Why the KL3 head?

[capnal]

I am looking at the KL3 head to go on my stock vintage SF 6P. But Surefire's website is only stating 19 lumens output.

Why would I spend more on just that head than I did on my entire Pelican M6 LED and get less output? What am I missing here? What are some other real life comparisons that would stack up to the KL3 to give me a better idea of what it puts out?

 

[357]

19 lumens is more light output than a 2D Maglite (18 lumens). Also, the KL3 can have really long (and REGULATED) runtime, especially in the 3-cell version.

My main dislike about my KL3s is the terrible tint. The range from blue to purple.

 

[sithjedi333]

I got the KL3 as a gift, but I would not spend my money on it. Spend a little more for a different body (the Vital Gear has had some good reviews lately) and a KL1 or KL4 head. I am going to mod my KL3 but it is not worth buying if you don't have one already. The head is really big and fairly heavy.

 

[Azreal911]

the kl3 is more than the m6 maybe because it is a fully regulated light. i'm not sure about whether the m6 is regulated at all cause i don't own one but i own a kl3 head and the head is very well built, could be used as a medieval type mace in a pinch if you have a 3 cell light!

 

[kakster]

It's a work of art in hard annodized aluminium. What more could you ask for?

 

[albert]

Mod that KL3, more info here > http://www.obaq.tv/cpf/?page=SureFire_KL3_mod

I had mine done by Chop sometimes ago and it's now 65 lumens.

 

[Chop]

capnal,

What's great about the KL3 is not what it is in stock form, but what it can be.

In its stock form, you get a decent amount of light and a long runtime, but as you have seen the color of the light and the beam leave a lot to be desired.

If you are thinking about getting a KL3, you have to see it for what it can be. After all, there are very few commercially available LED lights that can't stand some improvement. Some more than others.

The beauty of the KL3 is its build quality, mass, and surface area. What all of this translates into is a workhorse outdoors light.

You mentioned cost. Consider this. You could pick up a used, in new condition KL3 for about $40-$45. Throw another $60 to $80 on it modding it. At the most you've spent $125. That's KL4 price range and the modded KL3 will STOMP the crap out of any KL4.

What's really great about the KL3 is its ability to dissipate heat. What this means is that you could ramp your KL3 up to over 1A and never have to worry about heat issues.

On the other hand, you could leave the circuit alone and just put a nice emitter and reflector in it and have a really long run light.

What you have to remember about LED lights is that they're performance is largely dependent upon the reflector/optic that is used. Besides, going with a nice Lux III emitter might get you a few more lumens.

Scroll down in this thread and look for the pics. There's a pic of the KL3 running a 27mm reflector with a Lux III in low mode. Just to give you an idea.

KL3 Link