new mini SOLARFORCE L2 ...

[LiteFan]

Just got my L2M from Ebay, seems like an older model. The body and tailcap seem to be one piece & reverse clicky. Pluse it's a single mode with the thin silver and black Solarforce band decal around on the module. Quality seems nice enough for me to order a L2 5 mode.

Has anyone seen a L2 Mini with a single piece body?

 

[DHart]

Just got my L2M from Ebay, seems like an older model. The body and tailcap seem to be one piece & reverse clicky. Pluse it's a single mode with the thin silver and black Solarforce band decal around on the module. Quality seems nice enough for me to order a L2 5 mode.

Has anyone seen a L2 Mini with a single piece body?

I'm not familiar with that one... who was the seller? Got pics?

 

[jake25]

I don't think there has ever been a version like that?

I'll be getting an order of L2's and L2m's within the week. I'll check out the L2m's but i've never seen something like that.

 

[LightJaguar]

A single piece Solarforce? Now that's weird.
I took my solarforce module apart and I'm a bit disappointed in the build quality. First of all is not as bright as my ultrafire C1 and the build quality is worst. There was glue all over the LED module and some of it got stuck on the LED itself. I usually take this modules apart to make sure that they are properly epoxied but I've heard so many good thing about Solarforce that I skip that step on it. I only noticed that something was wrong when I put an aspheric lens in it and I noticed some spots on the beam.
I took it apart to figure out was it was and there was some glue on the LED itself and some big chunks around the LED. I had to spend about half an hour carefully cleaning this up. I'm also considering taking this apart and redoing the whole module since the epoxy they used is the soft rubbery type and I've had some bad experiences with those.
I'm thinking about ordering the 5 mode model but after seeing that the Ultraforces are brighter and I'm still debating that.

 

[LiteFan]

I'm not familiar with that one... who was the seller? Got pics?

Will put up pictures tomorrow here is the ebay link http://cgi.ebay.com:80/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280322252805 didn't get the steel lanyard ring either:huh:
packaging looks the same, I did figure out that it is a R2 Single mode, going to complain and see what happens...I cannot get the switch to budge

 

[seaside]

The module I got was single mode R2, and I am not sure if this is authentic or not. I saw "solarforce" engraved arrounds the reflector in some pics of authentic solarforce modules, but mine does not have it. Instead of that, there is thin sticker that has "Solar Force" on it. It appreantly is deemer than DX 11868 R2 module, and the DX module spec said it is 170~220 lumens. So, there is no way for it to be 300 lumens as they claimed. I never belived it anyway.

The build quality of solarforce module I got is fine. It came with white round emitter board, no excessive white gooey stuff beneath the emitter board. The DX R2 module came with black clover looking emitter board, and excessive amount of white thingy. If you think your module is a fake, please upload a pic or two, so that we can see and talk about it.

Except that module in question, the body of the flash itself was quite nice and smooth. The real value of solarforce is its body as a p60 host, and I have no problem with that point of view. This is one real nice p60 host.

 

[jake25]

I've gotten some 1 mode hosts where it just said "solarforce" in black on a white sticker. I told Solarforce to send me only the blue label 1 mode modules from now on. Maybe it has to do w/ different manufacturers for the dropin.

 

[Zeruel]

Will put up pictures tomorrow here is the ebay link http://cgi.ebay.com:80/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280322252805 didn't get the steel lanyard ring either:huh:
packaging looks the same, I did figure out that it is a R2 Single mode, going to complain and see what happens...I cannot get the switch to budge

You sure it's one piece? That means you can only load battery from the head? From the ebay pic, looks like the usual L2M to me. Try unscrew the tail harder? 😕

One mode and reverse clicky are normal. You can opt for 5-mode or purchase a separate forward clicky.

 

[seaside]

I've gotten some 1 mode hosts where it just said "solarforce" in black on a white sticker. I told Solarforce to send me only the blue label 1 mode modules from now on. Maybe it has to do w/ different manufacturers for the dropin.

Thanks jake25. Looks like you got what I got.
Finding out another person got the same thing makes me feel better.

I asked the ebayer a specific module, the guy said he can do that, and he sent me the module I got. No replies since then. That is the risk of dealing with ebay dealers I guess. I hope your dealer is better than that.

