Early last night, I was sifting through a box of books and other ebay junk on a totally non-flashlight-related endeavor. To my surprise, I came across a frosted reflector-ed P60 drop-in. It was a dusty XM-L T6 5-mode drop-in just laying there. I’d wondered where it went some time ago, but figured it was one I sold or gave to a buddy. And there it was, just waiting for me to find it again - as if smiling at me with open arms - which turned out to be a good thing since I’ve been needing drop-ins.
I put it in my 501B, used a Pana3400, and fired it up. I am still utterly shocked at the output with it somehow being brighter than my XM-L U2 on copper driven at 3.04 amps from IO (still one of my go-to P60 units). I tested it several times and with different batteries. Similar results…
Pana 3400: 3.98 amps
Sanyo 2600: 3.89 amps
HiMax 2400 Protected: 3.60 amps
Tenergy 2600 Protected: 3.36 amps
Medium is a bright, but distinguishable level of output from high. Low is low indeed and has fast PWM that can only be detected in running water or in a fan. And it has mode memory and a less than 2-second memory activation. I can click it back on fast and it’s in the same mode. Unlike other cheapie T6 drop-ins, this one seems to suffer less output drop with use. I can’t understand it. Only one other unit was close to this well driven, but this one, even when it gets hot, can still change modes. The others could not, as I recall.
Then I remembered the purchase. Some dodgy Chinese seller sent them to me in late 2011. I ordered five and sold all to our maintenance team who just wanted to jump up to a peppier option from the Mag Solitaires. The others in 501Bs sold, except for this one since one particular guy backed out and decided he didn’t need it. That left this one without a home. It’s been stored all this time, despite tireless efforts to keep my torch stuff together.
With the way the Chinese budget light market works, this got me thinking: What lights are you proud of in your collection that, despite all odds and their humble origins/price, have made it over the wall of “I’m sure as heck keeping this!”? I’ve always found pleasure in rooting for the underdog and enjoying a cheap, bargain offer that goes beyond its predicted use. Does this strike in chord in you as well?