Big Blue CF-250 Focusable LED: Anyone used it?

[Guy Alcala]

CF-250 Focusable LED Diving Light (http://bigblue.com.hk/cf-250-focusable.html)

Guy

[Big-n-Buoyant]

CF-250 Focusable LED Diving Light (http://bigblue.com.hk/cf-250-focusable.html)

Guy

I'd be interested to know as well. Big price tag. Kool light.

[jaydil]

I'd also like to see any reviews of this light. Especially first-hand impressions of build quality and expected reliability. And the dimensions of their 4xAAA battery carrier (I'd prefer to run 2xCR123 if possible).

Youtube has a video of this light being demonstrated. Apparently I can't post the link since this is my first post. Search youtube for "big blue focusable backup" and you'll see it.

The beam seems to have some "ringy" artifacts in that video. I could probably live with that for the $125 price, if everything else checks out.

The only other small, focusable LED light I know about is the mb-sub X1-VB, which looks excellent...but pricier. :)

J

[LeoS]

Me three...
Great price point for what they promise to be able to do...

[gcbryan]

I'm wondering if it's even on the market yet. I know it's listed for sale but I've heard of no one who actually has one.

[Hatul]

I don't see the price listed. Where is it available?

[gcbryan]

I don't see the price listed. Where is it available?

Here's one place:
Big Blue CF250 Focusable LED Backup Light (http://www.addheliumstore.com/bigblcffoled.html)

[Hatul]

Here's one place:
Big Blue CF250 Focusable LED Backup Light (http://www.addheliumstore.com/bigblcffoled.html)
If I didn't have so many lights and ordered the new Dorcy, I'd go for it.

Adam

[gcbryan]

If I didn't have so many lights and ordered the new Dorcy, I'd go for it.

Adam

Ah, what's one more? Go for it.:D You can always ebay the Dorcy if this one turns out to be better...if not ebay this one.:D

[jaydil]

I also saw it at diverightinscuba.com, same price. But I recently bought the narrow & wide intova lights to fill this niche in my gear.

250 lumens is obviously not a sustained output. A top-bin XR-E emitter pushing 250 lumens would pull 1 watt from each of the 4 AAA cells. A high-quality alkaline cell can deliver 1 watt for 20 minutes tops. Lithium AAAs would do a bit better, if they are supported, but still...

IMO it doesn't need 250 lumens though. If the design is good, it might be worth buying just to get a cheap focusable/waterproof optic. :)

J

[Hatul]

I also saw it at diverightinscuba.com, same price. But I recently bought the narrow & wide intova lights to fill this niche in my gear.

250 lumens is obviously not a sustained output. A top-bin XR-E emitter pushing 250 lumens would pull 1 watt from each of the 4 AAA cells. A high-quality alkaline cell can deliver 1 watt for 20 minutes tops. Lithium AAAs would do a bit better, if they are supported, but still...

IMO it doesn't need 250 lumens though. If the design is good, it might be worth buying just to get a cheap focusable/waterproof optic. :)

J

I'm also a bit skeptical about the amount of light claimed with such as small power supply. After all the Dorcy uses 6 AAA cells and claims 220 lumens.

If the power supply was 3 or 4 AA cells it would be more credible.

Adam

[Guy Alcala]

I'd also like to see any reviews of this light. Especially first-hand impressions of build quality and expected reliability. And the dimensions of their 4xAAA battery carrier (I'd prefer to run 2xCR123 if possible).

Me too, or AAs. AAAs just don't provide enough burn time for more than a single dive, and I like to have a bit more leeway and be able to use rechargeables if I'm using it as a primary.


I also saw it at diverightinscuba.com, same price. But I recently bought the narrow & wide intova lights to fill this niche in my gear.

250 lumens is obviously not a sustained output. A top-bin XR-E emitter pushing 250 lumens would pull 1 watt from each of the 4 AAA cells. A high-quality alkaline cell can deliver 1 watt for 20 minutes tops. Lithium AAAs would do a bit better, if they are supported, but still...

