Looking to upgrade a surefire 6p

[BR54X]

As the title suggests I'm looking to upgrade my surefire 6p to LED. I know this has probably been discussed a million times but I am relatively new to all this. I was mainly interested in the malkoff M61W and the M61WL. I'm not exactly sure how bright these are in person but I was leaning towards the M61W for the extra lumens. Would the M61W have too much light and be blinding when using it at very close distances such as reading or when working with small things? Which battery would be the best choice for the best battery life? If I do go the M61W route I wouldn't really care if the batteries make it a little dimmer. I was looking at a protected 16650 since I don't have that much experience with unprotected cells. Would two 123 sized rechargeable batteries have a longer charge? I was looking at the orbtronic 16650 mainly because of the price. About how much runtime can I expect with the M61W and an orbtronic 16650 charged to 4.20v?

 

[troutpool]

You might also want to consider the Malkoff dropins with Nichia 219B emitters that are available from illumn.com.

 

[thermal guy]

The standard M61W would be way to bright to read by. In fact the WLL might be as well but it should work. Just use a keep power 16650. Tons of runtime.

 

[aznsx]

Or, if you'd prefer that HCRI SST20 @4000K CCT rather than 3000K, there's the M61N (/NL/NLL), which is what I use. Just another similar option, just not quite so warm.

 

[BR54X]

How does the SST-20 compare to the Nichia 219B in beam profile, brightness, CRI and runtime on a 16650? I think I might stick with 4000k for now.
Another thing, is there anyway to add a high and low mode while keeping the twisty? can I use a high/low ring?

Sorry that I might sound like an idiot but I'm trying to learn as much as I can

 

[aznsx]

How does the SST-20 compare to the Nichia 219B in beam profile, brightness, CRI and runtime on a 16650? I think I might stick with 4000k for now.
Another thing, is there anyway to add a high and low mode while keeping the twisty? can I use a high/low ring?

Sorry that I might sound like an idiot but I'm trying to learn as much as I can

I've never used / seen a 219B, but it was all the rage and extremely popular for a good while (and probably still is), so you'll get some feedback on that. I've only used the 219C in a couple of lights.

I don't know of a way to provide dual output level w/ the M61s I have in a SF, but I've never owned or modified a SF, so others can speak to that.

I do know this exists, and has the SST20 4000K, and does 3 output levels; however I don't know how well that would work with that twist tailcap setup. I know nothing else about this module, but FYI:

M361-LMH V2 Low-Med-High to Fit SureFire – Malkoff Devices

This is a Malkoff Devices P60 style Muli-Mode Drop-in LED Upgrade Conversion with solid brass heatsink construction. The output on high is 750 out the front lumens for the cool 5700K 70 CRI variant and 500 out the front lumens for the neutral 4000K 95CRI variant. The design utilizes a custom...

malkoffdevices.com

You're not an idiot, because you're "trying to learn" (as I am), and idiots don't try to learn, because they don't even 'know what they don't know;-)

 

[Dave D]

Another thing, is there anyway to add a high and low mode while keeping the twisty? can I use a high/low ring?

You can't use Malkoff's high/Low ring in a surefire 6P, the heads of SF and Malkoff are not compatible.

It really depend on intended use will dictate which drop-in is required. My most used flashlight, for indoor use is a SF G3 with a Malkoff M61LL, it puts out about 100 lumens and runs for 15 hours on 3 x CR123 batteries.

If you want multi modes then have a look at Malkoff's M361-LMH Low-Med-High, which will work in a Surefire host.

 

[yearnslow]

Malkoff for sure, Have experience with the M61L in my 6P and the M61LL in my C2, both solid units and almost indestructible.

 

[Strintguy]

FWIW, my favourite Malkoff of the 4 I have is the M61L 219b from Illumn. To my eye it is nearly as bright as the M61N, but the runtime is much better. I am also interested in the SST-20, it's a very nice tint in 4K. Good luck and keep asking questions

 

[340pd]

You

 

[SheepleFighter]

I have a M61 WL I run in my 6P Defender. It's very easy on the eyes and just used it on the dog checking for ticks the other night. Good color rendition but not bright by today's standards. I would buy that and a M61N and call it a day. Malkoffs have terrible run times, wish Gene would upgrade his technology.

 

[GMT2330]

Malkoff runtimes are competitive in my opinion.
Two things that can make them look uncompetitive are:
1, They run at 100% output all the time with no step down (except bodyguard models).
2, The Malkoff website quotes the runtime at full output only. It will continue working at a slowly diminishing output after this.
Most manufacturers use a timed or thermal sensor step down at max output and quote runtimes until 10% (the ANSI FL1 standard). This flatters their runtime figures.

Edited to add: I think the M61NL is a good all rounder but I like the M61NLL too . 200lm is too much to read by but you could always ceiling bounce the light!

 

[aznsx]

Malkoff runtimes are competitive in my opinion.
Two things that can make them look uncompetitive are:
1, They run at 100% output all the time with no step down (except bodyguard models).
2, The Malkoff website quotes the runtime at full output only. It will continue working at a slowly diminishing output after this.
Most manufacturers use a timed or thermal sensor step down at max output and quote runtimes until 10% (the ANSI FL1 standard). This flatters their runtime figures.

Yes, and I would only add to that: There is no replacement / substitute for an output / time graph, and also little valid reason / justification for not providing one. That statement is by no means limited to a specific manufacturer, but applies to all.

 

[GMT2330]

The Malkoff runtime graphs thread started by CPF member INFRNL is a brilliant resource for runtime information.

 

[SheepleFighter]

Don't get me wrong I like Malkoff modules and have owned a lot over the years M61s, M91s, and e-series MDC heads. I still run a few in nostalgic Surefires I've kept. Mostly the warm tint modules. I can't say much has changed in the last 10 years. I used them for work many a year and they are bomb proof. I have not tried any/of the Lumens Factory drop ins. Maybe one of their warm tint 3-mode drop ins would fit the OPs needs.

 

[Monocrom]

By reading, do you mean a book?
If that's the case, you'd be far better off with a cheap, dim, LED headlamp instead. Both in terms of brightness, and not having to constantly hold up your SF 6P in one hand for a protracted length of time. Less fatiguing.