The LLLL's

[thermal guy]

Good idea. Btw how’s everyone enjoying there 4L’s. I use One of mine pretty regular in a Z2G with a 16650. Almost since the day I got it and haven’t even bothered to check the battery.Im not really going to go searching for a better/longer running Dropin. Really no point. They rock.

 

[K2-bk-bl-rd]

I have been wanting to ask this question for a long time, with regards to these kinds of low output drop-ins. While I get the desire for large voltage range and single mode reliability and such, but my question is: Are these drop-ins really, way more efficient the say a H17F driver, set on a low output mode? I just find myself enjoying the ability to choose the correct output for the occasion.

 

[thermal guy]

Probably not. I like them for the reasons you just listed. Simplicity Being the big one.Followed very closely by the fact I can run it in many different host’s Malkoff/surefire. So I can carry a smaller light or if need be a larger light for more runtime.I can carry my C2 one day or my MD1 another. It’s the option to not be stuck using the same light that’s cool.

 

[Lemurian]

I recently got my first Malkoff (18650 xt) and I think it is great. Is the Wildcat (warm) more of a light for hiking/walking on trails? In other words, how do the two complement each other as far as function, in addition to their hardiness and good looks? Thanks

 

[dotCPF]

A number of posts have been moved to the Malkoff LLLL thread.
Please be so kind as to reply-to-thread, or edit the title of your subsequent reply to bring the title correspondence back on-topic, thank you in advance.

Thanks good idea!

I don't understand the purpose of a grossly depowered "LLLL" module. Does it achieve some kine of Moon Mode with very little output??

While the LLLL level of light may have its place, a flashlight dedicated to it isn’t a particularly practical thing to the vast majority of people, the vast majority of time. I respectfully (but strongly) disagree that it would be a good choice in a disaster.

May I ask if either of you own an HDS? It's more or less the same school of thought. 30 lumens is a LOT of light when you think about actual moonlight levels that are very popular with enthusiasts, things that make lights like Zebralights (or any rotary really) very popular.

In any setting at night, 30 lumens is a sufficient amount of light for a lot of tasks, even lighting a small room. Outside, it's a very surprising amount of light, more than enough to navigate woods at night without being some glowing-alien object moving through the woods.

I think "disaster" is meant more in the regards with hard/ limited access to power sources, or needing to conserve them at all costs. Presently (though I may be a tad biased....) I do not think there is a better option on the market today. I would say find a light that does 20-30 lumens, and see how far it gets you. See what that output affords you in the real world. I think you may be surprised.

I have been wanting to ask this question for a long time, with regards to these kinds of low output drop-ins. While I get the desire for large voltage range and single mode reliability and such, but my question is: Are these drop-ins really, way more efficient the say a H17F driver, set on a low output mode? I just find myself enjoying the ability to choose the correct output for the occasion.

Regarding runtimes, well, it's more efficient per output even on the lowest lm versions (of the LLLL) than any Zebralight at equivalent output (even slightly brighter), and they are generally regarded as having the most efficient drivers out there. I do not think there are more efficient rigs, particularly in such a rugged and durable format.

 

[thermal guy]

I recently got my first Malkoff (18650 xt) and I think it is great. Is the Wildcat (warm) more of a light for hiking/walking on trails? In other words, how do the two complement each other as far as function, in addition to their hardiness and good looks? Thanks

The wildcat is definitely geared towards hiking/camping/trails and woods. That’s what I do with mine. It’s a ton of light with a huge no hotspot beam. It’s limited in range and meant for 100-150 feet ahead but with a VERY wide beam pattern that really leaves nothing in the dark when your walking. Now one thing I have found with it is it comes with a diffuser film on it which gives it its wide beam. But if you take that off it will throw 150 yards easy but with a huge hotspot that’s wider then any of my M61/M91 and is a very good light for longer throw when you still need a wide beam.

 

[Espionage Studio]

I would have wrongly assumed that if I took another light, perhaps an Emisar D4 or a BOSS 70 or whatever and had it at a similar low output as my 5k LLLL that the efficiency would have been close between all the lights... pure assumption on my part. What is it that makes the LLLL last so long? I thought I read that on the 5k version it had a special high efficiency emitter, would that be part of it? That being said, if true then side by side would the 4k and 5k version be just as efficient or would the 5k last longer?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Mr. LED]

Re: Why is the SureFire 6P so good?

One needs experience to understand that 25 lumens is more than enough. Also a good idea is to study how dark adapted eyes work, I suggest reading the HDS papers.

Outdoors, my most used level on my Zebralights (headlamp or not) is 22 lumens. Perfect to navigate in the city or the woods.

Also, one favorite of mine is going for a stroll in the woods using my Surefire G2X in low (15 lumens).

 

[GrizzlyAdams]

Re: Why is the SureFire 6P so good?

Also, one favorite of mine is going for a stroll in the woods using my Surefire G2X in low (15 lumens).

Same.

Took my recently acquired LLLL into the woods camping this past weekend, and boy was it perfect.

 

[Kestrel]

Please be so kind as to reply-to-thread, or edit the title of your subsequent reply to bring the title correspondence back on-topic, thank you in advance.

