surefire MN16 vs MN20 on 17670's

[defusion]

following my purchase of a surefire m3, i find myself wanting a turbohead for it, but just getting an M4 is just about the same with ebay stores selling them for about $180 (and nobody offering just a KT4 turbohead for a good price).
so i'm thinking of getting one, putting some rechargeables in it, and running a 9v bulb in it.
which one is best for this? the MN16 from the M3T (HOLA, 225 lumen), or a MN20 from the M6 (LOLA, 250 lumen)?
I think the M6 LA is used to a slightly higher voltage then the M3 LA, as it's running on more batteries in parallel, so there's less voltage sag. this means the M3 LA (MN16) will be closer to the 7.4v the rechargeables should provide, and therefore look better.
am i right in this assessment? anyone that can try?

 

[Gimpy00Wang]

That's a very good question -- and good assessment. While I don't have an exact answer for you, I wonder if the Li-Ion's sag better or worse than straight quality Lithium primaries like Surefire's. Hmm... I was going to be lazy and hope someone had an MN16 and MN20 for me to test in my M4 this weekend at PF8.

- Chris

 

[trouble]

I just ordered a MN61 for my Leef bodied M4 which is currently running an MN16 on 2 18650's. I've also got a M3T with a cell extender and 17670's, the MN16 runs great in both setup's at least from my experience, being very white in color instead of the yellowish tint. I can't really speak of runtimes as my batts are still on their first charge. the MN16 will be put in the M3T fulltime just as soon as the MN61 arrives, it seems equally bright from either the 18650 or 17670 setup. Others have far more experience than I with the technicalities but the MN16/17670 combo works for me.

 

[cmaylodm]

Check out this post. Although it refers to the MN16/MN20 on 2x18650, I think it will help you make a decision. I went for an A19 and 2x17670s to run the MN16 in my M3T based on that post, as it seems like 2x17670 drives the MN16 just a tad bit harder than on primaries.

 

[Strauss]

I have no experience with the MN20 LA, but from what I have read on here the MN16 bulb will exceed the MN20's output when driven on 2x li-ion's. I personally have an MN16 that I drive off 2x17670's, and absolutely love it! I get over 400 lumens out the front on fresh cells, and ~35min of runtime.

Now, 2x18650's and the MN21 is a different story :naughty:

 

[Billy Berue]

I have run both the MN16 and MN20 on both 17670's (M3T body + A19 extender) and 18650's (Leef 2x18650 body). To my eyes, the MN16 appears slightly whiter and seems to slightly out-throw the MN20 on both batteries. I can't speak for runtimes on the 17670's, but on the 18650's, I'm getting about 55 minutes with the MN20 and about 45 minutes with the MN16. I don't see any discernable difference in light intensity or color when switching from 17670's to 18650's and vice versa. However, both lamps seem whiter and *perhaps* slightly brighter on Li-Ions as compared to Lithium primaries, presumably because the Li-Ions have less voltage sag under load. Right now, my favorite combo is the MN16 driven by 2x18650's in a Leef body--great output and longevity. I'd be interested if anyone knows what kind of bulb life I can expect from this configuration.

 

[bwaites]

I am hard pressed to see ANY difference between the two lamps on 18650's, and I have put them side by side, running LG unprotected 18650's.

BUT, I was using the old style MN20, not the new, and it has been reliably reported that the new version is not as bright as the old.

In addition, to my eyes, the lamps are both brighter on 18650's than they are on 123 cells.

I don't have the new version, and have no need for it as I have 3 or 4 of the old version.

BUT...the MN16 looks great, and is putting out around 350-400 lumens on the 18650's. Why wouldn't you stick with that!!

Bill

 

[LED61]

Is the MN16 being overdriven compared to the MN20 ? I'm asking because I thought the MN16 being a HOLA goes at around 6.8 Volts whereas the MN20 is designed for 7.5 volts.

 

[Strauss]

Is the MN16 being overdriven compared to the MN20 ? I'm asking because I thought the MN16 being a HOLA goes at around 6.8 Volts whereas the MN20 is designed for 7.5 volts.

That logic would explain why it appears whiter than the MN20