Which one??

[Carpenter]

Help..

I'm looking for opinions here.. I just received a SF M6 through B/S/T. I love the light, the problem I have is eating 6 CR123's an hour with it. I also have a ROP and MAG85 which I'm using NiMh's with. The time is less than the hour, but it is guilt-free..

Would you keep the hotwires or the M6? Or is there another alternative (other than the CPF motto "Keep them all.." )

 

[ttran97]

I'm sure you know about the alternative lamp assembly that you can use...the MN15 for 200 lumen and 2.5 hrs runtime. There's also a tower module from either Milkyspit or DaFabracata for 200 ~ 240 lumen for 5.5 hrs. That would make it a little easier on the battery drain.

 

[Carpenter]

I'm sure you know about the alternative lamp assembly that you can use...the MN15 for 200 lumen and 2.5 hrs runtime. There's also a tower module from either Milkyspit or DaFabracata for 200 ~ 240 lumen for 5.5 hrs. That would make it a little easier on the battery drain.

I knew about the MN15 but not the tower module. Any pics of that? (It's hard to type with one hand while holding the M6 in the other.

 

[jugg2]

Before I vote, why can't you keep them all? If you already have the hotwires, then they aren't costing you anything, correct?

 

[Tempest UK]

Personally I would choose to keep the M6 - I like knowing that if it has been sitting around a while it will turn on when I want it to, not just when the batteries have been charged recently enough.

Regards,
Tempest

 

[Carpenter]

Before I vote, why can't you keep them all? If you already have the hotwires, then they aren't costing you anything, correct?

I don't need them all. The hotwires were my first official step into flashaholism. But they are taking up space on my small shelf dedicated to my lights. I also don't need several lights with the same lumens class when one will do IMO.

However, maybe someone makes a good enough arguement with me to get me to keep them all and find a new home for them, the charger, the extra bulbs..

Personally I would choose to keep the M6 - I like knowing that if it has been sitting around a while it will turn on when I want it to, not just when the batteries have been charged recently enough.

Regards,
Tempest

Great point, I forgot all about the self-discharge of my Titanium's. That's probably because I'm in a routine to put them on the charger every other week.

 

[ttran97]

Tower Module Thread

here's a pic of mine. It's just like a lamp assembly and you simply drop it into the turbo head.

 

[jugg2]

I vote you definately keep the M6, but, I would also keep the hotwires as beaters to keep the cost of 123s down. Just keep the M6 on your nightstand.

 

[Carpenter]

Tower Module Thread

here's a pic of mine. It's just like a lamp assembly and you simply drop it into the turbo head.

I just posted to that thread. His inbox is full.

 

[cfromc]

I haven't taken the poll because I'm not sure what you will be using the lights for. If you truly have a tactical need, or need a very powerful light for work or emergency situations, then I'd take the M6. If you just like bright lights for miscellaneous tasks or pleasure, then I'd take the hotwires. I have a ROP with 2 l-ion D cells and I am not worried about them being dead when I need them because of the slow discharge, but I understand why some people shy away from l-ion. The upsides to the Mag hotwires are that bulbs are usually cheaper than Surefire bulbs, the reflectors have good throw, and they can be recharged over and over. One downside I've found is that bulb life can be unpredictable and possibly very short when really over-driven. The M6 is of course a tank and offers more predictible performance, but it also costs more than most hotwires.

 

[tussery]

Eneloops would keep the hotwires in a state where you would only have to remember to charge your packs every 6 months.

 

[mdocod]

you can make the thing rechargeable pretty easily, just get 6 RCR123s from AW or BatteryStation (good quality cells are important in a multi-cell application), then just drop in a EO-M6R from LumensFactory, it's designed for converting the M6 to a rechargeable platform.

You could also build a 3x17670 carrier (i think it will fit)... and use that to drive the EO-M6R with a bit more runtime.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Try a multi Cree\Seoul with rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable, way brighter & way longer runtime. Electrolumens or Milky could hook you up.

 

[PhantomPhoton]

you can make the thing rechargeable pretty easily, just get 6 RCR123s from AW or BatteryStation (good quality cells are important in a multi-cell application), then just drop in a EO-M6R from LumensFactory, it's designed for converting the M6 to a rechargeable platform.

You could also build a 3x17670 carrier (i think it will fit)... and use that to drive the EO-M6R with a bit more runtime.

+1
My thoughts exactly.

 

[65535]

I would recommend a regulated LED tower for the M6 and use 17670 cells, a carrier shouldn't be to hard to come by.

 

[BSBG]

I voted M6.

As noted, you have a lot of options on the M6 platform: MN21, MN20, MN15, LF EO or HO M3T, LF M6R, LED tower module, 2 x AW C cells, 6xRCR123, 3x17670, or 6x123s.

Not all combinations work together, but you can set the light up for a particular need - long running hiking light, camping trip, general dog walking, or bump-in-the-night standby tool.

I marvel at the brightness of my Mag85, but it's an M6 I take with me a lot more often.

 

[adamlau]

Keep the Mag85 and sell the M6 to me :devil: