Welcome to BLF! They know what theyre talking about up there.
Give this thread a little time and see how many people recommend that XML from Manafont. I have never had a P7 so I can’t say about the other one. You would probably get the manafont dropin faster.
E1320s recommendation for batteries is a good tip too.
If you like DX and want to wait weeks for your order get this drop in it is now direct drive on high also but it is 5 mode about 800 lumens also.
You still need some decent batteries for a direct drive XML so order these also.
A little cheaper than the Manafont package but you might wait a little longer.
I have both the Manafont and the DX drop in and they are both limited by the batteries you have on high. I get 3.5 amps which is around 800 lumens with both drop ins on high but I prefer the 3-modes I don't need 5.
Id stick with the one from manafont because you'll get it faster than the other site and the XML dropin will be brighter than the p7
I have never used either of the sites listed above. I only know about DX from that other forum and they said to always stay away from DX, but then again they tried to get me to buy a $200 flashlight. LOL :)
You all beat me to this by moments .. I was just eyeballing this for my C1 P60
The Cree XM-L T6 (or U2 if you can find it) is insanely bright for the price. Also it is floody by design. Some will say that a Seoul P7 will be comparable, but I think the XM-L has the edge. I believe Luminus SST-90 will be brighter than the Cree, but the price is nowhere near comparable. An SST-90 can be had in P60 form for around $80, but as this is a budget forum, you won't see much info about that here.
I think you'd be pretty satisfied with the XM-L. Check the reviews for some beamshots with XM-L T6, keep in mind, most XM-L lights will have a larger projector than a P60 dropin:
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/2284
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/1905
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/985
if you really want to know about the output charateristics of XM-Ls, check out Match's fantastic thread here: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/2346
Thanks to all the reviewers to which we can almost "try before we buy!"
The XM-L is far brighter over the full width of the beam.
Manafont definately processes and gets your order quicker than DX. So whenever I have a choice I order from Manafont. Even if DX has the same item for slightly less I still would go with Manafont :)
Manafont tests all of there lights before they ship DX doesn't. Manafont ships within a week, you never know with DX I have seen stuff ship the same day and I have had stuff sit for weeks before it ships. You can save a couple bucks using DX but it is risky, I would rather pay a couple bucks extra and get stuff in two weeks that works.
I have the 3-mode Manafont drop-in and it is very good. Sign up with an account first before ordering so that you can keep track of the order status and earn Manafont points that will get you a small discount on your next purchase.
I prefer Manafont over DX as well. The problem with the DX drop-in is I don’t know how hard they are driving the XM-L LED and we have lots of people here who have measured the Ultrafire drop-in at Manafont to be driven pretty hard.
I got one of the 3 mode xm-l and the emitter is off center, so the beam is somewhat crooked and just kinda not pleasant when combined with the shift in tint across the beam. I'm trying to find a OP reflector for it which should at least make it somewhat more bearable.
The $19.99 Solarforce Mini that comes with an installed XM-L is pretty floody (from Kai Domain), more so than my other XM-L's.
Downside is that you will have to buy rechargeable CR123's or a batch of expensive CR123's to keep it going. Upside is it slips into your pocket pretty easily.
And remember it's a Solarforce fake of inferior quality...
The Manafont Ultrafire 3-mode XML is probably the best option, as people have said already. Forget P7/SST-50/SST-90, they are never fully driven in the drop-ins you can buy (and just draws more current for less light than an XM-L).
I have the KD fake and the S/F real L2m. Just my opinion, but I like the fake better. It tailstands, and has a normal clicky, as opposed to the one on solarforce-sales.com that has a tactical switch you have to twist to make the light stay on. Not sure how waterproof it is, but where I live that is not an issue.
Just a thought if you are going to order from Manafont for $8 bucks more you can get this host and have a place for your spare drop in and batteries. I own 4 of them and they work good and are very similar to your Surefire.
review here
Also the KD-C8 puts out a ton of light for $25 bucks, it would be perfect for farm use very floody bright beam. I own one and can say this is a must have budget light if you own 18650 batteries.
http://kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=11097
review here
Aloha and welcome to BLF s1mp13m4n!
Welcome to blf! i would also recomment the 3mode XLM from manafont. I also find it hard to believe that you have such a expensive light with such crappy batteries? Listen to the post below and but a pair of the 2600 sanyo based before the promotion runs out!
I am planning on making an order soon, just waiting for my new check card in the mail. I like the setup that you have put together for me with the drop-in, batteries, and host from Manafont. I hope that this light will be bright like I think it might be. :) This is a nice site and it is just down to earth and realistic. I mean, who can afford to spend $150 on a Fenix TK45? I enjoy value for the money and that is what I am all about. :) By the way, on the posts above some refered me to the bulk battery buy. I see them listed as 18700 batteries.....don't I need 18650 cells? Sorry for the newbie questions. I am trying to learn.
That's probably what I'd do in your situation too. Also, glad you like the atmosphere at BLF, I've had about the same reaction in the time I've spent here. Friendly is a place you want to keep coming back to.
The REAL Ultrafire 3000 mAh are not that terrible, just that some people never learn and buy fake shit from ebay (Important lesson: if it sounds too cheap to be true then it most likely is).
Here are discharge graphics from ACTUAL Ultrafire 3000 mAh: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?223638-New-18650-with-3000mAh-from-KD&p=2884072#post2884072
Sanyos are better ofcourse, but there is no reason to panic. The famous case where a guy had an Ultrafire 3000 mAh blow up was 100% user error and he discharged his _unprotected_ cells way too much (Sanyos or Panasonics would have exploded just the same).