What are the FLOODiest stock lights available?

[DHart]

I've spent a lot of time searching around this awesome forum, but haven't found a good thread discussing stock lights offering the MOST flood... do any of you know of some that you might recommend?

Use would be as a civilian defense light, ability to quickly and easily light up a dark room or outdoor area so as to see well in the general area without having to do much aiming of the light, temporarily blind an attacker to buy time to draw a carry weapon, etc.

I've been directed to the great Milky Room Sweeper and Malkoff's P7 drop-in, but I'm wondering what great floods might be available as stock lights. I don't expect to find stock lights quite as floody as Milky's or Malkoffs, but are there any which come somewhat close?

My wishlist would include a forward clicky tail switch, pocketable size, perhaps regulated, capability for an 18650. Probably a tall order, but a guy can wish, right?

Many thanks, in advance,... I'm sure loving this forum!

 

[Marduke]

Zebralight will be the floodiest stock lights.

 

[DHart]

Marduke... thank you.. I'll check those out! Any other good choices?

 

[Marduke]

Forgot the McGizmo Mule, but that is much more $$$.

Not stock, but it's easy as changing a bulb, you can get the Malkoff flood models to drop into any P60 style light, such as the SureFire 6P.

 

[hyperloop]

any budget?? If not, you might want to consider getting Sabrewolf to mod a Jet III Pro ST with a P7, runs on 18650, Slim Tube format, 3 individually programmable modes using their IBS so u can have your light set up the way YOU want it.

Am a bit lazy to go dig it up, but do a search on this,, the mod looked great and i think it will suit your needs

 

[Gunner12]

The Zebralight and the mule have a very even beam, throughout the whole beam so it might not be what you are looking for.

Try a light with a smaller reflector or larger emitting surface(Seoul P7 or Cree MC-E).

 

[wesinator]

If you want the most beautiful floody beam ever then get a sundrop. u can see its beauty here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_KYXjup-Lk

 

[DHart]

any budget?? If not, you might want to consider getting Sabrewolf to mod a Jet III Pro ST with a P7, runs on 18650, Slim Tube format, 3 individually programmable modes using their IBS so u can have your light set up the way YOU want it.

Am a bit lazy to go dig it up, but do a search on this,, the mod looked great and i think it will suit your needs

hyperloop.... thank you... that sounds like exactly what I would like to have! I'm going to look into the Sabrewolf mod option to the JetBeam III Pro ST option.

The Zebralight and the mule have a very even beam, throughout the whole beam so it might not be what you are looking for.

Try a light with a smaller reflector or larger emitting surface(Seoul P7 or Cree MC-E).

Gunner.... thank you. Yes, I don't want a light so wide and diffuse (and low powered) that it's of little beyond a 5 or 10 feet. I'm asking for a lot, I know... but I want a lot of power in a pocketable light which gives a bright, even, wide beam. Will you suggest some of the best examples of small reflector/large emitter surface lights? Much appreciate your comments.

wesinator... that sundrop light looks just gorgeous.... I am wondering, though, if it has quite enough reach... but the beam and light quality is sure FANTASTIC!

Part of the magic of small bright flashlights comes from the focusing of light energy. As a photographer, I know that when light is not focused, the intensity (vs. focused) drops significantly, so asking for a wide, soft floody beam from a small pocket flashlight is asking for a LOT. This is probably a fairly specialized specification for a flashlight, that is probably not in huge demand. But there must be some "bright spots" (ok, bad pun) in my quest for a really intense, even, wide light!

 

[kramer5150]

Malkoff P7 direct drive. Massive sweeping wall of light. Theres no central hot spot, but it has enough raw lumens to illuminate way out. Its like carrying a lightbulb around. I was very impressed with bigchelis 6P/P7/18650 setup. Sure its not stock, but dropping one in is no more difficult than changing batteries.

 

[HitecDrftr]

I've spent a lot of time searching around this awesome forum, but haven't found a good thread discussing stock lights offering the MOST flood... do any of you know of some that you might recommend?

