Solarforce bodies now totally suck

It used to be that solarforce L2 bodies had nice diamond knurling. Not anymore, the new ones come with flat shallow body even worse than the 504b. I've seen this on both the L2 and L2m.

Too bad.

You sure it's real? Where did you get yours?

ITC. It's kind of different on the L2m vs the L2, with the L2 better than the L2m. It's possible the L2m was always crappy like that (flat pattern also makes it colder to the touch as more of your skin contacts at once), but there are definitely two types of L2's.

The L2r I got still has the real diamond (not shaven down) pattern, and it's quite nice. Except Solarforce has also made the low voltage drop-in now suck with AA's (used to be like 1.5A, then 1.2A, now 0.8A).

Kinda typical of chinese companies, they start making crap once they get a good rep.

Curiously, I once emailed ITC about a 2-stage tailcap I got on a sand L2 to see if I can get another, and they said it's basically luck of the draw...

Try fake solarforces from LT. I like them. Mainly because i dislike the weaponized bezel. They are reasonably well built and have the diamond knurling you want. Except for a flawed 1st sample which had an ugly dent on the head the replacement was flawless.

I got this:

http://www.lightake.com/detail.do/sku.L2_Flashlight_Body_Tube_Black-30271


Today received 2 Solarforce L2 from ITC, i can confirm they have different knurling. I ordered 2 L2, 4 battery extension, 2 spare body tube. I got one which was different. I don't know which knurling is the "old"... ?

The 2 spare body tubes are "bigger diamond". The extensions are "smaller diamond", but with good coating quality.
I ordered L2 with S6. The S6 (switch) quality is No.1. Looks like real HA-III.
The smaller diamond shape knurling is much worse coating. In some places, you can see the "natural" ALU shine.........
Looks, i must order L2P now.


Here are some pictures: 001, 002, 003
LEFT the "bigger diamond" knurling , RIGHT the "smaller diamond" knurling. The coating quality much better on "big".

I have a sand L2i on the way. I'll let you know how it compares to my earlier gray L2. I thought the L2 knurling was a little harsh, so I don't know that I would mind if they backed off of that a little. The fake Solarforce has very flat knurling.

I have a L2P body on the way from ITC. I sure hope the quality is ok...

I recently received a gray L2i from Solarforce-Sales[ITC-non-Ebay] for $7.99,and am very pleased.I had avoided this body in the past because my prejudice against the three AAA format,but the L2i with the SF R5 low voltage drop-in works great with 18650s or 3 AAA NIMH batteries.The 18650 does not rattle or shift in the fat body.The knurling is like the L2r.The body has a small gap when used with TF flame 18650s but it does not bother me.Very sweet body for the price and the Solarforce-Sales.com prices are better than the ITC ebay prices.They also have the sand body for only $7.99.The LV 3mode R5 drop-ins are great for $14.99.They do charge $2.00 for shipping.

I just received the L2P body (black) from ITC (ebay) - and I am very surprised by the finish and quality of it.

The machining is great, there are no visible flaws in the HAIII coating and it came with lubed O-rings.

The shipping was also reasonably fast: Hong Kong to Denmark in 1 week :-)

I also received, some stuff from ITC.
- Masterpiece Pro-1
- L2P
- L2i body tube ("gift" for the MPP-1)

- The L2P is good (very), nice machining, coating, etc.

- MPP-1 have also good coating and machining, the reflector is nice and have a little "bluish" tint when you see it from the side. Looks like a HID car light. No, not the LED tint bluish! Interesting, but good. (Or, the lens, have some coating. Who knows?!) When you switch the flashlight on, the beamshot is nice white, nice round hotspot (little bigger than D8, and Tiablo A10).
With one 18650 is "good" but with 2x18650 or 2x16340 much brighter. The MPP head is "heavy", with one 18650 body is a little too "nose-heavy". With a battery extension (using 2x18650) have a good "balance" in my hand. The overal quality for this price is very good. (To me).
This is my "dream" flashlight: Normaly is a good quality P60 host, with many available accesories from same factory (brand), modular (lego, interchangeable body parts), nice P60 and a good thrower with the MPP head. This is my favorites now.

- The L2i body also have good quality. Have the "small diamond shape" knurling. The inside battery holder is also good quality and design. This was a "gift" for MPP, but i will use the MPP with a L2 or L2P body. Sometime i will order a normal P60 head for the L2i and i give to my cousin. Overall, nice body option for solarforce, nice knurling, good quality.

One more thing...
It would be nice, if solarforce add to the kit, a inner tube for 18650. Like the Ultrafire C308. And the 18650 not rattling.

Ditto. I just got a sand colored L2i. Seems like my drop-in might actually be a little brighter than with an 18650. I'm very impressed. Build quality is very good. It has more knurling than the L2 which has unknurled bands. I like the L2 better in that sense. Also I think I just like the gray a little more than the sand, but this is a nice light and I got for $7.99 from solarforce-sales (web) for $7.99 plus $5 for two flat bezels. This is a great deal on a well-made host that anyone with AAA NiMH's can enjoy without getting into li-ion cells. I haven't done a runtime test, but I'm thinking a half hour or so. I have a 1.4A driver running a XP-G R4.