I agree with much of the above.
Efficiency has yet to be mentioned I think? Anybody remember the days of the Malkoff M60LL competing with the SF P60LED drop-in? Comparable OTF output, but the Malkoff had
7 times the regulated runtime w/ 2xCR123's. Seriously - the runtime graphs have been posted here on CPF.
A related reason they are so popular is their compatibility with CR123's. Many of our P60 dropins can't really be operated well with CR123 primaries, but Malkoffs have always worked well with both CR123's and LiIons. When I set up non-rechargeable SF's for friends, I only source Malkoffs for them as they will be using CR123's exclusively.
The single output mode is a niche that most other builders don't really explore effectively - 'on' is
on, & 'off' is
off. :thumbsup: I'm happy with multiple modes on small pocket lights, but my larger P60 hosts are virtually always run at full power. As this has been the experience with my non-CPF friends, Malkoffs are a perfect choice for them IMO and is what I always set them up with.
I do confess that my Moddoo Triple (XP-G 3-mode, neutral) is the best P60 module for my uses and is the one that I use the most of by far. However they are expensive and as much as I would like to, I cannot afford to have them in all my SF's.
Malkoff & Moddoo occupy the high end for build quality and reliability (both have an
excellent track record no matter the host); the edge for maximum output going to the Moddoo, while the Malkoffs are tops for simplicity and CR123 compatiblity.
I just set up a LEO friend of mine with two 9P's, both containing Malkoffs. An M91A for his close-quarters light, and a M61SHO for a distance / backup light. I expect he will be happy with them for a very long time.
Edit: My current dropin inventory:
(I have used most of these extensively and all are proving to be satisfactory in their different ways.)
- Moddoo triple (3-mode)
- Moddoo triple (DD)
- Malkoff M91N
- Malkoff M31N
- Malkoff M61NL
- Nailbender XM-L (DD)
- Vinh XM-L
- homebuilt P60 w/ 5mm LED
Seven of the 8 above dropins are single-mode only; Malkoff really does dominate this part of the market - for good reason.
In particular, my first ever P60-type Surefire is now on it's ~6th LED dropin, and three of those have been Malkoffs. This is due to 4.5 years of upgrades (i.e. no failures).