Review: Solarforce L2i

If you have read even a few of my posts you know that I am a huge fan of Solarforce and I make no apologies for my affection toward the brand. With that disclaimer, herewith is my review of the Solarforce L2i.

Bottom line for people that don't like what I write: I give it 4 out of 5 Foys for being almost as good looking as an L2P.

The L2i host is a very satisfying, high quality flashlight. It feels good in the hand and has the precision look of an expensive torch. The reverse clicky looks great in a recessed tail cap that permits tail standing. I did experience some slight water ingress at the base of the head and the bezel. This light is not IPX-8 rated so, perhaps this is not a minus. The only real demerit is the crenelated strike bezel that comes with this light. It serves no real pupose other than looks, which are higly subjective. It snags clothes, almost certainly reduces light output and is generally a nuisance.

What I like:

- build quality

- great finish, machining

- can tail stand

- multiple battery configurations with minor modification <<< update>>> I blew it. An 18650 does fit. It's tight but it does work.

- aesthetics

What I do not like:

- crenealted bezel

- slight water ingress at the head/bezel

- more thoguhtful solution for alternative battery use

Solarforce L2i Grey Innovator AAA Flashlight Host I'm evaluating this host with a Solarforce P7 drop-in using three 1.5 volt standard AAA alkaline batteries.

$7.99 from solarforce-sales.com

- ordered 3-27-11, recieved 4-8-11

- accepts any standard P60 drop-in

- 3 x AAA with provided carrier or 2 x CR123/1 x 18650 (CR123 and 18650 might be a tight fit and may require some modification)

- tail standing tail cap with reverse clicky

- measured 3.15 amps with 3-mode Ultra Fire XM-L and 1 x 18650 <<<update>>>

- measured 2.15 amps with 3-mode Ultra Fire XM-L and 3 x AAA alkalines <<<update>>>

- 132 x 32 x 29mm

aesthetics:

The L2i is a great looking flashlight. It has a beefy appearance with a body that matches the P60 size head better than most 18650 tubes. It is especially attractive from the rear where the recessed reverse clicky button has a quality look with four drilled laynard holes. Knurling is mildly aggressive, covers nearly all of the body and, unlike the L2, the tail cap knurling matches the body. My only complaint is the strike bezel; some may like it but I think a stainless ring is a better choice and is easier on the clothes.

build quality:

This is a very well constructed torch. Fit and finish is superb, the threads feel wonderful and aluminum machining is top drawer. The edges of the knurling is razor sharp with no sloppy cuts that continue into the smooth portion like many other budget hosts. The grey finish on my light looks spectacular and my only concern is how well it stays looking awesome after heavy use.

ergonomics:

If you like P60 sized flashlights you may like the relatively thick tube of the L2i. The three AAA battery case means the main body is nearly as big as the head. To my eyes it's a great look and I love the smaller button inside the recessed tail cap. With three AAAs, it has a rather light, balanced feel and the knurling is almost exactly as aggressive as that found on a Surefire 6P.

performance:

Drop-in selection must be made based on total voltage of the batteries you plan to use. The P7 module I'm using is 6 volts max so, performance from 3 AAA alkalines (total 4.5 volts) could be veiwed as modest. Unfortunately I do not have a means to measure tail cap draw or total light output. A ceiling bounce comparison in my closet however, suggests that my P7 equipped L2i compares quite well to a Quark AA2 Tactical (XP-G/R5) and the beam shots below seem to bear this out. The Quark is rated 180 lumens ANSI so I think it's fair to say we're looking at about 200 lumens for this L2i/P7 combination. Experiment conducted at the Ugly Wall Test facility (my back yard) at about 9:00pm with a 1/4 moon overhead. The cactus plant is 55 feet away and all shots were taken with 1/4 second shutter speed @ f2.8.

Also; I've not had this light long enough to do any run times so, I'm not going to guess. (update to follow)

Control shot.

Quark AA2 Tactical (XP-G/R5) and my other cat, "Marx."

Solarforce L2i with Solarforce P7 drop-in and 3 x AAA alkalines.

During dynamic water testing (took it in the shower with me) I noticed no water getting into the light. After about 20 minutes in the kitchen sink however, a small amount of water began to seep in between the body and the base of the head and also a little came in at the bezel. Flashlight function was not compromised so it is probably safe to say it would be fine in the heaviest downpour.

cost/value:

At $7.99 the L2i is an incredible value. The quality of workmanship, fit and finish and overall feel easily rivals a Surefire at triple or more the price. The Solarforce L2i is perhaps the finest budget 3AAA/P60 host and it might be the best 3AAA/P60 host available at any price.

UPDATE 3-25-12

It's been about a year since I wrote this. I still consider myself a beginer and compared to some of the experts around here, Foy may still be a wannabe-class flashaholic.

When I did this review I owned one "silver" and one black L2i and the Cree XM-L was still a novelty to me . . .

. . . I have five L2is now and I still have my very first. (Mr. Silver, 2nd from the right) These days he sports a 3-mode UltraFire XM-L that pulls three-and-a-half-plus amps from the Reverend's unprotectd Panasonic 18650. An authentic L2i is no longer available and you have to wonder why one of the best P60 hosts ever made couldn't find a reliable market at $7.99. It is this writer's opinion that the Solarforce L2i will be remembered as the most unappreciated P60 value in retail flashlight history.

