounted for wider light bought it for the camcorder to get a good wide light and distance at the same time will let you know how it performs
Mick
where from murph?
Yeah where from Murph
I got the single LED one but that cost me nearly the same price
Disclose please!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Black-5000Lm-2x-CREE-XML-U2-LED-Cycling-Front-Bicycle-Bike-Light-Headlamp-X2-/111227175730?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Camping_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item19e5a80332
Probably this one ;)
[ebay]370908908758[/ebay]
I snagged one of these for someone else recently. Not bad, but watch the heat. If you're opening the lamp, watch out for the glass, the one I opened now has a a perspex front... :blush:
As ever, batteries will never live up to claimed capacities, but that's par for the course with stuff this cheap. Otherwise, seems to be ok.
Hi Guys
E-BAY sellers name delhanway2009 (344809)
The one Ant9 posted a link to, I tried as a video light two weeks ago in Notts II, For the price, i'm impressed! seems bright enough and pretty robust!
TLH
Incidently you can see what the one Newstuff pointed to as I used one exactly like that in my gold mind video.