A quick look at Solarforce LC-XML

[orbital]

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The world of P60 hosts and drop-ins has endless combination's and modifications.
Here is a quick look at the new Solarforce LC-XML drop-in in a L2 host.
~ Voltage is for a single Li-Ion = 3.7V ..single mode T6 bin XM-L

The drop-in is your typical unit, but there are some differences.



First thing noticed is a centered emitter, and Solarforce did a good job here,..so that's a good sign.
Second thing is a different pill design, which is made just for this reflector.
The difference is in the outer lip & how it seats in the reflector, so your can't use it in a DBS ect..{
Thought maybe this would be a issue, since I swap around pills and reflectors/host all the time,
but this changed once the light fired up.

Solarforce has developed as parabolic/hybrid Smooth reflector for the XM-L emitter and it works very good.

The old standard reflectors work ok with the XM-Ls,
but this new parabolic gives much better throw,..and usable spill.:thumbsup::thumbsup:very good reflector


It's refreshing to see a company develop a reflector for an emitter.
If you look close, you can see the parabolic design in the reflectors reflection..
(there is a slight softening of intensity in the center if the hotspot, which is common for SMO reflectors, but this has zero effect in real usage)

Was specifically looking for a Low Voltage unit because I have an AmiLite 2-Stage resistor switch, that works best with lower voltage.

The output for the LC-XML (with my AmiLite switch) is approx. 50lm on Low and about 375lm on High.
Already having a single high output XM-L drop-in, its often more light than needed,
...don't always need to light up an entire block..:eek:

The LC-XML output is very usable, you'll get a good balance for runtime/output w/ an 18650.
One thing that impressed me was the tint, it's very close to WH tint, (somewhat neutral tint)




Overall, super impressed with Solarforce LC-XML and quite frankly, it may really be all one needs in a P60 light,...ya right!!;)



Fog shot ^^

 

[OneBigDay]

Interesting. Thanks for posting.

I have one of the Thrunite 1.5 amp 3 mode dropins on the way. I wish I would have seen this post first I would have considered this. I am finding more and more that beam profile (and being free of artifacts) is as much a factor as overall brightness. Sometimes a more subtle difference like a custom designed reflector can steer people in a different direction.

 

[JDM_WAAAT]

So do you suggest this over the regular 6v XML? That's what I have right now (I was an early adopter and bought one before the 3.7v came out)

I use rechargeable solarforce 2400mah 18650's.

 

[Potato42]

One thing that impressed me was the tint, it's very close to WH tint, (somewhat neutral tint)

It looks a tad greenish in the pics. Would you say they're pretty accurate in rendering the tint overall?

 

[swrdply400mrelay]

Yea, I noticed a green tint. Is that the way it looks in real life?

 

[orbital]

It looks a tad greenish in the pics. Would you say they're pretty accurate in rendering the tint overall?

My pictures always suck!
It really doesn't show the tint very well.. and really, there isn't much tint at all.
I'd say the LC-XML is between a WD and a WH, not so much a cooler WC.
There are always differences, but it seems lately there is less of a tint swing as in the past.

For a while I was all about warmer tints, 5A ect.. but now I feel you get the most out of the medium neutrals.
If you can see both the reds & the blues well,..your covered :thumbsup:

To JDM WAAAT: I can't say the Low voltage unit would be any better. It depends on what cells you use the most.
Some High Amp. drop-ins require high voltage, but this requires more attention with your cells.
Low voltage drop-ins & 18650 is a simple setup with acceptable output.

 

[GeoBruin]

Any chance we could get a beam shot of this drop in beside one of the other solarforce XMLs or any other xml drop in for that matter?

Thanks!

 

[orbital]

Any chance we could get a beam shot of this drop in beside one of the other solarforce XMLs or any other xml drop in for that matter?

Thanks!

Pics.





Tint differences above^^
Left: LC-XML ~ Right: xr-e emitter WG tint (slightly minty tint in person)

_____________________________




XM-L with different reflectors above ^^
Important, they are not driven the same..

Left: Parabolic reflector ~ Right: standard SMO xr-e reflector (XM-L driven harder)

The xr-e reflector works good, the primary hotspot is hidden in that larger overall secondary hotspot.


~ It would have been ideal if both were driven the same.
Really, you can't go wrong with either reflector,
personally, I kinda like the Solarforce Parabolic because its different & works well.

 

[flashnight]

Solarforce also has a 3-6Volt XM-L single mode drop in for sale. Does anyone know if there's any difference between that one and this 3.7 Volt unit? Seems like 3-6 Volts would be more flexable way to go, if you want to run on two primaries.

 

[shao.fu.tzer]

Solarforce also has a 3-6Volt XM-L single mode drop in for sale. Does anyone know if there's any difference between that one and this 3.7 Volt unit? Seems like 3-6 Volts would be more flexable way to go, if you want to run on two primaries.

I don't have the LC to compare them to, but I do have 3-4 Solarforce 3-6V drop ins and I was absolutely blown away to discover the current draw and light output difference when using two Surefire primaries instead of a single rechargeable. My Manafont 3 mode absolutely blew away all of my Solarforce 3-6V drop ins UNTIL I decided to try primaries. The current draw went up from 1.63 to 2.58 on my multimeter (when testing from the tail) and it is now NOTICEABLY brighter than my Manafont XM-L drop in which was the brightest I owned up until I discovered that the Solarforce is obviously better suited for use with a pair of primary cells. Now with the primaries installed, all but one of my Solarforce XM-L 3-6V drop ins are much much brighter than my Manafont @ 4.2V (tried Trustfire grey protected 18650, AW protected, Ultrafire 18350, Solarforce unprotected 18650)...

So, considering the flexibility of the 3-6V version and the wicked output on primaries, I'd have to say go for the 3-6V version. I may just buy their LC version to swap the reflectors around...

 

[cratz2]

I have a Thrunite 3 mode XML module that is in my favorite light. Definitely a wider hotspot than what is on the Solarforce XML, but it's so bright, it still has subjectively plenty of throw for my needs. When you get away from ambient light, it can get out to 125 yards against low contrast targets. My father in law has a permanent deer stant with treated lumber rung/steps and I can quite easily see those from 125 yards away. For seeing things like eyes or differentiating between two dogs, I'd expect to be able to do that at well past that distance... probably 200 yards.

The Solarforce will definitely have a bit more throw and a tighter hotspot and most sources say the Solarforce XML module is actually brighter as well. I think I'll pick one of the single mode ones up to use as my dedicated handgun light for a while.

I just can't get over how awesome these XML LEDs are. My Thrunite is my favorite drop-in for sure. And on high, it doesn't get nearly as hot as my SupaSizeFries SST-50 module. Both are properly heat-sinked but the XML just doesn't get scorching hot.

 

[GeoBruin]

Shao, I also have the Manafont 3 mode drop in and I measure over 3.5 amps on a protected AW 18650. Is mine atypical or is yours driven that hard? And if so, how can the Solarforce at 2.58 amps be noticeably brighter? Does it have to do with the beam profile or does it actually put out more light?

Also, does anyone know if this hybrid reflector will screw on to the 3-6 Volt XML pill (or any other Solarforce pill for that matter)?

 

[LilKevin715]

Any chance we could get a beam shot of this drop in beside one of the other solarforce XMLs or any other xml drop in for that matter?

Six different P60 reflectors on a XM-L compared here