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Posted: 5/5/2008 1:37:05 PM EDT
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I've searched and I've read through pages, and pages, and pages of reviews on lights, and peoples opinions on what they like the best. What I'm needing to do, is have a tight beam (long range) LED light for my AR. I have a Surefire X300 that does double duty on the P30 and the AR right now, but I would like a bit longer throw. Having an origional E2O, and loving the way that the TIR lens shapes the beam on that low lumen light, I was wondering if any of the 100+ lumen lights had the same? I've looked into the G2L/6PL, but find the beam too diffused and want digital current so the light doesn't have that drain down effect. I've drank the surefire koolaid, and love it, but am more than open to other products. It would be nice if it took CR123s, and fit into the DD or larue mounts. Thanks! |
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Well, there are other P60 sized drop-ins the G2/6P bodies. The only one I know of that actually uses an optic (vs. simple reflector) is the Malkoff drop-in. The Surefire emitter puts out 80 lumens where as the Malkoff puts out 235. The Khatod 6 degree optic makes a nice color hotspot with plenty of flood as well. It has regulated output down to 3.8 volts at which point it goes direct drive. You can drive it at 9 volts if you want (9P/G3) - this will only increase runtime because it is regulated. I use these on my long guns and love them. |
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M60 is what you have? Interesting as it looks like it has its own reflector. No lens though for focusing that beam, although I will keep it in mind as it looks quite interesting. http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop2/images/M60.jpg |
Welcome to the boards.  I'm looking for the same light you are. Surefire has a replacement coming out this summer for their Scout lights and the rumor I've heard is that they will have the same beam profile as the X300 but higher output lamps. I have enough other lights that I figure I can hold off for a while and see what comes out. |
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Thank you for the welcome, I've been a long time stalker and never bothered to post simply because I could usually find what I was looking for just using the search. The X200A worked very well, and I've used the scout lights before, and really do have great admiration for them, but I want the run time and that wonderful white light of the LED. The only drawback of the LED being the not so hot IR output with a filter, but that can be overcome if I ever needed an IR torch like that. Well, I know the X300 with a laser underneath has been a rumor/prototype for a long time. I'm just quite impatient having sold a couple 1911s and having a bit left over for illumination. |
| I run a Seouled Gladius in a Larue mount. It has a pretty tight hot spot and works to about 75 yards. It is fully regulated, has a nav setting, has thermal regualtion, strobe, low battery indicator, etc. It must be thumb operated as there is no tape switch available. It does about 160-180 lumens. |
Nope. Just go to ebay and search the terms Surefire and Cree together. I just did it and got six pages of results. Now you can get R2 bin Cree emitters rated at 290 lumens for under $20. I figured I'd take a chance and was not dissapointed. See EXAMPLE |
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I don't know how they stand up to use as a weapon light. The materials and workmanship look real good, and I've seen positive reviews at www.candlepowerforums.com and elsewhere. A lot of people throw them in G2s. I'd expect them to hold up reasonably well. They're pretty much solid state. Not much to them. That said, I won't bet my life on mine until I see how it holds up under recreational use. I can tell you that my ~200 lumen Q5 bin Cree emitter is about twice as bright as the incandescent 120 lumen high output lamp assembly that came with my M2. |
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Thanks, figured I'd try over here first, since most people just use their flashlights... I usually beat the ever loving piss out of mine, and require them to work everytime, all the time. Still would like input from others as far as stuff they've tried or seen. Essay, I'm headed over to candlepower for a lookyloo |
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Here's something else to look at: www.novatac.com/. HDS Sysytems is the brains behind Novatac and the old ARC-LS lights. I have two of the ARC branded Luxeon Star lights and they are bombproof. The only problem is they are just under an inch in diameter, so finding a mount might be a pain. IIRC, if you get one with a "high dome" Luxeon Star emitter, it will throw a tighter beam than the regular emitters. |
The scout upgrade sounds great! One more thing I gotta wait for this summer. 
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I sent mine and had it done by a guy in Canada. Now you can buy the mod or a complete modded Gladius from Straegos International here in the US. I am not the guy to be soldering in a new emitter... 
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This is something I really do like. The others posted I don't think are going to throw the amount of light I need. I've seen the stock Gladius with a few of the guys I work with, and thought it was a decent light, but needed either more focus or higher output. I think this mod solves that problem. Certainly will be marking that down as a posibility. I talked to my surefire rep, and what he "knows" about the knew Scout is they will be 180-220 range in lumen output with virtually the same TIR lens as the x300 like stated before. I'll probably see if I can find a used Scout and upgrade the lamp in it. If not, the Gladius is a very attractive option with that upgrade. Anyone have any more options? |
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So why the different models if they all take the P60/61 bulb normally? This is going in the optional head of the scout kit. The one that normally holds the P60. I'm going to assume that I'd do the one for the normal aluminum bodies, but still am curious as to the difference. |
| You mean the Malkoff? I am not sure what you are asking. Malkoff has a spacer ring for the differences that crop up in some Surefire bodies but the heads are just different output... the only differences in the ones for different bodies is the ring or no ring spacer. I assumed you wanted max output for a rifle which would mean you are considering the Malkoff M60 or the Bug Out Gear Premium Plus units. |
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Hopefully you looked at the drop-in lamp and tail cap kits that put out 256 lumens for the G2? www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=124&t=359186 These have been a great success thus far. I just saw this post or I would have posted sooner. Vic |
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