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Ducati said:
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okay, i've been on this board for about 2 weeks and have finally narrowed down the choices to the m6 and e2e. i've read about mr bulk's mod for the m6 and a possible kl4 for the e2e. i know that the m6 is brighter than the e2e but i'm looking for lamp reliability and future mod capabilities...also the e2e is twice the price.
if you guys had a flashlight to carry for work to complement the streamlight sl-20x, what would you carry???
(i'm hoping to leave the sl-20x in the car most of the time)
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Ducati,
Since reliability and potential modabilty appear to be your main criteria rather than brightness, size or weight, you should know that the PM's bulb is rated for extraordinarily long life.
The highest figure I've seen is over 200 hours, but 75 hours appears to be the accepted spec. That is significantly longer than any other bulb with which I'm familiar. Even if it was only 50 hrs it would be nearly twice as long as most bulbs and nine or ten times as long as some , such as the Scorpion.
When it comes to shock resistance the MN03 is generally considered a very tough performer, but I'm not aware of any impact test results with the PM6. As has been pointed out both lights are moddable but Paulr makes a good point about the PM6's greater mass permitting more ambitious mods than the E2E.
Your question about a preferred light for work implies EDC, and many Flashaholics EDC multiple lights. I'd like to post an "EDC chart" I posted a while back which you might find usesful.
EDC CHART
This is my EDC list organized into functional groups with runtime an integral part of the mix. Since I rotate my EDC lights according to mood and circumstances, I mix and match between groups, a kind of Chinese Restaurant approach. Because I regard EDC as being prepared for an unexpected situation of unknown duration I always have spare batteries (in cellphone case) and never carry less than 14 hours worth of light, and usually more. I always carry lights from groups 2, 4 & 5 and often carry lights from groups 1 and 4.
Here is one example of a minimal EDC, which is virtually undetectable and compatible with business attire.
Group 2 – E2/MNO3 (Rear pocket, 2 hrs with battery change)
Group 4 – ARC LS 2AA (In MAG 2AAA holster, 6 hours)
Group 5 - ARC AAA & PHOTON II on keyring, 6 hrs)
Total Runtime – 14 hours
Here are the groups from which I select my EDC. Listed by function:
GROUP 1: VERY BRIGHT/ SHORT RUN/ BELT-HOLSTERED
Pelican M6, ASP Taclite, TACM III
GROUP 2: BRIGHT/ SHORT RUN/ REAR POCKET CARRY
E2/MNO3
GROUP 3: MEDIUM BRIGHT/ MODERATE RUN/ POCKET OR BELT-HOLSTERED
UK Mini Q40, 4AA, 2L, Tek 40
GROUP 3A: MEDIUM BRIGHT/ SHORT RUN/ POCKET CARRIED
SF L4*
GROUP 4: MEDIUM DIM/ LONG RUN/ BELT-HOLSTERED
UBH/KL1, E2KL1, ARC LS 2AA (lith), ARC LSH-P 2AA (lith)
GROUP 5: DIM/ SHORT- MED SHORT RUN/ KEYRING
ARC AAALe, Photon II
Note: There are some well regarded lights missing from this list, including all the standard size Surefire 2x123's, the SL Scorpion, E2-E-O/MNO2, ARC LS 123, E1/KL1 and others.
That is because I have narrowly defined my categories and my requirements. The SureFire 6P and its offspring are superior lights that are bright but not "very" bright compared to the three exceptional long-throw lights mentioned in my list. Although a standard bezel P60 is somewhat brighter and better focused than an MN03, the role of a "reasonably bright" 2x123 is adequately played by the E2 series with MN03 so the immediate need for a standard 2x123 is much reduced.
Group three excludes the E2-E-O with MN02 (among others) because its runtime is significantly shorter than others in that group and it lacks the divelight submersibility of the other lights. Both the ARC LS/123, E1/KL1 and various small mods, including minimag AA's are excluded because of relatively short runtime compared to other members of group 4. The Lamba Illuminator may "qualify" for Group 4 subject to a runtime reevaluation.
I rated the L4 (Group three A) as medium bright because despite its 5W the beam is widely dispersed and not nearly as focused as the "bright" lights, even in its hotspot. If the L4's total light energy were focused in a narrower beam it would no doubt qualify as "bright".
Brightnorm
