Beamshot Comparisons 2010
One of our most frequently asked questions is "which torch is best for me?". The answer to that depends on what you want to use it for, and whether the beam it produces is suitable for that purpose. Also for consideration is your preferred type of battery and even the torch size and weight.To give you a better idea of how each torch differs, we've taken a series of comparitive beamshots for 35 flashlights from our current range. Click on any image to see an enlargement and any link for more information. Lumen ratings are as quoted by the manufacturer.
The Torches
Each of these 35 lights uses a single Cree XR-E/XP-E/XP-G (Q3 Natural White, Q5 thru R5-bin Cool White), Cree MC-E or Golden Dragon power-LED. The main differences between them are the type of reflector they use (the size and suface finish, see below), the battery capacity and body size. Both of the latter influence the amount of current driving the LED [== brightness] given how much metal is available to act as a heatsink and the tradefoff against the desired battery life.
Reflector Surface Finish
On the left is a smooth reflector, on the right a textured reflector. A textured reflector smooths out imperfections in the beam but also spreads the light out. A smooth reflector throws the light further in a narrower beam.
Batteries
On the far left is a 3.7-volt, 2600mAh (9.6W-h) 18650 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery, next to that a 1.2-volt, 2000mAh (2.4W-h) AA rechargeable NiMH, then a matchbox for size comparison. On the right is a 3-volt, 1400mAh (4.2W-h) CR123A Primary "camera" battery.Note that the 18650 (nominal 66mm x 18mm) is around twice the length of the CR123A (34mm x 16mm), but slightly larger in diameter. A torch designed to use both has a larger diameter body and must cope with a wider voltage range (typically 2.7-volts through 10-volts or more).
Target One
The green shed is approximately 25 metres (82 ft) away from the camera. Each torch was in turn mounted in a Fenix Bike Mount on the camera tripod (except for the TK40, A6 and the headlamps).In the following photos check the gravel path and object on the right for the amount of light coming from the torch that isn't part of the main beam. This is the "spill" and is useful for seeing where you are walking.
Due to variations in LED colors and limitations in the camera for low-light conditions, you can't directly compare beam colors in these photographs.
No Moonlight
These photos were taken before moonrise. The solar garden lights don't provide any illumination of the target.
Floodlights
In the floodlight group we have the Fenix TK40 and TK30, Tiablo ACE-G and iTP A6. The TK30 was fitted with a battery extension tube to allow use of 4 x CR123A cells. Each of these torches uses the 4-emitter Cree MC-E LED and therefore requires a textured reflector to minimise artifacts. This results in a wide floodlight beam.
Fenix TK40 MC-E
MC-E LED, 630-lumen, textured reflector, 8xAA (4xAA usable in an emergency)
Wide central beam, excellent spill. Readily available AA batteries.
Tiablo ACE-G MC-E
MC-E LED, textured reflector, 2xCR123A | 1x18650 | 2x18650 with supplied body extension
Wide smooth beam, excellent spill.
Fenix TK30 MC-E
MC-E LED, 630-lumen, textured reflector, 2xCR123A | 1x18650 | 2x18650 | 4xCR123A with supplied body extension
Wide smooth beam, excellent spill.
iTP A6
MC-E LED, 700-lumen, textured reflector, 6xAA
Wide smooth beam, excellent spill.
Spotlights
In the spotlight group we have the Tiablo A7, A9 (with the standard reflector or the optional collimator head fitted) and A10, the Dereelight DBS V3 (standard reflector or collimator), Fenix TA21 and TK12 (R2).Each of these torches uses the Cree XR-E or XP-G Q5 thru R5-bin LEDs and come standard with a large/deep smooth reflector for a narrow beam and extended throw.
The Tiablo A9 and Dereelight DBS V3 fitted with their optional collimator lens heads focus the light from the LED resulting in a very tight spot that is effectively an image of the glowing LED die.
Tiablo A9 Q5 with Collimator Head
XR-E Q5 LED, 256-lumen, focussing lens, 2xCR123A | 1x18650
Extremely tight beam, excellent for spotlighting specific objects. Very limited spill. The semi-rectangular bright spot is the same shape as the LED die.
Dereelight DBS V3 R2 with Collimator Head
XP-G R5 LED, focussing lens, 2xCR123A | 1x18650
Extremely tight beam, excellent for spotlighting. Restricted spill.
Tiablo A10 Q5
XR-E Q5 LED, 260-lumen, smooth reflector, 2xCR123A | 1x18650
Very tight beam, excellent for spotlighting. Limited spill.
Tiablo A9 Q5 with standard head
XR-E Q5 LED, 256-lumen, textured reflector, 2xCR123A | 1x18650
Medium graduated beam (with the default textured reflector), good spill. Good for general illumination.
Dereelight DBS V3 R2 with standard head
XP-G R5 LED, smooth reflector, 2xCR123A | 1x18650
Tight beam, excellent for spotlighting. Restricted spill.
Fenix TK12 Q5
XR-E Q5 LED, 225-lumen, smooth reflector, 1x18650 | 2xCR123A | 2xRCR123A
Medium beam, good spill. Good for general illumination tasks.
