Surefire or malkoff?
- Thread starter cancow
- Start date
yoyoman
Flashlight Enthusiast
I also purchase drop ins for my surefire hosts (6p, c2). The Malkoff hosts look good, too. Some resellers have turnkey solutions - the Malkoff host + Malkoff drop in at a slightly discounted price.
fresh eddie fresh
Enlightened
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2010
- Messages
- 984
I agree with the sentiments above... a Malkoff drop-in in a Surefire host is just about as good as it gets. If you are looking for a multi-level light, the MD2 with the high/low ring is awesome... and the Hound Dog is simply amazing. :)
I view Malkoff as a step up from SureFire.
However, some people prefer the looks of the SureFire hosts, so they will do fine with a Malkoff drop-in module of your choice, for a single-mode light.
For Hi/Lo, the Malkoff with Hi/Lo ring totally ROCKS !
However, some people prefer the looks of the SureFire hosts, so they will do fine with a Malkoff drop-in module of your choice, for a single-mode light.
For Hi/Lo, the Malkoff with Hi/Lo ring totally ROCKS !
Random Dan
Flashlight Enthusiast
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- Jun 30, 2012
- Messages
- 1,417
Malkoff MD2 also allows use of 18650 without needing to be bored out.
I think of it as similar to Honda Gold Wing vs. Harley Davidson Super Glide, I prefer the Harley.
IMO, Surefire brought in the CR123s, a use once and toss era but now I believe we are in the rechargeable Lithium Cobalt era, at least for the flashophiles. A time of 14500s and 18650s which contain higher voltages and much more capacity.
I used Surefires for many years since the early 2000s and have gone through many CR123s but now my favorite flashlight is the Malkoff MDC AA in which I use a single rechargeable 14500 for 400 lumens. I use it for building inspections looking above ceilings, behind walls, etc. For my purposes, it is perfect.
IMO, Surefire brought in the CR123s, a use once and toss era but now I believe we are in the rechargeable Lithium Cobalt era, at least for the flashophiles. A time of 14500s and 18650s which contain higher voltages and much more capacity.
I used Surefires for many years since the early 2000s and have gone through many CR123s but now my favorite flashlight is the Malkoff MDC AA in which I use a single rechargeable 14500 for 400 lumens. I use it for building inspections looking above ceilings, behind walls, etc. For my purposes, it is perfect.
BenChiew
Flashlight Enthusiast
The only downside of a Malkoff MD light as compared to say a Surefire is when running a floody reflectored drop in. A lot of the spill is cut off due to the smallish aperture of the MD head.
The MD head was initially designed to run with the M60 optic type drop in.
Not a deal breaker but just saying.
The MD head was initially designed to run with the M60 optic type drop in.
Not a deal breaker but just saying.
The Malkoff hosts are nice, but you're limited to Malkoff drop-ins with them. With the Surefire hosts you can run just about any standard P60 drop-in and the Malkoff drop-ins. With a Surefire host though, you have to get it bored, or buy one bored from somewhere like Oveready. I'm honestly pretty impressed with the Solarforce L2 hosts. They take standard P60 drop-ins, take 18mm diameter batteries, and the P variants are type III hard anodized. If you need dual mode capability it's pretty easy to modify an ElZetta high-low tailcap to work on a Surefire P/C/Z body or Solarforce L2 series body.
GeoBruin
Flashlight Enthusiast
But the MD head only accepts Malkoff drop-ins which were designed for the MD head (the widest part of the reflector is only as large as the aperture of the head). Where are you losing spill?
One more cost benefit is that the Malkoff host comes with a McClicky switch, while Surefires come with momentary/twist for constant tail caps. The Surefire units are compatible with the McClicky switches from Oveready.
The Malkoff hosts also tailstand nicely as delivered. Having said that, I really like the C2 as a host.
Grizz
The Malkoff hosts also tailstand nicely as delivered. Having said that, I really like the C2 as a host.
Grizz
Definitely agree with the Oveready recommendation.
If you want the best combination of both brands, get an Oveready hard-anodized 18mm bored Surefire host with McClicky tailswitch already in it, and put your favorite Malkoff or Oveready drop-in module in it.
If you want the best combination of both brands, get an Oveready hard-anodized 18mm bored Surefire host with McClicky tailswitch already in it, and put your favorite Malkoff or Oveready drop-in module in it.
scottyhazzard
Enlightened
I really like the malkoff MD series, especially the MD-1 modification from MartinDWhite, it's a nice pocket rocket but I like to be able and swap out my P-60's like women change their shoes. So I'm stuck playing with solarforce.
Ditto. I had a MD2 at one time, but didn't care for the knurling. Not aggressive enough for me. I love my C2's, 6P's, and 9P, all housing Malkoff drop ins (except for my EDC triple).
I planned to mention that I greatly prefer Surefire's knurling, but it appears I forgot it while typing. It really is a close comparison when pros and cons of each are factored in.
My personal inventory includes 9 active P, C, and Z hosts, and 9 Malkoff hosts.
Grizz
I am becoming more of a Malkoff fan because:
I consider Hounddog and Wildcat heads good value so fast easy swapping between smaller heads.
Like the high/low twist head system.
Know any Malkoff dropin / head will be a perfect fit on any body, no gaps.
Can use Surefire twisty if I want.
I think overall Malkoff products are well designed and built and customer service reputation is well established.
I'll probably sell 2 or 3 Surefire bodies, keep a couple for their lego-ability and be be able to try some various dropins but suspect
my Malkoffs will generally be the better light.
Looking at Malkoff product developments over the past few years, the future looks interesting too, even if the body choice is bland.
(well, I suppose Hot Pink MD2 is not bland :shakehead, body style more accurately)
I consider Hounddog and Wildcat heads good value so fast easy swapping between smaller heads.
Like the high/low twist head system.
Know any Malkoff dropin / head will be a perfect fit on any body, no gaps.
Can use Surefire twisty if I want.
I think overall Malkoff products are well designed and built and customer service reputation is well established.
I'll probably sell 2 or 3 Surefire bodies, keep a couple for their lego-ability and be be able to try some various dropins but suspect
my Malkoffs will generally be the better light.
Looking at Malkoff product developments over the past few years, the future looks interesting too, even if the body choice is bland.
(well, I suppose Hot Pink MD2 is not bland :shakehead, body style more accurately)
BenChiew
Flashlight Enthusiast
I can see the reflector hiding away from the bezel aperture. And don't forget that there is a flat portion on the circumference of the drop in. The surface is reflective and that too adds to the spill beam.
Try it on both and compare. It is especially glaring on a M91. No rocket science needed to see the very obvious difference.
:)
