Cree XML T6 vs SSC P7?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Tour Down Under
Posts: 70
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cree XML T6 vs SSC P7?
Im thinking of purchasing a bike light. Which of these LED is better T6 or P7?
#2
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: Giant Defy, Trek 1.7c, BMC GF02, Fuji Tahoe, Scott Sub 35, Kona Rove, Trek Verve+2
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 722 Times
in
366 Posts
XMLs are significantly better than the P7s
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: North of the DFW MetroMess
Posts: 99
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 700C, Rans Seavo tandem, Giant OCR-2 & a Specialized Rockhopper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
XML hands down.
Semper Fi
Semper Fi
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Rural Missouri - mostly central and southeastern
Posts: 3,013
Bikes: 2003 LeMond -various other junk bikes
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 44 Times
in
35 Posts
Yeah - and I want to know when the "next big thing" is coming in LEDs
Is there any kind of "lot code" or other changes yet in the Cree "XM-?" line up?
I know there is more than one version...... is there a good CP thread? or some article you guys know about?
Is there any kind of "lot code" or other changes yet in the Cree "XM-?" line up?
I know there is more than one version...... is there a good CP thread? or some article you guys know about?
#5
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,398
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,697 Times
in
2,518 Posts
there is always something new. They have come out with the XT-E and XB-D. I think the only way to really keep up is to read the Cree site occasionally. CPF also has a forum about emitters where they obsess over them. I never really saw much reason to worry about keeping up too closely. XM-L is a big step up over a P7 or an MC-E, but they all have their places.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 172
Bikes: Unidentifiable CX-based franken-commuter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Not all LEDs of one "model" are created equal. The "base model" you're discussing is the XM-L, but when CREE manufactures them some end up being relatively brighter and some dimmer. They separate these during post-production testing into "bins", T3, T4, T5, T6 for XM-L. There is also at present a U2 available which is about 7% brighter for the same current/voltage, but it has limited availability. A few high-end flashlights come with them, and you can get the emitter + board from Cutter Electronics, but I don't know of any bike lights with them.
Here's a reference for quickly comparing different LED's. They also have pages for other manufacturers.
https://flashlightwiki.com/Cree
The newly-released XT-E ad XB-D lights have lower current limits than the XM-L. While they are brighter at lower currents, if you're using a single LED you can get more light overall out of an XM-L. If you're using 2 or 3 LEDs, using these smaller, much cheaper LED's can be more cost- and power- effective, as well as enabling a more tightly focused beam. But at present, there's nothing in the immediate future to supersede the XM-L.
Here's a reference for quickly comparing different LED's. They also have pages for other manufacturers.
https://flashlightwiki.com/Cree
The newly-released XT-E ad XB-D lights have lower current limits than the XM-L. While they are brighter at lower currents, if you're using a single LED you can get more light overall out of an XM-L. If you're using 2 or 3 LEDs, using these smaller, much cheaper LED's can be more cost- and power- effective, as well as enabling a more tightly focused beam. But at present, there's nothing in the immediate future to supersede the XM-L.
#7
Certified Bike Brat
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 4,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
Regardless of which one is a 'better' LED, its the design and build quality of the driver assembly, heat sink housing, weatherproofing and power supply that determines if you end up with a light worth buying. I personally wouldn't buy a car based simply on how many cylinders the engine had and lights aren't much different.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Posts: 3,209
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 139 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
20 Posts
CPF? Why not budgetlightforum.com? You'll find out when the affordable flashlights are available. Your best bet for off the shelf flashlight is going to be XM-L.
#10
Certified Bike Brat
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 4,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
Lights, on the other hand, can have a wide range if quality depending on who builds them regardless of what LED was used.
https://www.pcmus.com/Dive-Photos/High-Power-LED.htm
On this page, for example, I'm not seeing any earth shattering advantages of one type over another. Except possible the ability to build in series An 'advantage' that can be completely negated by the design and build quality of the lens and driver assembly, heat sink housing, weatherproofing and power supply as already stated.
I'm running P7's myself and it was a deliberate choice in spite of whatever else is available. Price wasn't any part of that decision.
My own experience has been that 'bargin basement' lights are more likely to have issues - regardless of LED type used.
Last edited by Burton; 04-30-12 at 07:34 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
loimpact
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
20
02-11-16 06:51 PM
loimpact
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
36
01-07-15 09:34 PM
stevage
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
22
08-27-14 03:16 PM
jrhii
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
11
10-10-12 09:02 PM
LuminTrek
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
2
07-09-12 11:18 AM