Thread: Looking for a new head torch

I got myself a Cree XML head light recently cheap as. It used 4 AA batteries and put out heaps of light. Down side an hour later and things started going dim. Not one to take things lying down I fitted a regulated 2 cell lipo to it which smoked the LED driver board ASAP (they are seriously bad).

So I ordered some 3.7v lipos and a new driver and XML U3 bulb. I put it back together and very impressed. Absolutely kills my mates Led Lenser 14.2 in every way. I now have 4.4 hours constant on high (1.45 amps) which will light up brightly an entire acer in flood mode and about 10m square very brightly at 100y on zoom. It doesn’t throw as well as I had hoped but have some reflectors coming to build a new light with a MT-G2 bulb which is about 2000 lumen and that may work out real well. I tried this bulb and driver in the headlight but it was way too much power and run far too hot. It had less throw than the XML bulb but lit up the entire pine tree at 100y plenty bright enough to shoot a possum from any branch. Pretty insane amount of light really. Easily 5-6 times as much as our outdoor light in the drive way.

These Cree XML lights are not 2000 lumen as they state so don't get sucked in by that, the most reasonable information I have found would suggest they are about 900 lumen. The efficiency of the lens or reflector is how to capitalize on their performance. These new LED chip (bulbs) are very impressive and very cheap to play with. For less than $100.00 you can build a light that will kill anything in every way currently being sold today. $300-$400 for a Led Lenser is an absolute rip if you are even slightly handy with a soldering iron.

The down side to LED lights is they do generate a lot of heat and they do consume a lot of power. I got 4 6.4 a/h LiPo batteries for $28.00 each these are fantastic very light and small and can be charged in just 30min. I have enough gear to build a couple on lights with 2 x batteries each for my son and I.