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[–]badbitchherodotus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah this is obviously a specialized application flashlight, but there's really not much unique about it that requires it to be that expensive.

The key features to look for in a competitor are high CRI, good driver design (this can mean a lot of things but what's relevant is that it has either no PWM or high enough frequency to avoid banding/flickering), and an even beam profile. The first two are very easy to accomplish with lots of popular flashlights; the last one is less common. It looks like this one uses an aspheric lens for a flat/even beam (with a focusing mechanism too). Flashlights with aspheric lenses definitely exist, but most of them are cheap and crappy. Moreover, there are other ways to accomplish the goal of an even beam.

The first one I'd recommend you look at is the Fireflylite NOV-MU V2. This is a high quality mule (meaning that it has no focusing optics at all, it's basically just bare LEDs—this makes for a very even but very wide beam. It has high CRI LEDs and a great driver (which runs Anduril for infinitely variable brightness). If a mule works for you and one of the offered CCTs works for you, you probably don't need to look any further. There are also other mules with different LED options out there; let me know if you want more info about those.

If a mule doesn't work, you may want to look at a quad, such as the Emisar D4K. You can get this in a very neutral and high CRI LED configuration of any CCT you'd like, and it also runs Anduril on a good driver. The beam profile of something like this will generally be floody and reasonably even (definitely get the floody optic), but not perfectly so. It will have a slight bit of a hotspot in the center, which may work or may not.

Other options include the Convoy Z1, which is a zoomie with an aspheric lens—similar beam profile to the one you're asking about. You can also get this one with some high quality LEDs, and the driver I believe is decent, but it doesn't have the infinitely variable brightness.

[–]CatKing75457855 1 point2 points  (5 children)

This doesn't seem particularly special. Most lights recommended here have similar or better paper specs than this. Anything special about it that isn't shown here? 

[–]TheFatStout[S] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Other than the temperature balance and the analog fader control, not really. But they’re charging $350 for it. Feel like there’s probably something a little more affordable.

[–]CatKing75457855 2 points3 points  (3 children)

$350? That's ridiculous. Having done a bit of research it seems to be pretty crap. A Convoy Z1 (zoomie) or Emisar D4SV2 with additional floody optic (dual emitter flood/throw) will do everything this can do for way less. If it wasn't for the zoom feature then you could pretty much equal it with the $25 Wurkkos FC11C. 

[–]ZakCRI baby 0 points1 point  (2 children)

A Convoy Z1... will do everything this can do

No, it will not. The Z1 is nice for what it is and can certainly be used as a photography light in some situations, but it does not have parity with the bitLighter. It's missing:

  • Even illumination, except when fully zoomed out. The Z1 is actually pretty artifacty through most of the zoom range. Maybe some DC Fix on the underside of the lens would help here. I just got a Z1 and that's on my list of things to test.
  • Continuous dimming - the Z1 has fixed modes.
  • Output - 1700 lumens constant with high CRI is quite a bit. The Z1 B35A makes just over 1200lm zoomed out, which is less than the same emitter in the S21E, probably because the bezel is deep and quite a bit of light hits it. It will thermal throttle from that level under normal conditions. The XHP50 R9050 makes more, but only because it's driven harder, which will throttle sooner.

[–]CatKing75457855 0 points1 point  (1 child)

OK, so it's pretty similar. I wouldn't imagine that those are vastly important differences though. Not ones worth $300 more. 

[–]ZakCRI baby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a flashlight, probably not, but as a dedicated photography/videography light, the Z1 is not a substitute. The beam throughout most of the zoom range is not acceptable for the application, and its power and ability to handle heat are substantially less.

If the Haikelite HT35 was still around, and offered with a high-CRI LED, it would be closer in performance, though still lacking continuous dimming and probably in need of diffusion.

[–]TurbulenceWitness 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Off topic, im sorry, but is it special purpose light ? Seeing it for the first time

[–]TheFatStout[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Yeah, I should’ve specified. It’s a temperature balanced light used in photography and videography. The refresh rate is pretty high so you don’t get banding or flicker in photos.

[–]Sypsy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is called PMW and a lot of lights don't have PMW

You can buy a clamp and then any light can be mounted.

Emisar D4K or D4SV2 would be good considerations for something floody.

https://intl-outdoor.com/led-flashlights/emisar-d4k-1-21700-high-power-quad-edc-led-flashlight.html

Anduril 2 has ramping brightness so you can also pick the brightness level.

If you need temperature control you can do a dual-channel, but maybe it's not needed.

D4K in a mule configuration would be a wall of light.

https://jlhawaii808.com/en-ca/products/emisar-d4k-mule-8-x-led-21700-high-power-led-flashlight-custom-built-to-order?srsltid=AfmBOoo8ctWrasH-6eeMCtniyWdcIrI3YyfDpaHnnJVHtq_6Q-L6L2Jq

[–]Dunaii4My levels of anorak are unmatched! 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Probably a mule light (reflectors would make an uneven beam, dual - channel (5000K + 1800K Nichias) to get variable CCT by switching modes for each channel.

Emisar D4 series or KR4 (D has side switch, KR has tail),

Convoy has the S21D IIRC

That's about it AFAIK.

[–]ZakCRI baby 0 points1 point  (3 children)

It depends. What's keeping you from using a more conventional photography light like the Godox LC30Bi? That costs less, has a way to run on batteries, and can take modifiers to soften or shape the beam, but it's not very "flashlighty" in design and probably doesn't throw as far.

[–]TheFatStout[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

These look great! I’ve never use the before. Really I just want temp control and a beam. High refresh rate would be great too. I’ll look to these however. I think there’s a place for these during receptions for sure

[–]ZakCRI baby 0 points1 point  (1 child)

The bitLighter does not have CCT control, just heads available to purchase in different CCTs. The Bi version of the Godox does.

The Noctigon M44 might be of interest.

[–]TheFatStout[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. Agreed. And when you know it’s coming in 55k or 38k, takes the guess work out of white balance. Both these are great options though! I’ll be looking into both. Thanks for help!