FIrst time poster and newbie flashaholic. Advice please!!!

how about some links to some quality xp-g and xr-e drop-ins?

I believe that if you are not the kind of person who needs detail in 100m XM-L will suffice.

I could hook you up with some custom drop ins if you are interested.

@gcbryan

Thanks for the detailed and quick reply.. Since I'm not a dancer, the disco ball XML is not for me..

but you're right, probably will buy an XRE R2 or XPG R5 drop in, and the aspheric lens since its so cheap, and try it.

I guess all flashaholics get that itch sometimes a lot of times, to experiment with various "legoable" parts available, just to see the result and get it out of the way.

This is a little more expensive than some. It's Thrunite XP-G for (1) 18650 or (2) CR123's or (2) 18650's for that matter.

http://www.sbflashlights.com/Solarforce-Dropins/Solarforce-LC-1-Cree-R2-3-Mode-4-2-8-4V-p69.html

Here's a Solarforce 3 mode XR-E R2 for (1)18650 or (2) CR123. It's not very expensive.

Here is a Solarforce 3 mode XP-G R5 for (1) 18650 or (1) CR123. It's not very expensive either.

http://www.sbflashlights.com/Solarforce-Dropins/Solarforce-LC-1-Cree-R2-3-Mode-8-4-2V-p22.html

Check all the stats before you buy as I did all this in a hurry :)

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Here you go, Doby... XP-G R5 in P60 w/ 28mm aspheric (and red rubylith)

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Errr... mmmmmm... ahhhhhh...

It's one small bright hotspot... but those rings!

How do you like it @Be-Seen Triker?

welcome to BLF. Good choices made. I second the xtar 2600's. Great value for money.

A lot of the newbies are having trouble fitting the x tars in there lights i would recommend some Trustfire flames.

By the way, an aspheric thrower doesn't have to be ugly! You need to just buy a cheap XR-E drop-in and dedicate it as a thrower rather than trying to keep it so you can switch back and forth.

Just buy an $8 DX XR-E R2 drop-in (1 mode) and a $2 aspheric lens for your P60 host. Paint the reflector flat black. Paint that little Cree ring flat black. Take some Scotch "Magic" tape and mask out a large rectangle on the back (flat) side of the aspheric. Put it all together and you will have a "light sabre" with no spill and no artifacts.

If you're going to make a thrower however do it with the XR-E and not a XP-G or XM-L. Throw is about emitter surface brightness and about the diameter of the reflector or lens. The XR-E or XP-E have the highest surface brightness not the XP-G or XM-L. They have greater lumen output but not greater surface brightness so they won't throw as far.

Welcome to BLF, Dave! Your purchases sound great and I can't wait to see how you like them. ;)

Johnny

Thanks for the links, and all the wise advice. You guys really are part of a great little community. I'll post some thoughts once everything arrives, should be within a couple weeks. I'm getting anxious already...LOL! (and it's only been 4 days since I placed most of the orders.)

Ps. How would I go about getting a couple pairs of those 18700 xtars through the group buy? Any help is much appreciated!

I don't know about other folks here, but I am done with XR-E dropins.

Sometimes they seem impressive in terms of throw, but I think it is almost an illusion. An XM-L seems to throw just as far AND it lights up everything around it as well. The only exception to that would be a light with a big reflector like the masterpiece pro that Foy has. If they optimized the reflector for an XM-L, I think the XM-L would still be a better light.

Maybe if I was going to use the light only for indoor use, the XR-E might be a player, like my Trustfire Z1.

XM-L has this reputaion of not throwing enough. XM-l was introduced on many small lights initially with relatively small or "normal" reflectors. Now once proper reflectors are built for it, it does appear to throw some light after all.

Check this guy's mod. A Trustfire STT-50 to XM-L from 24.000 LUX to 42.600 LUX

http://forum.fonarevka.ru/showthread.php?t=4493&page=2&language=en

Thrunite Catapult V2 SST-50 26,500 LUX

Thrunite Catapult V2 XM-l 46,000 LUX

Results borrowed from CPF

Too bad it doesn't work with small reflectors, but XR-E is so small that small reflectors are big for it

My Trustfire Z1 is begging for an XML if I could just find one that would fit.

Found that the KD C8 was in the mailbox when I came home today. Not bad considering I ordered it really late on the 15th. Ten days from the other side of the world. I'm impressed. Anyway, build quality is great. No flaws on the anodizing at all, threads came lightly lubed, and overall, very clean. One little surprise, the tail boot is GITD, as opposed to the black shown in the picture. No thoughts on output yet, as I'm still awaiting the delivery of batteries and charger from Manafont.

Another delivery today. This time it was the L2T from Solarforce, and the optional pocket/belt clip. It too, arrived safely, in perfect condition, just 10 days from having placed the order. I'm surprised the shipping has been so fast.... so far. Now if only these damn 18650's and the WP6 would show up, I'd be in business... :-)

the manafont xml P60 drop-in showed up today... FYI, to my surprise, the extra OP reflector threads on perfectly.

It's a little strange the drop-in showed up before the batteries and charger, as they were both ordered from Manafont, but with 3 days in between. (the charger and batteries being ordered first)... Hmmmm..........

I think that could be down to HK Post. They seem to pack in small items much quicker. I had a recent DX order of multiple items (torch, batteries, charger, reflectors) broken into separate packs, with everything but the reflectors (50mm) sent about 3 days earlier. The little parcel with the reflectors arrived one week before the other stuff.

ok.... TF flames and the WP6 showed up today. Got the cells charging as I write this. Can't wait to get some voltage readings, and try out the new lights.

For a recap of my first purchases...

1. Kaidomain

KD C8 xml Ordered: july 13 Shipped: july 15 Received: July 25th

11-12 days total

2. Solarforce

LT2 and optional pocket clip Ordered: july 17 Shipped: july 17 Rcd: july 26

9-10 days total

3. Manafont

a. 4 TF flames + WP6 charger Ordered: july 13 Shipped: july 15 Rcd: Aug. 5

23-24 days total

b. P60 xml drop-in + reflector Ordered: july 18 shipped: july 19 Rcd: Aug. 3

16-17 days total

c. Microtech Scarab clone Ordered: july 23 shipped: july 24 Rcd: TBD

?????? days total

It's likely the scarab may never arrive... If opened by customs, it WILL be seized 100%. With that said, only one of the four packages (the large box carrying the charger and batts) I've got in the last few weeks, have been opened for inspection. I guess the next few days will tell.