How's this sound for a build?

[yowzer]

A recent purchase of an A2 opened my eyes to incandescents that are actually bright, and makes me want to play around with them more. Trying to stay under $75 or so, how does this sound for a fairly bright light? Cheap host (Solarforce L2 or the like) with extension tube to fit 2 IMR 18500 cells, and a Lumens Factory IMR-9 bulb. (I'm looking at 18500 over 18650 to have a more pocket-friendly light, yet with better run time than 16340.)

It'd essentially be a test run to see if it's worth it for me to put together the parts for a C2 or C3 host with AW soft start driver switch and the same bulb (Or brighter, if I can find one... maybe with the P60-compatible bi-pin adapter that fivemega's selling?).

 

[mknewman]

I think you'd be better served to get a Fivemega G4 Sunlight for a similar price. You can play with different bulbs for much cheaper. Works fine in a Solarforce body, but I do like FM's bodies (especially the C sized 26500/26650 bodies for extra runtime). He makes 2x26500, 2x26650 and 3x26500 bodies.

 

[hoongern]

A recent purchase of an A2 opened my eyes to incandescents that are actually bright, and makes me want to play around with them more. Trying to stay under $75 or so, how does this sound for a fairly bright light? Cheap host (Solarforce L2 or the like) with extension tube to fit 2 IMR 18500 cells, and a Lumens Factory IMR-9 bulb. (I'm looking at 18500 over 18650 to have a more pocket-friendly light, yet with better run time than 16340.)

It'd essentially be a test run to see if it's worth it for me to put together the parts for a C2 or C3 host with AW soft start driver switch and the same bulb (Or brighter, if I can find one... maybe with the P60-compatible bi-pin adapter that fivemega's selling?).

You'll have to find your own balance between runtime/heat/size/brightness - but I actually have the same setup - 2xIMR18500 in my Seraph SP-9, and an LF IMR-9 drop-in.

At least, that's what I started out with. These days, I find myself using a FM D-26 w/ TL-3 drop-in a lot more (~200 OTF lumens) - even though it's dimmer than the IMR-9, I find that I can run it for longer periods without worrying about heat, plus longer runtime and the brightness is enough for me. (Equivs would be the SF P90, LF SR-9, etc.)

That said, there still are occasions where I pop in my IMR-9 - esp when running larger cells. The IMR-9 works the best on 2xIMR18650 and gives a nice big hotspot (not much throw) - but for me, just doesn't have enough runtime on 2xIMR18500. But it's enough for you, then go for it!

(I also have ~1000 lumen FM D-26/G4 drop ins with the WA1111 and WA1185 - which, while really awe inspiring, I find quite impractical because I can't run them for > 1 min at a time without worrying)

 

[FlashKat]

Decide if you want flood or throw. The FM G4 Sunlight is more flood with little throw.
I would consider the FM bi-pin set up that you can use 1499 and 1794 lamps for throw and brightness.