About a month ago I bought a cheap XM-L T6 zoomie off eBay to try out, mostly see if I even wanted to get into LED lights. Now I've got three Solarforce L2 hosts, one with the same xm-l that throws just as well with more flood (perfect for me). I'm getting parts to build my first DIY P60 dropin. You could say I'm hooked.
My family saw the eBay zoomie before i got the L2, and I have been asked to get 5 more of the eBay lights. So now I have an issue. Now that I've seen how much better an XM-L T6 can be in an L2, I don't want to give them the zoomie. I plan to give my dad a Solar force since he has the 18650 batts for a hunting light, but would rather give the other three something that can run off 3x AAA batteries. I have considered that the zoomie may be underdriven so I plan to drop a better driver in there and see.
So long post to get to my point. Please suggest some cheap hosts that can take 3 AAA batts, a XM-L on sink pad and a nanjg driver. Would be plus if it also looked good enough to be a gift.
EDIT: I think I've answered my own question with more forum reading and settled on the following three options.
Option 1: Upgrade the eBay zoomie with better a emitter and driver. It'd make for a cheap, decent looking, and functional light. Besides Who doesn't like to play with a zoomie. Plus to this one is the spiked bezel, which may be useful for self defense. My mother and sister will each be getting one and they both have dogs. The spikes aren't much, but they would probably do more damage than their fingernails or lapdogs.
Option 2: Trustfire A8. It's a little larger diameter than I was wanting to find, but it'll use AAA batteries. Probably wouldn't need to touch the emitter but might upgrade the driver.
Option 3: Build a Solarforce L2 (or other clone) for each. Give them dropins that allow the use of 2x CR123 Primaries, and suggest that they shop online for batteries in bulk. Can probably build each light for 25 bucks or less. Can get spiked bezel for the ladies. I'll probably end up with this option, cause IMO it looks best.
I’m new to modding also but one thing you could do is buy the cheap zoomies from eBay and get an adapter
They make battery holders that hold 3 aa batteries that are the same size as an 18650 Like these from dx
I hope this helps You can get 10 of those adapters for $4
I’ve bought from this seller many times he ships from CA
And has some good deals sometimes
Sorry, was editing my post while you replied. That was one of the ideas, see option one of the EDIT. Was kinda leaning away from those because I think I now understand when everyone says that an aspheric lens isn’t that great on a XM-L.
For our use the fixed standard lens with reflector puts out a much better beam than a zoomie. Decent hotspot with plenty of spill is great for camping, hunting, fishing, and general outdoors use.
To me the zoomie is better for showing off, about like the blinky modes. Nothing wrong with either, just not what I need or want.
Yes! As I was writing the reply above I remembered seeing those. Hurried back over there to check it out. That second one (silver) is perfect for a P60 gift. Nice and shiny makes it look expensive.
I think Illumination Supply has a Nanjg 105C style driver that will allow for 6V which would allow the CR123s. It's higher output than I want and would make it run hot on high, but I can flash the firmware and make a lower high to keep it running cooler. Running it cooler should also negate the need for foil wrapping. Not something I mind doing on my own light, but do not I want to throw it on someone that doesn't know what its there for.
$8 body
$2-3 P60 drop-in
$5 emitter
$7 driver
Less than $25. For that price I can even include some batteries and make a nice little box to put it in.
That's a sister of the Trustfire A8 I mentioned earlier. Definitely a possibility, might have to get one to check out. It would probably still get modded. Most every cheap off the shelf light cycles through modes from high to low, and I loathe that set-up. Bright lights kill night vision, much better to start out on a lower setting and work up if needed. I also don't like that memory set-up. IMO when coming off memory it should go to first mode (lowest) and work up (highest or blinky). This takes a driver with custom firmware, which is available thanks to members of this forum.