 

[dotCPF]

Sorry K- I read your thing twice and still messed it up, not very good with internet things. Should be better now

I would have wrongly assumed that if I took another light, perhaps an Emisar D4 or a BOSS 70 or whatever and had it at a similar low output as my 5k LLLL that the efficiency would have been close between all the lights... pure assumption on my part. What is it that makes the LLLL last so long? I thought I read that on the 5k version it had a special high efficiency emitter, would that be part of it? That being said, if true then side by side would the 4k and 5k version be just as efficient or would the 5k last longer?

Sooooo I don't know the runtimes or current draws of those lights in particular at equivalent outputs but I can do some science tonight to see. It could be close, because quad/ triple lights are able to use a much lower current draw across all 3 or 4 LEDs to produce the same amount of output. That being said, they are totally different designs and methods of being run. I think the Malkoff Dropins are more or less just an LED and resistor to regulate power and a mechanical switch. The Emisar (or even a Zebralight) use electronic switches and drivers, albeit different with the Emisar using an FET and the ZL using buck/boost.

From some quick internet numbers, loosely presented here as evidence: At just under 2 lumens, the D4 draws about 9.6mA and will last 13 days (3000mah cell), while the SC600w will do almost 3 lumens for over 19 days (assuming 3000mAh, but could be 3500 which still works out to be superior as well). Having really run Zebralights on their low modes in a few time-tests, I know that these numbers are roughly guessed for accuracy and tend to be much more conservative in terms of underestimating total time. I digress slightly, but I have calculated before the differences between a Zebralight vs Malkoff LLLL at similar or close outputs- and the Malkoff gets about a day's worth of time over the ZL estimates.

And this is all ignoring voltage versatility of the M61 dropin, and versatility of the dropin on the whole.

Another factor is beam profile and intensity- the hotspot from even my LLLL dropins is in some cases more intense than a full turbo blast of any D4 I own (not to mention thermal stepdowns on the D4s end) and I think this is very important to keep in mind as lumens/ hours don't exactly tell the full story of how useful a beam is.

 

[Espionage Studio]

dotCPF, thank you for that lengthy reply. Much appreciated!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[ledbetter]

Late to the party, again, but picked up a warm LLLL and like it a lot but is it just me? The beam looks completely different from my other xpg2’s from Malkoff. Large, dispersed hot spot with a little spill. Did some sst 20’s get thrown into the mix? No complaints since it’s my favorite camp light. It’s plenty for when it’s really dark or around the house or under a car.

 

[Kestrel]

I think this is a question best addressed by Thermal Guy, due to his enthusiasm for every Malkoff Group Buy possible - so may have the widest experience here.

 

[thermal guy]

Late to the party, again, but picked up a warm LLLL and like it a lot but is it just me? The beam looks completely different from my other xpg2’s from Malkoff. Large, dispersed hot spot with a little spill. Did some sst 20’s get thrown into the mix? No complaints since it’s my favorite camp light. It’s plenty for when it’s really dark or around the house or under a car.

Well remember your only dealing with 20-25 lumens here. The majority of that is in fact in the hotspot. That doesn’t leave much left for spill. But as you say it’s plenty when your in complete darkness.

 

[Kestrel]

Well huh - If I actually /had/ superpowers, would I be expending them here on CPF ?

 

[thermal guy]

So you’re saying you don’t have superpowers? .

 

[PoliceScannerMan]

Late to the party, again, but picked up a warm LLLL and like it a lot but is it just me? The beam looks completely different from my other xpg2’s from Malkoff. Large, dispersed hot spot with a little spill. Did some sst 20’s get thrown into the mix? No complaints since it’s my favorite camp light. It’s plenty for when it’s really dark or around the house or under a car.

It should say clearly what it is on the engraving. My SST LLLL has a tight spot and is 4000K. The warm xpg2 3000K LLLL which I also own has a wider hotspot, but I dunno if I would call it dispersed. Which color temp would you say your model is? Maybe post a pic of the business end.

 

[ledbetter]

It should say clearly what it is on the engraving. My SST LLLL has a tight spot and is 4000K. The warm xpg2 3000K LLLL which I also own has a wider hotspot, but I dunno if I would call it dispersed. Which color temp would you say your model is? Maybe post a pic of the business end.

Ok, you’re right, not dispersed but a bigger hotspot. And to my eyes, looks bigger than 361 cool or neutral or aa on lower levels. It might just be the lower output of a warm led. Anyways, glad I got one.

 

[etc]

Re: Why is the SureFire 6P so good?

I don't understand the purpose of a grossly depowered "LLLL" module. Does it achieve some kine of Moon Mode with very little output??

Long runtime.
Useful if you get stuck in the cave or in some post apocalyptic world with few batteries. Super long runtime on 2x18650. Measured not in hours but probably in days.

Longest possible runtime will be generated via a 3xAA or even 4xAA body. That will drop the lumens even further. I have precisely that, an old FiveMega 3xAA as a battery vampire and that's the ultimate.

That light would have been very cool in 2008.

However. With the development of dual mode devices i.e. MD heads that you rotate to access the high or low mode, I think any single mode light is obsolete. I already have the 4-L or whatever it is in the regular M61T, and M61 and M91T, the lumens generated are right around LLL or LLLL depending on what config I use. I have the MD3 / 2xAA config and I am sure on low mode it will hit precisely those lumens of 4L.

So I can go from having LLL/LLLL to turbo mode in a nanosecond.

Just buy a MD* light with the optional mode ring and it will have that super-low mode build-in, for free.

Having 2 modes is nice.