[D-mini VX] : Lumapower newest Pocket Rocket

[cheetokhan]

Looks less.... pocketable.

Yeah, more rocket than pocket
But that's a good thing! There are lots of great little pocket lights out there. I like these little rocket lights.
I almost didn't get the D-Mini EX model because it looked too large in the pictures. But now that I have one, I love it. No, it doesn't stay in my pocket, but it does get more use than most of my other lights and I expect this new D-Mini VX will make a nice addition to my growing collection of Lumapower lights.

[gunga]

It's smaller, so why would it be less pocketable?

I have a standard D-mini head on my D-mini Ex, now I have an intense flooder. I'm looking forward to checking out the Vx for some extreme throw!

[cheetokhan]

Ricky, will this new D-Mini VX tailswitch assembly fit on my D-Mini EX light? Can I order one extra tailswitch assembly when I order this D-Mini VX?

[lumapower]

Hi cheetokhan,

The new tail-assembly cannot fit the original D-mini.
The thread is totally different.

Hi Dobbler, gunga

While talking about the size of D-mini, it is not a mini-EDC but a mini-THROWER.

2 years ago, we are the 1st to make a 123A flashlight in this form factor, it is almost the largest in size as others do their best to reduce the EDC's dimension.

The concept is different.

Hi Haz, FarEast

Thanks.

Hi EngrPaul,

Besides the look, it improve the gripping.
And now anti-roll, tailstand...and more.

When those machanical features added, it may looks different.
The raw material (aluminum) is a rod.

Best regards,

Rikcy - Lumapower CS

[iocheretyanny]

how many lux?

[rdg178]

this seems like the best of the best almost pocket throwers i have seen. small, 250 yards, blinding.
lhow could it not be better then anything out there

[lumapower]

Hi iocheretyanny,

We will have beamshots and more details post here very soon.

Hi rdg178,

Thanks

Best regards,

Ricky - Lumapower CS

[JMJ3rd]

I bought the LumaHunter LE MRV a while ago because of the throw, but not pocket friendly. Will this be better? Thanks.

[lumapower]

Hi JMJ3rd,

The D-mini VX is much smaller than MRV.

Best regards,

Ricky - Lumapower CS

[Tiantang78]

Hi JMJ3rd,

The D-mini VX is much smaller than MRV.

Best regards,

Ricky - Lumapower CS

Interesting looking light, looks a little stubby, maybe i need to see a picture of the light side by side something more familiar to appreciate the size. The hotspot looked rather yellow in the previous beamshot but seemed to hit the 100m target nicely... hmmm ... and yes it does look like a rook :P

[lumapower]

Hi Hi JMJ3rd,

D-mini VX compare with MRV-SK:



Hi Tiantang78,

The beamshot you seen is Q3-5A, so it is in the warm side.

And here is some photos you need.





Best regards,

Ricky - Lumapower CS

[sledhead]

Nice! September is slowing to a crawl waiting for this light.

Looks great- Will it take RCR123's? Thanks for the pics!

[Crenshaw]

its september now isnt it? ......


What kind of emittor drive levels are we talking about here?

Crenshaw

[lumapower]

Hi sledhead,

The D-mini VX supports 1xCR123A, 1xRCR123A, 1x18650.

Hi Crenshaw,

We use XR-E : Q5(WD), R2 (WD) and Q3-5A

With Q5
CR123A, hight out @ 160 Lumens+
18650, high out @ 250 Lumens

3 Levels output with CR123A:
Low : 10 Lumens
Medium : 100 Lumens
High : 160 Lumens

Best regards,

Ricky - Lumapower CS

[sledhead]

Thanks Ricky! A dream come true!

[verdvt]

Hi:

Will the VX be a "convertible" like the D-Mini Extreme, and have the 2 battery tubes for extended power both in operating time and lumens?

Thanks.

[cheetokhan]

Hi:

Will the VX be a "convertible" like the D-Mini Extreme, and have the 2 battery tubes for extended power both in operating time and lumens?

Thanks.

See post 44 above.
"CR123A, hight out @ 160 Lumens+
18650, high out @ 250 Lumens"

So it will hold both CR123A and 18650 cells which means that it will have a second, longer battery tube or an extension tube.

[verdvt]

Thanks for the reply. I am new at this, but the D-Mini Extreme EX, which has the 2 battery tubes gives 180 lumens with the cr123A or 400+ lumens with the 18650 battery. Does the VX decrease the output with a second tube from the Extreme EX output at 400+ lumens to 250 lumens with the VX?