IMO it doesn't need 250 lumens though. If the design is good, it might be worth buying just to get a cheap focusable/waterproof optic. :)

J

I'm also trying to decide between going with the Intovas or this. The Intovas run CR123s which I'd prefer to AAAs, and they cost a bit less, but it would be nice to have one light that can handle daytime signaling/crevice viewing and night wide-beam diving.


Guy

[gcbryan]

I'm also a bit skeptical about the amount of light claimed with such as small power supply. After all the Dorcy uses 6 AAA cells and claims 220 lumens.

If the power supply was 3 or 4 AA cells it would be more credible.

Adam

The max lumen possible depends on the binning of the emitters used. The runtime is determined by the battery. I'm personally doubtful that they have the very top bin for the XR-E but if they do it takes no more power to hit that target then it takes to hit a lower target for a lower rated bin.

4 AAA cells would be 6W. The emitter would need 3.6*.700mA or 2.52 Wh so 6/2.52=2.38 hours

The problem is they are just using overly optimistic specs rather than actual ones.

You might be able to do two dives with close to 200 lumen.

On the other hand this product may not even exist.:D

[Hatul]

The max lumen possible depends on the binning of the emitters used. The runtime is determined by the battery. I'm personally doubtful that they have the very top bin for the XR-E but if they do it takes no more power to hit that target then it takes to hit a lower target for a lower rated bin.

4 AAA cells would be 6W. The emitter would need 3.6*.700mA or 2.52 Wh so 6/2.52=2.38 hours

The problem is they are just using overly optimistic specs rather than actual ones.

You might be able to do two dives with close to 200 lumen.

On the other hand this product may not even exist.:D

On top of that I use rechargeable batteries and these hold 800mAh (Eneloop AAA)

.8*1.25*4 gives 4 watt-hours. so if the light draws 2.52 watts it gives 4/2.52= 1.6 hrs . And as you say that's under the best conditions. It may not do for two dives with sufficient reserve.

Adam

[jaydil]

Like I said, 250 lumens is obviously not a sustained output. Simple math from the Cree and Duracell datasheets. A Q5-bin XR-E flashlight at 250 emitter lumens will pull more than 4 watts from the batteries. Not gonna happen for more than a few minutes with alkaline AAAs. NiMH AAAs will probably last longer, even with their lower nominal capacity, but not MUCH longer.

It's not a problem though. I would be happy if this light does just 100 lumens in high for a few hours. Brighter is not always better. Being able to change the beam profile is way more important.

I would be even happier if we can squeeze 2xCR123 cells into the light instead of the 4xAAA battery carrier. Probably have to run a metal strip down the tube for ground, but that's doable.

Somebody please buy one, and post your comments!! :) I would...but I just picked up two new lights that I haven't even taken in the water yet. :o

J

[gcbryan]

I'd be a lot more interested if it was 500 lumens! If it's in the 100 lumen range after more than a few minutes I can't imagine that it would be that useful in any water other than the tropics especially at a wider angle setting.

It would be fun to play with as a backup light but I'm not sure how useful the variable focus feature is at those lower lumen levels. I'd simply have it at the tighter focus all the time.

[Guy Alcala]

I'd be a lot more interested if it was 500 lumens! If it's in the 100 lumen range after more than a few minutes I can't imagine that it would be that useful in any water other than the tropics especially at a wider angle setting.

It would be fun to play with as a backup light but I'm not sure how useful the variable focus feature is at those lower lumen levels. I'd simply have it at the tighter focus all the time.

I know some people are quite happy with the Intova 4.7W (130 lumens IIRR) wide-beam for a night primary light. Certainly for day use you'd want the CF-250 screwed down to its tightest beam.

Guy

[rboyer]

I have one that I got as a gift. I'll take some pics of it and do a beamshot in my garage. I took it diving 2 times and didnt even use it.

