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Showing 1 of 18 conversations about:
Klarus XT32 1,200-Lumen Searchlight
inventbot
63
May 8, 2019
Is "throw" simply a function of the brightness? Or a combination of the brightness with how tightly focused the beam is?
Perhaps someone can enlighten me :).
I no longer see compelling reasons to get large flashlights, when I can get something with almost 1000 lumens that fits in the palm of my hand (such as the Folomov that regularly comes up on MD for a very reasonable price) and is plenty bright.
Major_Infidel
316
Jul 9, 2019
inventbotYou’re definitely on the right track. The most familiar measure of a torch’s output is its lumen rating. For LED lights, this is a calculation of the total amount of light energy being produced across the entire face of the diode, in all directions. “Throw”, on the other hand, is primarily a function of the luminous intensity of the diode (i.e. how many photons it can release per unit area), and how well that output can be focused down range. It is measured in candelas (cd) or thousands of candelas (Kcd). And so it is that a flashlight’s lumen rating alone tells us next to nothing about how far that light will throw.
As an example, you can get 4000 lumens out of an XHP 70.2 LED fairly easily, whereas an Oslon Flat Black die may only produce 700 lumens. But where throw is concerned, you have to understand that the Oslon is pushing out its 700 lumens from a die that’s only about 1mm^2. The much larger XHP die needs roughly 30 times more surface area to emit its 4000 lumens. Thus the Oslon produces more intense light, but not as much of it.
The second part part of the equation is how well the beam of light is focused. This is where things such as reflector size, optics and aspherics come into play. The important takeaway here being that the larger reflector can focus the beam of light more effectively than a smaller reflector.
(Edited)
bambam67
334
Jul 11, 2019
Major_InfidelTHAT is the best explanation ive seen regarding this in a LONG time.
Major_Infidel
316
Jul 11, 2019
bambam67Thanks for the kind words, bam.
One of the things I like best about Drop is the willingness of the membership to freely share their insights or knowledge in a particular area with other members. I know I’ve benefited from this countless times.
inventbot
63
Jul 11, 2019
Major_InfidelThank you Major. That was very helpful!
DougFLA123
1404
Jan 7, 2020
Major_InfidelDo you have any experience with this particular flashlight? Is it a good one? Is it a great one? The price seems very good.
Major_Infidel
316
Jan 7, 2020
DougFLA123I do not personally own any Klarus lights, but can say that they enjoy a reputation for good machining, anodizing and overall build quality. If this model meets all of your performance requirements, I wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
Alternatively, if throw is your primary consideration, you may want to check out this Noctigon offering in its stock form. It’s shorter, uses only one cell and throws much farther (1600m), at the cost of a slightly larger head and being a few dollars more expensive.
https://skylumen.com/collections/v54-lights/products/noctigon-k1vn-best-single-21700-thrower-r?variant=31304155037760
DougFLA123
1404
Jan 7, 2020
Major_InfidelI would have purchased this Klarus XT-32, but they’re not selling the battery/charger kit with it as an option. I’m disappointed because it seemed like a great price (plus I have a $25 credit here at Drop, that I would like to use). Thanks for the information on the Noctigon.
DougFLA123
1404
Jan 11, 2020
Major_InfidelYou sound like you know a lot about flashlights. Do you have an opinion on the Klarus G20 3,000-Lumen Mini Search Flashlight that Drop is currently selling?
Major_Infidel
316
Jan 11, 2020
DougFLA123Overall, it looks like a really solid little light. It has a relatively small form factor for a light built around a 26650 battery (which, on average, will give you about 50% more capacity compared to an 18650). I’m not sure I would describe it as a “search light”, though. The large XHP 70 emitter housed inside a relatively small head diameter is only going to have about 5000cd of throw (ANSI rated at around 150m). Actual OTF lumens on turbo start off at 2200 and thermal step down to high mode will occur in just under two minutes. So overall, I’d characterize it as much more of a flooder than a thrower. But for close to medium ranges, you’d get a lot of light out of a compact, single cell, single LED torch.
DougFLA123
1404
Jan 12, 2020
Major_InfidelThanks a lot! I ended up buying it! As a guy who knows very little about flashlights and wants to learn more about them, this one seems like a good place to start. If that big Klarus XT32 came with the charger/battery kit I would have purchased it. Klarus flashlights seem to get mostly good reviews. Olight flashlights also seem to get good reviews. I need to do more research if I plan on having a small collection of really good flashlights.
Major_Infidel
316
Jan 12, 2020
DougFLA123Congrats. I really think you’ll like it. As I say, at close to medium ranges, that thing will put out a lot of light. We’re blessed with an embarrassment of riches right now when it comes to the number of manufacturers making good quality, affordable lights. Noctigon, Acebeam, Emisar and Imalent are a few others worthy of consideration as you move forward. And once the bug really bites you, we’ll send you over to Vinh’s Skylumens site where you can get these lights and more modified to your liking with emitter swaps, color temperature options and supercharged output and throw levels.
(Edited)
DougFLA123
1404
Mar 10, 2020
Major_InfidelI just received my Klarus G20 flashlight. It comes with a USB cable for charging the Li-ion 26650 Battery, but no adapter. Probably a dumb question, but do I just plug the USB cable into my computer’s USB port to charge the battery? I ask because if I plug my iPad into my computer’s USB port, it says Not Charging. The cable connecting to my computer’s USB port is just for transmission of data. I, of course, have a charger that came with my iPad that I plug directly into the wall for charging. Do you know of a charging adapter that you would recommend for the Li-ion 26650 Battery? Also, would plugging it into my computer’s USB port (a bit of a pain because my desktop computer is never on), charge it fully? Thanks
Major_Infidel
316
Mar 11, 2020
DougFLA123As you’ve noticed, laptop USB ports don’t typically push a large amount of amperage for recharging purposes. And the 26650 cell has a large amount of capacity. Fortunately, there are many wall adapters that will do the job quite well. I’d recommend simply picking up a USB charging hub similar to this:
https://www.amazon.com/Charging-Stations-Multiple-Devices-Compatible/dp/B07KP7N6R3/ref=asc_df_B07KP7N6R3/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584482456944045&psc=1
There are likewise high wattage car chargers that will do a similarly good job. I’ve found this one to be particularly good:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07VQ8GS26?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
DougFLA123
1404
Mar 11, 2020
Major_InfidelThanks for looking into those chargers for me. Before you responded, I had already bought a charger from Amazon that’s supposed to be for the 26650 5000mAh 3.7V 18.5Wh battery that comes with the flashlight. I’m surprised and disappointed that Klarus doesn’t have a wall charger or adapter specifically made for their flashlight batteries. When I bought this flashlight, I assumed incorrectly, that because it came with a rechargeable battery, it would also come with the required charger, like every camera I’ve ever purchased. Anyway, we’ll see what happens when this charger arrives. The flashlight came half-charged so I played with it a little inside the house, and it is incredibly bright! I haven’t taken it outside yet but am curious to see how well it lights up my backyard.
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