Malkoff, with Surefire in the Middle
Did the obligatory walk in the dark last night and really like the
feel-in-the-hand of this combo!
The Malkoff E-series tailcap! I'm impressed: its design allows excellent control of the switch -
and therefore of the light - which for me is very important. The scalloped shroud allows easy access for the thumb, but still provides enough of a barrier to prevent unintentional activation. Of interest is the McClicky is inserted from the
inside out, using the rim around the boot to serve as a seal
vs. using an O-ring to secure the boot as seen in Malkoff's other designs. This results in the boot standing higher and giving a more tactile feel for the operation of the switch. Gene really did a great job with this tailcap!
Of course, the Bodyguard v.2 head kicks butt. At 1,000 lumens/12,000 lux, it's output is impressive and the 16650 2500mAh cell provides reasonable runtime. It can also run on a pair of CR123A primaries if needed.
I'm not a fan of bezel-up carry and this Surefire body does little to change my mind about that. It does clip securely to the inside of a front pocket and carries comfortably there, but I would rather have the bezel down in my pocket to better protect it. Though I prefer bezel-down carry, thus far this has not proven to be a deal-breaker for me.
In conclusion, I think the results of this Malkoff-Surefire marriage are really impressive: its got performance, functionality and pleasing aesthetics, along with the expected quality and durability. I may need to build a few more.