Fenix TA21 Q5
XR-E Q5 LED, 225-lumen, smooth reflector, 1x18650 | 2xCR123A | 2xRCR123A
Medium beam, good spill. Good for general illumination tasks.
Tiablo A7
XR-E R2 LED, 230-lumen, textured reflector, 1x18650 | 2xCR123A | 2xRCR123A
Medium beam, good spill. Good for general illumination tasks.
Every-Day-Carry
Small enough to carry in your pocket or attached to your belt.
The first set of 10 in the EDC-group photos contains the Fenix PD30, PD20, PD10, LD20, LD10 and LD05, the Nitecore D10, D20 and SR3 and the Dereelight Javelin.
The second set of 10 EDC torches contains the iTP SA1, SA2, SC1, SC2, A1 and A2, the Fenix MC10 Angle Light, the Nitecore EX10 and EZAA and the Zebralight SC30. While the latter is sold as a head light, it can also be used as a normal torch.
These torches all use the Cree XR-E Q5 and Q2 LED, or the Cree XR-C at lower LED currents for longer battery life. They also have smaller heads and reflectors and thus generally produce wider beams.
Fenix PD30 Q5
XR-E R2 LED, 235-lumen, textured reflector, 2xCR123A
Nitecore SR3
XR-E R2 LED, 220-lumen, textured reflector, 1xCR123A
iTP SC2
XP-E R2 LED, 220-lumen, smooth reflector, 2xCR123A
Fenix LD20 R4
XP-G R4 LED, 205-lumen, smooth reflector, 2xAA
Zebralight SC30
XP-E LED, 193-lumen, textured reflector, 1xCR123A
Dereelight Javelin
XP-G R5 LED, 190-lumen, textured reflector, 2xAA
iTP SC1
XP-E R2 LED, 190-lumen, smooth reflector, 1xCR123A
iTP SA2
XP-E R2 LED, 190-lumen, smooth reflector, 2xAA
Fenix PD20 Q5
XR-E Q5 LED, 180-lumen, textured reflector, 1xCR123A
Nitecore D20
XR-E R2 LED, 180-lumen, textured reflector, 2xAA
Fenix PD10 R2
XP-E R2 LED, 190-lumen, textured reflector, 1xCR123A
Nitecore D10
XP-E R2 LED, 145-lumen, textured reflector, 1xAA
Nitecore EX10
XP-E R2 LED, 145-lumen, textured reflector, 1xCR123A
iTP A1
XP-E Q5 LED, 190-lumen, smooth reflector, 1xCR123A
Fenix MC10
Golden Dragon LED, 125-lumen, textured reflector, 1xAA
Fenix LD10
XR-E Q5 LED, 120-lumen, textured reflector, 1xAA
iTP SA1
XP-E R2 LED, 120-lumen, smooth reflector, 1xAA
Fenix LD05
XP-E R2 LED, 100-lumen, textured reflector, 2xAAA
iTP A2
XP-E Q5 LED, 80-lumen, smooth reflector, 1xAA
Nitecore EZ AA
XP-E R2 LED, 145-lumen, textured reflector, 1xAA
Head Lights
The Zebralight SC30, Fenix HP10 and HL20 are in the narrow-angled beam category of headlamps.
The Zebralight H50-Q5, H501W and H501R are in the wide-angle beam category. For photos of the latter 3, each light was mounted on top of the tripod at a distance of 10m from the target shed.
Zebralight SC30
XP-E LED, 193-lumen, textured reflector, 1xCR123A
Fenix HP10
XR-E Q5 LED, 225-lumen, textured reflector, 4xAA in separate battery pack
Fenix HL20
XP-E R2 LED, 105-lumen, textured reflector, 1xAA
Zebralight H501W
XR-E Q3 5A-tint LED, 80-lumen, 80 degree flood, 1xAA
Zebralight H50-Q5
XR-E Q5 LED, 66-lumen, 120 degree flood, 1xAA
Zebralight H501R
XR-C Red LED, 33-lumen, 80 degree flood, 1xAA
Target Two (from 2009 trials)
The second target, another green shed, is approximately 210m (682ft) distant.For this trial we chose a selection of the tightest beam spotlights and the widest beam floodlights.
Use the hanging branches of the tree on the right (in the night shots below) as a guide to the width of the beam.
Tiablo A9 Q5 with Collimator Head
XR-E Q5 LED, 256-lumen, focussing lens, 2xCR123A | 1x18650
Tiablo A10 Q5
XR-E Q5 LED, 260-lumen, smooth reflector, 2xCR123A | 1x18650
Dereelight DBS V3 R2
XP-G R2 LED, smooth reflector, 2xCR123A | 1x18650
Tiablo A9 Q5 with standard head
XR-E Q5 LED, 256-lumen, smooth reflector, 2xCR123A | 1x18650
Dereelight DBS V3
3SM module, MC-E-M LED, textured reflector, 2xCR123A | 1x18650 | 2x18650 with optional tube
Fenix TK40 MC-E
MC-E LED, 630-lumen, textured reflector, 8xAA (4xAA usable in an emergency)
Tiablo ACE-G MC-E
MC-E LED, 700-lumen, textured reflector, 2xCR123A | 1x18650 | 2x18650 with supplied body extension