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Posted: 8/7/2007 7:58:55 AM EDT
Will the original 6P accessories like the Z32 shock isolated bezel and Z59 tail cap work on the LED verison as well...
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| I'm asking about the new 6P LED, not the original 6P with a replacment lamp. |
The 6PL is the same as a 6P except that the 6P uses a P60 Lamp Assembly and the 6PL uses a P60L LED Module. The P60L is interchangeable with the P60 so the P60L can be used with bezels that the P60 can be used with (such as the Z32) |
A couple of add-on questions...
I thought the 6P and G2 were basically the same except for the "body" material so why does the new LED head operate better in the 6P? How does the 75Lum of the new LED head compare to the 60Lums of the original P60 head in terms of throw, beam, color, etc.? I was under the impression that LED "bulbs" were pretty much immune to breaking so why the need for the Z32 shock isolated head? How do you combine the new LED head with the shock isolated head, is it just a matter of installing the LED bulb in the Z32 head? Do these new 6P\G2 LED heads use CREE technology? If not, is there a head or conversion for the 6P that does? If so, what's the specs on those? Thanks guys |
Very good questions, here are the best possible answers that I can provide: -- I can't answer the regulation factors just yet, I intend to do some personal test myself to see what the G2L & 6PL actually reveal. -- The new LED lamp modules (P60L) are very much comparable to a P60 lamp in all aspects except color tone at longer ranges, the std. P60 will start to yellow out at ranges exceeding 40yds. while the new P60L (& most other 3w/5w LED's) tend to 'gray' out. -- The Z32 isn't required. And yes, the P60L just drops in like any std. lamp would. -- My understanding is that it is Cree technology though they may use other technologies as new developments progress. |
Even though the G2 body has a metal inner sleeve, the Nitrolon polymer is not as thermally conductive as the metal aluminium alloy of the 6P. Unlike with incandescent lights where the majority of the 'heat' is directed out of the bezel in the beam, the heat generated by LED lights is done some by the LED & electronics. LEDs do not like heat - it ages them which reduces the output. Therefore the heat from LED products has to be well managed - there should be a good thermal path from the LED away to a heat sink. One of the best ways to create a heat sink is with metal mass. Another way is by using cooling fins - however this only really works with active air flow - such as forced airflow using a fan. For flashlights one of the most important heat sinks is actually the user. Heat transferred to your hand is removed by blood flow - the body acts as a kind of thermal regulator. So heat generated in the G2 does not have as an effective path away from the LED - the temperature will rise more quickly. SureFire's P60L has a thermal sensor that reduces its output to ensure it doesn't overheat. This sensor is more quickly activated in the G2. Also, it seems that the metal 6P is able to drive the P60L slightly harder and manage away the heat better compared to the G2 so the 'regulated output state' of the P60L is 75 lumens in the 6PL compared to 65 lumens in the G2L. I agree - it would be good to see runtime/output charts measured by users for these two products. I suspect that in actual use, in the variety of uses (momentary use / constant-on use / mixture etc) and usage environments (ambient temperature, relative humidity, airflow/wind speed, flashlight held in the hand / or not etc), the output is going to adapt to the conditions.
The P60L uses a Seoul Semiconductor (SSC) LED which is based on a Cree XR-E die. It is possible to provide a detailed description if you'd care to learn more. SureFire use the best LED for the application. In general that has been LuxeonV LEDs and now SSC LEDs in reflectors, and LuxeonIII LEDs and now Cree XR-E LEDs behind custom designed TIR optics. Al |
Thanks for the detailed explanation
I don't know that I need a detailed description but a basic overview would be nice!  Seriously, what I would really like to know is, how does the P60L stack up against the Wolf Eyes DE26 CREE assembly which seems to be the most recomended LED replacement for the 6P right now? |
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