Gear

OK..here is the deal.

This puppy seems remarkably good value (OK, I know it wont be regulated etc etc) at £6-75 delivered.

the question is - it runs off 3xAAA batteries, so what sort of useable life could one presume reasonable from a set of batteries?

anyone willing to offer an opinion/hazard a guess?

given that my 1W luxeon cheapo head torch (3AAA) has given adequate bright light for over 5 hours , then

over 1hour?

Dunno really!

3 AAA batteries in series = 4.5 volts.

4.5 W (I know that the web site says 5W) means that 1 amp is needed.

Capacity of a AAA battery = 1500 mAh say.

Therefore running time is ~ 1.5 hours.

urgh...should have remembered P=VI,

but

at what point does it become too dim...45 minutes?

Hmmm.

Regarding the point at which the illumination will become dim, depends on the type or battery used.

Generally, an alkaline battery will typically have a steady discharge rate, whereas most rechargables after an initial small drop in power, will maintain a steady level of illumination, before finally dropping off very quickly.

Nominal battery voltage will depend on the type of battery used. An alkaline battery or most dry cells, will typically be 1.5 volts nominally, whereas rechareables, nickel metal hydrides and nickel cadmium types will typically be 1.2 volts nominal.

A/hr capacities can also vary somewhat. Sadly, only rechareables readily display the capacity, initially for recharging time purposes.

Also, some of the cheaper brands of batteries will not necessarily deliver the same capacity as the more known brands like Duracell and Energiser.

Even with the more known brands, they have their lower and higher capacity batteries.

To throw in (trying to be polite here, but the word that comes to mind started with a 'B') the lets mess all plans factor, the operating temperture will also have an impact on discharge times. You can have a safe bet that the colder it is, the less life a battery will give....

My advice is, to be safe, whenever you are outdoors, keep at least one spare set of batteries with you, especially if you are doing a lot of night nav work.

LOL....I was thinking that too.  Just for that kind of money it seems fun, but, in all honesty, how much use would it be?

Turn it - cripes thats bright - turn it off quick before the batteries implode?

Ah....Mike B46 you just dont get it yet.

Dont worry, given a while round here, you will soon enough.

(Use it for? who said anything about using it?)

Parky Again wrote (see)

lol. indeed simon. it's fun. what more can you ask.

"but what would you use it for?" splutters. use? who said anything about use?

(dons cyberman head torch gear)

mind you.....you think 600 lumen is bright...

Pah

try this

1200 lumens....

and it's waterproof I see, wonder if you immerse the business end in a pot of water how long it'll take to boil...

from description

SuperBright, blinding Effect

Yup...can understand that bit.  

Crenellated strike bezel for enhanced self-defense

sounds more like this