M3 (non-turbohead) vs. ROP-LE low

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Hey all,

I have an 2C ROP-LE low with a heavy stipple camless reflector from the shoppe. I have been oggling an M3 for a long time, and I'm wondering how it would compare to my ROP setup in brightness and throw. I would be running the M3 on 17500s, or 2x18650's with a LEEF body from lighthound. I don't know if there are any good aftermarket bulb options for the M3 head. Would 2x18650s safely power the MN11?

What are your thoughts on these possible M3 setups compared to the ROP I already have?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Hey all,

I have an 2C ROP-LE low with a heavy stipple camless reflector from the shoppe. I have been oggling an M3 for a long time, and I'm wondering how it would compare to my ROP setup in brightness and throw. I would be running the M3 on 17500s, or 2x18650's with a LEEF body from lighthound. I don't know if there are any good aftermarket bulb options for the M3 head. Would 2x18650s safely power the MN11?

What are your thoughts on these possible M3 setups compared to the ROP I already have?

Thanks,
Josh

The ROP High Output will be brighter and throw further than the M3 on stock SF lamps + primaries. The standard M3 is not a pure thrower.You shoud get the Turbohead if you want more range.
Lumens Factory just announced their new bulb series for the M3, M3T and M4 flashlights. I'd wait for these if I were you. These will give a major power boost to the M series.

 

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Thanks OF. I primarily use the low output bulb on the ROP, how do you think that compares in brightness?

MODS: SORRY, I POSTED THIS IN THE WRONG SECTION ON ACCIDENT, PLEASE MOVE.

 

[Strauss]

I primarily use the low output bulb on the ROP, how do you think that compares in brightness?

MODS: SORRY, I POSTED THIS IN THE WRONG SECTION ON ACCIDENT, PLEASE MOVE.

The ROP low bulb will be brighter than the MN10, but not as bright as the MN11. I have a ROP-LE low, and get ~250 lumens out the front with the resistance fixes. The MN11 driven on 18650's will put out 400+ lumens on fresh cells.

As far as throw, I would say the MN11 may beat your ROP because of your HS reflector. If you have a stock mag reflector laying around, toss it in your ROP if you want some extreme throw The beam won't be pretty, but you won't be able to see the artifacts when you are looking at a target thats 100+ yards away

 

[Owen]

I prefer the MN11 to the ROP Lo bulb, and don't doubt it might throw better than one using a HS reflector. I liked the MOP reflector pretty well, but didn't care for the Lo in a light that size, and only used the Hi bulbs in the two ROP-LE's I built. Their size kept me from carrying or using them, regardless of bulb(so I sold them), and that's where the something the size of the M3, or Leef bodies w/SF heads come into their own, IMO. I actually carry and use them.

If I just wanted a dedicated light to take the place of a ROP Lo, and didn't want to pay a premium for the M series parts, I'd get a Leef 2x18650 body, an M2 bezel, and a couple of Lumens Factory EO-9 lamps, or P91s for more flood. Still not cheap, since you'll have over $100 just in the body, tailcap, and head, not to mention the LAs, but you could have all that, plus a KT2 turbohead and a couple of lamps for it, for around the price of a stock M3.
Another option I'd consider would be the Wolf-Eyes M90 Rattlesnake, and the Lumens Factory HO-9L or EO-9L running off 2x18650. It's about the same size as a Leef 2x18650 body with M3 head, and offers the ability to use the stock or LF 12V D36 lamps with primaries, WE and LF 9V D36 lamps with 2x18650, and the option of using 13V lamps with extenders and 3x18500 or 3x18650.
Maybe not as "cool" as the SF stuff, but a lot more economical, and still pretty versatile.

I don't see the Lumens Factory M3 bulbs giving any kind of power boost, but the EO-M3 is interesting to me, since it'll give us better runtime than a MN11, and hopefully work without double-clicking on protected 17500s.
I'm going to have my M3 bored for 18500s, and hopefully will be satisfied with the EO-M3 in place of the MN11, since it should give a good increase in brightness over the MN10 without sacrificing much runtime vs. that with 17500s, as the increase in battery capacity should almost make up for the increase in current draw. I'm only going to all this trouble because I love the M3 and Z3 with their compact size, and CombatGrip bodies...and maybe 'cause it's fun to see how much light I can cram into a small package and still have a usable tool at the same time

 

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Thanks for the replies. Where are you finding info on the EO-M3? I can't find it anywhere on the LF website.

 

[defusion]

Thanks for the replies. Where are you finding info on the EO-M3? I can't find it anywhere on the LF website.

It's comming in a few weeks.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=155111 will give you some information on them

 

[SCblur]

It's comming in a few weeks.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=155111 will give you some information on them

Awesome, thanks! Reading that thread sealed the deal for me, I just got back from picking up an M3. I think I'll grab a 2x18650 leef body in anticipation of the LF lamps.