Foy Finally Discovers Neutral White
These three drop-ins have introduced this humble scribe to tint. I used to think everything was secondary to lumens but the detail rendition of a proper neutral (not tan or some other 'color') has demonstrated to me beyond all doubt the value of tint. I can tell you that an XM-L driven to 3 amps is hardly dim and given what we know about gains above 3.5 amps, overdriven lights (as fun as they are) are begining to impress me less and less. These XM-L modules from Int'l Outdoor Store are extremely bright without washing everything out into a cold, unrealistic white and they are . . .
Foyapproved
Bottom line: Int'l Outdoor Store's newest (and only?) entry into the ultra-competitive P60 market carrys with it perhaps, higher expectations that we in "the community" might demand from other sellers. However steep $23 may seem for a P60 drop-in, remember that a Nailbender for example, is regularly sold out at double or even triple that amount. That being said, it's hard to imagine those pricier products performing much better than this fine piece of work. I promise; you will not be disappointed.
What I like:
- tint
- simple UI/well spaced modes
- output
- beam pattern
- potted
- brass cover
- clear, soft rubber reflector pad
- included "wrap" strips
What I do not like:
- heat wrap too thick ? (all I could think of)
XM-L Drop-In Module for P60 Style Flashlights
$23.00 Int'l Outdoor Store http://www.intl-outdoor.com/xml-u2-p60-dropin-module-p-336.html
ordered: 3-26-12
received: 4-16-12
Cree XM-L/T6 emitter in 3C neutral white
rated 3.0 amps max on high
working voltage: 2.7 to 4.5 volts
low voltage protection: 2.7 volts
overheat protection: 55-60c
descending, 3-mode UI: high (100%) medium (35%) and low (3%)
copper base/brass pill
brass top cover plate over electronics
full thermal potting
31.5mm total length, 22mm reflector height, 26.5mm reflector diameter
Tail cap draw using a Solarforce L2P and unprotected Panasonic 18650/2350 charged to 4.22 volts.
module #1:
high | 2.96 amps |
medium | .92 |
low | .07 |
module #2:
high | 3.0 amps |
medium | .91 |
low | .07 |
module #3:
high | 2.97 amps |
medium | .90 |
low | .07 |
Run time test using a Solarforce L2X with a Trustfire flame 18650/2400. (module #3)
Foyometer reading in dimly lit office | 25 |
10:56pm | 106 |
10:59 pm | 95 |
11:14 pm | 91 |
11:29 pm | 89 |
11:45 pm | 73 |
11:50 pm | 60 |
starting voltage: 4.21v | ending voltage: 3.57v |
Modules seem very well made; soldering and reflector quality is outstanding . . .
The reflector rests on this clear, soft rubber pad. (sticky on one side) When I tried using the drop-in without this pad, the beam pattern became unacceptably ringy. (big time)
The bottom opening is exactly the same size as an SST-50 module I have. When I screwed on a reflector from an UltraFire XM-L drop-in (smaller emitter opening) the beam pattern becomes horribly ringy and has significant emitter artifacts. Clearly, emitter depth has been well thought out . . . bringing the emitter deeper into the reflector destroys the beam pattern as does having the opening tighter around the emitter. Ya gotta use the one it comes with.
(module #1)
(module #1)
(module #1)
(module #2)
Module #2 has what at first appeared to be a crack . . .
. . . but, it looks to be some kind of stray wire? Performance/beam pattern seem unaffected.
(module #3)
(module #3)
You can see the results of a failed attempt to wrap one of the modules. They aren't (very) sticky on either side and I suppose you must cut the piece a lot smaller to get it too fit. A single strip is much too thick.
Like an idiot, I left my new camera on automatic so my first beam pattern shot is stupid. I need to re-shoot the whole damn thing because it's hard to comapre when the exposure is so different. Anyway, this is what I have right now . . .
Left is a 3-mode UltraFire XM-L (sku5720) and right is IO module #1.
Left is module #2 and right is module # 1.
Left is module #3 and right is module #1. I show this because module #1 is slightly cooler than the other two and is actually my favorite of the three.
I guess I suck at drop-in reviews but hopefully you can get an idea of what you're buying. This is probably one of the best P60 modules available right now, in my opinion.
Foy