Show your Solarforce Part II

[LilKevin715]

A new year a new thread . This is a continuation of the original 52 page thread located here.

Here are a few pics of my humble collection to show.

[maniacyak]

Something Sales Link Removed came for me in the mail today…




(Accessory bag contains lanyard, head and tail o-rings, GITD switch boot.)

It's very well machined though clearly the knurling isn't as grippy as a regular Solarforce.




The tail is very nice - easy access to the switch, and it tailstands too:



Component parts:



Compared to a regular L2T:



And a family shot!

[kchoy]

Nice collection !
Here goes mine, it is my first Xml.


http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/y...yho/solarforce L2/20120104212933.jpg



http://i799.photobucket.com/albums/y...yho/solarforce L2/20120104210519.jpg




Your images are too large and have been replaced with links Please resize and repost.
See Rule #3 If you post an image in your post, please downsize the image to no larger than 800 x 800 pixels. - Thanks Norm

[dsche]

OK, nothing special – just my SolarForce set for the day

[tjswarbrick]

Thanks for re-starting this great and handy thread!
My blue L2P isn't lego'd, but it's slightly modded - with SS bezel, crenelations ground into the tail, and a CR123 magazine - and I like to show it around.
Has a NB neutral-white XR-E spot optic.



I had a stock L2T with SMO 5 mode XP-G, and got an L2 for a friend. Was going to run his on 2xAA, so (along with an SS bezel) I got the 1xCR123 extender.
Darn thing doesn't fit! Screwed right onto the L2T though. So I did some head and bezel swapping, and came up with this.



I'll keep the round shorty for my windbreaker (reminds me a LOT of my vintage round 6P,) and he'll get the long one, with 3-mode 4.2V XP-G and a pair of Lithium AA's.
When I noticed how much smoother his beam is, I yanked the OP reflector off an (unused) yellow/warm P4 and replaced my SMO with it.
So nice you can even swap reflectors on these!
Now the beams are nearly identical on HI, with the shorty having a brighter ring at the outside of the spill (possibly due to the different bezels.)
Of course, since I just gave up my only L2T body - which has become a favorite - I'll need to order a replacement. Or two.
Perhaps I'll spring for the XM-L this time.

[rookiedaddy]

sharing a few pics...

[Zeruel]

Guess what the postman dropped off today.....


The Gladiator.













It's one hefty sucker. Definitely bombproof and I would imagine breaking glass would be a piece of cake. Gives a new definition to the term "weapon light" too.

[LilKevin715]

One of the high-profile SS pointed bezels would certainly look fearsome on the Gladiator

[Zeruel]

One of the high-profile SS pointed bezels would certainly look fearsome on the Gladiator

You mean.....


like this?!





Klingon returns.

[LilKevin715]

Haha yup thats the one! What do you plan on running inside the gladiator? You could get some insane runtimes with the higher voltage modules.

[Zeruel]

I have a problem finding a XM-L drop-in that takes 4 x 18650, might have to get it custom built or a R5 alternative that takes up to 18v. I'm not worry about heat as I've tested using 2 x 18650 and the thing isn't warm at all, I did wrap the drop-in in alu before jamming it in. Can't imagine the runtime of 1 lumen with 4 x 18650....

[yifu]

I have a problem finding a XM-L drop-in that takes 4 x 18650, might have to get it custom built or a R5 alternative that takes up to 18v. I'm not worry about heat as I've tested using 2 x 18650 and the thing isn't warm at all, I did wrap the drop-in in alu before jamming it in. Can't imagine the runtime of 1 lumen with 4 x 18650....

Vinhnguyen makes a 18v XML drop in, the info is in his run 5 thread over at custom B/S/T.

[Zeruel]

Sweet! Thanks for the heads up, Yifu.

[roadie]

You mean.....


like this?!
.

sheesh very big man!

ok lor, next thing on my list

and i will edc it

[Zeruel]

sheesh very big man!

ok lor, next thing on my list

and i will edc it

lol I knew you'll like it.
Get a stout belt while you're at it.

[dsche]

Here's very special one



LedLink TIR optic + XM-L U2 LED

[flashlight chronic]

very nice!

