Lighthound Drop-Ins?

I'm considering getting a drop-in from LightHound (already have a host, an L2P that I got in a trade). I've narrowed my selection to three, and would like your input on each. If you have two or all three of the ones I've listed, please share your observations. I'm looking for throw and brightness, so the ones I've chosen have SMO reflectors. I'll be using either two CR123As (not rechargeables) or one 18650.

Lighthound Cree R5 ($17.99) http://www.lighthound.com/Lighthoun...for-SureFire-and-other-Flashlights_p_965.html
Up to 340 lumens.
3-18V input.

Solarforce LC-XGP R5 ($17.99) http://www.lighthound.com/Solar-Force-LC-XPG-Cree-R5-Single-Mode-Drop-In_p_3610.html
Up to 350 lumens.
3-18V input.

Solarforce XM-L ($19.99) http://www.lighthound.com/Solar-Force-XM-L-Drop-In_p_3822.html
No lumen rating given.
3.7 volt range with one 18650.

Anybody have any of these?
(Yes, that JNieporte in the ratings is me. I gave away the light and the rated drop-in to a friend with the DEA. So now I have nothing to compare to.)

I have two of the 6 volt versions of the Solarforce XM-L P60 and I like them very much. For an XM-L with a small reflector it has a pretty tight hotspot and is very bright. I actually have a single mode and a five mode. For whatever reason my five model is a little brighter on high but has a stark white tint. My single mode Solarforce XM-L has a slightly warmer less blinding tint. Of course this may well be due to the Cree tint lottery.

If you're going for all out brightness the 3 mode Manafont Ultrafire XM-L is brighter but overheats faster.

I wouldn't run any of the XM-L P60's I've discussed on max for more than 5 minutes straight....maybe 10 minutes in an emergency. On medium they are fine.

If you want a little better throw go with the R5.

If you want a lot better throw go with the XP-E or XR-E

recDNA said:

...If you want a lot better throw go with the XP-E or XR-E

Click to expand...

Can't find these on Lighthound (I'm pretty much set on ordering from Lighthound or BatteryJunction). Link please?

The xm-l is much brighter but this hotwire bulb will probably throw further:

http://www.lighthound.com/Lumens-Fa...ssembly-for-SureFire-C-P-Z-Series_p_1005.html

If you prefer an led try this one. It is an r2. Keep in mind I am only considering throw. I prefer the xm-l for its superior floody brightness.

http://www.lighthound.com/Solarforce-LC-5-Drop-In-with-Cree-R2-LED--Five-Modes-with-Memory_p_1634.html

At batteryjunction there is this one:

http://www.batteryjunction.com/titanium-d1000.html

I prefer the wider hotspot and floody-ness of most XML lights, but I have the Solarforce 5 mode module and the Lighthound-branded 1 mode XPG. The Lighthound is a little bit brighter and has a more intense hotspot than the Solarforce. Personally, I'd rather have the multiple levels as I use a medium setting more often than not but for throw... among the modules in the first post, the 1 mode Lighthound would get my vote for most throw.

The lighthound xp-g out throws the solarforce xp-g but the solarforce r2 out throws both of them.

I just ordered the Solarforce R5 drop (3 mode - high, med, low). It is pretty decent. We got the Smooth reflector, I would order the orange peel reflector on the next one. There is just a bit too much of a donut ring on the beam. The color was very white (no blue/purple tint) and I've found that I like the warmer tones a bit more. Lighthound has the Nailbender R4 in stock. I also have that one and found it to be a little nicer.

Friends of mine at work have the Lighthound p60 drop in. One runs it in a 6p and one in a 9p. The throw is better than my malkoff m61. Light appears regulated and decent quality.