I've standardized the crop size to let you more easily compare the beam widths. Thanks to those who advised me on exposure, I've throttled down the exposure so that nothing--not even the brightest hot spot--is not overexposed.
The lamp assemblies, listed alphabetically:
And now, the beam shots, arranged from lowest output to highest:
- RICO Alpha 9 9V ("250 lumens"), 2 Wolf Eyes 168A cells (2000 mAh).
- Superfire (G&P) G140 14V (rating unknown), 3 Wolf Eyes 150B cells (1000 mAh).
- Wolf Eyes D36-9V (200 lumens), 2 Wolf Eyes 168A cells (2000 mAh).
- Wolf Eyes D36-12V (300 lumens when run on four primary cells), 3 Wolf Eyes 150A cells (1400 mAh).
- Wolf Eyes D36-13V (300 lumens), 3 Wolf Eyes 150A cells (1400 mAh).
Fifth place: Superfire (G&P) G140
The G140 has to be the most disappointing lamp I've ever tried. Why G&P didn't design it to be 13V, I can't imagine.
Fourth Place: Wolf Eyes D36-9V (2006 model)
In the Spring, Wolf Eyes redesigned its 9V miniturbo lamp, the D36-9V. In place of the yellowish even flood, we now have a pure white beam of average width that delivers 20 percent more light while drawing 20 percent less current. The piercing center spot is ideal for those who can't decide whether they're better served by a flooder or a thrower.
3rd Place: RICO Alpha 9
The RICO acquits itself well, delivering a beam that's both wider and brighter than the Wolf Eyes 9V. All it lacks is the Wolf Eyes' throw. The RICO -perfectly fits the 45mm head of a Wolf Eyes Cobra (2x150A) or Rattlesnake (2x168A). It also fits the Raider's 42mm head, but it's a snug fit; you'll have to wrestle with the head to engage the threads.
This is the original Alpha 9, made by Insight Technologies. Earlier in 2006, a CPFer reported that a successor was on the way, but I've never seen it. Nor can I find a lamp this bright in the Insight line-up.
2nd Place: Wolf Eyes D36-13V
To my eyes, the jump from the RICO to the Wolf Eyes 13V is the second-most-visible improvement, surpassed only by the jump from the fifth-place Superfire to the fourth-place Wolf Eyes 9V. Look at that broad spill! This beam is like a Surefire P91 on steroids, Incandescent floods are hard to find; bright ones, even more so. The G&P G120 used to be my favorite incan flood, but you can't run it on protected rechargeables. If you love incans and prefer floods, the D36-13V is a winner.
1st Place: Wolf Eyes D36-12V
Cross the broad flood of the D36-12V with the piercing throw of a Streamlight TL-3, and you get an idea of this lamp powered by protected rechargeables. All I can say is, Wow. The D36-13V already delivered more light than the G&P Scorpion; the 12V ups the ante in total light and probably trounces the G&P in throw.