[rboyer]

OK here is some pics I took......sorry I'm not a photographer so there not that great.
The beamshots were in my garage in the dark. I was about 10-12 ft from the white door and the panels of the door are 18" tall just to give you a feel of how tight and wide this beam will go!
The last pic is how the batteries sit in the handle. as you can see the "carrier" if you will is molded in the handle so you couldn't put different batteries in it very easy.
I'm actually thinking of selling it because im light poor...NOT!! Don't feel like I need another back up light. Watch the classifides.
BTW I have a light that is rated at 180 Lumens and it is allot brighter than it is.:D

[Hatul]

OK here is some pics I took......sorry I'm not a photographer so there not that great.
The beamshots were in my garage in the dark. I was about 10-12 ft from the white door and the panels of the door are 18" tall just to give you a feel of how tight and wide this beam will go!
The last pic is how the batteries sit in the handle. as you can see the "carrier" if you will is molded in the handle so you couldn't put different batteries in it very easy.
I'm actually thinking of selling it because im light poor...NOT!! Don't feel like I need another back up light. Watch the classifides.
BTW I have a light that is rated at 180 Lumens and it is allot brighter than it is.:D

I will guess that the 180 lumen light is the Dorcy I, and if so it's interesting because it's less than half the price of the Big Blue.

Adam

[gcbryan]

Thanks for the pics. When you say the other light rated at 180 is brighter...is it brighter when the Big Blue light is set for the same beam angle?

Thanks.

[jaydil]

Yes, thanks for the pics! Looks like plenty of room to replace or drill out the battery holder for 2xCR123 cells. :cool2:

What do you think about the focusing mechanism, and watertightness?

J

[rboyer]

It seems very well put together. It has a screw in it to keep you from turning the focus to far. guess that keeps you from flooding it...however the screw is removable so you can clean it. As far as the other light being rated at 180 lumens its a Gladius. And I might have said it wrong but the big blue light is quite a bit brighter than it is. I have no idea what the beam angle is on the Gladius.

[Hatul]

It seems very well put together. It has a screw in it to keep you from turning the focus to far. guess that keeps you from flooding it...however the screw is removable so you can clean it. As far as the other light being rated at 180 lumens its a Gladius. And I might have said it wrong but the big blue light is quite a bit brighter than it is. I have no idea what the beam angle is on the Gladius.

That's reassuring.

[rboyer]

Guys if any of you are interested in this light im going to go ahead and sell it....contact me at rkboyer911@sbcglobal.net I've still got the box paperwork and all. Ill let it go for $95.00 shipped in lower US. Thought Id give you all 1st shot then Ill go to the classifides fourm.

[Jaeger45]

Just found this thread. I also own one of these. I am not a qualified light guru, but if people have specific questions, I can try to answer them.

It seems very solidly built. It was fairly bright for recent dives in Cozumel in admittedly well-lit conditions.

[ID diver]

Jaeger,

When you say well-lit conditions what do you mean? Were you using it during the day? Did you use it on any night dives? Were you using the narrow beam or the wide beam? Did you use the glove and was it solid? I would hate to get one of these and loose it into the deep blue. What kind of burn times were you getting? Is the light bright enough and have a wide enough beam to use as a primary light on a night dive for 1-1.5 hours.

Would you recommend the light?

rboyer...Did you sell your light?

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

I had a chance to see the light in person at our shop. It seams like a well made light. Although I didn't dive it, I did have a chance to do a side by side comparison to the Intova. I felt that it was a bright light but the Intova was brighter and at a better price point. The focusable aspect is pretty cool but my vote is still with the Intova (Performance/Price).

[Spivey]

I'm curious what the focus is like UNDER water. That spherical lens in the water could change it quite a bit.

[gcbryan]

I'm curious what the focus is like UNDER water. That spherical lens in the water could change it quite a bit.

I'm curious as to how it performs underwater as well. It's an aspherical lens though I'm guessing (half a sphere).

[Jaeger45]

Sorry for the delay in reply--I misplaced the light.

The lens appears to be shaped hemispherically. Very Solidly built.

The battery compartment is machined into the aluminum stock of the handle. It would be very difficult to use batteries other than AAA without machining the handle, and space would be tight even then.

My use so far was limited to daytime diving Palancar caves in Cozumel, peering into cracks/crevasses. The light was very useful for this purpose. I took the light on a night dive, but due to the larger size of my alternate, an older 4C Princeton Tec Miniwave II, I used the Big Blue as a backup.