Solarforce L2 impressions (Cree R2 5-mode)

[JBorneu]

Warm tinted R2's? I thought warm tints were only available for Q3 and older cree's? Or am I confusing two things?

 

[SubLumen]

How well does the memory function work on the 5-modes?

For those of you with a 5-mode, what is the down side vs a single mode?

I've got a black R2 single mode that I really like and was planning on getting another in desert sand and have considered a 5 mode, but it seems it may be annoying to have to scroll through all of the modes.

I don't need full power all of the time so I'd leave it on low or medium (I'm using 18650's). I don't utilize strobe or SOS at all.

Is there a high/low drop in that would be a solution?

FWIW, I've got a Fenix L2d that is pretty easy to control since some modes are separated by roatating the bezel - I can count on starting up on low or turbo and never have to use the strobes.

Thanks,

Sub

 

[JLEGG]

sublumen
of the ones i just bought:
single mode is brighter
5 mode has a pretty low mode
the MC-E dropin i just got has
a 3 mode Bright, medium and strobe. medium looks like its around 100 lums.
bright is bright but is all flood no spot

 

[dirtech]

Warm tinted R2's? I thought warm tints were only available for Q3 and older cree's? Or am I confusing two things?

I don't know alot about tints and what emitters have what, but I know that my cool tint EagleTac M2XC4 with R2s is much warmer than the R2s I got with my L2.

 

[ronparr]

How well does the memory function work on the 5-modes?

I think it's pretty well executed. You half-press to change modes. If you turn off then on again within a few seconds, there's a risk that you'll accidentally change modes.

 

[Norm]

😳 Post 195, I think I was wrong.
See post for my edit.
Norm

 

[choaticwhisper]

What is the correct size? 28mm x 2mm

 

[Norm]

What is the correct size? 28mm x 2mm

Sorry I can't measure the KD lenses as they have been installed, my aluminium L2 was 28 X 2 MM and my SS L2 lens was 28 X 1.5 MM. From memory the KD lenses were 28 X 2 MM.
Norm

 

[Wiggle]

Warm tinted R2's? I thought warm tints were only available for Q3 and older cree's? Or am I confusing two things?

R2s are only available in the Wx band I think. So they will not be truly warm but some of them are close enough to look noticably warmer than the typical cool tint.

5B tint recently became available in Q4 flux, that's the highest flux I know of for the neutral/warm tints.

 

[Zatoichi]

What is the correct size? 28mm x 2mm

I bought a pack of ten 27mm lenses from DX and they fit really well. They're not an upgrade but they're okay if you just want spare lenses.

 

[choaticwhisper]

I bought a pack of ten 27mm lenses from DX and they fit really well. They're not an upgrade but they're okay if you just want spare lenses.

I would like an upgrade. Anti-reflective coating.

 

[Black Rose]

I would like an upgrade. Anti-reflective coating.

See post 196. Flashlightlens has UCL AR lenses.

I have that lens in both of my L2s.

Same lens MrGman used in his integrated sphere tests with the Solarforce L2 body.

 

[choaticwhisper]

Ok Thats what I thought, Just wanted to make sure.
Why doesnt someone report that it will work with the SolarForce L2?

 

[old4570]

These fit = KD

About a 10% improvement ...

 

[Black Rose]

These fit = KD

About a 10% improvement ...

Thats the same one that Norm was talking about in post 195.

 

[Mikey V]

See post 196. Flashlightlens has UCL AR lenses.

I have that lens in both of my L2s.

Same lens MrGman used in his integrated sphere tests with the Solarforce L2 body.

I put one of these UCL lenses in all my L2's (10 in all) save 3. One is the special all stainless one, and it seems that this light does not have a standard L2 lens. It is quite a bit thinner than stock and the 1.85 thick UCL lens is almost a third thicker. The shiny crenellated bezel will not screw down fully, so I had to forgo a UCL in that one. Its a showpiece anyway.

My other 2 holdouts are a trickier problem These two have the stainless strike bezel ring. Unlike the aluminum ones which unscrewed easily, and the flat stainless rings, for which my little tool unscrewed easily, the SS strike bezels are both frozen fast as if epoxied in. Has anyone had any success in unscrewing these bezels without doing damage? Chucking it in a vice and having at it with a pipe wrench are clearly not viable options!

 

[old4570]

Use a tea towel on the bezel , this will give you more power and less pain .
If this does not do the job , ?? Id hate to recommend heat as it would most likely damage the O rings etc !

 

[Mikey V]

I'm way past tea towels! I tried wrapping the bezel with a rubber protector and used a channel lock pliers. Nada!

 

[Slash5]

I've just ordered 5 of the KD lenses to try.
I've installed a couple of the 28.8 lenses from FlashlightLens.com. I had to grind them down to 28. Used a diamond file on one and a band sander on the other.
I'll have to compare them to the KD lenses when they arrive.

 

[dirtech]

I've just ordered 5 of the KD lenses to try.
I've installed a couple of the 28.8 lenses from FlashlightLens.com. I had to grind them down to 28. Used a diamond file on one and a band sander on the other.
I'll have to compare them to the KD lenses when they arrive.

I put in an order for a lens as well from KD. Seems like a cheap way to get some more output even if not that noticeable plus I have a backup lens.

How is KD's customer service? I sent an email to them and have yet to hear back from them and am worried they are going to send my order to the wrong address.