Newbie looking 2 lights - Weaponlight and multiuse

[adawg88]

Hello everyone -- I am very new to this flashlight stuff, and I have a need for a few lights. One for use on my AR-15 and another for general use around the house. I have been reading to the point i can't read any more, so now I turn to you. Originally, I wanted to use CR123 in the lights -- especially the weapon light due to its minimal use -- but now I am reading about explosions. So I guess it is 18650, unless you all disagree. Trying to keep things on a budget, and I have no clue on the battery and charger. Just guessing. Please offer up any thoughts.

Weaponlight:
Solarforce L2P with Type 3 Anodizing and a forward clickie switch
Solarforce XM-L T6 1-mode drop-in
Pressure pad (gives options with the clickie and pad)

General Use Light:
Manafont Ultrafire 502B
Manafont XM-L T6 5-mode drop-in

Battery: Manafont Sanyo "Marsfire" Protected -- Sanyo - Protected 18650 High Capacity Rechargeable Battery (1pc/set)

Charger: AC Lithium Battery Charger With 2 LED Indicators for 18650 (1-meter/100V~240V

Please feel free to make suggestions, or let me know if I am wasting my money.

Thanks!!

Links removed as per the banner at the top of the page - Norm

 

[adawg88]

Anyone have any thoughts? I thought these to be pretty standards lights. Need to place an order yet tonight. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Gunner12]

What's your budget? You don't want to depend on cheap lights since quality can be hit or miss. Those lights are decent for the price and Solarforce gets a fair amount of praise.

As for battery explosions, that can happen if mismatched batteries are used or cheap crappy batteries are used. Generally, quality cells are safe.

:welcome:

 

[adawg88]

Budget is somewhat flexible. I could get a surefire, but would have to go low-end of their models. Just wonder if the Solarforce can handle the recoil. Now, it is only going on an AR-15 so the kick-back is not horrible.

 

[TEEJ]

Depending on the range you are targeting at, there are different lights that weapon mount, have pressure switches and can handle recoil, etc...and yeah, an AR15 is fairly gentle as far as that goes.

For room clearing, etc, a strong floody beam is easier too use, as you can see your target and/or targets all at the same time...and have context for the scenario...as opposed to the very tightly focused smaller beams that force you to scan around like you're looking through a paper towel tube, etc.

Shining light is analogous in many ways to squirting water. There is only so much water in the flashlight, and you can spray a wide area close to you, or squirt a small stream a long way off...or something in between.

For a single 18650 for example, you could have a light that shows you ~ a whole field at a time out to ~ 150 meters, or, one that can show you just a few square yards 300 - 500 meters away.

What beam type would be best for you and what you use the AR for, etc?

 

[adawg88]

Teej - Thanks for the reply. I think as far as weaponghts go, I'd be looking for something brright with with a flood type beam. I'm also open to suggestions on a reach out beam as well, as I would keep the wide one on as standard, but like the option of a longer throw if I need to go poke around outside (I live in the country) from time to time.

So what I am saying here, for my original post, a nice floody bean is desired, but would also love options on the other as well. Christmas time is here ya know!!

 

[Gunner12]

If you get a P60 module accepting light, like most of the Solarforce models, then all you need to do is get two modules, one for throw, another for flood.

Look at some of the modules on Malkoffdevices, well built from what I hear, and they also have nice lights.

 

[adawg88]

Thanks Gunner. Teej, curious which drop-in you would suggest for a floody wide beam light? I was going to do that XM-L T6, but my guess is that this would fall under the long, narrow beam.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[TEEJ]

The XML's tend to be floody actually.

The smaller the die (LED) the better the throw...and the XML are not the smallest LEDs.

Generally, more total lumens can be produced, but they are more spread out, making the beam floodier. Generally, the larger the light's bezel, etc (Wider/deeper reflector) the further it can throw...and generally, the smaller size the source of the light, for any given lumen output, the the tighter it can focus/the further it can project the beam.

