For testing I have the Ultrafire XM-L T6 P60 drop in from Manafont , http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-cree-t6-3mode-memory-led-dropin-module-42v-max-p-5178
Already I like it , simply due to it having no bl-inky modes .
Now I wrapped the drop in , in my Gunmetal grey Solarforce L2 , which used to be SSC P7 . But with the release of the XM-L , the SSC P7 has become almost redundant . I like this drop in very much , 3 modes , Hi - Med - Lo , and no insane blinky modes . Now this drop in does suffer from heat sag , and quite a bit of it at that , but the starting output is really good , unfortunately it simply cant hold it [ more latter ] . The smooth reflector does offer a very nice beam , but no better or worse for that matter than the OP reflectors offer , I will test and see if it offers more throw .
I had no issues with the drop in , and it seems to be working fine , I wrapped it in Al-foil and made sure it was a very snug fit in the host . And after 2 minutes on high , it did get warm , I expect it will heat up a flashlight very much like a good performing SSC P7 , which means after 5 minutes on high , the host will most likely be hot , very hot . Now in all fairness the Medium setting offers more than enough light for everyday use + better current and run time , as does low , in fact with this one low is around 60 Lumen + or - depending on the individual cell used . I can honestly say , save high for showing off , this one puts out something like 350Lumen [ again depending on individual battery performance ] on medium , that is a lot of output , especially for medium , and around 1A current draw .
Next some performance figures .
Output is dependent on the cell used and the condition of the cell [ charge ] , I used two cells for testing , Panasonic 2900 and Solarforce V2 18650 .
Multimeter results = Panasonic
High = 3.4A
Med = 1A
Low = 0.17A
Multimeter results = Solarforce 18650 [ V2 ]
High = 3.39A
Med = 0.91A
Low = 0.16A
Light box results =
High = 1100+ turned on sags to 900+ within seconds
Medium = 340 to 355L
Low = 50 to 65L
Measuring the sag on high .
Start = 1100+ sags to 900+ within 2 seconds
15 seconds = 915L
30 seconds = 860L
60 seconds = 845L
2 minutes = 815L
Holly smoke , 1100+ on start @ 3.4A [ and possibly more ] , Im going to have to see about possibly re-mounting the emitter , and see if I cant stabilize the output a bit higher .. Still , an awful lot of sag , some 300L of sag , thats more output lost than most XR-E flashlights are capable of producing . I love the fact its 3 mode , blinky modes @ 800L are just annoying , so if you have to buy a XM-L drop in , well , look at this one .
I just love this drop in , its has potential . Im going to see what I can do about improving the heatsinking for the emitter , and I really hope Manafont can procure the 3 mode driver for re sale , so we can use it in DIY projects , I really like this driver .
So if anyone at Manafont reads this , please get this driver for us .
So far all the XM-L 's I have [ T6 - P60 drop ins ] seem to be doing about 800L , maybe less , so even with high current , they just dont seem to hold much over 800L once things settle , so at this time , the question begs , why drive them so hard ? 2 to 2.5A seems to be the sweet spot . Anyhow , this drop in Rocks , the driver is great , where has this driver been ?
Please Manafont , get this driver for us .
Bottom line = I like this drop in , especially the fact its 3 mode [ with memory ] , High - Medium - Low , it puts out a lot of light , but suffers from sag , stabilizing around 800L , Low and medium offer good output at much reduced current consumption . Its good to see some one offering an alternative to the usual run of blinky rubbish , and I am very happy with this drop in .
Now lets talk about throw , my best XR-E R2 P60 did 11200Lux @ 1 meter today , this XM-L did 13000Lux [ and dropping due to sag ] , and my DIY pill [ XM-L ] seemed to be holding about 13200Lux . The XM-L will not hold the focus though as it will flood out at longer distances , while the XR-E will maintain the spot [ hotspot @ centre of beam ] much better over longer distances . But still , that is a lot of power in the center of the beam [ XM-L ] , and the XM-L does throw rather well , but with all that flood , I guess it can be a little hard to notice .