Fellow CPFers. lovecpf
I have not been around here in quite some time, or should I say I havent posted here in quite some time. The time has come to upgrade my current flashlight collection. One thing I will say with caution is that I dont collect like many of you do, for the shear joy of having a whole bunch of really cool lights. I dont for the sake of my wallet! Instead, all my lights are purpose purchased for my job first and then they end up in my garage second once they are replaced. I am a LEO and EVERYONE on this board was very helpful in my first purchases to get me running in my job. :twothumbs Thanks!
I currently own a Pila GL2 with a Wolf Eyes D26 drop in, it was a high end BIN set when I got it and it claims 280 lumens from what I remember, I run it with one AW 18650. It has served as my primary light now for quite some time, sitting on my strong side in front of my gun bezel down turned slightly for a cross draw with my weak hand. I also cary on my belt a Pila GL4 with a custom made for me D36 version of Lumens factory's HO-R5 a claimed 630 lumens running two AW 18650 cells. (Lumens Factory ROCKS!!! Cannot say enough good things about them). I currently have it with an red LED tail cap for long walks in the park and moon light tracks, however I have had two LED tail caps now for the GL4 and both have had the "lens" portion fall out so I am actually pushing on the "leds" to make the momentary work. This is held on my weak side slightly around back, but not so far that it prevents me from sitting in a car, also weak hand draw.
Both have been great lights and have yet to let me down. They have had the crap-ola kicked out of them and have done very well, though the anodizing was less than stellar. I find the form factors are starting to bother me (partially the fault of the tail cap lens on the GL4 failing) and I am starting to get interested in different UI's and newer technology. I have stayed VAUGLY connected to flashlights in this time, obviously seeing what other LEOs have on their belts has helped keep me sort of in the loop. Around a year, maybe a year and a half ago, I decided it was time to upgrade, perhaps replace is a better word, what I currently had with Surefire products. Having handled different lights at work be it Fenix, Streamlight or other cheeper (often chinese brands) I always found my self drawn to the Surefire products.
The original plan was to replace the GL4 with a M6. I use the GL4 primarily as a search light, occasionally with a weapon and really only take it out for long distances as the drop in on the GL2 is very bright and does well at shorter distances. The GL2 was going to be replaced by a AZ2 combat light and I was going to by an E1B just for shits and giggles. Then I started to research TIR "lenses", so then I wanted all TIR kit. Then I started to wait for the M3LT to come out, however its "regulation" really disappointed me! blah blah blah.
Anyway I have been planing this purchase for quite some time and technology has really moved around me. Here are my primary concerns for the new lighting trio.
1. All lights have similar UI. Preferably a momentary push button that brings the light to MAX brightness and a turn to lock the light on. Push for low push harder for high is fine, like the E1B. I CANNOT have a strobe and will not have double click to cycle through the modes. I attempted to use a light like this in a simunition training environment and I ended up cycling the light when I just wanted it ON and ended up giving up on my primary light in favour of a bigger GL4 in a close quarters environment just so I could get constant light output.
2. Same cells. I dont care if its all CR123, 18650, 17670, 17500... you get the idea... make them all the same. Rechargeables would be nice, but arnt a must.
3. LED's all the lights need to be LED and the need to have WARM tints. I am very tired of the BLUE 8000 degree tint of my WolfEyes drop in... it hurts my brain.
4. I need the following lights:
1. A search light BIG throw, BIG AREA, longer runtime 3-9 cr123 cells is fine, no longer than 2X18650 but cells can be stacked sideways. Somewhere around 450 surefire lumens (brighter is better of course). No HID, need instant on!
2. An everyday carry somewhere around 150-230 surefire lumens I would like a three hour runtime if possible.
3. A back up light can run for around 1 hours at 150 surefire lumens.
5. Table top REGULATION for all the lights!
I am also looking for some good technology in the lights, for example TIR or alike would be amazing! Certainly not a must however!
I have looked high and low for a manufacturer who makes this TIRO stock and cant find it. So what I am asking for is for CPFers to suggest bodies, drop ins (or other mods) and switches that can make this happen for me! I have set aside a considerable amount of money for this endeavor so let me know what you guys think!
Thanks in advance,
Stephen
I have not been around here in quite some time, or should I say I havent posted here in quite some time. The time has come to upgrade my current flashlight collection. One thing I will say with caution is that I dont collect like many of you do, for the shear joy of having a whole bunch of really cool lights. I dont for the sake of my wallet! Instead, all my lights are purpose purchased for my job first and then they end up in my garage second once they are replaced. I am a LEO and EVERYONE on this board was very helpful in my first purchases to get me running in my job. :twothumbs Thanks!
I currently own a Pila GL2 with a Wolf Eyes D26 drop in, it was a high end BIN set when I got it and it claims 280 lumens from what I remember, I run it with one AW 18650. It has served as my primary light now for quite some time, sitting on my strong side in front of my gun bezel down turned slightly for a cross draw with my weak hand. I also cary on my belt a Pila GL4 with a custom made for me D36 version of Lumens factory's HO-R5 a claimed 630 lumens running two AW 18650 cells. (Lumens Factory ROCKS!!! Cannot say enough good things about them). I currently have it with an red LED tail cap for long walks in the park and moon light tracks, however I have had two LED tail caps now for the GL4 and both have had the "lens" portion fall out so I am actually pushing on the "leds" to make the momentary work. This is held on my weak side slightly around back, but not so far that it prevents me from sitting in a car, also weak hand draw.
Both have been great lights and have yet to let me down. They have had the crap-ola kicked out of them and have done very well, though the anodizing was less than stellar. I find the form factors are starting to bother me (partially the fault of the tail cap lens on the GL4 failing) and I am starting to get interested in different UI's and newer technology. I have stayed VAUGLY connected to flashlights in this time, obviously seeing what other LEOs have on their belts has helped keep me sort of in the loop. Around a year, maybe a year and a half ago, I decided it was time to upgrade, perhaps replace is a better word, what I currently had with Surefire products. Having handled different lights at work be it Fenix, Streamlight or other cheeper (often chinese brands) I always found my self drawn to the Surefire products.
The original plan was to replace the GL4 with a M6. I use the GL4 primarily as a search light, occasionally with a weapon and really only take it out for long distances as the drop in on the GL2 is very bright and does well at shorter distances. The GL2 was going to be replaced by a AZ2 combat light and I was going to by an E1B just for shits and giggles. Then I started to research TIR "lenses", so then I wanted all TIR kit. Then I started to wait for the M3LT to come out, however its "regulation" really disappointed me! blah blah blah.
Anyway I have been planing this purchase for quite some time and technology has really moved around me. Here are my primary concerns for the new lighting trio.
1. All lights have similar UI. Preferably a momentary push button that brings the light to MAX brightness and a turn to lock the light on. Push for low push harder for high is fine, like the E1B. I CANNOT have a strobe and will not have double click to cycle through the modes. I attempted to use a light like this in a simunition training environment and I ended up cycling the light when I just wanted it ON and ended up giving up on my primary light in favour of a bigger GL4 in a close quarters environment just so I could get constant light output.
2. Same cells. I dont care if its all CR123, 18650, 17670, 17500... you get the idea... make them all the same. Rechargeables would be nice, but arnt a must.
3. LED's all the lights need to be LED and the need to have WARM tints. I am very tired of the BLUE 8000 degree tint of my WolfEyes drop in... it hurts my brain.
4. I need the following lights:
1. A search light BIG throw, BIG AREA, longer runtime 3-9 cr123 cells is fine, no longer than 2X18650 but cells can be stacked sideways. Somewhere around 450 surefire lumens (brighter is better of course). No HID, need instant on!
2. An everyday carry somewhere around 150-230 surefire lumens I would like a three hour runtime if possible.
3. A back up light can run for around 1 hours at 150 surefire lumens.
5. Table top REGULATION for all the lights!
I am also looking for some good technology in the lights, for example TIR or alike would be amazing! Certainly not a must however!
I have looked high and low for a manufacturer who makes this TIRO stock and cant find it. So what I am asking for is for CPFers to suggest bodies, drop ins (or other mods) and switches that can make this happen for me! I have set aside a considerable amount of money for this endeavor so let me know what you guys think!
Thanks in advance,
Stephen
