I honestly don’t care about the driver or LED as long as it takes extension tubes.
An extension tube would allow 1 cell or 2 cell use. As far as I can tell the only reason for a one piece 3x 2x series tube is to be able to beat people over the head with it. 
Now I do like having that option (for self defense) I wouldn’t want to sacrifice the ability to do 1 cell non-series builds. Like an XM-L fet driver build. This upcoming new design L2 will have a side switch, right? Totally different than this current L2. Attiny85 side switch fw.
~ edit ~ 3x 2x
3x series would allow for extended runtime with 6v LEDs and a buck driver or potentially using a boost driver with a 12v LED.
Just talking abiut the current model here. How is a 2 cell solid tube any less versatile? Yiu just swap between the single cell and double cell tube… Whenever you like.
So Simon is willing to produce a 2 cell solid tube while continuing to sell the single cell tube as well? I’m all for that.
I cannot guarantee that he is willing yet, but that is what I’m pushing for. I’d like him to continue to sell the current L2 and just offer the longer tube and OP reflector as add-on items. I think part of him wants to just drop this L2 and move on the XHP version. I certainly don’t want to slow him down on that project but it would be a real shame to scrap the current L2. I really like it. There is so much aluminum there to absorb heat it’s just begging for power. In my testing last night after 5 minutes my XinTD was warm but the L2 was just as cool as the second I turned it on. Yeah it’s not pushed very hard stock but still I see a lot of potential here. I have a host being sent to a friend who will put some power behind it. I’m really looking for some feedback from someone with modding skills.
IMHO, another critical change that Simon has to make is to make the pill accepts 21mm driver instead of the 17mm one.
It is easy to fit a 17mm in a 21mm opening (i.e. using a contact board or something), but it is very difficult to fit a 21mm buck driver “in” a 17mm opening.
This is why we had so much troubles to find a high current buck driver for the 1405, until Richard came out with something excellent.
Damn. hate you convoy!
Spend 40$ today. |(
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Yes… I did buy the L2. :bigsmile: :party: 0:)
Just submitted the order for the L2 host, along with 1 blue S2+ host, and blue and red pairs of shorty adapters 
. Thanks!!
I think you’ll be quite happy with all of them. The short tubes are perfectly machined and work like a charm. I bought one of each color too. :bigsmile: I can’t wait for the clip. That for me is what’s really going to make the shorty a great EDC light. And I’ve already said it but it bears repeating. I love the new L2. It’s built like a tank.
This host looks excellent. The only draw back I can see is the 17mm driver opening. IMHO I think it should be 22mm, this would give much better driver options.
bibihang, Richard has the high current 17mm MTN-MAX driver? It can still handle big currents & has been tested to withstand lots of stress tests. The 22mm version is probably better, but I’m not sure if its necessary?
I think its important that Simon makes sure that there’s enough height in the driver cavity for the driver to fit - the inductor takes up some space.
For single cell as it is now, the 17mm driver is perfect - lots of options, but of course I only want a FET+1 anyway. But yes, for 2-3 cell options, the bigger driver is almost a definite.
Ohh btw - Simon gave me 15% off the entire order 
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Wish I could jury rig an e-switch in this light though - would be perfect for my new 45/85 e-switch firmware (in here: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/34900). I always preferred e-switch's, but now, it's a whole new realm with almost all the bells and whistles, and room to add even more features. Just give me a side mounted switch with 2 wires hanging off of it in the pill, and I'll be happy.
Thanks shrick.
FYI - All of this has been communicated with Simon as well as 20mm for the MCPCB.
Yes, I do aware of Richard’s buck driver, in fact I’m running it in my modded 1405 now and it rocks.
But,
- The price of the 17mm MTN-MAX high profile buck driver itself is quite reasonable actually, but for those who live outside USA, the shipping fee is insanely expensive, which is not quite affordable to many people.
2. This is not to say that Richard’s driver isn’t good (in fact they are awesome), but larger pill opening means more driver options available. For example if I already have a 21mm buck driver in my storage box I can use it in the light directly, don’t need to order another driver for that matter.
3. Who knows Richard or other fellow BLF members will design an even better buck driver in the future, but comes in the size of 21mm?
4. If you want to use a 17mm driver in a pill with 21mm opening, it isn’t difficult. You can simply add a contact board to your 17mm driver, or press-fit a brass ring into the opening to ‘convert’ the opening diameter.
Just some humble thoughts. 
Thanks JDub
How do you get a 6v 5amp (Max) Buck driver to rock and roll a XHP-70? :~ It just starts to get bright at around 6amps? Then there is the heat to deal with, (heat sinking,potting) so you don’t smoke the driver? Can you get a buck driver to do 7-9amps? Cause I’ve been told different? Wouldn’t you be better off with a 7135 driver, if you want or need regulation? Just asking? On a side note- I would like to see a thicker shelf if running a XHP-70, like 10mm or better? Driver cavity diameter, don’t matter to me, I can make adapters, for anything? So what ever get’s decided I’m good with. 
The measurement of the inside (battery tube) end to end is almost exactly 2.75 inches or 69.85mm. This would of course be smashing the springs to non existence so I’d say it’s a no for a 26700.
So, what do you think of this new L2? Do you have some photos and some beamshots?