Alternatives to Dive Rite LX 20

[tbone1004]

I have been looking for a primary light as well for rec diving. I noticed you suggested to buy batteries and a charger elsewhere. Do you not recommend the Hog batteries and charger that they offer?

I don't personally use them because they come with fairly small batteries capacity wise at around 2600mah vs the 3400mah's that I have, but they aren't "ultrafires" so I wouldn't have an issue using them you just have a limited burn time

@LandonL it's probably the same emitter but they may be putting less current to it or being more realistic about what is through the glass vs. what is behind it, especially if they are intending it to be used with cr123's instead of an 18650. It's going to be rather difficult to discern those light differences though, especially in OW. That comment proven by the fact that even UW videographers can't tell that Big Blue's have a VERY significant light output dropoff about 20 minutes into their burn

 

[stuartv]

It's not the same, although yeah it looks similar. It is also advertised for use with 2 x CR123 batteries and is for purchasing the light only, no other accessories... Adding a charger and set of rechargeable batteries to that is going to add $25, and the CR123s will only last about half as long as a 18650. If you were to get that one, you would be better off using a 18650 instead anyway.

Ours already comes with a charger, rechargeable 18650 lithium battery, and a case.

Also, ours is closer to 860 lumen, so about 180 more lumen, they must be using a different sensor.

Their video light also uses 2 x CR123 - but you can also use 1 x 18650. I think that's pretty much the case for any light that takes 2 x CR123. So, I imagine the the Mako light will also accept 1 x 18650.

You said sensor, but I assume you mean LED emitter? I suppose they could be using a different LED emitter than you. But, it seems like everyone is using the Cree XM-L2 these days and those are rated for about 1050 lumens, max, which seems to result in an actual, out the front "real" lumens of about 600 - 700. Thus why the DGX600 uses that same emitter and is rated for 600.

The Mako light doesn't say what LED emitter it uses, but I bet it's an XM-L or XM-L2 and that's why it claims 680 lumens.

What LED emitter does yours use? Your website doesn't say.

The brightest one I know of right now is the XM-L2 and even if you're using that, I am HIGHLY skeptical that you're getting an actual 1000 lumens out the front.

And/or you could be using a different LED driver that pushed more current through the LED than what the Mako light does. That would make it brighter, with a shorter run time on a charge.

Does your light's driver maintain a constant light output over the whole life of the battery? Or does it get gradually dimmer, like the Big Blue lights are known for doing?

 

[stuartv]

@MAKO Spearguns Dano, does your 680 dive light accept 18650 batteries?

Also, what LED emitter does it have? Cree XM-L? XM-L2? Something else?

 

[tbone1004]

@stuartv there are quite a few emitters that are brighter, the next big one I think we're going to start seeing more of us the HP50 from Cree. Dive Rite is leading the way with that guy in their new primary light to finally have a respectable light output from their LED primary

 

[LandonL]

So, I imagine the the Mako light will also accept 1 x 18650.

Yep, thats why I suggested getting 18650 batteries instead, if choosing between the two and purchasing separately. More capacity for longer burn time.

You said sensor, but I assume you mean LED emitter?

Yeah, sorry, tired, and commenting on multiple threads at once, Meant emitter, changed it.

What LED emitter does yours use? Your website doesn't say.

Cree XM-L U2

The brightest one I know of right now is the XM-L2 and even if you're using that, I am HIGHLY skeptical that you're getting an actual 1000 lumens out the front.

Accident on initial listing, sorry, it was measured at 860 IIRC.

And/or you could be using a different LED driver that pushed more current through the LED than what the Mako light does. That would make it brighter, with a shorter run time on a charge.

Yeah thats definitely possible. We did our burn times using 18650s, which are higher capacity than two CR123s in series. Burn times are likely similar if one were to use the same batteries in either. Any difference in burn times is probably fairly negligible based on the lumen differences. If there actually are any at all.

Does your light's driver maintain a constant light output over the whole life of the battery? Or does it get gradually dimmer, like the Big Blue lights are known for doing?

It should maintain constant output as voltage drop is gradual in a lithium battery. I am sure there is probably some normal drop as voltage declines over the cycle, but I have never noticed. Would maybe need to get a par meter to check that one. Or do some calculations based on voltages at various levels.

 

[stuartv]

@stuartv there are quite a few emitters that are brighter, the next big one I think we're going to start seeing more of us the HP50 from Cree. Dive Rite is leading the way with that guy in their new primary light to finally have a respectable light output from their LED primary

Maybe. But, the XHP50 efficiency is only 149 lumens/Watt. The XM-L2 is 170. So, if you're talking about a handheld light with 1 x 26650 or 1 x 18650, the only way I can see the XHP50 being brighter is if you are willing to live with a MUCH shorter burn time. And I'm pretty sure the Deep6 light is not using that.

The XM-L2 is using 6W to put out 1000 lumens (at 170lm/W). For the XHP50 to put out the same, it would be burning almost 7W. So, a 90 minute burn time would drop to less than 80? And if you actually wanted the XHP50 to put out 2000 lumens, it would be less than 40 minutes burn time (assuming the same battery that gives 90 minutes with an XM-L2)?

You could build a more compact light head to produce the same amount of light, but otherwise, I don't see the advantage of the XHP50. Can't you get the same light with 3 x XM-L2 and have better burn time? (at the expense of a bigger light head)

I'm also looking forward to what's coming out with using the newer tech COB LED arrays - especially for video lights.

 

[LandonL]

Currently Out of stock.. Landon?

Yes, unfortunately

 

[victorzamora]

I also tried the Hollis 3W and mini3, that both have push buttons, but can't use 18650 batteries, *and I find the buttons like to stick.

Aren't both of those Hollis lights twist-on? I don't know of any Hollis lights with a push button.

 

[victorzamora]

Maybe. But, the XHP50 efficiency is only 149 lumens/Watt. The XM-L2 is 170. So, if you're talking about a handheld light with 1 x 26650 or 1 x 18650, the only way I can see the XHP50 being brighter is if you are willing to live with a MUCH shorter burn time. And I'm pretty sure the Deep6 light is not using that.

Where on earth did you get 170lm/W out of the XM-L2? I'm only seeing 116lm/W on Cree's site. That's over 10W at 1198lm. Also, please note that the lm/W number isn't fixed....it varies with power output. One emitter might be more efficient at one draw than another and that may reverse at a different output level.

Edit to add: The XHP50 emitter is also (per Cree) capable of ~2.5x the max light output of the XM-L2.

 

[stuartv]

Where on earth did you get 170lm/W out of the XM-L2? I'm only seeing 116lm/W on Cree's site. That's over 10W at 1198lm. Also, please note that the lm/W number isn't fixed....it varies with power output. One emitter might be more efficient at one draw than another and that may reverse at a different output level.

Edit to add: The XHP50 emitter is also (per Cree) capable of ~2.5x the max light output of the XM-L2.

Cree XLamp XM-L2 LEDs

And, yes, I know the XHP50 is rated for a max of over 2500 lumens.

Cree XLamp XHP50 LED