An L2i is everything an L2 or L2P is with the benefit of added battery versatility. When I first held an L2i in my hand, I remember wondering why anybody would play the GambleFire 50x lottery, at the same price or more when quality better than Surefire could be had for the price of an average battery. The L2i wasn't just good, it was spectacular and if I had any brains I would have ordered a few dozen and sold them for what they are actually worth.

I've always thought my "silver" L2i looked more green than silver. It's pleasing nonetheless and the anodization has been surprisingly resilient.

Anyway, I just wanted to remind all that I still love the L2i and if Solarforce wants Foy's opinion (and I'm reasonably certain they do not) they will bring it back priced at $14.99. At this figure, no one will consider it a throwaway/giveaway and they will sell every one they can make.

predictionFoy

Great review and Flashlight Foy!

Well said. At 8 bucks, it's certainly one of the best.

Thanks flashlight foy for another great review and pics. waiting for a grey L2 and looks like L2i is in my future

thanksFoyformakingJamesearljonesisascabasolarforcefan!

Great job on the review. Those pics are really clear!

toobadthevendorsdon'ttakepicsasgoodasyoudoFoyjb1

Thanks Foy! Super clear pictures. I put a duplicate of one of your pictures at the top of the review for the teaser on the frontpage.

This really is an incredible deal for such a high quality flashlight. I just wish they would have made it about 1cm longer so as to not give people trouble with longer 18650 / 18700 batteries. I don't think I would use 3xAAA very often.

Last call to anyone on this site who owns the L2i- Has anybody managed to use it with an 18700 battery (or an abnormally long 18650) without modifying the host and without partially tightening the threads?

Great review, thanks a lot!

Oh man! I did it again. I forgot to put the teaser at the top again.

And yes, I probably should have addressed the battery issue more, it really is the one thing that makes this great host less than perfect. The solution is so simple too; just make the battery holder a little thicker at each end and lengthen the flashlight enough for a comfortable 18650 fit.

old4570 provided an awesome and very easy fix: http://budgetlightforum.cz.cc/node/1922

forgottorememberFoy

After seeing jacktheclipper('s) L2 bezel that he sanded down slightly, I sanded mine down all the way with 150 grit on my orbital and then with 300 grit padded sandpaper.

somuchbetterFoy

Wow, looks so much better sanded down. Would it be too much work to sand by hand? I don't have anything powered that I can sand with. Also, would it be possible to run the Manafont 3-mode XM-L in this thing with 3AAA? I suspect runtime on high would only be about half hour max, maybe, but perhaps mid and low would actually be useable?

800mAh maybe more [ capacity ] , so why not ? How much current can AAA's handle ? [ still , at least they wont blow up ]

Now Im tempted to get another L2i , Gunmetal L2i looks sweet !

It will work but 3 NiMH AAA = 3.4 volts so, it won't be as bright. With alkalines it's 4.5 but you are right, run time will be less. That's why the mod that old4570 did (link above) makes this light a completely different animal and something I plan to do ASAP. I gotta say though; it actually makes a great 200 lumen P7 light the way it is. Still, the flashaholic in me won't let it alone. It needs mo power.

You could sand it down by hand but you need to keep it on a perfectly flat surface and it's going to take a while. It takes longer the lower you go because you are removing more material.

sandmanFoy

Oh sb!!! If you had any idea the memories this song brings back . . . if there's one advantage to being as old as me, it's coming of age musically during the most inspired period in rock and roll. Thanks for making my day.

early70srockrocksFoy

An inspired period indeed!

They really do look very good like that Foy, rather better than the replacement bezels you can buy in fact :)

How close is an 18650 to fitting in there? Is it so close that an unprotectd flat tipped 18650 would fit? I want one bad but Im not going to use 3AAAs.

Off to read the modding thread, see how easy it would be for me to break it.

Okay, I made a mistake. I just put an 18650 in there and everything screwed down all the way. It's a tight fit but it does work . . . and beautifully.

mybadFoy

Man you made my night getting back on this. That light has been calling my name all night long. Now all I have to do is decide if I am going to take a chance on the manafont 3 mode XM-L with stobe. I have not heard anything about how its driven.

Well, I'm the wrong person to ask because I do not like strobes and blinkys. I've got the "other" Ultra Fire 3-mode XM-L in there and this light may have just become my new favorite. Honestly, I don't know why I didn't mess with the 18650 more when I first got it. It didn't seem like it would fit and I'm not usually in the habit of forcing things. It is kind of tricky; I had to take the large outer spring off and I'm a little worried that the positive tip of the battery may have slid to one side of the center spring on the drop-in and that is possibly why it fits.

Like you, I think this is one seriously awesome light. But with 3 x AAA it was 2nd string in the Foy line-up. With an 18650 and the XM-L, it's a 600 lumen mid-size powerhouse.

damnilikethistorchFoy

I have the other XM-L 3 mode and love it. That is why I really want to know about how the one with the strobe is driven because I wouldnt want to be disappointed in the output. Maybe Ill wait on the strobe dropin, I want to put this together tonight and Im not likely to learn anything new.

The only thing now is I just figured out that the belt clip from solarforce-sales does not fit the L2i. At least the site doesnt list it as compatible. I really wanted that on there.