This is my first time on the Forum, and I am not understanding the apparent decrease in output.

Thanks again.

[cheetokhan]

I didn't notice your post count. Welcome to CPF
The CR123A battery is about 3.0 Volts. The 18650 battery is about 4 Volts. The higher battery voltage drives the emitter at a higher current producing more light.
The D-Mini EX and the D-Mini VX are very similar, except for one huge difference. The emitter in the EX is a 4 die LED; it has 4 individual LEDs in one module. The emitter in the VX is a single die LED; it has just one LED. So the EX version has the capability to be about 4 times brighter than the VX version. The actual difference in brightness will be set by the driver circuit in the LED assembly. That circuit was designed by Lumapower and they design it to drive the LED as bright as possible without overheating.
They intentionally don't drive the EX LED at the max brightness to keep the temperature down. Otherwise, the EX would be 4 times brighter than the VX.
There are a lot of variables involved, but, generally speaking, any light's brightness is a result of the battery voltage and the driver circuit design.
I have a D-Mini EX and love it. I'm looking forward to getting the VX when it comes out.

[verdvt]

Thank you for the explanation. It was difficult for me to understand why an updated light would decrease the brightness. I was all set to buy the D-Mini EX until the post about the new VX came out...guess I will have to have both also!

[cheetokhan]

guess I will have to have both also!

That's always the best plan
I love my D-Mini EX for it's ability to light up everything! It has a huge, wide spill beam and very bright, but fat hotspot.
The new VX won't put out as much light, but it looks like it will have a tighter hotspot. Also, the VX should run longer, especially on the smaller CR123 cells.
And it has a smaller head making it a better fit in a pocket. The EX head is a bit too large for true pocket carry.

[Litelegs]

I have 2 of the mini-D EXs'............they're great and can be used with the long or short tubes depending on the task at hand...........

Count me in on this new version and this thread is wonderful.....yo........

There goes my light money (again)......ha!

[Tiantang78]

Thanks Ricky,

That picture helps alot. Will do some more research on this light, i like the compact size.

Mark

Hi Hi JMJ3rd,

D-mini VX compare with MRV-SK:



Hi Tiantang78,

The beamshot you seen is Q3-5A, so it is in the warm side.

And here is some photos you need.





Best regards,

Ricky - Lumapower CS

[FarEast]

Thanks for the reply. I am new at this, but the D-Mini Extreme EX, which has the 2 battery tubes gives 180 lumens with the cr123A or 400+ lumens with the 18650 battery. Does the VX decrease the output with a second tube from the Extreme EX output at 400+ lumens to 250 lumens with the VX?

This is my first time on the Forum, and I am not understanding the apparent decrease in output.

Thanks again.

What you could also do is get some IMR16340 cells and get 400 lumens in the shorter body (CR123). regular RCR123's have a max drain of 1,5A and the D-mini EX on max is 1,8A. This is my standard setup.

[verdvt]

Thanks for the IMR16340 information. I like the idea of getting 400 lumens out of the shorter body, as it is easier to carry without the longer length. I have an older Fenix P3D which takes two CR123 cells and wonder if replacing them with IMR16340 cells would increase it's lumen output and/or harm the LED? Have you had any problems with charging/discharging of the IMR16340 cells?

[cheetokhan]

What you could also do is get some IMR16340 cells and get 400 lumens in the shorter body (CR123). regular RCR123's have a max drain of 1,5A and the D-mini EX on max is 1,8A. This is my standard setup.

I should have mentioned that I use the IMR16340 cells. My EX draws just over 2A from my IMR16340 cells.

[verdvt]

Have you had any problems with charging/discharging of the IMR16340 cells? I read that they should not be over charged or discharged. Is it normal to test one's batteries before and after use?

[cheetokhan]

I've been using this charger for my IMR cells and all my regular 16340 and 18650 cells and it's worked perfectly. It has not overcharged a cell yet.
The only problem I have with the IMR cells is that I tend to overdischarge them. Since they don't have a protection circuit, they don't automatically shut off when they discharge. By the time I notice the light is dimming, they are down to around 2 volts or less. But it Doesn't seem to have hurt them yet.

[verdvt]

Thanks for the info. I am getting my shopping list ready! New lights, cells, charger...whew!!!

[konad]

It looks like Lumapower will be added to my stable of lights. To get the best of both worlds, I assume I will need one of each. The D-mini EX and VX.