Four xm-l dropins different shapes and sizes

mmm.... I have spotted these 4 new xml drop-ins

2 of them I dont know which flashlight fits...

This, "maybe" for the X8 or similar, 23.7$

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/x8-xm-lt6-1000lm-white-light-led-5-mode-flashlight-drop-in-module-silver-golden-7-0-8-4v-2-8a-126090?r=43033281

This, I dont know for what flashlight, it says "V8", 22.9$

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/v8-xm-lt6-1000lm-white-light-led-5-mode-flashlight-drop-in-module-silver-golden-3-6-8-4v-2-8a-126104?r=43033281

This says "V6", seems to have deeeep reflector, 28.5$

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/v6-xm-lt6-1000lm-white-light-led-5-mode-flashlight-drop-in-module-silver-golden-6-9v-2-8a-126117?r=43033281

And this, for the typical 3-xml flashlights, 35.6$

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2200lm-white-light-3-led-5-mode-flashlight-drop-in-module-silver-golden-3-5-8-4v-2-8a-126121?r=43033281

The V8 dropin looks very nice. It is for this light:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/fandyfire-v8-xm-l-t6-1000lm-5-mode-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-grey-2-x-18650-115476

The V6 dropin is for this one and looks like another mean thrower with that 55mm*90mm reflector/dropin!

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/fandyfire-v6-xm-l-t6-1000lm-5-mode-memory-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-grey-2-x-18650-115477

Interesting...are the lights that those fit sold as hosts only? Trying to figure out why you would need a drop-in in a custom size like that.

The X8 model looks almost exactly like the module in the uniquefire V6 so I am going to guess that is the host it comes from.

For example, if your driver/LED dies in non-warranty conditions (e.g. putting 4x CR123A in 2x 18650-only light) :]

It's never bad to have spare parts available :)

nice fingerprints

just a note: you can buy a complete light on ebay for $28 with a very similar dropin like above mentioned "V8" . Or if you are lucky, below $20...

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... according to this thread it still doesn't out-throw the STL-V2. (just an FYI)

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/6094

I'm inclined to disagree about the STL-V2 out-throwing the V6. Groups 3 and 4 of post #1 demonstrate a more intense spot on the UF-V6 than the STL-V2.

Those eBay lights look like "Prairie Fire D9" to me.

The dimensions of the V6 look very much to me like the inside of the reflector has the same width and depth as the Mag LED reflector. I imagine it's even better, considering it's machined from metal instead of plastic. I'm holding out for an equivalent of the UF-V6 in a 2*26650 host. (In the meantime, I've ordered a V8 drop-in for a Mag mod.)

Yeah, the fingerprints would make me mad. If you try to get them off you risk dulling the reflector. During my beginerness (still there sometimes) I casually wiped the inside of a brand new 3-mode UF drop-in reflector with a paper towel. I rubbed it real good, spinning it around, going up and down, blew in it with accidental spit, wiped that out and put it back together . . . it now looks like the dull side of aluminum foil. A paper towel is basically like sand paper on a reflector - so I found out.

learningcurveFoy

When absolutely necessary, I've found I can usually get away with wiping the inside of a reflector with a lint free microfiber cloth, like the kind that come with nice sunglasses and monitors. If something really nasty is on the reflector, I'll even pour some isopropyl rubbing alcohol on it first, shake that off, then wipe it down with said cloth. Obviously, not all reflectors are created equally and some will damage more easily than others. As a general rule, the ones you like the most are usually the most delicate.

I received the V8 XM-LT6 drop-in today. My initial impression is that it is the nearest thing I've ever seen to putting an XM-L in a Mag LED reflector. The beam profiles are nearly identical, with the plastic Mag reflector casting a hotspot that is slightly smaller, but the difference is not perceptible until over 30 ft. away. I was hoping this would make for a 1-2-3 Mag mod, what with no threads to grind off and a reflector lip that's a perfect match for the Maglite C and D. Well, the lip is a perfect match, but there are other complications instead:

The width of the reflector cup near the top is just a fraction of a mm too wide to fit into the ID of the Mag head just below its top, without some trimming of either the head ID or the outside of the reflector. Once either part is trimmed, you'll find that the shelf inside the Mag D head is too high to allow the mid section of the reflector cup to pass far enough for the lip of the reflector to sit on the top of the head threads. On a D, you'll have to lower or at least bevel the edge of the inner ledge. The Mag C head, which would have worked out for its lower shelf is instead a complete no-go, that is unless you have the means and patience to turn down the outside of the base of the reflector cup and open the ID of the C neck so the bottom of the reflector would sit inside the neck. I'm not even sure that's possible or if it would be too close - I haven't measured.

Did a Mag 2D with 2x26650 in a sleeve and the V8 drop-in. Was wrong about that "fraction of a mm" comment above. Felt more like 3-4mm total. My hands and forearms are sore from all the dremel work. Was right about the likeness to the Mag LED reflector. Build thread here.