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发表于 2009-11-3 20:22
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This is Thrunite's second attempt at getting their brand into the flashlight industry's mainstream, and I'll have to say,in my opinion, they did quite a bit better the second time around. ( I thought the ThruNite TiKey wasn't as good as it could have been ). Thrunite has put allot more attention to the small details this time around, and their efforts have been rewarding to the consumer.
The core of this flashlight is one of the newest cutting edge "Luminus SST-50" LEDs. This is a LED with the potential of outputting 1250 lumens, but Thrunite has kept the output @ a 900 (emitter?) lumens for a longer and cooler running light. The reason this is different from, say, a Cree MC-E which can output roughly the same amount of light, is that it uses a solid chip compared to the 4 chips of the MC-E. How is this different? Well, there is spacing between the MC-E's 4 chips, and this would result in what we call a "donut hole" in the beam if a deep reflector (needed for a thrower) was used. The SST-50 has no problem being a thrower as it does not have the die gap problem. Most, if not all of the throwers currently on the market are using the Cree XR-E or XP-E because it is a single die LED and relatively easy to focus, but, the maximum output is roughly 300 lumens. The SST-50 changes all of that. I hope to see many other manufacturers implementing this new LED. ThruNite is the first company to use this LED in a mass produced, affordable light. ( the previous manufacturer to use a SST-50 would be Olight in their limited release titanium light)
Onto the light itself. again. At first glance, the light catches your eye with the multicoated window, not unlike what Jetbeams lights have. This deep hue of purple at just the right angle is interesting, personally, I think it looks cool. Technically, this is supposed to help with light transmission. A win win, it seems? As for grip on the light, I think that without the battery tube, the light would be a bit slippery to grasp, and you would be too likely to drop the light. The Threads on the battery tubes are anodized, which allows for lockout to prevent accidental activation.
Dimming -- I cannot detect any traces of PWM -- I belive this light to be current based regulation.
the UI, to me, is simple to use. Although, instead of the smooth ramping as I am used to when setting the low mode, the light jumps in brightness until you decide it is at the correct level. The lowest low is a very nice low one. kudos to ThruNite!
There actually is a slight "clover"(as Mev observed) in the beam.. I estimate it to be 1/15 of the hotspot by area.
The ThruNite Catapult is the first high output light to be a thrower, and have a very good beam. This light sets the foundation for throwers to come.
In my honest opinion, This is a great light. Please, do not hesitate to comment if you think otherwise, questions are encouraged as I might have missed some points.
Thank you for reading.
Accidental drop test: While taking the outdoor beamshots, the light happened to roll off the tripod, plummeting 3.5 feet to the concrete tiles below with a sickening thud. Result: The light changed modes, a few light scratches. Passed with flying colors. |
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