P60 drop-in suggestions

[dlmorgan999]

So I'm now the proud owner of a pair of TnC products custom titanium P60 hosts (both on the way)! Now I'm on the hunt for drop-ins.

I understand the basics, but I just recently got started with P60 drop-ins via a Solar Force L2T. I bought a basic Solar Force drop-in for that light but I figure these might deserve something better.

I've done a bunch of reading on CPF, but the options are a bit overwhelming. I know that I want an XM-L emitter. I want at least one neutral white and the other will either be neutral or cool (I actually really like cool white but I also like fluorescent lights in some rooms of my house).

One host uses an 18650 and for that light I would ideally like something in the 500+ lumen range. The other runs on one 18350 and I haven't yet thought about what I would like there (maybe 200-300 OTF?).

I also understand (correct me if I'm wrong) that titanium isn't the best heat conductor, so in general it's a good idea to avoid high current drop-ins for a titanium light. I don't exactly know how high "high" is though.

I am not against spending more money on a "better" drop-in, but what I haven't yet figured out is what the extra money gets you. I'd love to hear from a few people as to drop-ins they like (that fit my criteria above) and why. In the meantime, I'll continue pouring over the forums to educate myself as much as I can.

 

[yifu]

Welcome to the P60 world! I only have 6 P60 drop ins, which is not as much but i am very satisfied with what i have. If you want a XML, it can achieve 600 OTF with about a 2.5-2.8A drive current. Contact either Vinhnyugen or Nailbender for those, they can accommodate any tint, drive current, modes or reflector you choose. At 2.8A, generally speaking you won't have any heat issues, even with titanium.

For the 18350, an IMR cell can equally sustain that kind of output but if you have a standard LiCo cell, 200 lumens would be better. I would suggest an XPG at 1.4A for that purpose. The brightest and most expensive P60 drop ins are the quad XP-Gs. Kenji and Jesse(VanIsleDSM) makes those and they output around 1600-1700 OTF lumens with a carlco 10622 optic but with a less efficient optic like on my Kenji quad, it would be closer to 1400 OTF lumens. Still very bright. With a good heatsinking head like a Cryos or a FM beefy, there are no heat issues at all. I love my Kenji Quad:devil:And if you decide to get into Incans, there are many options available. You can get a complete incan drop in, or get a G4 socket or a T1.5 socket from FiveMega and stick in the bulb of your choice. People wrongly assume that 900+ lumens from a 6P sized light is a recent LED innovation, we've had it for years, in the form of amazing bulbs like the CL1794, the WA1185 etc. Check luxluthor's test threads to see more options.

 

[lightfooted]

I have two Solarforce 3.7V P60s in two Surefires that are operating on 17670s and have been for a while now without issue. They both output noticeably more light than my early Thrunite P60 XM-L on a single cell although I wish Solarforce would have made them available with an OP reflector. Have you checked out the Malkoff's?

 

[dlmorgan999]

yifu: thanks for the detailed response! FYI - I am going with an IMR 18350 so it's good to know that gives me more options. I want to stick with LED, but you've given me a number of options to research now. :)

lightfooted: I have seen the Malkoffs mentioned all over the place in the forums, but I haven't yet figured out what makes them so popular.

 

[jorn]

I have seen the Malkoffs mentioned all over the place in the forums, but I haven't yet figured out what makes them so popular.

They are bomb proof. And the service is really good.
After owning some malkoffs and torchlabs, it's hard to go back to buying normal p60's with a pill and a screw in reflector. They just feel so flimsy compared with one solid chunk of brass. One big chunk is also better for heat managment. I love the L and LL's, they are plenty bright and will give long runtimes with a single cell.

 

[nfetterly]

The Malkoffs are single level - if that works for you they are HIGHLY recommended.

I have two of the VanIsleDSM's quads, both are the higher 5.6A draw - these suckers can get HOT on high, but do have a thermal shutdown.

For a multilevel multi-led setup I would recommend Oveready's neutral XR-E triple - in Low / Medium / High. Nice throw for a multi LED drop-in and with the low / medium / high setup I find myself stopping on medium - if I remember these are for 2-cell setups so you could run 2x18350s which is what I do (or 2 18500s in a "9P" setup).

