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Posted: 7/28/2012 6:51:50 AM EDT
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I have a G2 that's been a great light, but its presently mounted on a home defense weapon and it eats batteries. I'm looking for a cheap LED replacement.
I saw this: http://www.amazon.com/Flashlight-Bulb-LED-Upgrade-Drop/dp/B004IWE4XA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Which looks like just the ticket, but some of the reviewers make note of three different light settings (including SOS mode). I'm not sure if this is a function of the flashlight itself (the switch) or the lamp assembly... Either way, I'm just looking for a bright LED replacement for my G2. Nothing fancy, the simpler, the better. Any recommendations? |
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If you want a damn good LED module for not a lot of $$, look at Malkoff's blemish M61s: Malkoff M61 Blems From reports I've seen, these modules have no performance issues, just some minor marks on the brass that would be covered up once installed in the light anyway.
The only thing I caution you against is using a high powered LED module in the old style Nitrolon incandescent bezel/head. The newer LED G2s came with an aluminum bezel which works to wick the heat away from the LED. If you are only using the light for short bursts, you shouldn't have a heat issue. If you will be using it for longer periods of time, you may run into problems (shortened LED life, etc.) |
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Quoted:
If you want a damn good LED module for not a lot of $$, look at Malkoff's blemish M61s: Malkoff M61 Blems From reports I've seen, these modules have no performance issues, just some minor marks on the brass that would be covered up once installed in the light anyway. The only thing I caution you against is using a high powered LED module in the old style Nitrolon incandescent bezel/head. The newer LED G2s came with an aluminum bezel which works to wick the heat away from the LED. If you are only using the light for short bursts, you shouldn't have a heat issue. If you will be using it for longer periods of time, you may run into problems (shortened LED life, etc.) Good advice given there 
I received one of the Malkoff blem modules last week and am totally pleased. It has a little "B" engraved to show that it is indeed a blem, it works perfectly in my Z2 host. Looking at this one under a magnifiier, it appears the smallish LED is maybe off center by a c-hair, cannot really tell (it is that good). As far as the other advice in the previous post, yep. There are so many replacement choices nowadays that you need to be carefull that you do not create a problem with heat. I bought a selection of LEDs to play around with, wow! So much difference. Buy one of the Malkoffs and don't sweat the small stuff, it'll do you well. Good, usable light with decent color, and supported by one of the good guys. Flashlights can get very addictive, like BRD, if you allow it. You can do much worse than to follow the previous posts advice. Once done, you'll have 50,000+ hours of flashlight use, that's a LOT of batteries 
Edit to add––> You can buy the LED modules off Ebay or dealextreme, or any of the numerous flashlight houses, some give floody light, some laser beams, some good mixes. The rate they eat batteries varies widely also. A single mode bulb (like the Malkoff) will not have the hi-low-pulse modes, only high. The dealextreme wf501b complete flashlight for $10-15 depending on LED choices is interesting, but I consider them throwaways compared to Surefires. The LED assembly will swap out with the one in your G2 and allow much longer battery life, if you just want to play around with bulb changes. Options are aplenty. That said, order a Malkoff blem and I'll bet you'll be fine. Yada, yada. More info can be found at candlepower forums, if you get bored, or want to find more info. Good luck. ... |
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If you do go with a drop in other than the Malkoff or SF ones be aware of the listed voltage. A lot of dropins out there are 4.2V max for use with a single 18650 and you will kill them running them on 6V (2 primary CR123s).
If you don't have an aversion to buying Chinese I would highly recommend you look in to solarforce dropins and lights. They are very good quality and while I wouldn't go as far as to say they are the same quality as SF or Malkoffs, they are only just below them (of course solarforce can at least get their HA III lights to match before shipping them out, unlike SF.  )
For a G2, and given the fact it is going to be used as a weapons light I would recommend something like a single mode XR-E or XP-G like this one or this one. You can even pick up a new aluminum bezel for better heat transfer from solarforce, here is there selection. (they use the same thread sizes as SF and are actually a pretty popular mod for budget conscious SF owners.) Of course if you are going to buy both of the things I posted above, why not just buy a whole light assembled for a few bucks more here? Can you tell I really like solarforce lights?
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Quoted:
If you do go with a drop in other than the Malkoff or SF ones be aware of the listed voltage. A lot of dropins out there are 4.2V max for use with a single 18650 and you will kill them running them on 6V (2 primary CR123s). If you don't have an aversion to buying Chinese I would highly recommend you look in to solarforce dropins and lights. They are very good quality and while I wouldn't go as far as to say they are the same quality as SF or Malkoffs, they are only just below them (of course solarforce can at least get their HA III lights to match before shipping them out, unlike SF. )
For a G2, and given the fact it is going to be used as a weapons light I would recommend something like a single mode XR-E or XP-G like this one or this one. You can even pick up a new aluminum bezel for better heat transfer from solarforce, here is there selection. (they use the same thread sizes as SF and are actually a pretty popular mod for budget conscious SF owners.) Of course if you are going to buy both of the things I posted above, why not just buy a whole light assembled for a few bucks more here? Can you tell I really like solarforce lights? solarforce makes good shit when i need something i usually check them first. course if u need tactical and you need good shit then yeah surefire or some like them. |
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Quoted:
If you want a damn good LED module for not a lot of $$, look at Malkoff's blemish M61s: Malkoff M61 Blems /thread |
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