What's a good cheap drop-in?

Hey guys,

I’m wondering what drop-in to get for my P60. I know the three mode MF dropin is good, but is this like the “get a solarforce, everything else is crap” thing, or are there good drop-ins for cheaper?

I’m leaning towards this one.

Well, that depends. If you just want it bright and cheap, order either the one from MF or KD. If you want something good, better get one from Erik:

You can choose tint.. MF and KD are probably very cool white, maybe even a little blue.. I dont like that color. :)

So you would say that the MF and KD drop-ins are the same brightness?

Well, the KD one claims to be U2 while the MF might be driven harder.. so I guess they are about the same. But the KD is an OP reflector and the MF is SMO. So the KD will have a larger but less intense hot spot than the one from MF.

But you can build your own for 16-18$ (and some patience and a soldering iron) with almost any tint you like.

The 5 mode KD drop in has less PWN in the lower modes and still pulls over 3 amps on high as well as having a nicer tint U2 bin compared to the T6 on the Manafont that sometimes has a green tint. The Manafont drop in while delivering a knockout punch on high over 4 amps has terrible PWN on medium and low if you are sensitive to it. I honestly owned 6 of the Manafont drop ins when I first started this crazy hobby I have since sold them all.

I have read that several dropins are like that.

All of mine are upscale.

I bet that some of the cheap ones are $10 or less and will put out whatever your 18650 can, like 3-4 amps.

So KD drop-in it is, yes? I’m okay with flashy modes and the U2 seems more efficient than a T6.

....but in my limited experience, it is rare to find both in one package.

Because I don't trust cheap ones .... I gave 'em all away, and went with good ones.

Nice to see E1320 weigh in on this.

I own 2 of his drop ins, have 2 more of his drop ins on the way, plus a complete light he has modified with another one!

My other 3 drop ins are Customlites, by Nailbender. Very nice, but spendier!

YMMV.

~Gnarly