Is the P61 LA worth buying?

[kz1000s1]

I just bought a Surefire 6P and would like to get a P61 LA for it. The reviews of it's performance advantage over a P60 in this Forum seem to be mixed. Is it worth buying? It will be used for a bedside/self defence light and long range use on nighttime walks.

 

[txwest]

I would say yes. You won't use it as much, but it is nice to have around. TX
(but if you're on a limited budget & don't have a ARC AAA yet, get that 1st)

 

[jtivat]

For by the bed side yes for walks no. Only 20 min. of light and expensive batteries.

 

[lemlux]

I just bought my second P61.

I use each in a pair of 9P extended 64 mm with 2 A19 adapters. (You could use 3 A19's with your 6P) (Why a pair? -- I was able to buy the 9P's for $40 @.)

I use rechargeable 4/5 A 2000 mAh NiMH's that run the light brightly for over 45 minutes. (If you add another A19 you could use 4 longer, lower capacity 1800 mAh AA or 2450 mAh A NiMH's that will experience greater voltage drop.)

I stick to the P60 or my KL3 with lithiums in my 6P.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

"It will be used for [1]bedside/self defence light and [2]long range use on nighttime walks."

[1]This would be a good application for this since I surmise that you will not use it very often. When traveling with my wife, I place my M2/P61 on her nightstand while I have the 9N (or 12ZM if I remember to bring it) on my side.

[2]This would not be a good application for it. The 2 CR123s will only last 20 minutes with the P61. Use the P60 for this, or, better yet, use a rechargeable if available to you. Even better would be a LED light and use the 6P w/P60 or P61 as backup.

With this reply, I've made the assumption that you meant long walks when stating "...long range."
If you meant that you want a light that has "...long range" reach, you'll need one that will provide a narrow beam. The P60/61 LAs have comparatively wider beams that limit their throw.

 

[SuRgE]

I'm not overly impressed with it. Yeah its brighter but at a cost of 20 minute runtime. If you plan to use it very infrequently then get it. I just got an older 9p with similar brightness of 100-110 lumens and has 3 times the runtime on 3 123s.

Sum it up:

More for your battery dollar if you go to a 3 cell Surefire. But, if thats not possible then I get one for the novelty factor. The 20min runtime is not worth it to me. I do own both lamps!

 

[kz1000s1]

On walks I use a 2D mag-lite LS mod w/3C's as my primary light. The 6P is for checking out something for a few seconds at a time that is beyond the range of the LS, so runtime is not a problem.

I love the 6P. I'm addicted to Surefires now just like everyone warns about. My EDC is an E1-HA that I carry along with the obligatory ARC AAA. Next might be a G2 or an E2e. The A2 seemed worth waiting for until I saw the price tag!

 

[kz1000s1]

By "long range", I mean the reach or throw of the light. The reach of the P60 is adequate for where I walk. I was wondering if the reach and intensity of the P61's beam will be any better, or will it just have a wider spread.

Edited-- I have a Mag-lite 2C mod with 3x123's that is even better for this; however, I wouldn't trust my life to a unproven modded light. Surefires I can trust.

 

[SuRgE]

kz1000s1,

I just went outside and tested the reach. Not farther reach, but alot wider spread.

By the way, Have a friend who owns a KZ1000, nice classic bike.

See ya,

 

[Skyline]

I definitely prefer the P61 over the P60. I have a 6P/P60 in my car's glove box for emergencies. I have a G2Z/P61 on my belt for "emergencies". If I go walking at night, I use my E1/K1 for primary light, G2Z for checking stuff out.

Maybe I should just walk around with my 10X and light up the night.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

P61 + Pyrex replacement head for your 6P. Must haves.

 

[soa]

Having done the long and hard thinking, I'm now heading toward an A19 adapter (convert my 6p to a 3 battery light) and the KT2 - turbo head with the N2 105 lumen long throw.

I'll burn the P61 in my G2...

Unless, of course, you know different. [Showing of my age there, as that was a catch phrase from

That's Life ]

 

[BuddTX]

I second what Surge said.

Not much brighter, but much wider and more dense.

I put a P61 in my Brinkmann Legend LX and really like it.

When I walk with my dog, I use an LED in one hand that is always on, and the Legend LX with a P61 bulb in the other hand.

While I walk my dog daily at night for over an hour, I get several weeks on one set of batteries, because I only use the light for short bursts.

 

[SUREFARC]

For selfdefense yes.

 

[Stingray]

For self defense it's worth it. I have had a 6P on my night table (and in my SV650 tank bag with a spares carrier) for the last 10 years. It usually has a P61 in it. It has a wider spread than the P60 and a little more "blinding power". I also have a beamshaper which makes it a useful up close light for roadside purposes. It also fits in the fist perfectly like a roll of quarters (I have the original round one) for what that's worth. I used mine for walking the dog at night also, on an intermittent basis to alert oncoming speeding teenagers in cars to our presence. Works wonders.

I just bought a 9P and an 8X in the ASPI closeout so the 8X has replaced the 6P for the nightly dog walks. The 9P lives in the car, as a defense light and makeshift kubotan in one unit and as a backup to the 3D mag and 2AA mini mag for emergencies. It's great having the 8X, now I can use it continuously for the long dog walks without worrying about battery cost, it could use a beamshaper though for that. It's easier to put in and out of the back pocket too, since it sticks out a little.

I'll soon be trying out LED based lights as well for the long walks.

 

[txwest]

kz,
If you're looking for long reach in a 6P, get the turbo head & N1 lamp. TX

 

[Size15's]

My M2's have P61's.
My G2's have stock P60's.
My G2Z has a P61.

I would generally have the situation where I'm comparing the MN03 to the P61 - therefore having an M2 or G2Z in addition to my E2e means I can use the P61 for short sharp bursts if needed.

From a beam shape/quality, I've always found the P61 to be far superior.

Al