Does anyone have any experience/beamshots of an M2 head vs. a "C" series head? I've read that since the bulb sits further back on the M2 (which I don't even know if that is true) there is less sidespill on the M2. Any truth to that?
M2 v. C2/C3 - flood?
- Thread starter cfromc
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No problem. I do prefer the M2 bezel most of the time, though, since it's much less prone to damage if you drop it on the bezel end(which is thicker around the edge), not to mention the shock isolation that I hope is protecting my LAs.
The standard Z44 bezel does look a little funny to me on a 3 cell light, and especially on a 2x18650 body. I use black M2 bezels on both of my Z3s, and go back and forth between the Z44 and M2 bezel on a C2. The M2 bezel does add some length, weight, and width, if those are major considerations. Personally, I like the way they look, and feel/balance on 3x123 lights, which along with the greater durability is the main reason I use it.
The standard Z44 bezel does look a little funny to me on a 3 cell light, and especially on a 2x18650 body. I use black M2 bezels on both of my Z3s, and go back and forth between the Z44 and M2 bezel on a C2. The M2 bezel does add some length, weight, and width, if those are major considerations. Personally, I like the way they look, and feel/balance on 3x123 lights, which along with the greater durability is the main reason I use it.
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jumpstat
Flashlight Enthusiast
Please post pics.. I can't wait for my M2 to arrive..Owen said:
ADDICTED2LITE
Newly Enlightened
Are we able to buy just the bezels without buying the whole light? I've been looking and can't find any except here.
Over the last few years I've bought both black and HA M2 bezels from Lighthound(1ea.) and LPS Tactical(2ea.). Haven't seen them on Lighthound's site in awhile.
Had to edit my previous post earlier, because I was calling the Z44 a Z41, which is the standard lockout tailcap
Anyway...
2 SF Z3s, one with the black M2 bezel, the other with a HA Z44:
Side by side:
And a couple of pics of a 2x18650 Leef C-C body:
Had to edit my previous post earlier, because I was calling the Z44 a Z41, which is the standard lockout tailcap
Anyway...
2 SF Z3s, one with the black M2 bezel, the other with a HA Z44:
Side by side:
And a couple of pics of a 2x18650 Leef C-C body:
jumpstat
Flashlight Enthusiast
Owen, thanks for posting the pics. Assuming that both have the same LA installed looks like the M2 Bezel have like 30% less spill compared to the Z44 bezel. The centre spot looks about the same.
Yes, thanks for posting the pictures. That is a significant difference. I did a side-by-side of the C3/P91 vs. M3/MN11 and they were a lot closer than the M2 head was to the C3. I didn't take pictures yet but the C3 had slightly more flood/sidespill. The hot spots were the same. I did not check for throw but I used flashlightreviews ratings. So, my ranking using 9V lamps:
C3 flood #1, Throw #2 tie
M3 flood #2, Throw #1
M2 flood #3, Throw #2 tie
This could be wrong because I checked the sidespill at about 5 feet, and it was just slightly different. At a closer range, as in Owen's pictures, it may look more significant.
C3 flood #1, Throw #2 tie
M3 flood #2, Throw #1
M2 flood #3, Throw #2 tie
This could be wrong because I checked the sidespill at about 5 feet, and it was just slightly different. At a closer range, as in Owen's pictures, it may look more significant.
OK, I checked again and the M3 sidespill looks very similar to Owen's picture of the M2. I also checked my ROP with MOP reflector and it has just slightly more sidespill (area, not intensity) than the C3 head puts out. The best beam quality is the ROP, then the M3, then the C3. From left to right, ROP/MOP, C3/P91, M3/MN11 about 18" from the wall, batteries all at 95%+
This one is just the C3 (left) and M3 (right)
Granted, they are only 18" from the wall but when I do 5' I can see a difference and when I stand in a big square room I can see the "ring" of light closer to me and wider with the C3 then the M3. The ROP just lights up the whole room. Outside this would likely make little or no difference. Inside, I can see more with the C3 and the throw of any of the lights doesn't matter. I'm sure inside a warehouse or large building throw may play more of a role but inside a normal sized house, or even a full-length basement, it doesn't matter much. Actually, I coming to realize more and more that the ROP does just about everything perfectly, except it is a little large (2D) to carry around all the time. Maybe some combination of Leef body/SF head and tailcap/and killer lamp would give me everything - intensity/flood/throw/carryable size/run-time + Kool looks. The Maglite has the sleeper factor but the SFs have the "this is a precision illumination instrument" look. If I put a SW02 on it, it will also have the "I can beat you with this if I have to" look.
This one is just the C3 (left) and M3 (right)
Granted, they are only 18" from the wall but when I do 5' I can see a difference and when I stand in a big square room I can see the "ring" of light closer to me and wider with the C3 then the M3. The ROP just lights up the whole room. Outside this would likely make little or no difference. Inside, I can see more with the C3 and the throw of any of the lights doesn't matter. I'm sure inside a warehouse or large building throw may play more of a role but inside a normal sized house, or even a full-length basement, it doesn't matter much. Actually, I coming to realize more and more that the ROP does just about everything perfectly, except it is a little large (2D) to carry around all the time. Maybe some combination of Leef body/SF head and tailcap/and killer lamp would give me everything - intensity/flood/throw/carryable size/run-time + Kool looks. The Maglite has the sleeper factor but the SFs have the "this is a precision illumination instrument" look. If I put a SW02 on it, it will also have the "I can beat you with this if I have to" look.
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brunt_sp
Enlightened
I guess the same applies to the difference in sidespill between the KT2 and KT4 heads. As the KT4 is from the M series therefore the reflector is set back due to the shock-absorbing system so less sidespill as a result.
Size15's
Flashaholic
Compared to the dimensions of the TurboHead reflector the 'set-back' is less significant to that of the standard bezel & M2 bezel comparison.brunt_sp said:
I was aware that the deeper location of the reflector in the M2 bezel results in a slightly less wide surround beam. However, in use I never really noticed any difference sine the difference is amplified when the bezels are so close to the wall (as in the photo).
I don't consider it an issue for the M2, and it is even less of an issue for the TurboHeads. I guess it helps when you can directly compare a range of SureFires side-by-side.
Al
brunt_sp
Enlightened
I agree. As a direct result of this thread I have removed the M2 head from my Leef tube and replaced it with a SF Z44 bezel.
Size15's
Flashaholic
Okay perhaps exaggerated or obvious rather than amplified. The closer the flashlight is to the wall the more the difference between the bezels is exaggerated - the more obvious it is. In use I don't consider it to be an issue.Owen said:
Al
brunt_sp
Enlightened
I'm going to keep it because it's black and therefore rare. I think it looks better than the Z44 so I might use it for another application.cfromc said:
