SureFire 9P with Malkoff M60: Which extended body?

Need some feedback on the choice of extended body for SF 9P with M60 module. Read the reviews, the runtime, the specs and still cannot decide, and no, 'get them all' is not an option.

So here we go:

1. 2x17500 cells, keep the stock body for easiest EDC
2. 2x18500 body - slightly larger body, same length. Gain runtime.
3. 2x18650 body - best runtime but also longer, not best for EDC

LOL yeah buying them all is not an option, that could get costly in a hurry, $60x2+S/H for the battery tubes alone.

Just looking at it on paper...
17500 = 1300mah
18500 = 1600mah
18650 = 2500mah

The difference in capacity between 17500 and 18500 is 300mah. What does that equate too in terms of run time with a high current M60? To me, that hardly seems worth the $$$ investment (body tube+cells). It boils down to how much you value those extra 300mah. How much is that little extra run time worth to you, is it worth the $$$ investment. You'll have to answer that one for yourself:thumbsup:?

Are you willing to carry backup cells? If not then I think the answer is more clear... go for the longer running 18650 setup. If however you DO carry backup cells, then I think an 18650 setup is less advantageous and it boils down to the other two setups.

If it were me I'd go for the 17500 setup and just carry backup cells in my belt pack. But thats me... I don't mind reloading cells. Heck I do that now with RCR123s which are less than half the capacity of 17500s.

**edit**
The other thing to consider is charge-times. 18650 cells can take several hours to re-charge, depending on the current-rate of your charger and the actual capacity of the cell. How patient are you?

The nice thing about your little dilemma is the M60 will be just as bright with all 3 setups:thumbsup:

How about the 17670? You will need a cell extender to use with your 9P, that way you can retain the use of your 9P. The 17670 cell sits between the 18500 and 18650 cells.

SureAddicted said:

How about the 17670? You will need a cell extender to use with your 9P, that way you can retain the use of your 9P. The 17670 cell sits between the 18500 and 18650 cells.

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I've recommended that to etc before, and thats the setup I have, but I've noticed that I constantly want to top of my cells, and I hardly ever run them down all the way, which makes me think I would have been find with 17500 and had a more convenient light to carry.

But then I dont like the idea of a battery that is 1.5 the size of a cr123, because you cant really use it for anything outside of a 2 cell setup. I plan eventually to get an M30 and 6p or z2 or something and running it off one 17670 cell.. which I already have

You know, I forgot about this option, and the fact that 17670 is useful in other lites that are 2x123.

Quote:
But then I dont like the idea of a battery that is 1.5 the size of a cr123, because you cant really use it for anything outside of a 2 cell setup. I plan eventually to get an M30 and 6p or z2 or something and running it off one 17670 cell.. which I already have

etc said:

I want the bigger capacity 18500s or 18650s better yet but don't want the increased size.

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It sounds like you've already answered your own question on October 1.

etc said:

I've thought long and hard [...] but decided to go with M60 and 2x17500.
...
I've also thought about the 2x18500 body, you can still use 123s if you must, but wrap them in something. They rattle a bit even in the stock body in fact. The 2x18650 body is most promising performance and run time wise, but you lose the ability to use primaries, unless you use a spacer, which I don't want to. And you lose the ability to EDC as 2x18650 body is anything but compact. The stock 9P is right at the edge of what I can EDC.

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Again, you've answered your own question on October 3.

etc said:

I am happy with the setup.... [M60 w/2 17500's]

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The above is from October 6.

etc said:

Okay, question about SureFire 9P. I am trying to mod it beyond Malkoff M60, which is a great module. Having a hard time deciding if I should keep the stock body and use 2x17500, or get the Leef 2x18500 body, retaining the same over-all-length.

If I use a 2x18500 body, can I still use 123 cells, with an insert perhaps? They seem to be a bit loose as it is.

Using Li-Ion cells in it is a step forward. But I think retaining compatibility with 123 cells is a good thing.

