750.356
05-13-10, 10:24
Due to some of the discussion here lately regarding the ratings and output of certain flashlights, I figured I'd post some of the actual 'out the front' lumen measurements taken in a real, calibrated integrating sphere. An IS is the only way to accurately measure OTF lumens, so these numbers cut through a lot of the BS and speculation when it comes to discussing how bright a certain light is.
These charts already exist on Candlepowerforums, but you need to sift through a ton of data from custom, modded, and crazy exotic light/battery setups that most of us have never even heard of, let alone use. I decided to pick out an assortment of common, stock lights and drop-ins that you guys are familiar with.
These numbers are brought to you by Candlepowerforum members MrGman and Bigchelis. They put a TON of work into this project, and the result is that we now can accurately gauge how these lights actually perform, and compare this with how the manufacturer claims they perform.
If possible, I'll update this when some of the newer lights have been measured as well. I'm particularly interested in the new SF LX2, as well as the SF lights that have received upgraded specs: the E2DL, X300, M600C, and soon-to-be E1B.
The first # column is the manufacturer's rating. The second column is actual output.
LIGHT_________________Rating (Lumens)______Output (lumens)
Surefire A2___________50_________90
Surefire 6PL__________80_________82
Surefire E1B__________80_________85
Surefire E2L__________60________110
Surefire E2DL________120________210
Surefire M600C_______120________171
Surefire M600C_______120________192
Surefire U2__________100________133
Streamlight TLR-1____130________159
Fenix LD10___________120________115
Fenix LD2 Q5_________180________145
Fenix P2D CE_________135________104
Fenix T1_____________225________225
Fenix MC10___________125________124
Fenix TK40___________630________570
Nitecore EZAA________130________104
Inova T1_____________100________100
TNVC Q5 Drop-in______220________177
Malkoff M60__________235________231
Malkoff M60__________235________235
Malkoff M60F_________235________220
Malkoff M60W_________170________185
Malkoff M60LF________140________155
Please note that, for most of these measurements, we're working with a sample size of 1. There will be variances in output from unit to unit. It's within the realm of possibility that we're seeing lights that are total dogs, or real overachievers that are not represenative of the light in question. Even so, this is a good starting point for the discussion of flashlight output, as it involves actual data.
These charts already exist on Candlepowerforums, but you need to sift through a ton of data from custom, modded, and crazy exotic light/battery setups that most of us have never even heard of, let alone use. I decided to pick out an assortment of common, stock lights and drop-ins that you guys are familiar with.
These numbers are brought to you by Candlepowerforum members MrGman and Bigchelis. They put a TON of work into this project, and the result is that we now can accurately gauge how these lights actually perform, and compare this with how the manufacturer claims they perform.
If possible, I'll update this when some of the newer lights have been measured as well. I'm particularly interested in the new SF LX2, as well as the SF lights that have received upgraded specs: the E2DL, X300, M600C, and soon-to-be E1B.
The first # column is the manufacturer's rating. The second column is actual output.
LIGHT_________________Rating (Lumens)______Output (lumens)
Surefire A2___________50_________90
Surefire 6PL__________80_________82
Surefire E1B__________80_________85
Surefire E2L__________60________110
Surefire E2DL________120________210
Surefire M600C_______120________171
Surefire M600C_______120________192
Surefire U2__________100________133
Streamlight TLR-1____130________159
Fenix LD10___________120________115
Fenix LD2 Q5_________180________145
Fenix P2D CE_________135________104
Fenix T1_____________225________225
Fenix MC10___________125________124
Fenix TK40___________630________570
Nitecore EZAA________130________104
Inova T1_____________100________100
TNVC Q5 Drop-in______220________177
Malkoff M60__________235________231
Malkoff M60__________235________235
Malkoff M60F_________235________220
Malkoff M60W_________170________185
Malkoff M60LF________140________155
Please note that, for most of these measurements, we're working with a sample size of 1. There will be variances in output from unit to unit. It's within the realm of possibility that we're seeing lights that are total dogs, or real overachievers that are not represenative of the light in question. Even so, this is a good starting point for the discussion of flashlight output, as it involves actual data.