I appreciate that there are many threads about the L2P and all the variations so I ask for your indulgence for another question on the theme.
A question regarding the ongoing search for my perfect EDC. Currently selling 2 lights that didn’t quite fit the bill.
The single 18650, L2P with 3 modes - low medium and high seems perfect to me in terms of size ( a 1” dia. head, and less than 6” in length with a holster) and # of modes (3 - low, medium and high - no need for Strobe or SOS).
BUT - I need to order a drop in and so I look for some advice.
Options -
1) The Solarforce - LC-XPG (R5, 3modes, 0.8V-4.2V)
2) The Solarforce - 3.7V 3 mode Cree XML
3) a P60 module “CUXM2” (XM-L2) 3 moded, with smooth reflector in a neutral white (what does 3C compared to 4D mean?)
You can tell I’m in over my head with the specs. Just learning. I will carry this light nearly every day for my work that is practically all interior work, in clean environments with lots of close up and some need for lighting up small room size areas.
Dependability, real color lighting, and easy carry are my primary criteria but a WOW factor is always a bonus.
As long as I need to choose a drop in I would rather chose the best option. Prices for the above range from about $ 15.00 for # 1, $ 21.00 for number 2 and $ 17.00 for # 3. No such a great range to buy the cheaper just because it will work good enough.
I would recommend the cuxp nichia 219b from intl-outdoor.com with smooth reflector. You won’t get the lumens like an xml but your color rendition will be much better. Get a smooth reflector for a bit of throw and I believe you’ll have your perfect dropin for your l2p.
Solarforce dropins used to have a bad rep for reliability. I have no empirical proof to back that up, so take it with a grain of salt. They may also have been bad but are fine now. Dunno. I love their hosts, though.
A Nichia 219 will give you beautiful warmth and excellent color rendering. Not so much wow, unless you’re comparing it to an old incan maglite. Given your description of ‘lots of close up’, I’m guessing that you probably don’t need the wow.
Get Bushwacked to build you one—He does some nice work—Also He can do custom modes etc.
For what you described I would go with a XM-L2 3C or 4C nice neutral/warm tints Orange peel reflector make it around 4.4amps turbo—2.8amps high— .75amps medium .04amps low—have that super turbo for when you need a quick 90sec blast
I have several Solarforce drop-ins and the quality on mine is O.K. they are a bit overpriced compared to others. It goes without saying that the Lumens are those special Chinese ones.
Thanks all - you’ve given me more to study - and so I will.
I’ve been looking at the MTN. Electronics options but he doesn’t carry any lights that stay in the 25MM dia. range, though he has some that tempt me. I know better than to try to EDC an 1-1/2” dia. (at the lens) light. Just too big and I leave it home. I’ll look again though in case I’ve overlooked a good option.
I’ll look at the other ideas suggested for drop ins for the L2P.
For what it’s worth, the Convoy S2 is a lot thinner than a P60 host. I’m a big fan of SolarForce hosts, but I find them to be too bulky for everyday pocket carry.
As I wrote earlier you guys have got me researching. Thought I was asking a pretty basic question but now realize there are very many options.
Here is a thread I found on the subject of tints, binning and CRI - all those numbers and letters - worth reviving for those like me who are on the verge of ignorant on the subject - https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/14230
I’m zooming in on buying the Solarforce and some drop in or another…
Not to discourage you from the L2P, but the head diameter is about 32mm I think (1.26 in), so for carrying it in your front pocket it might be a little big. I have the L2T and it’s right on the edge of fitting, certainly not comfortable for everyday for me unless in a jacket. For that I might look for an AA light and have a bigger one in a bag or jacket if I want more light. There are a lot that are compatible with 14500 if you’re wanting a burst of 300-400 lumens. There’s also cr123/16350 lights that you might like. I’m assuming you’re carrying it in a pants pocket, if not then I really love the P60 size.
For my L2T I have an 80+ cri XML2 that I really like for color, sorry I don’t remember the bin. If you want to do a little soldering you can make your own drop in and experiment with a few LEDs and drivers, if not I think you can’t go too far wrong with either intl-outdoor or MTN electronics. Good luck:)
If you’re considering something in the form factor of an L2P, then you might be very happy picking up a Convoy M1 (or M2)
Form factor is pretty close, but you trade the flexibility of drop-ins for better heat management.
As it turned out I was trading an MM15vn and one of the lights offered in a trade was a Solarforce with a drop in by vinhnguyen54 from CPF. Seemed like a good deal - not for a trade after all - but for cash.
This is what I’m getting -
Solarforce L2T w/ Vinh 4.5A XM-L T5 5000k It has a dropin from Vinh that has a neutral white (5000k) XM-L T5 emitter, dome on, in an orange peel reflector. It has 3 modes, L-M-H, with no mode memory. It doesn’t have the blueish or purplish spill that a lot of NW emitters I’ve had do but is instead a very uniform NW throughout the entire beam. This thing is pushed to 4.5A on high for about 1,000 lumens. It’s very very bright, with a good beam; not particularly throwy but it has some throw due to the sheer lumen output.
Seems like a good start. I’ll carry it in a sheath on my belt as an EDC. That and my pocket clip Spyderco are essential tools.
Thanks for your guidance folks - even though it may seem that I didn’t take your advice I was at least reading and considering your input.