Question 9p sure fire what led to buy

[hooked113]

I going to buy a surefire 9p and looking at possibly getting an aftermarket led bulb. I would like to get 200 lumens or higher but would like to get more that a 3 hours of use. I am new to flashlights on this level so any input would help.
Thank you

 

[mdocod]

Hello hooked113,

Almost all of the decent 200-300 lumen LED modules out there are going to run right around 4W of power consumption. 3 CR123s is going to put you right around 11 watt-hours of stored energy, so most won't run over 3 hours in regulation, but most will run something like 2.5 hours in regulation (worst case on good quality cells) and probably well over 3 hours if you count some diminishing output.

Most here would probably recommend checking out the MalkOff line of LED drop-ins as they are made with pride in the USA and are proven performers. If runtime is more important to you, MalkOff offers lower output variations of the modules that will dramatically increase runtime (sub-200 lumen, but still plenty of light for most tasks and still brighter than most ordinary flashlights by a long shot).

-Eric

 

[bigchelis]

In a 9P you can fit 2 of AW 17500 cells sold at lighthound.com

This would get you to 3 hours and 200 lumens if you use a good quality drop-in like the M60 from Malkoff Devices ( which I recommend).

bigC

 

[Sgt. LED]

And if you buy a bored out 9P and 2 18500 cells them you can have the M60 Malkoff go almost 4 hours................ I'm pretty sure. :thinking: It's 4AM

 

[hooked113]

9p surefire looking for led bulb

Iam considering the surefire 9p. I want to get a led bulb, but I don't know what to get. Every time I read up on the lights my head explodes with all the info. I would like to get up to 300 lumens. Also is there a tail cap that can be used to adjust the power with this model. I would like to adust the power as need. Can the flash light handle this kind of heat? or am i just heading in the wrong direction. Help need
Thank you for any input

 

[tundratrader]

Re: 9p surefire looking for led bulb

There is no tailcap adjustment of power with this light. The closest you are going to get is the E2DL with stock adjustable settings.
Another option if you want the 9p which is a great size is to get a nailbender xp-g dropin. He can set the voltage from 5-15 I think and it has three settings from the tailcap like you are wanting. To clarify the settings are not in the tailcap but in the driver in the dropin. You would be able to use primaries or aw cells with this setup. Electron guru has some pre bored options to choose from as well.

Hope that made sense.
Zach

 

[tundratrader]

This guy has two threads on this going!

 

[hooked113]

To everyone, thank you for all the input. Is there a way to adjust the power when I do not need that many lumens? Is there a different cap that I can buy that this is possible with? Are the 18500 cells rechargeable? To Sgt LED, What would be my total cost? For the bored out 9p and the 18500 cells charger and the M60 Malkoff.:shrug:

 

[Kestrel]

Re: 9p surefire looking for led bulb

I also recommend this recent thread for some of the basics on the three-cell SureFires such as the 9P:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=248281

It provides some basic info (except that it is oriented towards incan). Short answer, most of the LED drop-ins will be happy with the 9P regarding heat and voltage, either 3x CR123 (non-rechargeables) or 2x LiIon (rechargeables such as the 17500).

Also, the insanely high outputs claimed for some of the off-brand LED modules (such as on Ebay) are HIGHLY exaggerated.

Hope this helps too, ;-)
K

 

[hooked113]

Re: 9p surefire looking for led bulb

Thanks I could not find what I had posted last night. So I posted a nother one. Thank you for pull me through the fog with the power adjustments.

 

[tundratrader]

Talk to electron guru about a host and dropin. Read MDOCOD's guides before you do anything. The 18500 is rechargeable but you need a good multimeter and charger before you head down this road. No big deal but you need to figure electrical stuff out as well.

A standard 9P will fit 3 cr123 cells or 2 17500 cells. If you bore it it will fit 2 18500 cells. Or some people use 1 18650 and a cr123 dummy cell.

But this light is not adjustable power. Malkoff makes a 2 mode setting for his MD2 that would be a good starter option as well. They use an 18650 cell and can change power as you see fit. His regular M60s are about 230 lumens.

But seriously read before you buy anything or you will be just chasing your self around. You are looking at a couple hundred bucks if you go the bored 9p route. But you will have a very quality long lasting product.
Zach

 

[hooked113]

Thanks you have been really helpfull!

 

[DM51]

Please note that posting 2 threads on the same topic is not allowed under Rule 9 - it causes confusion. I'm merging the threads now.