Disclaimer: More Solarforce Worship
Do you like the Surefire 6P LED but not impressed with its 120 lumen output or $89 price tag? I purchased a 6P because I wanted a top quality flashlight but you don't have to make the same mistake. Unless you want/need the warranty, there is no reason to pay triple or more for an inferior product. Friends and neighbors, the Chinese have arrived.
Bottom line for those unable to endure my crap: 4.5 out of 5 Foys because the tail cap knurling does not match the body.
This 6P clone has become the clone to clone. The question "is it a real Solarforce" may seem hilarious at first since the L2 itself is a copy of the Surefire 6P. The L2 is so good in fact, this copy of the real thing is now the defacto standard among budget P60 hosts. People pay a little less for a "fake" Solarforce but the "real" fake is so inexpensive, this writer fails to see the logic in rolling the dice for an inferior torch. Aluminum machining is outstanding, annodizing is great and fit and finish is second to none. I've owned an L2 for several months now and it has been a rough and tumble flashlight that shrugs off heavy abuse with casual ease. Function has been flawless without a single hiccup. Forced to pick a weakness, I'd have to say I don't like the strike bezel it comes with and I wonder how much trouble it would have been to make the tail cap knurling match the body. The mix and match versatility of available accessories for the L2 seem almost endless. One can change the drop-in, bezel, laynard ring and tail cap etc. to suit practically any need or taste. The Solarforce L2 has forever altered our expectations for budget "clone" P60 hosts.
What I like:
- awesome machining, aluminum finish
- classic P60 proportions
- parts interchangeability
What I do not like:
- mismatched knurling
- provided strike bezel
- why isn't the tail cap the same diameter as the body?
Solarforce L2 with Tactical Head, Reverse Clicky Tail Cap (non-tail stand) host I'm evaluating the black L2 I've had for a while along with the grey version I just received.
$11.50 from solarforce-sales.com
- ordered 3-27-11, recieved 4-8-11 (grey version)
accepts any P60 drop-in
1 x 18650 or 2 x CR123 batteries
"tactical" non-tail standing reverse clicky tail cap
146 x 32 x 25mm
aesthetics:
It's the classic P60 flashlight. By some stroke of luck or design genius, this Surefire 6P copy ends up with a look and feel all its own. With an 18650, it is substantial without being heavy, feels balanced and the larger head with rounded base against the hand (ala 6P) keeps the bright end pointed the right way. The knurling is beautiful but is completely smooth; it looks like they began with extremely aggressive, large block knurling then smoothed down the points. The only negative to my eye is the different pattern on the tail cap that does not match the body and the tail cap itself on both of my L2s is slightly larger than the flashlight tube. Why?
build quality:
The L2 is put together very well. Knurling edges are well defined and all lathe cuts are razor sharp. The aluminum surface has a smooth, finished look and the annodization looks strong but I will say that like all high gloss black flashlights, the black on several edges on my older (relatively) L2 is starting to rub off. Also, I wonder if this silver beauty can stay pretty after hard use. Threads are good and the clicky switch feels strong and reliable.
ergonomics:
Everything is where it should be. Your hand instinctively grabs the right end and rotation from underhand pointing away to overhand pointing down happens with athletic ease. The L2 instantly becomes a natural extension of your arm and feels perfect in the hand.
performance:
Of course, you only get out what you put in and these two L2s are sporting the latest in XM-L goodness. The T6 in Mr. Black seemed phenomenally bright until I powered up the Ultra Fire howitzer in Mr. Silver. Because I'm a beginer-mode flashaholic, I can't give you lumen output or tail cap draw. I can report that others have measured around 3 amps on this Manafont sourced 3-mode XM-L drop-in and I can also state quite emphatically that it is bright as hell. I think we can all agree that Mr. Silver here is blasting out something north of 500 lumens with an 18650.
Ugly Wall Beam Shots show just how bright a budget P60 can be: As before, the cactus is 55 feet away, shutter speed is 1/4 second @ f2.8.
First up is an L2 with a Solarforce SSC P7/18650:
Next is an L2 with a single mode Solarforce XM-L/18650:
Now the Ultra Fire XM-L:
The L2 is not IPX-8 rated but the Foy testing protocols include taking a shower with Foy followed by 30 minutes under water in the kitchen sink. In both dynamic and static tests, the L2 evidenced no ingress at all. I wouldn't use it as a dive light but you will likely not experience a moisture related failure.
cost/value:
The L2 host cost $11.50. What that means folks is, you can have a bomb proof 500+ lumen powerhouse of a flashlight for under $30. Your "budget" creation will not only blow the doors off its Surefire inspiration but it will look and feel like a very expensive flashlight. The only P60 host better, in this writer's opinion is the Solarforce L2P.
And that my friends, is no coincidence.
UPDATE
It will soon be a year since I reviewed the original L2 and as good as that torch was, its much improved replacement is even better . . .
. . . the Solarforce L2 is the P60 light to own. The updated version of this classic is a vast improvement on one of the most respected flashlights in the industry. I'll say yet again; what possible justification is there saving two or three dollars hoping the FartFire 50x you get won't be one of the "bad" ones? It is beyond the comprehension of this reviewer to grasp the logic of buying trash when such sterling quality is available for a lousy $12.50.
With the right drop-in, the Solarforce L2 ranks among the top five flashlights ever made. With a 3-mode UltraFire XM-L drop-in from Manafont (sku 5720) the L2 will be the brightest, best performing $30 torch you've ever held.
The performance and bling potential of an L2 are endless. You can build anything from a run-time champ to something that can spot low flying aircraft. Bezels, lanyard attachments and tail cap switches of every kind can make the L2 a tool of simple utility or a flashlight that would be right at home in the finest jewelry store.
I currently have three L2s; a silver and black old version and a 2011 version in black. Mr. Silver and Mr. Black are still going strong with not a single failure of any kind. The switches in each of these lights have withstood repeated, lengthy current testing, often at nearly 4 amps.
The Solarforce L2 should be the first flashlight a budding flashaholic should buy. No matter which direction you follow with this hobby, you'll always come back to the L2 - the P60 standard.
4-28-13 product improvement update
Small improvements keep making the L2 even better . . .
My latest example arrived with newly designed bezel having five tips rather than the previous six. Each tip is shorter and flatter and has a tool notch for tightening . . .
Another change that seems to be an ongoing thing is the switch to the larger, smooth styled 16mm boot with Solarforce brand name. (previous boot 14mm)
I've talked about the finish differences between lights purchased at different times - my new L2 is much more buff than the one on the right, ordered a few months prior. Still, this latest L2 is incrementally a better product.
Foy