Vinhnyugen or Nailbender will make a nice drop-in for you if you want a single led drop-in.

 

[dlmorgan999]

I generally prefer multi-level for my lights so that points me away from Malkoff although I might still consider them. They sound very well made and I like the idea of solid brass!

I would like to do a multi-LED light eventually, but I think I'll start with something more simple (and lower current draw). Also, both of these lights are single-cell.

Maybe I'll get one Malkoff and one either Nailbender or Vinhnyugen. Still need to do more research but getting closer. Thanks everyone for all the information! :)

 

[PCC]

I would treat any titanium host like you would a Nitrolon host (G2). BigChelis had assembled a crazy copper-filled KL-1 head with a direct-driven SST-90 last year. The only body he could find to use with this head and an 18650 IMR was a titanium one. After a few minutes turned on the titanium body, right up to within a quarter inch of the head, was stone cold. The head itself was scalding hot

I would look at the lower level Malkoff drop-ins if you want something that will last you a lifetime. If you don't mind replacing the drop-ins when they burn out then it doesn't matter what you get.

 

[dlmorgan999]

I would look at the lower level Malkoff drop-ins if you want something that will last you a lifetime. If you don't mind replacing the drop-ins when they burn out then it doesn't matter what you get.

I don't mind replacing occasionally and I think for now I've decided to go with one Nailbender and one vinhnguyen54 drop-in. I really like the variety of options they both provide. Thanks again to everyone for all the information and pointers!

 

[GeoBruin]

Remember that a single level drop in doesn't always have to mean a single level light. In Malkoff's own MD2, you can install a High/Low ring that will give you a low mode with the twist of the head. All in all, this is my absolute favorite 18650 light and my favorite light overall.

I generally prefer multi-level for my lights so that points me away from Malkoff although I might still consider them. They sound very well made and I like the idea of solid brass!

I would like to do a multi-LED light eventually, but I think I'll start with something more simple (and lower current draw). Also, both of these lights are single-cell.

Maybe I'll get one Malkoff and one either Nailbender or Vinhnyugen. Still need to do more research but getting closer. Thanks everyone for all the information! :)

 

[Imon]

I recently replaced my Malkoff M61 in my Surefire 6P with a EDC+ P-60 Drop-in.
I think EDC+ is a new dealer over at CPFMP - he has his own thread.
Anyways, I've been pleasantly surprised at the quality of the drop-in and it costs $40 - which is more expensive than a Nailbender but cheaper than a Malkoff while still having Malkoff-level fit and finish.

 

[yifu]

I hate it when some fanboys think Malkoffs are the ONLY high quality non chinese made drop in. The truth is that Nailbender, Torchlab, vanisledsm, kenji etc make some great quality drop ins as well. They are NOT just going to burn out.

 

[tandem]

I'm a Malkoff fan, but also a fan of Nailbender and other products. I've got a perfectly usable Solarforce P60 module and light that serves as a general purpose light for the family; a throwy XP-E Nailbender is in the car. Another Nailbender XML module sits in a SureFire C2 in my emergency vest for fire call outs, but a second C2 in that same vest sports a Malkoff. I like the beam from my XP-G Malkoffs better than virtually all other P60's I have, although the Nailbender XM-L is very sweet indeed.

One reason I like the Malkoffs so much is they are very flexible when it comes to input voltages. Unlike the EDC+ - just using it as an example - the all my Malkoff's can run off 1 CR123A, 1 RCR123A, 2 CR123A, 2RCR 123A, 3 CR123A, 1 or 2 18650, 2 or 3 AA, etc.

Many drop-ins are not flexible at all when it comes to input voltages. There's nothing wrong with being tied to a single voltage or a limited selection of input voltages, but I find the advantages worthwhile to have for my gear.

Another reason I like the Malkoff modules is that, generally speaking for lights ~ 300 lumen output or less, I prefer single mode lights. I like momentary operation. I like momentary operation without mode switching. Many folks hate single-mode lights. Each to her or his own!

Flexible voltage supply, single mode, well built, nice beam - those are all good reasons for preferring one module over another, reasons that have nothing to do with blind fandom.

