Surefire L6 Mods??...

[DaFABRICATA]

I know people were using the Cree's as an upgrade, Has there been anything better?

I just got the L6 earlier today and took it for a walk tonight. The lights that I compared it to were the L5, and U2.
All seemed to have about the same beam pattern with very slight differences.

The L5 seemed to be the brightest and had the most even hotspot to spill

The U2 seemed to be the second nicest and brightest beam.

The L6 seemed to lack in output.:sick2: I was honestly disappionted a bit. It wasn't bad, but I thought it would throw better and be brighter!:sigh:

I have already taken it apart once and it seems super easy to mod.:thinking:

What are some of your opinions from some of you that have done Mods to theirs.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Yes, the L6 does suffer in output with the stock setup, particularly if it is an older L6. The problem is poor heatsinking. CM and I have discussed this issue extensively. I had been disappointed with my stock L6 output. I had compared it to other lights I own using bounce with lightmeter. I contacted CM and he agreed to do a 1 amp to led mod for me, using a newer WWOS emiter. Upon receiving the modded KL6 head I noticed right off that there was a serious loss of output right after the light was turned on when I did bounce with lightmeter. CM and I talked and his appraisal is that the Lux V emiter is losing output due to the design of the KL6 which does not offer optimum heatsinking even though one would think otherwise, considering the massive aluminum head. I had CM (Cris) install a P4 Cree emiter and the result was much better. Output was much better than the 1 amp to led Lux V emiter and there was not this quick loss of output upon startup. I think that a Q5 Cree emitter would be outstanding and the deep reflector will catch all of the light from the Cree. CM thinks that the Cree is the best emiter for the KL6, much better than the P4 Seoul.

Bill

 

[Supernam]

I had the same CM 1amp mod to a P4 Cree. I then swapped out the Cree for a Seoul USVOH. I liked the tint much better and the beam pattern improved too in my opinion. Also, I noticed how poorly designed the heatsinking was also. The plate that the emitter is mounted on is way too thin. I put high density Arctic Silver 5 thermal grease on the plate where it contacts the head to try to help this. I also noticed that the SSC ran cooler than the Cree. My output does not decline over time.

 

[DaFABRICATA]

I had the same CM 1amp mod to a P4 Cree. I then swapped out the Cree for a Seoul USVOH. I liked the tint much better and the beam pattern improved too in my oppinion.

Are you saying you liked the Seoul better than the cree?

What does the KL6 run stock and what is involved in the 1 amp mod?

 

[DaFABRICATA]

I couldn't take it any longer!!:sick2::green:
I disected my Rayovac 3C Cree light and used the Cree on the star.
I thought the Rayovac was pretty damn bright for $25.00.
This mod made a night and day difference!!
The beam is more purple ( as it was on the Rayovac) but the hotspot and throw are definetly better! I am completely happy with this mod, but am going to have to buy a Q5 or R2 in the future!

I am now happy with my L6!:twothumbs

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Good for you. What is the bin of the Cree? Your questimate. That was pretty fast. You removed the emiter from the star?

Bill

 

[DaFABRICATA]

I left the Emitter on the star. It made it much easier to do for now. When I get a better binned Cree I'll put it on the stock heatsink. There are 3 wires going to the die....I have no clue what bin this is......Q2???

All I know is this is MUCH better than the way it was!

 

[DaFABRICATA]

I was just shining this around the outside. It easily throws as far or further than my Seoul Turbohead tower mods!!!

The throw is simply amazing!

I am happy:thumbsup:

 

[jumpstat]

This is my setup...

In the middle flanked by a Z46 and X464 KL2

The KL6 head was modded by milky. Its now spotting a SSC led USWOH and the stock circuit bumped to deliver 1A to the led. Everything else is bone stock. The beam pattern is beautiful. Bright and even spill and very white that USWOH.....

L5 on left and M-L6 on right.

As can be seen that the M-L6 have a better defined pattern than the Lux L5. The spill even and brighter than L5. I throws much better now.....
A worthwhile upgrade IMHO

 

[cy]

IMHO the best mod for L6 is McC2s two stage tailcap mod. requires LOTC cap, not clickie. you can also mod clickie for two stage, but tactical features is lost.

my stock five watt luxeon already puts out 100+ lumens (no problems with overheating). that's plenty for my uses. gaining a low beam makes L6 way more useful. upgrading emitter to P4 or cree voids the surefire warranty. but that's never stopped me before gains had better be worth losing your lifetime warranty.

unless you change to multi emitters, output improvements will be incremental. since L6 will happily run on 2x 17500 li-ion, it becomes economical to run as well.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

I will be upgrading from P4 Cree to a Q5, or R2 down the road. The beam profile improvement was worth it going from the lux V to the P4 Cree at 1 amp to led. Better spill and brighter hotspot at 8000 lux, almost double stock lux V, testing with my LM631 lightmeter. Reflector is heavily OP'd, at least mine is. A Q5 or R2 will probably yield 12,000+ lux.

Bill

 

[DaFABRICATA]

Anyone know where I can buy a REALLY NICE Q5 Emitter from?

I want one with the highest possible output.

 

[Gunner12]

Check if there are still some R2s for sale, that would probably be even brighter.