L4 Mods

[lenny]

Could some kind soul please list all the SureFire L4 mods available?
I don't frequent this forum very often and all the mods are like Greek to me.
I need it all in black and white:
Name of the mod, cost, what exactly it does, can I just order the part and install it myself or does it have to go to McGizmo, how useful the mod is and any other comments you may have.
Sorry for being such a dummy!
Thanks,
Lenny

PS: Please don't refer me to McGizmo's list with prices. I have no idea what an Aleph is or a LUX III is.

 

[suppin]

The only thing that you might want to change on the L4, IMHO, is the tailcap. You can get one of McGizmo's two stage tailcap (McE2S). It'll allow you to use the L4 on low and high output. Lightly press the switch for momentary low output, press harder for full light output, for constant on low output, twist until light turns on, twist the tailcap in further to engage full light output.

The low output option is great for close-up work or indoors, when you just don't need that much light, it'll also allow the L4 to run for much, much longer than on full light output

You can decide how low you want the low output to be, by choosing the value of the resistors, the higher the ohms, the dimmer the low output will be. You can check out the McE2S thread for more advice and ideas on choosing resistor values.

 

[tylerdurden]

Agreed. The L4 is just about perfect as-is, the McE2S two-stage tailcap mod is really the only significant improvement for it IMO. The 22-ohm switch is the recommended value for the L4, though if you want your low level to be dimmer or brighter you could choose a higher or lower value respectively.

You can install this switch inside the stock L4 tailcap, or you can order the Aleph tailcap with the switch already installed. The Aleph tailcap gives you the additional ability to stand the L4 up on it's tail, and you'd retain the clicky tailcap so you could easily switch back and forth. If you do chose to install the McE2S in the stock tailcap, it's a fairly simple operation that only requires the use of some needle-nose pliers.

 

[McGizmo]

Lenny,
At one point, there were some L4 mods where the 5W LED and driver were removed and replaced with a Lux III LED and new driver. This was done primarily to take advantage of the great reflector and hosting provided by the KL4 head. Now there are other reflectors and heads available and there is no need to go to the expense or trouble of modifying the KL4. There is one other alteration to the KL4 that has not ben mentioned yet and that is the option of usng a removable SF beam shaper on the KL4. The resulting even and artifact free flood you get from the beamshaper gives the L4 the the added versatility of being used for great inclose and area lighting. Coupled with the low level from the two stage switch, the KL4 makes a great, cool and long running light source for task and administrative work.