My favorite host of all time is a custom coated 6P bored for 18650's. Simple, sleek, utterly dependable. I use it more than any other and out of all the P60 equipped lights I have, and it's a Malkoff which occupies the head of this light.

 

[jorn]

One reason I like the Malkoffs so much is they are very flexible when it comes to input voltages. Unlike the EDC+ - just using it as an example - the all my Malkoff's can run off 1 CR123A, 1 RCR123A, 2 CR123A, 2RCR 123A, 3 CR123A, 1 or 2 18650, 2 or 3 AA, etc.

Try 2 x18650 on a m30 or m31, and see what happens:devil:
Or a single cr123 on a m91.

 

[tandem]

Try 2 x18650 on a m30 or m31, and see what happens:devil:
Or a single cr123 on a m91.

:)

Sure... flexibility depends on the module. I've got some very voltage inflexible modules from other makers too; one intended for 2XAA which will fry with a single li-ion cell; a couple nailbenders for 1xli-ion only.

But the M61 is very flexible and I find it to be perfect for a lot of the work I put it to. 3.4 - 9 volts in, but you can drive it with less and get usable light. With 1 li-ion it runs regulated part of the way and direct drive with a nice gradual decline for the balance. With 2 li-ion or 2 lithium primaries you get regulated output for the entire runtime. Many different combinations get you usable light -- you can have it any way you want it and I find that flexibility not only appealing but it has proven to be useful to me over the past two years so I've bought more.

I ordered recently a M61LL and M61LLL in neutrals so that I can have lower output in some lights without resorting to multi-mode clicky madness. And again, these lights share the same voltage flexibility as the full output M61.

 

[Sgt. LED]

Are we suggesting drop-ins for the OP or having a pissing contest?
If you like everything except Malkoff great, if you only like Malkoff that's great too.
Make your suggestions and debate yourselves by PM, don't trash this guys help thread.

 

[leadsled9]

I have 4 Malkoff M61's in various hosts (bored Surefire C2's, bored Surefire 6P) running 1X18650's or 2XCR123 primaries. I also have a Malkoff MD2 flashligh with the M61.....I like Malkoff M61's for tactical lights and for general purposes.

I also just received (and just ordered another) a Nailbender with these specs: led = XML U2 flux bin 1C 6500k+ Cool White
driver = 2.8-6 volt regulated; 3 mode (High, Med, Low) with memory; 2.8 amps
reflector = Smooth
thermal potting and copper tape
will be run in a bored Surefire C2 with 1X18650 or 2XCR123A primaries

I really like the Nailbender drop in for flexability as the multi levels come in real handy. The High on this drop in is 600+ lumens. I'm using them for general purpose lights and for hunting.

 

[dlmorgan999]

Are we suggesting drop-ins for the OP or having a pissing contest?
If you like everything except Malkoff great, if you only like Malkoff that's great too.
Make your suggestions and debate yourselves by PM, don't trash this guys help thread.

Well said! :thumbsup:

 

[dlmorgan999]

I also just received (and just ordered another) a Nailbender with these specs: led = XML U2 flux bin 1C 6500k+ Cool White
driver = 2.8-6 volt regulated; 3 mode (High, Med, Low) with memory; 2.8 amps
reflector = Smooth
thermal potting and copper tape
will be run in a bored Surefire C2 with 1X18650 or 2XCR123A primaries

I really like the Nailbender drop in for flexability as the multi levels come in real handy. The High on this drop in is 600+ lumens. I'm using them for general purpose lights and for hunting.

That's basically what I bought for one of the two - except I went for the OP reflector, and had it cranked up to 3.1 amps. :devil:

The other one I bought is a vinhnguyen54 drop-in with these specs:
XM-L neutral white (5000k)
2.7 - 4.5 volt 3 amp driver with three levels , no memory
Smooth reflector

This will be driven with one 18350 battery. I'm looking forward to playing with these and seeing how they do. :)

 

[jorn]

Pretty hard driven for a ti light. Ti dont spread the heat well, so it will get hot, really hot. I dont think youre getting dissapointed or that they will self destruct or anything like that. Just keep in mind that leds dont like heat, and if it's to hot to hold, you prob should step down to med mode. Monitor the heat with your hand, and they will prob last a lifetime.