Recommendations for _SOLID_ 18650 light. Not the lowest budget.

[CheapThrills]

I think I measured the original one to be about 16mm in diameter.
Not sure though, if the hole can be made bigger

[gords1001]

It’s certainly food for thought, I’d hate to write a light off for the sake of a little attention, besides if one person made a buck driver fit, another must be able too some how. :bigsmile:

[Gurthang]

Don’t know if the lck-led driver is exactly the same as an infamous KD driver originally made for the SSC P7 but that driver had a bad rep for failures from shorting out or overheating then failing. DX had a decent 3A buck 3 mode driver made for 22 mm pill but I haven’t spotted any new 16-17 mm buck drivers in the “budget” category.

[CEHepp]

@srfreddy

I’d go with a Zebralight SC600w or a Sunwayman V series.

This is the correct answer.

/thread

Seriously, there are very few lights I would buy over a Zebralight. I LOVE my Zebras.

[Gurthang]

Cheap Thrills,

Just within your budget is a Malkoff MD-2 w/ M61 & Hi/Low ring. Just about as solid a light as you’ll find. Gene is now making XML and Nichia 219 Hi CRI drop-ins.

[CheapThrills]

@pretzy

How about an UltraFire HD2010. Mine is definitely one of my better torches, really solid and well built and throws a lot of light. Comes with 18650 adaptor tube, but I got some 26650’s to feed it.

Keygos M13 or M10 are nice solid lights too, and also have the option of 26650’s. M10 is probably better bang for buck and safer with single cell.

IMO feels like a waste of space to get one capable of using 26650 and then use just 18650 :~

[CheapThrills]

@agenthex

The solarforce M6 is from I’ve seen a very high quality light for reasonable price. <50. It’s basically like a L2p type finish with a bigger head, proper heatsinking, and more sophisticated UI. Since an L2p + XML drop-in is like 35-40, this is a pretty decent deal.

“Unreliable head control”, as Foy described it, does not sound good… On the other hand, I have no personal experience on this light.

[CheapThrills]

@KLowD9x

@srfreddy

I’d go with a Zebralight SC600w or a Sunwayman V series.

This is the correct answer.

/thread

Seriously, there are very few lights I would buy over a Zebralight. I LOVE my Zebras.

Zebras… They just do it ALL.
But AFAIK user was asking o bit of a thrower, which I believe SC600 is not good at. Well, I could recommend it anyway since my SC51 is very versatile all-rounder.

Gurthang: About those Malkoffs, again no personal reference but as far as quality goes, I have understood that they are pretty high in the food chain.
Output though seems lowish and I’m not sure how they throw.

[CEHepp]

@CheapThrills

@KLowD9x

@srfreddy

I’d go with a Zebralight SC600w or a Sunwayman V series.

This is the correct answer.

/thread

Seriously, there are very few lights I would buy over a Zebralight. I LOVE my Zebras.

Zebras… They just do it ALL.
But AFAIK user was asking o bit of a thrower, which I believe SC600 is not good at. Well, I could recommend it anyway since my SC51 is very versatile all-rounder.

Gurthang: About those Malkoffs, again no personal reference but as far as quality goes, I have understood that they are pretty high in the food chain.
Output though seems lowish and I’m not sure how they throw.

You would be surprised how far the SC600 goes, even in neutral white (which drops 110lumens off of the highest output).

Zebralight SC600 XM-L LED Flashlight Review

He does a distance shot at the end that shows how well it really does with distance.

[Foy]

I'll second agenthex's recommendation for the M6 but I think a better choice, since you brought up the brand, might be an Xin TD L2 . . .

Is bright as heck on one or two batteries and has some serious throw. It's also one of the best made lights in my collection. Tough act to beat at $55.

You can read me fawning all over it here: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/7079

my02Foy

[luvlites]

UltraFire UF-T50 or if you want more throw UltraFire UF-980L. The UF-T50 out throws the Zebralight SC600 by the way which is also an excellent choice but more expensive. You could buy both UltraFire lights and batteries for the price of the Zebralight.

[CheapThrills]

@Foy

I’ll second agenthex’s recommendation for the M6 but I think a better choice, since you brought up the brand, might be an Xin TD L2 . . .

Is bright as heck on one or two batteries and has some serious throw. It’s also one of the best made lights in my collection. Tough act to beat at $55.

You can read me fawning all over it here: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/7079

my02Foy

I must admit I have heard only praise from the friend who replaced broken STL with this.
He is, ehm, ” a heavy kind of user ” what comes to gear he carries. No malfunctions with this…

Only problem was the tube, too short for most of 2 x 18650 protected batteries.

[luvlites]

@KLowD9x

You would be surprised how far the SC600 goes, even in neutral white (which drops 110lumens off of the highest output).

YouTube

He does a distance shot at the end that shows how well it really does with distance.

Should I seek professional help because I’ve watched so many Going Gear videos that I recognize Marshall’s hand?

The new EagleTac D25LC2 Clicky with a U2 is also a decent choice.

[CEHepp]

@luvlites

@KLowD9x

You would be surprised how far the SC600 goes, even in neutral white (which drops 110lumens off of the highest output).

YouTube

He does a distance shot at the end that shows how well it really does with distance.

Should I seek professional help because I’ve watched so many Going Gear videos that I recognize Marshall’s hand?

The new EagleTac D25LC2 Clicky with a U2 is also a decent choice.

Trust me, you’re not the only one.

My only beef with my new EagleTac light is the threads are not anodized and they are wearing. The oil that I put on the threads to keep them from wearing is typically gray by the end of the week. That bothers me.

[luvlites]

[quote=KLowD9x]

[quote=luvlites]

@KLowD9x

My only beef with my new EagleTac light is the threads are not anodized and they are wearing. The oil that I put on the threads to keep them from wearing is typically gray by the end of the week. That bothers me.

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll have to keep an eye on that.