Okay. I gotta learn how to do that. So, it is brighter. And the tint - wow. Also shows I was careful not to move the camera and, and . . . I didn't see my other cat "Marx" until now. Cool!
thankyouverymuchflashFoy
Foy the KD drop-in is brighter.
The spil is better. What are the other modes like compared to the Ultrafire and solarforce?
Solarforce is single mode and the other two are about equal in the three modes, with the U2 whiter and a little brighter in all. After seeing this, I want to compare the domes.
Foy
Foy, you are right on time with this one. A buddy of mine wants an L2P/XML but has to have strobe. I was thinking of the manafont 3 mode with strobe but couldn’t get any feedback on it. This looks good, I’ll order tonight. So what do you think of it head to head with the awesome manafont ultrafire?
I know a lot of people don’t like the strobe but it can be useful. Everybody uses their lights for different things. I use the strobe on my sipik all the time for signaling. Bikers use the strobe for safety also. I see a lot of reviews that list the presence of strobes as a con rather than listing it as present.
Ok back on topic here. Will this dropin remember what mode it is in? This guy wants it to always turn on in the mode he left it on just like the ultrafire dropin does.(guess which mode he wants it to turn on in?)
I knew you were expecting this dropin and have been waiting, nice timing
I've got that KD U2 5 mode, and yes it has mode memory.
Nice to see that mine wasn't alone in having a good white tint.
Thanks. That looks like a nice one.
Can someone point me to a smooth reflector that would fit this? I don’t want to order the wrong part
I found this one from MF works well with XM-L's http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/265mm-aluminum-smooth-reflector-for-r5q5t6-flashlight-led-emitters-p-5505
It's time for your Beating ...please line up for the great beat down .China will never admit it was a flaw in the matrix and those who like strobes need to be eliminated /.That's why S.W.A.T. teams use them as a tactical technique ..they break in and strobe people and anyone who says "Wow I like that " they shoot dead on the spot . Thus eliminating people who like strobes in flashlights little by little .
Soon strobe users will have to go underground and find user junkie street dealers to get their strobe fix.meanwhile the quality of the tints and pwm on these street lights will become horrible .
I didn't know SWAT teams hated strobes so bad, but I can't blame them. I know some people like or have a need for it. I've seen a few cyclists around here using lights on strobe.
I have a KD T6 drop-in and I like it well enough that I haven't swapped out the driver yet. Thanks for the great review!
I have the Ultrafire XML from Manafont and I have to say that I like this U2 from KD much more. I'm surprised what a difference there is. Have you tested the current to see if it's pulling more or equal current? I'm curious if the difference is really in the LED or in the driver or a combination of both.
I also have to add that I like the OP reflector more than the smooth. That last shot just washes everything in a strong, even paint of light with very little loss in center brightness. Love it!!
Cheers,
Johnny
Bahahah! Good theory, Boaz! XD Strobes really do have a purpose and a use and if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of one you would see how disorienting they are and why SWAT teams use them. True tactical lights have strobes for a good reason and it’s why they are mounted on guns. They are also very good for chasing off nasty for legged animals whilst on evening walks. Any camper, hiker or hunter should have a light with an SOS or strobe mode in case they are injured and need help. In either mode it will run for a good long time and put out a signal for help even while they are napping or unconcious. Ever try sitting there and pressing out an SOS or strobe for hours on end? Neither have I and I wouldn’t want to either. 
They aren't much use to someone who just uses a light around the house to find items in a drawer or to make one's way through the basement to reach the fusebox though and for those people I can see why they are a nuisance. It's also why they make lights without them for folks like you who hate them. I happen to like strobe functions but then again I love guns, swords and weapons in general and a bright strobe is one more thing in my arsenal. =)
Cheers,
Johnny
Loled hard!!!
Seems to be a real good drop-in..
Damn.. Now i want a L2P with this drop-in..
PleasestopbuyinggoodthingFoy!
Lang - Like Tas said, it has mode memory and it's a nice, tight interface similar to the Ultra Fire driver. No lengthy waits for mode retention and because it is so well programmed (for lack of a better description) the blinkies really are not a bother with this drop-in.
Full disclosure however: I'm not part of a SWAT team and I simply do not care for strobe functions. I respect others' need for this annoying feature but I hate it. What would bring this and the Ultra Fire drop-in closer to perfection is an ultra low, low with no noticeable PWM. My 4Sevens Quark AA2 Tactical has an awesome 0.2 lumen low that I absolutely love.
Unfortunately, I've been told my DMM will not measure amps high enough for these drop-ins so, I don't know if the performance difference is emitter or driver. I know I love the tint.
I'll be reporting more on this drop-in after some use at work. Today it seemed to have some UI issues if I screwed the reflector down all the way. As I write this I remember that I'm using a Solarforce SMO so, maybe the underside is different. We'll see when I get home.
thanksallFoy
I have the same problem with different drop-in. What could be the reason? If I screw the reflector more than half way down, there's only the high mode. It does not change no matter what. If I just barely tighten the reflector all 3 modes are accessible. It's a home-made drop-in using Nanjg 101-AK and XP-G R4.
+ l
.....cool cats seem very unimpressed .....
strobe rant withheld
Solid camera work there that allowed the two photos to be compared so nicely.
For anyone who has this drop-in: How does it behave when the cell goes below 3.7v? Does it shut off the light or just get dimmer?
photon - Don't know. Maybe I'll run it down and see.
shoulderhurtstonightFoy
Very nice Foy! Frontpage'd and Sticky'd.
I just ordered the Manafont 3-mode XM-L the the other day. It sounds like it's proven, although the U2 does look slightly brighter in your excellent pictures.
Nice review as always, Foy ;)
Don't know if it's just me, but the spill looks veery purple/violet/blue :|