What USA light for me?

shark_za · Jun 27, 2011

Hi there,

I will be in the USA for a week in July and want to grab a light or two while I'm there.
I have always baulked at the shipping costs and liberal redistribution tactics of my local post office so never import much from the USA.

I am looking at the Surefire E2L-AA and the Saint Minimus along with 2x Malkoff dropins.

Say you have around $200 to spend, what would you get?
Is the E2L-AA worth it? the TIR not too restrictive in spill?

I am liking the idea of the Minimus, I have had a Zebralight fail on me and although I am replacing it with 2x more I think the Minimus would be the way to go.
Are they worth it?

I also see Malkoff has some of the LL's and L's in stock, should I try and ship to my hotel while I'm there?
I can get hosts anywhere for these.

Other suggestions also welcome?

I have an Elzetta and many 6P based Surefires already like the C2, 6PD, G2, G2FYL etc.

Any good shops to scrounge around Vegas?

ZMZ67 · Jun 27, 2011

If I were in your situation I would spend all the money on Malkoff drop-ins since you already have host lights.:thumbsup: I am not sure how you would handle the shipping but you can always contact the hotel to see about arrangements.

Max_Power · Jun 27, 2011

Too bad you're not in the San Francisco bay area. There are a lot of flashaholics that might be able to sell you some stuff, or even have an informal gathering for lunch or dinner.

Check out Illumination Supply, Craig just got in some HCRI and L, LL M61 drop-ins. You might need to call, the web page is not always up to date.

My two HCRI drop-ins and hi/low rings are on their way here now...

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

JWRitchie76 · Jun 27, 2011

While your at it just order the Malkoff drop-in's AND a new MD2 host with high/low ring from Illumination Supply. You could get the MD2 high/low + drop-in and an extra drop-in for around $200. The MD2 with McClicky is awesome!

TyJo · Jun 27, 2011

I would get a HDS rotary or clicky, but I don't think that you would be able to get one on such short notice as there is a backorder currently. If this isn't an option I would get some warm Malkoff drop ins.

shark_za · Jun 27, 2011

Not sensing much love for the Surefires

I guess the fact we have a local dealer selling at about 150% the cost I don't mind leaving them this time around and focussing on the specialist.

I will definitely get a Warm LL, I have an older 6P with clicky that is crying out to become my camping handheld.
Not sure the MD2 gives me anything over my Elzetta or Z59 equipped hosts.

Minimus and E2L-AA ?
Any comments on those?

nfetterly · Jun 27, 2011

shark_za said:
Not sure the MD2 gives me anything over my Elzetta or Z59 equipped hosts.
QUOTE]

18650 capable on the MD2 & hi/lo ring to give hi/lo with Malkoff drop-ins.

I think I only have one surefire body that is not bored to take 18650s - but I have no way of hi/lo for a 1x18650 Malkoff drop-in in a Surefire body.

I HIGHLY recommend the HiCRI Malkoff that Craig is selling - my second is on it's way to me.

As a side note - you may be able to pick up things on Custom B/S/T and /or the market place and have them shipped to the hotel.

shark_za · Jun 27, 2011

Sold.
I use Solarforce and Seraph for 18650's but none run Malkoff and the dual outputs are horrid PWM ones.

Ok, so 1x MD2 with Hi/Lo, hope I can custom select it with a M61WL ?
And then a LL or HI CRI L module.

Minimus? E2L-AA ?

JWRitchie76 · Jun 27, 2011

shark_za said:
Not sensing much love for the Surefires

Not sure the MD2 gives me anything over my Elzetta or Z59 equipped hosts.

2 modes! It was just a suggestion.

tre · Jun 27, 2011

shark_za said:
Sold.
Ok, so 1x MD2 with Hi/Lo, hope I can custom select it with a M61WL ?

Yes, you can. Order a turnkey MD2 w/ High/low switch. In the "comments" section of you order, ask for a M61WL as opposed to the standard M61. You can also call.
http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop/turnkey-md2-with-highlow-switch-p-87.html

You may want to place your order a few days before you arrive in the USA and use the Hotel as the "ship to" address.

shark_za · Jun 27, 2011

JWRitchie76 said:
2 modes! It was just a suggestion.

Thanks man, my Elzetta is 2-modes but not 18650 capable.
I will get a MD2 for sure.
Dropped a line to Craig and will see about details.

JWRitchie76 · Jun 27, 2011

shark_za said:
Thanks man, my Elzetta is 2-modes but not 18650 capable.
I will get a MD2 for sure.
Dropped a line to Craig and will see about details.

OK so I just learned something new. The Elzetta host will operate a Malkoff drop-in with 2 modes? Sweet! 18650 is pretty nice I will admit.

shark_za · Jun 27, 2011

Yeah, there is an optional Hi-Lo tailcap.
Having a warm option along with the 18650 benefits is almost like my ideal light.

I'll get that along with a M60 or two.

Of course I'll go over budget, anyone got comments on the two Surefires?

Z-Tab · Jun 27, 2011

+1 on the M61HCRI from Illumination Supply.

I haven't used a Saint, so I can't comment on that, but the E2L-AA is a great AA light. It's pretty much what you would expect from Surefire, very balanced in the hand and it feels like it would survive the apocalypse. If I was limiting my spending to $200, I would focus on Malkoff gear. But if you're going over, and you want to get a AA light (presumably because of the availability of CR123s at home), the E2L-AA is as good as it gets.

If you do get an E2L-AA, you might want to consider an M31W and a VME head. That way you can play lego with it a little.

MrBenchmark · Jun 27, 2011

shark_za said:
Of course I'll go over budget, anyone got comments on the two Surefires?

The minimus is just flat out awesome. It is quite comfortable, and the variable output is great and extremely useful.

The only thing I think one might complain about is that with only a single cell, runtime at the higher levels is somewhat limited. For me, this is a non-issue, I use mine mainly when doing maintenance on my observatory at night, so if I need to change a battery, I just change it. But for some situations (caving, or really long night hikes), maybe that would be an issue, or at least an annoyance, so a Saint might be better. For my purposes, the very light weight of the light and its comfort are a better tradeoff than extended runtime.

Anyway, get a Saint Minimus, I think you will like it a lot. I use mine all the time.

jabe1 · Jun 27, 2011

You should get a new Peak with a QTC pill!

Maybe we could trade for something from Sharp Edge...:devil:.

shark_za · Jun 28, 2011

I was at Sharp Edge over the weekend

If you are in NV we could trade a blade or two.
I will be carrying them via the UK but wrapped up they should be fine.

I know many of the custom makers personally.

tomp · Jun 28, 2011

+++Saint Minimus +++

ZMZ67 · Jun 28, 2011

I have heard a lot of positve comments on the SF Saint but have no real experience with it and I am not really a headlamp guy.The SF E2L-AA doesn't appeal to me but YMMV.I am sure the E2L-AA is a quality light but for less money I can get a Malkoff M31WL and a 2AA twisty body and get the tint and beam quality I want.I would rather have that than the clickie and 2 modes offered by the E2L.

LEDAdd1ct · Jul 1, 2011

If you can't arrange shipping to the hotel, have them shipped General Delivery to the nearest post office. They will hold it there for you, for free, for thirty days. Happy Hunting!

What USA light for me?

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