Use would be as a civilian defense light, ability to quickly and easily light up a dark room or outdoor area so as to see well in the general area without having to do much aiming of the light, temporarily blind an attacker to buy time to draw a carry weapon, etc.

I've been directed to the great Milky Room Sweeper and Malkoff's P7 drop-in, but I'm wondering what great floods might be available as stock lights. I don't expect to find stock lights quite as floody as Milky's or Malkoffs, but are there any which come somewhat close?

My wishlist would include a forward clicky tail switch, pocketable size, perhaps regulated, capability for an 18650. Probably a tall order, but a guy can wish, right?

Many thanks, in advance,... I'm sure loving this forum!

Check out the 160 Lumens Duracell Daylite. (Not the 80 lumens models you find at Walmart.) Best "Stock" flooder I have come across. It fits all your criteria except for the 18650. It uses 2xCR123's or rechargeable rcr123's.

Check out its beams on these two threads:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...d.php?t=212205

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=212987

It's also a durable light. I dropped mine 10 times in a row from a ladder (8feet) with the light on and it continued to function perfectly. ( I started to feel guilty about treating the light so badly, and quit the test.):sigh:

Lifetime guarantee also. About $40.

-Hitec-

 

[bluecrow76]

I've modded both my Lumapower MRV lights with OP reflectors and P7's, and love the results. On one I left the stock driver in and on the other I put a 2.8A sandwich in. The difference is amazing. Since the release of the P7 it seems my tastes have changed from throw to floody throw!

EDIT: Knowing you are asking for STOCK lights I thought I would mention the MRV as you had been directed to a roomsweeper.

 

[DHart]

Thanks Kramer... that's a great suggestion and perhaps the simplest way for me to go... I do have a Z2 I can dedicate to a drop in P7 LA.

I'm really new to this stuff, but can I get a little more oomph out of my older Surefire Z2 to drive a Malkoff P7 head by using R123's instead of primaries?

I would still like to find a good, small, very bright, semi-floody light to give to my wife for EDC as a companion to her Glock 26. So I guess for her purposes as a broad beam defense light (not necessarily a "RoomSweeper"), there might be a good stock 1-cell light which can do that.

 

[Marduke]

The Malkoff "F" models is probably what you are looking for. The use 20 degree flood optics advertised to work well out to 60ish feet. There are high and low output versions, as well as regular or warm tinted versions, as well as the option to use 2 cells or single cell (such as 1x18650).

Examples:
http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop2..._result&search_in_description=1&keyword=flood

 

[DHart]

I've modded both my Lumapower MRV lights with OP reflectors and P7's, and love the results. On one I left the stock driver in and on the other I put a 2.8A sandwich in. The difference is amazing. Since the release of the P7 it seems my tastes have changed from throw to floody throw!

"Floody throw"! YES, I like that! Being a newbie here, I'm not sure just what you had to do to create those mods and have no clue where to get the P7's, and never even heard of a "2.8A sandwich"... are these mods something the newbie enthusiast can do?

 

[bluecrow76]

"Floody throw"! YES, I like that! Being a newbie here, I'm not sure just what you had to do to create those mods and have no clue where to get the P7's, and never even heard of a "2.8A sandwich"... are these mods something the newbie enthusiast can do?

I believe StephanFS was the first to post information on how to do the MRV mod here. His beamshots impressed me and I knew I had to do it. Read through it and I think everything will be clear. Changing the emitter is relatively easy (remove the old one, mount the new one and bore out the reflector). Changing the electronics is a little more time consuming. The only thing I would suggest is that if you have no experience modding I would recommend some practice mods first... maybe a MAG light rebuild just to get your technique down or an emitter change on another light... especially when the emitter costs ~$30. You'll need the usual equipment (soldering iron, arctic aluma epoxy, etc.).

If you do wish to attempt it, my emitter recommendation is the DSWOJ as the tint is wonderful. The CSXOI has a lower forward voltage, but the tint is blueish. The SWO tint is a nice vanilla color... not to warm, not to cool... just right for me. I haven't seen a CSWOI yet.

