Southpaw1969
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2010
- Messages
- 68
I've been reading many threads for over a week now, and I have learned much, but I'm still a little unsure. Instead of LiOn, or LiFe, or Lipo, or whatever they are, the only cell I feel like I'm ready for is a padded cell! :laughing:
I don't want to run out and buy the wrong cells and charger and risk-
1. getting stuck with the wrong items.
2. making cells go .
3. insta-flashing my lights.
4. poor performance.
So, I'll tell you guys what I have, and you tell me what I should get.
First up, is a '99 vintage, stock Surefire 9P. It has the original P90 lamp, and takes 3 CR123 cells. While I may at some point change the lamp with a drop in, I don't want to have it bored out. So, word on the street is to get a pair of AW 17500 protected cells, and a compatible charger. I think that should do it. If there is something I'm missing, let me know.
Next up, is the original incan SureFire E2D. This one is a 2 cell CR123, so it looks like the 17500's are out. What options for this one? 2 RCR123's? Which chemistry? Voltage? Or, is there a single cell that will fit without any boring? Also, while we're at it, would you recommend possibly upgrading the lamp for better performance/runtime/etc?
I got this one (the E2D) right after it became available, with the intention of making it an EDC light. It turned out it wasn't really convenient in this role for several reasons (which I'm sure you all can guess).
First being it's size. It's a little big for pocket carry wearing jeans. Next, the crenellations are a bit sharp. Almost like chisel points. Not comfy, or good for your clothes. Then, there is battery life and cost. On primaries, it blows. Then, it's a single output. But, with incans, I guess you're stuck with single output, right? :mecry:
A question I have is can I get a single cell body to use with this light, or will that not be enough voltage to drive the lamp?
Next on the menu is the SureFire E2DL. While I knew it wouldn't be suitable for EDC because it's even longer than the E2D, I was impressed with the superior output, beam optics, and dual level. It seemed a better choice for coupling with a pistol, walking the dog, or looking for a disc falling behind the desk.
Since it has an LED, I'm guessing it has different issues regarding what cells it can take. Like it's incandescent little brother, it takes 2 CR123 cells. When I bought it, I got a box of the SureFire cells with it, that are labeled 3 volts. I don't know if this is actual, or they rounded off for simplicity. So, with the dizzying array of cells available, I didn't want to get the wrong ones lest I zap the electronics inside, or get crappy performance.
So, there are a few considerations with this one...
First, what cell configuration is recommended for the light as is with no mods, and second, what is the consensus on a single cell body for use with the E2DL? I could swear I've seen guys using E1B (?) bodies with this head and tailcap. Will this give the same level of brightness but just shorter run time? What cell would you reco for that? Also, where to get a body for it?
And lastly, the Nitecore Defender Infinity. After a few weeks of asking around, reading reviews, and thinking about what I wanted in an EDC light, I arrived at the conclusion this light is just about everything I wanted. I've been running it with the alkaline AA it came with, and I must say it's impressive even with that. But, it would be nice to get the full brightness and not have to keep buying cells to be thrown away after one use.
It seems I have at least 2 options.
1. Get some AW protected 14500 cells with compatible charger.
2. Get some AA Eneloops and compatible charger.
3. ?
4. PROFIT! (sorry, had to do it.)
So, some concerns I have are-
Get at least 1 pair of AW17500 protected for the 9P- 2 or more pairs of RCR123's or similar to run in the 2 cell E2D SF and E2DL SF (or other cell{s} altogether?)
Get a few AW14500 protected and/or Eneloops for the NDI. Will I need 2 different chargers for the AW and eneloop cells? Will I need a meter to test voltages? Should I spend the ~$50 for the Pila IBC, or is the cheaper WF-139 fine for a newbie?
Sorry this is long and rambling. Just trying to give all relevant info.
Thanks in advance. :wave:
I don't want to run out and buy the wrong cells and charger and risk-
1. getting stuck with the wrong items.
2. making cells go .
3. insta-flashing my lights.
4. poor performance.
So, I'll tell you guys what I have, and you tell me what I should get.
First up, is a '99 vintage, stock Surefire 9P. It has the original P90 lamp, and takes 3 CR123 cells. While I may at some point change the lamp with a drop in, I don't want to have it bored out. So, word on the street is to get a pair of AW 17500 protected cells, and a compatible charger. I think that should do it. If there is something I'm missing, let me know.
Next up, is the original incan SureFire E2D. This one is a 2 cell CR123, so it looks like the 17500's are out. What options for this one? 2 RCR123's? Which chemistry? Voltage? Or, is there a single cell that will fit without any boring? Also, while we're at it, would you recommend possibly upgrading the lamp for better performance/runtime/etc?
I got this one (the E2D) right after it became available, with the intention of making it an EDC light. It turned out it wasn't really convenient in this role for several reasons (which I'm sure you all can guess).
First being it's size. It's a little big for pocket carry wearing jeans. Next, the crenellations are a bit sharp. Almost like chisel points. Not comfy, or good for your clothes. Then, there is battery life and cost. On primaries, it blows. Then, it's a single output. But, with incans, I guess you're stuck with single output, right? :mecry:
A question I have is can I get a single cell body to use with this light, or will that not be enough voltage to drive the lamp?
Next on the menu is the SureFire E2DL. While I knew it wouldn't be suitable for EDC because it's even longer than the E2D, I was impressed with the superior output, beam optics, and dual level. It seemed a better choice for coupling with a pistol, walking the dog, or looking for a disc falling behind the desk.
Since it has an LED, I'm guessing it has different issues regarding what cells it can take. Like it's incandescent little brother, it takes 2 CR123 cells. When I bought it, I got a box of the SureFire cells with it, that are labeled 3 volts. I don't know if this is actual, or they rounded off for simplicity. So, with the dizzying array of cells available, I didn't want to get the wrong ones lest I zap the electronics inside, or get crappy performance.
So, there are a few considerations with this one...
First, what cell configuration is recommended for the light as is with no mods, and second, what is the consensus on a single cell body for use with the E2DL? I could swear I've seen guys using E1B (?) bodies with this head and tailcap. Will this give the same level of brightness but just shorter run time? What cell would you reco for that? Also, where to get a body for it?
And lastly, the Nitecore Defender Infinity. After a few weeks of asking around, reading reviews, and thinking about what I wanted in an EDC light, I arrived at the conclusion this light is just about everything I wanted. I've been running it with the alkaline AA it came with, and I must say it's impressive even with that. But, it would be nice to get the full brightness and not have to keep buying cells to be thrown away after one use.
It seems I have at least 2 options.
1. Get some AW protected 14500 cells with compatible charger.
2. Get some AA Eneloops and compatible charger.
3. ?
4. PROFIT! (sorry, had to do it.)
So, some concerns I have are-
Get at least 1 pair of AW17500 protected for the 9P- 2 or more pairs of RCR123's or similar to run in the 2 cell E2D SF and E2DL SF (or other cell{s} altogether?)
Get a few AW14500 protected and/or Eneloops for the NDI. Will I need 2 different chargers for the AW and eneloop cells? Will I need a meter to test voltages? Should I spend the ~$50 for the Pila IBC, or is the cheaper WF-139 fine for a newbie?
Sorry this is long and rambling. Just trying to give all relevant info.
Thanks in advance. :wave:
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