Can anyone recommend Solarforce Drop-Ins?

[RedForest UK]

Hi, I have a nailbender XP-G NW drop-in on the way for my solarforce host, but as I don't think I'll be able to resist buying an L2p as well I'm looking for another cheap drop-in, I've been considering the Solarforce single or three mode R2 '300 lumen' drop-ins but having searched cpf have found some people talking about having problems with them and that the quality and performance isnt all that good.. :thinking:

So, I was just wondering if anyone could give me any guidance on whether these solarforce R2 drop-ins are actually any good, what sort of output and runtimes/regulation I might get on a single 18650, what else may be out there thats better in that price range or basically any other useful information on the subject.

Thanks for helping.

RF

 

[march.brown]

I have a single mode , a three mode and two five modes and all are great ... The three mode in my opinion is the best as it only has high , medium and low power with memory ... I will probably replace the five mode with a three mode as I don't need the SOS and strobes ... The dropins are only about £8-50 including postage (to the UK) on Ebay ... So far I have not been let down by any of the Solarforce gear.

On high , I get 150 minutes using a 18650 cell ... I have not measured the output and suspect that it might only be about 200 lumens ... This is perfectly adequate for my use ... For carrying in the jacket pocket , I put a plain stainless bezel on rather than the tactical one ... The L2 torch then measures about 132mm long with a body of 25mm wide with a head of 30mm wide ... The L2 will not tailstand , but my L2i will ... I have modified the L2i to take a 18650 and it is a great house-torch with the single mode dropin.

 

[Kestrel]

I had a 3v-9v (or whatever) SolarForce single-mode for a while. IIRC it's output isn't the greatest on a single LiIon, ~140 lumens measured OTF or so. The low-voltage (0.9-4.2v) SolarForce drop-in apparently does better in that voltage regime.

I tried the 3-9v version on 1x CR123 (primary) and it didn't even fire up - not enough voltage.

I wasn't too impressed with its build quality & sold it off. A very bright (& blue) hotspot though, quite a decent thrower.

 

[old4570]

I have the single mode Low voltage drop in and 3 of the 3 mode low voltage drop ins and maybe 5 of the 4.2v 5 mode drop ins all in R2 and not a single problem with any of them ...

If people are complaining about output , then thats just life , you dont always get the cream , some times you get the watery milk .

As for durability , function , and build quality , all of mine are just fine .

 

[RedForest UK]

Thanks for the input everyone, I might just get one of the three mode R2 drop-ins then, I'm just wondering if anyone has any info on the amount and level of regulation on this drop-in, does it draw a constant current or increase as voltage drops? Also, what is the mode memory like, how easily does it save or switch to the next mode?

Btw, march.brown it was some of your many descriptions of the quality of your solarforce lights and how pleased you have been with them that first got me wanting a solarforce. I have to say they are great, just like you described, they feel like they have some great machining to them, so thanks it's always good to get your input :wave:

Thanks again everyone, cpf keeps proving itself to be a great source of info from some really helpful and good people over and over. One of the main reasons I think that so many of us stick with this hobby for so long! :twothumbs

 

[shark_za]

I think I have 4 Solarforce dropins, I dont like the PWM on the lower modes at all.
I also wish they never had memory and reset to low after a while.

On the 5-mode you need to go through all the flashies to get back to high.
I also prefer the L-M-H sequence, not H-M-L on the 3 modes.

BUT one of my all time favorite dropins is the green one, 0.8v-4.2v single mode.

 

[march.brown]

I think I have 4 Solarforce dropins, I dont like the PWM on the lower modes at all.
I also wish they never had memory and reset to low after a while.

On the 5-mode you need to go through all the flashies to get back to high.
I also prefer the L-M-H sequence, not H-M-L on the 3 modes.

BUT one of my all time favorite dropins is the green one, 0.8v-4.2v single mode.

.
I've never noticed any problem on the lower modes , but that could just be me ... I replaced a five mode with a three mode and I am going to change the other five mode soon ... I won't get rid of the five mode dropins though , just in case I get another Solarforce L2 or L2i body ... I do prefer the L2i body as it will tailstand if ever I need it ... I just put a 5mm spacer between the head and the body plus a bit of plastic water pipe in the body and a 18650 fits perfectly ... Mine has the single mode which is great for a general purpose house torch.

For EDC in a jacket pocket , I find that the tactical bezel is a bit rough so I put the plain stainless one in ... This also makes the torch a few millimetres shorter too.

If you prefer a torch that goes low , medium , high and always resets to low then the iTP A2 or the A1 are perfect ... I have the A2 as I prefer the AA format but the A1 (123) is a lot brighter though a bit too dumpy (short & fat) for my liking ... The A2 is slim and sexy ... A bit like the girl that lives opposite in house number seven !

All my dropins are the 0.8V to 4.2V ones.
.

 

[shark_za]

If you prefer a torch that goes low , medium , high and always resets to low then the iTP A2 or the A1 are perfect ... I have the A2 as I prefer the AA format but the A1 (123) is a lot brighter though a bit too dumpy (short & fat) for my liking ... The A2 is slim and sexy ... A bit like the girl that lives opposite in house number seven !

.

I concur.
I have all the iTP's but the slim sexy girl is actually next door here at No 10.

 

[jimbo231]

What are the currents at the tailcap for the 0.8v to 4.2v R2 solarforce drop-in using a single 18650 as well as with just a single 16340?

 

[mfm]

I have the Solarforce single mode XP-G R5 drop-in (3-18V) and it flickers with a single 18650 (and the current draw is 0.5A) so I'm not that impressed. It should work better with 2xCR123A but I don't have any.

I also have the single mode red P4 and it works fine.