 

[jake25]

For the price, I'm not complaining with the output. Solarforce has a 1 Mode dropin for 3.0-3.7V applications in the works. They are refining it right now. But for now the 3.0V-18V is what we get.

Again for the price, and the quality of the L2m machining, not a bad deal. I think you just got a miff from the factory. I've had 50+ L2m's pass through my hands without a problem.

 

[seaside]

For the price, I'm not complaining with the output. Solarforce has a 1 Mode dropin for 3.0-3.7V applications in the works. They are refining it right now. But for now the 3.0V-18V is what we get.

Again for the price, and the quality of the L2m machining, not a bad deal. I think you just got a miff from the factory. I've had 50+ L2m's pass through my hands without a problem.

Yup. I don't really complain about the output either. That's good enough.

Not a bad deal? No. it is fantastic deal for the price. 😀

 

[jake25]

I can get a L2, batteries, charger, holster for less than the price of 1 Surefire 6p, yea i think it's a solid price too heh.

 

[DHart]

It could be argued that the L2 head and body are virtually equal in quality to the Surefire 6P, in fact, I like the Solarforce head better as the lens retaining ring is stainless steel vs. really funky plastic retaining ring on the Surefire 6P bezel. The Solarforce lens is really nicely finished all around the edges too... a great touch of extra quality that cheap brands don't do.

I still prefer Surefire tailcaps as they are compact, high quality, and have great forward clickie.

TAILCAPS are what Solarforce needs to focus on designing better now!

 

[ykb]

Hi All,
I can't get a Surefire 6P or G2 tailcap working on a black L2M body, because it seems the tail-end threads are too short to make contact with switch.
Is this the case with others? Also, is it specific to black, or does it affect other colours?
Btw, threads on my L2 body are 8-9mm. On my L2M body, it's 6-7mm
Thanks!

 

[jake25]

It's a known issue with the L2m right now. It was supposed to be fixed for the next batch of L2m bodies but I guess the message never got around.

I have a few spacers that I've tried with SF tailcaps with some success. The tailcaps that solarforce makes, L2-S3 and L2-S4 can be used with said spacers.

 

[LiteFan]

I found this at lighthound,http://www.lighthound.com/Solarforce-LC-1-Drop-In-with-Cree-R2-LED--Single-Mode_p_1633.html this looks like my module, never thought it was fake, just questioning the stuck/single piece tailcap. And yes I have to install the battery through the head. Just checked for the reply from the vendor and got this.

"Dear sir,

For our side, we are willing to send you another L2M body with SS ring to you today

Sorry for the missing and error, we will ensure the cap can screw out

Thanks for your email and hope you will happy with our honesty and services

have a nice day and all the best


Best Regards

Jo

Mangaing Director of International Trading Company & Solarforce

ITC_SHOP "

It seems like it does happen, and I reminded them that I need a tailcap - we will see what happens.

Here are the pics, I realize as I post these that I suck at photography, hope they are not too big.

 

[DCP117]

I just got my single mode L2M. Primaries don't seem to work but that's not surprising since it's 3.7 volts. It didn't come with the steel lanyard ring, but it did include the rechargeable (16340) battery. The funny thing is I have a 9P that I use with two 17500 batteries. One 17500 battery will fit in my L2m! There's just a little space between the light and the tailcap. If I had the lanyard ring it would be a perfect fit.

 

[LiteFan]

Gonna have to try that when I get my replacement body, it took 20 days exactly to get the first shipment should be on the 10th or 11th.

 

[baterija]

The funny thing is I have a 9P that I use with two 17500 batteries. One 17500 battery will fit in my L2m! There's just a little space between the light and the tailcap. If I had the lanyard ring it would be a perfect fit.

I don't suppose you have a 18mm diameter cell somewhere to see if the tube diameter will accept it. Even just an 18650 slid in. I was thinking about the ultrafire 18350s but this makes me think about maybe an 18500. :devil:

 

[DHart]

I don't suppose you have a 18mm diameter cell somewhere to see if the tube diameter will accept it. Even just an 18650 slid in. I was thinking about the ultrafire 18350s but this makes me think about maybe an 18500. :devil:

The AW protected 17500 works in my L2m, but spring compression feels like it's going to maximum - not sure how that would affect the springs over a long term.

The idea of using an 18500 is incredible, but the AW protected 18500 will not even begin to enter the tube, however.