I need some help picking out my first XM-L flashlight.I'm willing to spend up to $50, though I would prefer to pay less. The light needs to have good heatsinking, so a P60 host would not work. It also needs to be powered by one 18650. The light should require no modding, and it should provide a wall of light on high. My last requirement is "a doozy". ("A doozy" is something troublesome, difficult, or problematic.) I want the flashlight to have at least 5 different brightness levels. The more brightness levels, and the easier it is to switch between brightness levels, the better. Do you know of any nice flashlights that fit this description?
Problem is "the doozy". I'm looking for 5 different brightness levels, not 5 different modes. What I want is probably rare, which is why I'm willing to pay up to $50.
Looks like I'm in hot pursuit of Bigfoot... yet again. If anyone knows the whereabouts of my personal Bigfoot, drop me a line. Why is it so hard to make a cheap quality 5-brightness-level XM-L?
4Sevens Quarks have 5 brightness levels, but they are XP-G. I don't know any factory XM-Ls that would have 5 brightness levels. How 'bout variable (infinitely variable output, I suppose some call them) lights? Still, don't know any in XM-L.
...a well designed variable switch using a qtc might be right up your ally.
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Which begs the question, which twisty single-mode XM-L light is best suited for a qtc pill mod? (I know I said I didn't want to do any modding, but it's looking like my best budget option.) I realize BLFers are still experimenting with qtc, but has anyone successfully qtc-modded a sweet XM-L flashlight?
Out of all the flashlights mentioned, I like the UltraFire UF-980L most. I don't like the assault crown, it "only" has High-Medium-Low, and I don't know if it would be a good choice for qtc modding--but it's a very nice light. Great mode memory and no flashy modes are also appreciated. Still want to do a qtc mod, but I will wait until a suitable XM-L candidate is chosen.
...a well designed variable switch using a qtc might be right up your ally.
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Which begs the question, which twisty single-mode XM-L light is best suited for a qtc pill mod? (I know I said I didn't want to do any modding, but it's looking like my best budget option.) I realize BLFers are still experimenting with qtc, but has anyone successfully qtc-modded a sweet XM-L flashlight?
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This may not be an exact answer to your questions, but I did a little more playing around with my triple xm-l mag mod. Specifically, I cut it down to a 1D, installed internal guide rods for 4x14500 lifePO4's (does away with that annoying battery holder), and then got the QTC part of it working beautifully. 0-3,000L that'll fit in my pocket :) Here's a shot of it next to one of my mini-match's. (Note: I redid the knurling, but the equipment I had available to do this on was terrible....so it didn't turn out as even as I had hoped).
About the QTC: I was hoping for a relatively easy mod, like the one for the Tank007 E07, but with an 18650 XM-L light. Sooner or later someone will figure it out.
I would’nt care much about the knurling as the amount of light coming out of it. DIY don’t always have to be pretty. With all that light coming out of it ,whoever’s looking won’t even see the source.
This may not be an exact answer to your questions, but I did a little more playing around with my triple xm-l mag mod. Specifically, I cut it down to a 1D, installed internal guide rods for 4x14500 lifePO4's (does away with that annoying battery holder), and then got the QTC part of it working beautifully. 0-3,000L that'll fit in my pocket :)
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I apologize for not saying this sooner, but it's totally awesome that you got the QTC element to work better than before. There are a lot of people on BLF that would love to buy your mods, but we respect the fact that you don't want to sell your masterpieces. (It's a moot point for me because I could never afford MatchMods.) And yes, the less-than-perfect knurling doesn't really matter compared to the infinitely variable 0-3,000 lumen pocket rocket.
Hmmm... Yes... I've been wanting to ask... This is not the right topic maybe, but I'm not going to start a new one for this...
Where do you (Match and other Maglite modders) get your Maglite hosts from? I have something in mind, but it does not involve buying brand new Maglite. There are plenty of used ML's at ebay, but 95% of them are in U.S and shipping to EU usually exceeds what they cost new here. It's like 30-40 dollars for shipping only. Not very budgety.
Personally, I'll pick up a few when they're on sale at Lowe's or Home Depot (both are large chain hardware stores). If not, Walmart always has some for less than $20.
So, what do you have in mind?
@Boaz: lol...nice pictures. I almost had to look out the window just to make sure it wasn't here
Nothing that would come close to any of your creations. It's just that when I have filled all my P60 hosts with home-made (well, home soldered, at least) dropins, and if they all work, and if I've not been hospitalized in somekind of multi-18650-related accident I might be willing to take my shot at some multi-emitter madness.
Plus our company is moving to another location next fall. Untill that I would have a professional-grade lathe (and possibly a professinal lathe operator also...) at my disposal. After the move I don't.
for not saying this sooner, but it's totally awesome that you got the QTC element to work better than before. There are a lot of people on BLF that would love to buy your mods, but we respect the fact that you don't want to sell your masterpieces. (It's a moot point for me because I could never afford MatchMods.) And yes, the less-than-perfect knurling doesn't really matter compared to the infinitely variable 0-3,000 lumen pocket rocket. 