[Skyraider59]

My L2M in "short version", fitted with L2T head and L2P switch, the switch combination with 2 "o" ring and the wire clip allow me not to screw the switch fully in giving me a few extra millimetres to allow me to use a 17500 battery 1300mah for extra run time
A glow in the dark "o" ring has also been added behind the stainless steel bezel.

[Pat364]

Hi,

I just ordered:
- a L2X Regular and a L2X Extended with some accessories (Bezel, Switch).
- a DIY mini

As soon as I receive them, I will take pictures with the L2T and the Gladiator.

For information, there are Sales on LX2 on Solarforce website (it is the end of the L2X).

@++
Pat

[visigoth]

I have a growing Lego'd collection of Solarforcae. Soon to be photographed.

By the way, has anyone noticed that the rubber cigar ring on the L2T degrades? It gets soft and sort of greasy -- could be that I accidentally exposed it to some kind of solvent. They want to charge me close to five bucks for a new one, which is just silly (especially if it's going to last only a couple of months before turning to mush). Should I buy the Surefire tactical grip set? Any other ideas?

[Roood]

I have a growing Lego'd collection of Solarforcae. Soon to be photographed.

By the way, has anyone noticed that the rubber cigar ring on the L2T degrades? It gets soft and sort of greasy -- could be that I accidentally exposed it to some kind of solvent. They want to charge me close to five bucks for a new one, which is just silly (especially if it's going to last only a couple of months before turning to mush). Should I buy the Surefire tactical grip set? Any other ideas?

happened to mine as well, ordered surefire spacers instead, bit more expensive but guaranteed to last longer.

[yifu]

Well, got my first, last and only Solarforce today. It's cerakoted in white. I'll admit, it feels very cheap compared to the bored Surefires i've been using (Z2 bored with FM34 shown in picture) especially in terms of the threads quality and the grip ring (feels sticky and soft compared to Surefire) but it's wayyyy cheaper.

[yifu]

[don.gwapo]

My L2P's

[visigoth]

Well, got my first, last and only Solarforce today... I'll admit, it feels very cheap compared to the bored Surefires i've been using (Z2 bored with FM34 shown in picture) especially in terms of the threads quality and the grip ring (feels sticky and soft compared to Surefire) but it's wayyyy cheaper.

Is that general the opinion: that the machining is not as good on the Solarforce? I don't in fact have a Surefire to compare. Once lubricated, however, the threads on my various Solarforces have been pretty nice.

[yifu]

Is that general the opinion: that the machining is not as good on the Solarforce? I don't in fact have a Surefire to compare. Once lubricated, however, the threads on my various Solarforces have been pretty nice.

Yep, those who actually have both will concur that the build quality on Surefires is better (Surefire Hard Anodising is much better than other HAIII, threads are beefier, etching is much more durable etc). Those who say Solarforces are just as good don't have a Surefire or are just short sighted Of course, you sort of expect that with the 100 dollar premium (for a bored Surefire) over the Solarforce, some of which goes into being American made. The stock Solarforce switch feels bad as well, and some members have reported it melting with higher loads above 4-5A, which is why mine is upgraded with a McClicky.

[visigoth]

I was under the impression that Surefire doesn't use Type III anodizing -- do they simply have a better quality Type II?

Have you compared the latest L2P, btw? Supposed to be a step up from the earlier Solarforces...

[yifu]

I was under the impression that Surefire doesn't use Type III anodizing -- do they simply have a better quality Type II?

Have you compared the latest L2P, btw? Supposed to be a step up from the earlier Solarforces...

Most current Surefires have real Type III anodising (A2L, LX2, M3LT, M6LT, E1B etc.), older Surefire C and M series have type 3 as well. Surefire anodising holds up much better than other claimed type three, which chip easily like 4Sevens, Zebralight etc. I haven't tried the L2P though. Cerakoted Solarforces actually feel quite nice.

[Erzengel]

Guys, please don't start this discussion in a collectors thread. This thread is for those, who enjoy their solarforce and are happy with it, even if the threads are not as smooth as the Surefire threads.

[visigoth]

Didn't mean to stir up trouble! I'm extremely happy with the Solarforce gear I have. Certainly holds its own with my best lights (Fenix, Sunwayman), and is a notch better than my Balder (which I also like).