bwaites
Flashlight Enthusiast
My Brother-In-Law just returned to the Sandbox after a 2 week break over the Thanksgiving Holiday. His lottery number was so high that he really didn't expect to get to come home during his tour of duty, but his unit has been able to turn leaves over faster than expected. Needless to say, his wife and 4 children have been ecstatic, but are now saddened by his leaving.
However, I was able to get an update on the lights that I sent with him and their performance under pressure.
First Inova X5T Red. Used a lot at night for maps, vehicle repairs, and night reading. (He is a mechanic attached to a transportation division.) Has performed flawlessly. He has used about a dozen batteries in it so far.
Second, Surefire A2 White. This is his everyday carry light. Took a little getting used to the fact that the LEDs still worked well when the incandescent fell out of regulation, but once he figured out that he could pull the cells and run them flat in the X5T all has been well. He is still on his first lamp, and has gone thru about 3-4 dozen cells he thinks.
Last, Pelican PM6. This light is mounted on his weapon and uses a pressure switch. The part of his unit that goes on night patrol was issued Surefires, but since he had the PM6, mount, and pressure switch, he was given permission to use it. He does not have to routinely go on patrol, and when he has had to it is running a vehicle mounted heavy gun, so this light gets used infrequently. He has run quite a few cells thru it though, has had no failures of any kind, and continues to use the original lamp. This was initially planned as a backup carry light for his A2, since he knew his unit would issue Surefires, but with the somewhat limited availability of the Surefires, he decided to give it a try. Knowing that the Pelican was pretty tough, but not a true weaponlight, I had my concerns, but it has been a very pleasant revelation. Some of his group actually light the throw and spill from it better than their Surefires, though he is not sure that there is much difference besides price.
Since he was the reason I originally found this site and started modding lights, his experience was interesting.
In addition, I outfitted a customer who has also just returned. Our goal with him was maximum lightness and battery consistency. We decided on rechargeable NiMh AAA's for a head lamp, and 123's due to boths size and lightness.
He went with an X5T, PM6's in both Xenon and LED versions, and a Black Ice Xenon/LED headlamp. He had no lamp failures, no light failures, and no problems with any of them.
Bill
However, I was able to get an update on the lights that I sent with him and their performance under pressure.
First Inova X5T Red. Used a lot at night for maps, vehicle repairs, and night reading. (He is a mechanic attached to a transportation division.) Has performed flawlessly. He has used about a dozen batteries in it so far.
Second, Surefire A2 White. This is his everyday carry light. Took a little getting used to the fact that the LEDs still worked well when the incandescent fell out of regulation, but once he figured out that he could pull the cells and run them flat in the X5T all has been well. He is still on his first lamp, and has gone thru about 3-4 dozen cells he thinks.
Last, Pelican PM6. This light is mounted on his weapon and uses a pressure switch. The part of his unit that goes on night patrol was issued Surefires, but since he had the PM6, mount, and pressure switch, he was given permission to use it. He does not have to routinely go on patrol, and when he has had to it is running a vehicle mounted heavy gun, so this light gets used infrequently. He has run quite a few cells thru it though, has had no failures of any kind, and continues to use the original lamp. This was initially planned as a backup carry light for his A2, since he knew his unit would issue Surefires, but with the somewhat limited availability of the Surefires, he decided to give it a try. Knowing that the Pelican was pretty tough, but not a true weaponlight, I had my concerns, but it has been a very pleasant revelation. Some of his group actually light the throw and spill from it better than their Surefires, though he is not sure that there is much difference besides price.
Since he was the reason I originally found this site and started modding lights, his experience was interesting.
In addition, I outfitted a customer who has also just returned. Our goal with him was maximum lightness and battery consistency. We decided on rechargeable NiMh AAA's for a head lamp, and 123's due to boths size and lightness.
He went with an X5T, PM6's in both Xenon and LED versions, and a Black Ice Xenon/LED headlamp. He had no lamp failures, no light failures, and no problems with any of them.
Bill
