Best Drop in LED for a Surefire Defender?

[DuckhunterInTN]

Are there any drop-in LEDs made for the Surefire Defender? I don't necessarily want the brightest thing out there but want something as least as bright as the incan bulb. I mainly want a longer runtime and more durability. I do not want to replace the entire head (like with the surefire upgrade) because I do not want to lose the Defender's scallops. Thanks.

 

[KentuckyMike]

Surefire now has a factory module that replaces just the lamp assembly in your existing head (so you can keep your scallops). It is currently only available in a G2L or 6PL, but you could switch the lamp assemblies and have one great LED and one great incan, or sell the 6PL or G2L with your incan lamp assembly in it. Surefire will also sell the P60L as a stand-alone soon.

Personally, I would look into the Malkoff drop-in. Fantastic output, great build quality, and good runtime. Plus the builder is active on CPF!

Good luck!!

 

[gswitter]

If you mean the 6P Defender, there are many options:

• Malkoff Devices
  
• Wolf Eyes
• Bug Out Gear
• many other cheap options from DealExtreme, KaiDomain, eBay, etc.

If you mean the E2D Executive Defender, it's possible to swap the strike bezel from the E2D to the older KL1 or KL4 (don't know about the new K2X), but the sealant Surefire uses on the threads can be a pain to break. The only other options that don't require replacing the head are custom builds that are still in the works. Here's one example.

 

[KentuckyMike]

Good catch, gswitter, I always forget about the lil' Defender!

 

[DuckhunterInTN]

Sorry guys, I was not very clear. I was talking about the E2D Executive Defender. Why don't they make a drop in for them?

 

[greenLED]

koala and yclo are working on such a beast - search threads started by koala and you'll find it.

 

[gearbox]

Sorry guys, I was not very clear. I was talking about the E2D Executive Defender. Why don't they make a drop in for them?

Because most high-output LEDs are larger than the opening into the reflector, thus requiring either boring out the existing reflector, replacing the reflector, or using a teensy-tiny itty bitty Rebel LED. Since most SF light owners have lights using the P-series lamps rather than the MN series it is not a lucrative business decision to mass produce drop-ins for the E-series. The market can be cornered by making semi-custom replacements by hand, but that reduces the market since it is costly to produce and a lot of E-series owners realize they can completely replace the light for the same cost.