Yeah, unfortunately the tailcap felt like an after-thought. If they had given that some attention and definitely fixed the severe parasitic drain issue, Night-Ops would have had a winner on their hands.
Night Ops Gladius / Typhoon
- Thread starter sween1911
- Start date
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Okay gang, fulfilled one of my long-term flashlight goals. Assembled the mythical Blackhawk Gladius / Surefire FM34 beamshaper combo...
Obesessed with this combo as shown on TigerhawkT3's site from the golden age of CPF way WAY back when, always wanted to try this out with one of my modded specimens. The FM34 is the impossible to find diffuser/beamshaper for the 6P series. After combing through many clone and aftermarket versions that were close but not exactly right, I snagged a genuine Surefire one in WTB from Euroken. One word of caution that others have said about this combo is to be careful with closing the latch as the bezel is a hair thicker than the 6P for which the FM34 is designed. I first tried it on my 6P and it was smooth as buttah, snapped on perfectly. My first attempts on the Gladius took an alarming amount of effort and the pieces started splaying out in weird directions. After some fiddling, I realized that a very thin piece of wire would give just the right amount of slack. I carefully slid the original pin out from the latch and threaded a piece of wire (a beading pin) and bent the straight end into a loop to hold it. Fits perfectly.
Obesessed with this combo as shown on TigerhawkT3's site from the golden age of CPF way WAY back when, always wanted to try this out with one of my modded specimens. The FM34 is the impossible to find diffuser/beamshaper for the 6P series. After combing through many clone and aftermarket versions that were close but not exactly right, I snagged a genuine Surefire one in WTB from Euroken. One word of caution that others have said about this combo is to be careful with closing the latch as the bezel is a hair thicker than the 6P for which the FM34 is designed. I first tried it on my 6P and it was smooth as buttah, snapped on perfectly. My first attempts on the Gladius took an alarming amount of effort and the pieces started splaying out in weird directions. After some fiddling, I realized that a very thin piece of wire would give just the right amount of slack. I carefully slid the original pin out from the latch and threaded a piece of wire (a beading pin) and bent the straight end into a loop to hold it. Fits perfectly.
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rwolfenstein
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You inspired me to find my old Gladius Maximus. It was a really cool light at the time, doesnt hold a flame to what is out now.
Don't forget to follow the non-intuitive process of swapping out the batteries. If you just unscrew it, you'll break the tailcap.
rwolfenstein
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Well, why do you think it was discontinued? People didnt read the manual that said you had to line up the pin to screw on the tailcap. I remember lots of cop buddies got these when they first came out and broke them the first week.
Light overall was about 15 years ahead of its time. Unfortunately, when something like that is introduced that early, folks in general don't understand or don't appreciate it. But didn't help that the tailcap was an after-thought.
Chasman
Newly Enlightened
Are you still modding these? I have an Insight Typhoon.Night Ops Gladius / Insight Typhoon
I have a problem...
Always been intrigued by the ability to add multi-levels to a light and still maintain tactical momentary. A lot of different designs have addressed it, and when the Gladius came along it seemed to be an ingenius solution. A multi-level rotary UI with constant on simulated "clicky" and a channel with momentary high output, and a strobe. When the Gladius came out, it was outrageously expensive for my meager budget (around $190 IIRC) Back when I saved up my pennies to buy a Surefire G2 for $60 and that was insane! Recently, Gladius and Typhoon examples have popped up on the 'bay and in forums here and there. Since the output leaves something to be desired in relation to today's new offerings, their budget friendly prices and user condition make them prime specimens for modding. I've accumulated a nice bunch of spare parts.
The Gladius Maximus is still stock. Looks like an SSC-P4. The Gladius at the top and the Typhoon third from the top have XM-L2's that I put in. Using LED's on Noctigons and the reflector from the P60-drop in kit, both from mtnelectronics, it works well. The Typhoon has an orange peel and a more neutral tint. The Gladius at the top with the GG&G T.I.D. has a cooler tint and a smooth reflector. Using Tenergy 3.0v rechargeable batts. Stock functionality is preserved but much brighter. Planning on an XHP35 for the Maximus.
Anybody else have a soft spot for these innovative bad boys?
Hey buddy, I sure am. In fact, I think I did a Gladius for you.... 3 years ago! PM outbound shortly.
rwolfenstein
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It really is amazing what we were given at the time, LEDs for flashlights were really in their infancy. Knowing you could have a hand held light with a rotary tailcap for different modes and you can increase or lower the brightness. This was the height of Surefire P60 lights and probably the first P60L bulbs.