I would ideally like to get 2x18650 for best runtime but I think it would lose the EDC status and become too big.

Can I get the runtimes for SF 9P with Malkoff M60 mod and:

1. Primaries
2. 2x17500
3. 2x18500
4. 2x18650

Finally, if I got the 2x18650 body, could I use any other cellls in it, or am I stuck with 18650 cell?

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Does the above look eeriely similiar to this conversation? This is a thread you started on Sepember 23 that had 13 replies. Didn't that help?

etc said:

I am going to do this "mod" but cannot decide on the cell to use:

SureFire 9P with M60 and 2x18650 Leef body

Although tempting to use 2x18500 and also considering 2x17500

What are the pros/cons of 18650 vs. 18500 vs. 17670 vs. 17500?
I've read the mAh capacities and I think I understand the size difference, but anything I am missing? I realize that Surefire 9P with 2x18650 Leef body is almost as long as the 2D M*g.

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You started the above thread on September 11.

etc said:

So can I get the stated 230 lumens from P9/M60/2x 17500 configuration?

This ought to be brighter than the Fenix P3D, correct, with the stated 210 lumens. I contemplated for a while getting an extended body for P3D and running 2x17500 in it.

But I want a SF due to higher quality, and well, I never had one, plus the price difference is not really that great. Plus I already have a Malkoff in a Mag and what an awesome experience that is. If M60 is anything like the module for that M*g, then it's great.

To reiterate, I am inclined towards 9P with M60 and with 2x17500...

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September 10.

etc said:

If I use the A19 adaptor, making the 9P in effect a 4x123 lite, can I use 2x17670 li-on rechargeables?

I do understand I won't able to use 123s in it at all due to the increased voltage.. Just 17670.. But the runtime should be increased.

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This post of yours from September 10 is above, which was answered in depth later on in the thread.

etc said:

Of course the array of choices makes my head spin... Still wondering if I should go with 18500 or whatever but most runtime with 18650 makes sense to me. I would still have the original 9P body so I could switch to CR123 or RCR123 if I had to.

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You head must have been spinning for 4 weeks now. Getting dizzy yet?

Bullzeyebill said:

etc, you have just got to do more reading here on CPF. You will find the answers to many of your questions. I find that I probably read about 100X more than I post, and seldom post to ask questions.

Bill

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+1. Except the issue here is that you are actually reading answers to your own questions, and still not finding any answers.

etc said:

As I already wrote in another thread, I decided not to worry about the AA compatibility and just go for Malkoff M60 and 2x18650...for max runtime.

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The above is from September 12.

I really really really really hope you decide soon, etc.

Perhaps he suffers from some sort of head injury and forgets alot?

I'd suggest doing a search on this. It's been done to death in the last month. Mostly by you actually.

I struggle to know what more info you want?

I'm personally looking at just slapping extenders on my 6ps and running 2x17500s in them with an LED module and calling it a day.

I have spouted about 18mm compatible bodies for years on here, and here I am, going with a 17mm body.. know what? I don't care. The stock SF bodies are nice and I can live with less capacity. I charge my cells often enough that the extra 25-35% runtime (2x18500) isn't going to make much if any difference for me... I am going to bore a couple maxfires and set them up with 1x18650 driving a buck regulated cree module (starts off 500mA drive and diminishes from there). Those will serve as my LONG haul runners, with probably 6+ hours of diminishing output. I figure I'll have the option of good output or long running and I'll be happy.

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I've decided to put together this questionnaire for you to work through to come to a conclusion.