Happy modding! :twothumbs

 

[metlarules]

If you have a Mag with a bright led drop-in try removing the reflector. It will fill a room up with flood.

 

[kramer5150]

Thanks Kramer... that's a great suggestion and perhaps the simplest way for me to go... I do have a Z2 I can dedicate to a drop in P7 LA.

I'm really new to this stuff, but can I get a little more oomph out of my older Surefire Z2 to drive a Malkoff P7 head by using R123's instead of primaries?

I would still like to find a good, small, very bright, semi-floody light to give to my wife for EDC as a companion to her Glock 26. So I guess for her purposes as a broad beam defense light (not necessarily a "RoomSweeper"), there might be a good stock 1-cell light which can do that.

well... I forgot to mention one thing. Surefires are NOT bored to fit an 18mm cell, so you'll have to either get it modded, or go with an after-market compatible body thats designed for the 18650. Lighthound sells Solarforce, FiveMega and Leef 18mm bodies. Get an OEM bezel for $20 on the marketplace and go with whatever switch you desire.

IMHO its worth your while. The Malkoff P7 in a surefire-type host is an outstanding setup... IMHO. My fave would be a 1x18650 Leef body, SF-C2 bezel, and the OEM Z41 twisty, all in typeIII natural color. WICKED setup IMHO.

You can however use 17670 cells in a 6P though. That might be the easiest route.

 

[DHart]

WOW... this gets deep and wild REAL fast! As a newbie here, my head is spinning. Of course I simply have to get into trying some of my own builds/mods now... how can I not? And it's all the fault of YOU GUYS! hehehe Thanks to ALL of you for so many great ideas... I trying to absorb it all... and you knew that would happen to the newbie, didn't ya! Ok... I going to absorb and catch up....

 

[DHart]

I posted this in another thread, but thought some of you who have helped me might not see that, so it's here too...

After spending days of time in this forum I decided to dive into creating some lights myself... ordered up a Fivemega 18650 body, a couple of Solarforce 18650 bodies, a couple of extension tubes, and heads... and Malkoff P7, M60, M60F, and M30 lamp assemblies. And of course an array of various AW IMR and protected Li-Ion cells, WF-139 charger, Nyogel, yada, yada, yada. And I'm going to use some parts from my SF Z2 Combat light with these ordered parts to experiment. Kinda like playing Barbie dolls with flashlights, I guess.

I even decided to just bite the bullet and cross through the Flashaholic's "DX" rite of passage as quickly (and, hopefully, as painlessly as possible ) by ordering an MTE SSC P7 1x18650 flashlight from Hong Kong. :sweat: That should be fun to play with!

Yep... diving right in... no more wading around the kiddie pool for me. And I think I'm only just beginning my flashlight addiction!

Thanks to all for helping me get indoctrinated! Good news is, this hobby is a lot less costly than my gun hobby! :duh2:

 

[kramer5150]

After spending days of time in this forum I decided to dive into creating some lights myself... ordered up a Fivemega 18650 body, a couple of Solarforce 18650 bodies, a couple of extension tubes, and heads... and a Malkoff P7, M60, M60F, and M30 lamp assemblies. And of course an array of various AW IMR and protected Li-Ion cells, WF-139 charger, Nyogel, yada, yada, yada. And I'm going to use some parts from my SF Z2 Combat light with these ordered parts to experiment. Kinda like playing Barbie dolls with flashlights, I guess.

I even decided to just bite the bullet and cross through the Flashaholic's "DX" rite of passage by ordering an MTE SSC P7 1x18650 flashlight from Hong Kong. :sweat:

Yep... diving right in... none of this wading around the kiddie pool anymore for me. And I think I'm only just beginning my flashlight addiction!

Thanks to all for helping me get indoctrinated! Good news is, this hobby is a lot less costly than my gun hobby!

cool... post back how you like the solarforce body, how well it stacks up aginst the more $$$ fiveMega.

LOL... you forgot to add switch caps to your grocery list.

FYI, you can easily sell all that on the marketplace for minimal loss. Just keep the original paperwork, packaging and accessories.