P60 Drop-in: Cree XM-L U2 available here: http://kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=11254
5-mode: high/medium/low/strobe/sos
orange peel reflector
3.7 - 4.2 volt
order placed: 4-17-11
order received: 5-5-11
cost: $17.47
If my musings bore you, skip to the beam shots below for a quick comparison of three P60 XM-L drops-ins:
Solarforce T6 single mode/3 - 6 volt (measured about 1.75 amps)
Ultra Fire T6 3-mode/3.7 - 4.2 volt (measured about 3.5 amps)
Kaidomain U2 5-mode/3.7 - 4.2 volt (measured about 2.7 amps)
P60 Drop-in: Cree XM-L U2 available here: http://kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=11254
5-mode: high/medium/low/strobe/sos
orange peel reflector
3.7 - 4.2 volt
order placed: 4-17-11
order received: 5-5-11
cost: $17.47
If my musings bore you, skip to the beam shots below for a quick comparison of three P60 XM-L drops-ins:
Solarforce T6 single mode/3 - 6 volt (measured about 1.75 amps)
Ultra Fire T6 3-mode/3.7 - 4.2 volt (measured about 3.5 amps)
Kaidomain U2 5-mode/3.7 - 4.2 volt (measured about 2.7 amps)
My first brush with the Cree XM-L came with the newly released 4Sevens Quark MiniX 123. With a rated 210 OTF lumens (per 4Sevens) the MiniX 123 out performs much larger flashlights and is most responsible for spurring my interest in this emitter. I next purchased the single mode Solarforce XM-L and was blown away by its brightness. I loved, what appeared to me, to be an enormous hot spot and how it turned any host into a sizzling performer. I immediately ordered another from Solarforce and then - I joined BudgetLightForum.
It was not long before I was directed to Manafont and placed my first order for their very popular Ultra Fire 3-mode XM-L T6. My admittedly inexperienced opinion of the Ultra Fire drop-in is simply this: it turns any P60 host into a high-performance, high output howitzer able to leap tall buildings and do battle with flashlights costing far more than even the best host available. With a reverse clicky on a Solarforce L2P for example, cycling between modes is a dream with no lengthy wait to retain the selected mode, like so many other multi-mode drivers. The Ultra Fire XM-L further endears itself to users with the absence of useless strobes and SOS functions. It has three distinct levels of light: high, medium and low. Simple UI, a fair value and enough lumens to satisfy just about everybody - it's easy to see why this drop-in is ordered so often. And, why I ordered it so often. Then, I spent some time on Ted's incredibly well maintained site; http://flashlightwiki.com/
It was here that an uninformed Foy discovered bins. I wanted a U2 and true to form, ordered the first one I stumbled over.
Eighteen days later the above arrived by registered mail.
I was disappointed to find the emitter not exactly centered but it doesn't seem to adversely affect the beam pattern, even with an smooth reflector.
After some experimentation I've found (as I knew I would) I prefer a smooth reflector. Below are beam shots of the three different P60 XM-Ls I have. Pictures were taken at the Foybezel™ Uglywall skunkworks facility with the cactus plant 55 feet away, shutter speed 1/4 second @ f2.8. Host for all three drop-ins were three different Solarforce L2Ps.
First is the single mode Solarforce XM-L.
Next is the 3-mode Ultra Fire XM-L from Manafont and as you can see, even my cat "Ted" can't believe how damn bright it is.
Now the 5-mode U2 XM-L from Kaidomain with a smooth reflector and Ted evaluating collimation dispersion.
And finally, the U2 XM-L with the OP reflector it came with and Ted enjoying a generous spill.
Wall from about 12 feet away: OP on the left, SMO on the right.
Of course, I hate the flashy modes and to my eye, it's only slightly brighter. It is also whiter than the Ultra Fire and a lot whiter than the Solarforce. I'll reserve final judgement until after I've actually used it under real conditions but so far, I like it. Would I order another?
Not until they get rid of the flashy crap.