Surefire x300 new and old lumen output...

[Rezarf2]

I have noticed that the x300 is rated for 170 lumens now. Does anyone know if there are really two different output levels of the x300? Perhaps you have a new "marked" x300 and one from last year or older?

I only ask because I know that SF lights tend to be under-rated from the factory, and I wonder if they wised up and just re-rated the light verses added new components to actually make it brighter.

Anyone have any info on this?

Thanks in advance-

[Rezarf2]

Nothing?...

[R Moran]

They redesigned the lamp/bezel, the output was upper from 110 to 170 lumens.

[021411]

I sent my "old" X300 to a gentleman who is a member of CPF and he tested it in his light sphere. It started out at 210.8 lumens at 1 sec and after 3 mins, settled at 203.1 lumens measured OUT THE FRONT with primary CR123's.
My serial number is A299xx. The box is marked "110 Lumens". Underrated? Hell yes.

The CPF link to the stuff I had tested.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...&postcount=691

[SmokeJumper]

I sent my "old" X300 to a gentleman who is a member of CPF and he tested it in his light sphere. It started out at 210.8 lumens at 1 sec and after 3 mins, settled at 203.1 lumens measured OUT THE FRONT with primary CR123's.
My serial number is A299xx. The box is marked "110 Lumens". Underrated? Hell yes.

The CPF link to the stuff I had tested.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...&postcount=691

I'm curious, how was the lumen output measured? Is there a special device that is used or is it based on known distances that become visible within range of the light output?

[joffe]

I'm curious, how was the lumen output measured? Is there a special device that is used or is it based on known distances that become visible within range of the light output?

Lumen output is just a figure that tells you how much total light is coming out of the front. It doesn't tell you anything about how far the light will give you useful spotting assistance. The beam shape determines how useful a light is at a distance and lumen output doesn't tell you squat about that. Lumens are only useful as a comparison between lights that have similar or identical beam characteristics. (floodlight vs. floodlight or spotlight vs. spotlight, TIR vs. TIR etc)

What is commonly used as a metric for that ('throw') is lux output - lux is how much light is emitted onto a predetermined area, usually measured at some distance from the light, and in the center of the beam. The idea being that the higher the lux in the center of the beam, the more of the total output is being focused into a tight hotspot. However the best way is of course to compare lights via consistent photographs of things being lit up at known distances, and even better is to use the Mk1 eyeball, of course that's not always possible before a purchase.

Lumen output, that is total light output regardless of beam shape, is measured using an implement called an 'integrating sphere'. It's basically an enclosed sphere where you insert your light, turn it on and fancy electronic stuff I don't understand measures the output and tells you what it measured on a computer screen. Obviously proper calibration is key here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrating_sphere

I'm not sure how Surefire measures theirs but since they consistently underrate their lights I guess they have their own proprietary methodology.