This is why a 130 lumen light with a large reflector, and/or aspherical lens can out throw a 2,000 lumen light with a smaller reflector, etc.

What you SEE with the two above scenarios is different of course...as the 130 lumen light may put a small spot of light on a 500 yard target, but, you may have trouble FINDING the target, and then KEEPING the target in sight if its being wile (Wile E)...

...where the 2,000 lumen flood might show you the 'yote and the rest of the pack hiding out there if they are within say 300 yards....but not at 500 yards.

The 600 lumen light might flood you to ~ 100-150 yards, and so forth.

😀

The XML T6 is largely replaced by the U2 and the U2 is being supplanted by the U3 version...as far as output. As in the newer lights are upping the ante...making the older LEDs a good bargain.

A great T6 XML would be in the Klarus XT11 for example, great weapon light, handles recoil, etc, uses std mounts and has a pressure switch that even lets you change the brightness, etc...not just on/off. Its good for the 100 -150 yard range as it pumps out 600 - 850 lumens depending on cell type you load it with. (Takes one 18650, or two RCR123's, or two CR123's)

The Malkoff Widcat might be the best floody drop-in if going that route...but the drop in costs more than the entire XT11. Its a sweet set-up of course and pretty bullet proof...but $.

Another great drop-in is Vinh's stuff (On the forums here). He can make you whatever you want...and take the time to explain how to use it, etc...great guy...and he's not greedy: The prices are very reasonable.

I took an old incan Surefire I had laying around, and got one of Vinh's drop-ins for it, and the performance difference was night and day...over a thousand lumens, and I just used a 17670 so I didn't need the expense of boring it out to take an 18650.

I USE the XT11 a LOT more though, as the XT11's UI is PERFECT for me...and the SF's is, well, not as perfect. By using the SF as a host though, I get a very sturdy body for the light engine within.

 

[Grizzman]

Solarforce drop-ins get a fair amount of negative feedback here regarding reliability, even when they're not weapon mounted. If you plan to use this AR to potentially save your life, I suggest saving your pennies and getting a Malkoff or potted Nailbender assembly.

I just shipped off a budget light I assembled for a friend's 22 LR AR. I went with a Solarforce L2, and it should work well for him. I did try a Malkoff M61 in it briefly, and it flickered or went out entirely with any impact on the light. The drop-in was a very loose fit in the body, so I added a couple layers of copper tape, which resolved the issue.

 

[adawg88]

Are Solarforce drop-ins that bad? I had read on a lot of the AR-15 forums that folks were pretty happy with them. One guy had 1,500 rounds down range on his and was still working. Not doubting, I'm just asking as I am very new to all this.

Would a manafont drop-in be better? Just looking for a 1-mode XML T6 or U2 drop-in. Anything better in the $20 - $30 range?

 

[dss_777]

Weaponlight for serious social use: Surefire P2X single-output Fury Tactical, simple clicky switchology, in the mount of your choice.

500 lumens bright, simple UI, rugged. All very desireable qualities when fighting with a gun.

Check lightfighter.net for discussion and recommendations, and bravocompanyusa for the EAG version.

Not that much more expensive than the Solarforce lego light above, and miles head in light quality, durability and function.

Consider the P2X two-level version for belt light. Simpler is better.

 

[deeuubee]

I use 2 different Solarforce L2M's on 123 primaries mounted in the folding Solarforce Clip-on mount with the pressure switch on both my AR's.
I use the XP-E thrower module for critter field work with optics since I really only need to see through the scope at distance.
The other L2M has a XML -T6 which is really bright and floody for close in critter work with a red dot.
They have held up quite well and easily swap over from one AR to the other.
The plus is that you can put the battery extender on and use either one for every day use with a 18650 for longer run time.
Price is reasonable and combinations are endless with Solarforce modules and heads. I must have got all the good modules... 🙂
I have never had a problem with them, and I have 10 various modules.
I just got the big M3 head to try out. "Little Stubby" should be interesting.