Full circle

[BigHonu]

My first 'good' light was a Surefire E2 that I picked up around 8 years ago. Extremely compact, good output for most tasks, and an all around good looking light IMO.

Shortly after that, I got deep into LED's (and still am) for their great efficiency and carry at least a couple of them around daily. I used to use a hotwire for foggy nights, or when the wind was stirring up the salt spray from the ocean, but I have not been in those circumstances in a LONG time. So, mostly LED's in my pockets.

About a week ago, I was going through some older parts/lights, and I found my old E2. Bulb looked clear, o-rings were a tad dry, but otherwise in excellent shape. I plopped in a couple of fresh primaries and was rewarded with a glorious white...no, neutral...no, yellow-orange beam...not quite what I had remembered and a little bit of a downer to be honest.

I turned on my Malkoff MD2 with M60 and the E2 looked even more orange.

I took both lights outside where I have a dark section along the length my my yard, and fired up the E2. Hmm, not bad for the little guy. Fired up the MD2, and it was no contest, especially with the M60 having 3x the lumens. The spill was brighter and the spot more intense. I could see further, and over a greater area.

Twisted the E2 back on again, and was thinking about selling it off, but the longer I left it on, the more I enjoyed it. The yellow-orange didn't seem nearly as drastic as when I was inside the house. In fact, it looked pretty good. Nice and warm. Pleasing. Relaxing. Almost nostalgic. Reminded me of the times when my dad used to take me down to the beach to do some shoreline fishing and we used long 6D Eveready lights. Definitely good times.

So here I am again with my E2 and looking to insert it back into my small circle of users. Lucky enough to find a FM 1x18650 E-series body that I plan on running a LF EO-E1R for some good runtime, or maybe a HO-E1R for some extra-extra run time.

When the parts come in, I'm taking my 7 year old daughter down to the beach for some good father-daughter time and a bit of exploring. Should be fun!

Thanks for letting me ramble.

 

[Chrontius]

I approve of everything, especially father-daughter time on the beach.

I don't care if it's golden brown, there's something about underdriven incandescent that doesn't wake you up when you need to do something before bed. (Biologist: it's the pineal gland) The sort of modest overdrive Surefire uses is a nice color, and more of the photos you sling get sent back your way outdoors, with outdoors colors.

 

[BigHonu]

Chrontius,

I'm definitely looking forward to taking her down to the shoreline to see all of the little critters that only come out after dark!

I'm actually pretty stoked about putting this little light together.

 

[McGizmo]

Chrontius,

I'm definitely looking forward to taking her down to the shoreline to see all of the little critters that only come out after dark!

I'm actually pretty stoked about putting this little light together.

Like the ghost crabs?

 

[BigHonu]

Like the ghost crabs?

You know, I haven't seen those little guys around for awhile!

You did remind me of another memory from my childhood however. Snipe hunting. Hmmm. May need to get the kids going on that one!

 

[Brigadier]

I have been going back to incans myself. It all started with my purchase of a JetBeam RRT-1. I was testing it outdoors and illuminating trees 175 yds away. Everything was 'blue' and flat - no definition. I grabbed my Black & Decker 2M CP incan spotlight and lit up the same trees. WOW. The definition just popped!!

My next purchase was a LF Seraph SP-9 with a D36 mini TH and HO-9L drop-ins, 18500X2. WOW. Nice.

Then a Cabela's 9V Xenon mini TH 9P clone. Again - nice.

My latest is a slightly used M3-CB running a LF HO-M3 on primaries. Again, sweet.

Next up will be a LF P60 incan drop in for my M2.....

"Feels good to be home"

[LED's still have their place]

 

[leukos]

I've been playing with warm LEDs as well, but when I head outdoors I still prefer incans. That strion bulb is excellent in the A2 and in a D26 reflector.

 

[BigHonu]

This revival of sorts of the E2 is really pulling me back into this flashlight hobby. It is reminding me of why I'm in this hobby to begin with, and that is to ENJOY using my lights. I think somewhere along the way, I let that perspective slip through the cracks. It's not all about efficiency, practicality, color rendition, output, runtime, or LED vs. Incands. I almost feel like I'm 7 years old again when just firing up a flashlight was cool!

 

[kelmo]

Wow, an E2, your daughter, and a dark Hawaiian beach. If that isn't heaven you can see it from there!

My 1st high end hand held is a E2D I purchased in 2004. It still lives in my backpack.

Aloha

 

[computernut]

My incans get used almost daily. I just love the colour of the outdoors and they are less harsh on the eyes. Nothing like walking in the snow or rain with a nice warm beam to lead the way.
- E2E w/ LF HO-E2A & F04 (side pocket of my pants)
- G3 w/ LF SR-9 & 2xAW17500's (dog walking light)
- A2 w/Strion (backup dog walking light)

I'm going to be putting an EO-E1R in the E2E with a single 17670 and then adding a Z68 tailcap to avoid it getting turned on by accident in my pocket and make it easier to pull out. The F04 has the added benefit of keeping the bezel from eating through my pants (already happened on one pair).

 

[BigHonu]

Well, I had a decent writeup going here, then it was lost into the nether regions of the WWW...

Anyway, didn't get to go out yet. Too windy right now.

I did take my daughter outside to see which light she would like to carry with her. I gave her my Orange MD2 with M60L and my legoed EO-E1R/FM E-series 1x18650 and told her to walk around a bit with both.

She came back and said, "the grey one".

I asked her why.

She immediately said, "because I can see better. Everything looks whiter."

Interesting!

So, looks like we will be running incands as our mains with McGizmo and Malkoff running backup duties.

Hope the wind dies down this weekend!

 

[McGizmo]

..

Hope the wind dies down this weekend!

You and me both!! :sigh:

 

[Icebreak]

If the great flashlight fairy opened up the flashlight dream store and told me to pick one it would most likely be one built in Maui or Georgia. I keep an old ARC that is now just smooth aluminum on my keychain and a tiny dragon around my neck.

For much of what I do I prefer incandescent light.

Look, Big, I could go on and on about the science involved, much of which I learned from you and that dude from Berkley but just trust this one time. Something about the shape, color and behavior of the little beasts...it's going to be nearly impossible to spot a snipe with an LED flashlight.

 

[BigHonu]

Icebreak,

I'm always down for a science lesson!

 

[angelofwar]

Love my E2e with the MN02...one of my favourite lights...now, when my boy get's old enough, I really look foward to walks through the woods at night, and spelunking!

 

[Icebreak]

@ BigHonu some steamed ghost crab with a little Bearnaise sauce sounds pretty good right about now.

 

[Icebreak]

Incandescent light is helpful.

Incandescent light is your friend.

 

[BigHonu]

Incandescent light is helpful.

Incandescent light is your friend.

roger that!

 

[psychbeat]

Hmmm-
Ived been kinda wanting a incan drop-in for my
bored C2.. a bright one maybe to match my sst-50
even if the runtime is only 20min or so..
reading this thread (this is the first time Ive even LOOKED@
the incan forum!) makes me feel like Im not alone
in "flirting" with the incan side I ONLY use my lights outdoors
pretty much.

if its not too off topic- anyone wanna recommend a ready
to go drop-in for my 18650 C2? its got a mcclicky so it
should be fine with dd I think. this is fun thanks!

 

[flashfiend]

There are a couple of FM Bi-Pin sockets available for you depending on the type of bulb (look up CL1794 or WA1111) you choose or you could select a Lumens Factory Lamp Assembly. You will likely have to purchase 2xRCR123 or 2xIMR16340 (recommended) batteries to get the necessary voltage.