viable alternative for a M30 drop in?

[mtwarden]

Gene said he doesn't have anymore and probably won't for some time (ever?) , have a thread in the WTB section and have been watching the For Sale section.

I have a single cell CR123 (a cut down G2, a "G1" if you will) light and would like a little more output.

thanks in advance

 

[baterija]

Solarforce has some modules with an input voltage range of .8-4.2volts. If you go with 16340 only you can use any module that uses a buck circuit, although it won't be regulated after a while.

 

[novice]

It's going to be a bit of a wait, but Gene Malkoff will be offering some sort of 'M31' in the future. I know it's not much comfort now, but at least we know that the M30s in existence now are not the last ones ever. When I say 'M31', I am speaking loosely. I don't know what it will be called, but it should be a single-cell light. I would imagine Gene is going to have his hands full for quite some time just trying to catch up with the demand for the M61.

 

[mtwarden]

Solarforce has some modules with an input voltage range of .8-4.2volts. If you go with 16340 only you can use any module that uses a buck circuit, although it won't be regulated after a while.

thanks- the price is pretty good on that module

I've got a pm into nailbender, looks like he may have a low volt option possibly

It's going to be a bit of a wait, but Gene Malkoff will be offering some sort of 'M31' in the future. I know it's not much comfort now, but at least we know that the M30s in existence now are not the last ones ever. When I say 'M31', I am speaking loosely. I don't know what it will be called, but it should be a single-cell light. I would imagine Gene is going to have his hands full for quite some time just trying to catch up with the demand for the M61.

that is good news-thanks hopefully not too long

 

[Bullzeyebill]

You might experience some heat issues with your cut down G2, using a drop in that runs at full bore with a single RCR123. The beauty of the M30 is being able to drive it at about 130 or so lumens with a primary CR123, without any heat issues, and then switching to an RCR123 for full bore output, that ideally in a metal host.

Bill

 

[flashy bazook]

How about trying to get an M30 in the aftermarket? (used).

Or are people who already have them (like myself) holding onto them and not selling them?

Check out the B/S/T section for a few days to be sure.

 

[mtwarden]

at this juncture I'll probably stick w/ CR123's, but that's a good point on the heat that I hadn't thought about, I'm sure I'll eventually go the rechargeable route

^ I'm looking and have a WTB ad as well

 

[Kestrel]

I've used the M30 a fair bit on that voltage range but eventually sold it as I was looking forward to the XP-G drop-ins. Bigchelis did some OTF measurements on a few low-voltage drop-ins in a thread of his recently. The Solarforce low-voltage unit didn't do that well, ~100 lumens or so on 2xAA. The Nailbender gave some odd results IIRC, but the new Dereelight Javelin low-voltage XP-G drop-in did very well, 200-250 lumens on 2xAA. At this point I belive that this unit performs the best at the relatively low-voltage that you are looking for, although it's definitely possible that nailbender has / will be using a choice driver design at some point.

I'd definitely go for that Dereelight XP-G low voltage unit for now, but I want to wait to see what Malkoff can do this year on that as well. :huh:

 

[mtwarden]

^ thanks- is the Javelin drop in available on it's own- I read somewhere it was not

on another note, I visited w/ Dave (Nailbender) and said he had a XP-G R5 w/ a good boost driver that would work, so I'll give that a shot and see

 

[Kestrel]

^ thanks- is the Javelin drop in available on it's own- I read somewhere it was not. On another note, I visited w/ Dave (Nailbender) and said he had a XP-G R5 w/ a good boost driver that would work, so I'll give that a shot and see

Yes, I checked on the D J drop-ins, they are available individually for ~$37 or so. I'm sure that nailbender won't steer you wrong tho. :thumbsup:

Good luck and be sure to post back in your thread with your results. (Either of the two sounds like a good choice to me).