1. Do you already own the SF 9P?
Yes: proceed to "2"
No: proceed to "3"

2. Are you willing to spend an extra $60-70 to extend the runtime of the configuration by ~30%-100%
Yes: Proceed to "3"
No: Stick with 9P

3. Is the extra length of a 2x18650 body going to prevent you from carrying the flashlight regularly, and having it handy when needed?
Yes: Buy the 2x18500 body
No: Proceed to "4"

4. Do you want to be able to drop 3xCR123s in as backup, without any fuss of a dummy cell and without wasted space as neccessary in situations where you need more runtime and have depleted your rechargeable stash?
Yes: Buy the 2x18500 body
No: Buy the 2x18650 body


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Another point to note, I have never actually seen a discharge graph of a modern AW 18500. I've seen some from wolf-eyes/pila from back in the day over in silverfox's shootout, and they aren't 1.5AH in testing. AW 17500s actually deliver ~1100mAH under light loads, while many of the 18500s tested are in the 1200-1300mAH tested range, making the advantage not as large as one might think... AGAIN, I must stress, I have not seen AW 18500 tested, it might be much better than those older cells tested in that comparison.

Eric

This really depends what you are doing with the light.

I voted for 2x17500 to keep the light smaller and lower cost.

If you are putting the light in a coat pocket for hunting or walking in the woods then I would go with 2x18650 because of the increased runtime and the size won't kill ya as opposed to putting it in your pocket.

2 x 18500 is a great size that will give loads of run time with a M60 and also allow you to power incan bulbs like the LF EO-9 when you fancy a change

bagman said:

2 x 18500 is a great size that will give loads of run time with a M60 and also allow you to power incan bulbs like the LF EO-9 when you fancy a change

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Nice call on the diversity of a light. The eo-9 cranks some lumens when you need them.

I'm running a eo-9 in my 6p with 2 a19 body extenders and 17670's.

mdocod said:

I've decided to put together this questionnaire for you to work through to come to a conclusion.

Click to expand...

Eric... Cool, you make it simple.

So, etc - how are you liking your decision after a few months?

I can relate to your situation - I just went through a similar "madness" occupying the last week trying to find the best way to run my M30 and M60...

I deciding on running AWs new safe chemistry IMR 18650s.

Tried both Leef and FiveMega and Z49 vs. Z41 and ended up with Leef 2x18500 with Z41. Z49 TC is nicer in some ways but just too much trouble to EDC, either gets stuck in the pocket or something. (I don't use a holster)
I think when I find a holster that can accomodate the larger 1.25" diameter of the Z49 TC, I will probably switch to Z49. One handed cut -on is just too nice.

I don't have the Leef/Z41 right pic right now, but here it has the Z49 tailcap:






The runtime of 2x18500 is Okay, but not great. Less than 3x123 primaries and the worst thing is, it suddenly cuts off. So bring spares. And for mission critical stuff, use primaries. You get a steady 2:15 hours on 18500 but I wonder if it goes down if you use in short bursts, like I do.

Okay, I guess I am too demanding because upon contemplation, 2+ hours and 230 lumens is pretty good because nothing else in that size comes close, all the hyper-lites seem to run about an hour to 1.5 hours at most if in 2xAA format.

It took me a while to find the right box to carry the spares in, nothing I saw I liked, but here some kind of 'first aid' type case, which holds basically 3 loads and is pretty flat. (The one on the right). Spare 18500s and when TSHTF, use 123s.



To sum it up, pretty neat device and on top of my list for sure for EDC and any other activity. I guess my only desire would be a better tailcap, one like Z49 but smaller in diameter. Z59 is not protected against Accidental discharge. Z41 is OK but it's only downside is that sometimes you have one hand unavailable and it's a PITA to turn it on with one hand, need 2. Plus, Leef is out of spec thread-wise (too short), so that Z41 takes a lot of pressure to *keep* turned on, much more than FiveMega, which is closer to orig 9P. However, I EDC Leef because I like the knurling much better, it just sticks to my hand.

M60 is the coolest drop in module you can get for 9P... I haven't had it fail thus far after a few drops. Definitely more durable than the stock module.

How's about 2x26540 body (FM C head C body)? :devil:

It's cool until you check the price tag.