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Who is making the best incandescents out there?

Discussion in 'Flashlights & Other Illumination Devices' started by Sniperx7, Nov 12, 2012.

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    Sniperx7 Loaded Pockets

    Basically what the title says. With all the LED lights I've been buying, I've forgotten the feel of the warm, soul-nurturing incans. Is the maglite platform still the best out there for ease of use, form factor, and run time? I'm not fond of large search/spot lights, though I've been looking at rechargeable options as of late too.

    sx7
    Sniperx7, Nov 12, 2012
    #1
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    amacman Uber Prepared

    amacman, Nov 12, 2012
    #2

    Sniperx7 Loaded Pockets

    That's just about awesome and a half!
    So a question about solarforce lights, as I've seen them but never used them, do they ship from china when ordering from their site?

    sx7
    Sniperx7, Nov 12, 2012
    #3
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    amacman Uber Prepared

    That link I sent you is direct from Hong Kong. There are several of us here that have bad Solarforce habits. As a matter of fact, I can't remember the last time was that I didn't have something on the way from them. Normal shipping time is about two weeks, but sometimes faster. Otherwise, there are a few US sellers, with Lighthound being a good choice.
    amacman, Nov 12, 2012
    #4
    Gnarly likes this.

    Sniperx7 Loaded Pockets

    Ah, I see. I'll have to mosey around and see where I can get the best price! :p

    Thanks for your advice!

    sx7
    Sniperx7, Nov 12, 2012
    #5

    archimedes Loaded Pockets

    My current favorite is the SureFire A2.

    There are a few modders on the flashlight forums who have fabricated parts for older incandescent SureFires (A2, M6, etc) ... wquiles ( "PhD-M6" battery adaptor / voltage regulator), fivemega (bi-pin bulb adaptors, and many tube/bezel/host mods), calipsoii (A2 voltage regulator "ring"), and others.

    Feel free to PM me for details :)

    Lumens Factory is another good resource for SureFire-compatible (but rechargeable-friendly) incandescent lamps. Many of their products are also available at Lighthound.
    archimedes, Nov 13, 2012
    #6
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    Gnarly Uber Prepared

    SniperX,

    At the risk of sidetracking / irritating an EDCF member whose input I value:

    Have you tried the rich warm glow of Nichia 219 LED's? Or the new ultrawarm B-7 XM-L's?

    Like 'em better than the incans,myself. Won't look back.

    { After 30 yrs of stagerigging, I consider myself hypercritical of light tint. I'm not a flashlight techie, but light tint is either RIGHT, or it's tragic! }

    Jake Royston & E1320 are a couple of the modders.

    JMO.
    Gnarly, Nov 14, 2012
    #7
    powerring, Blerv and thwippa like this.
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    thwippa Uber Prepared

    +1 on warm LEDs.
    thwippa, Nov 14, 2012
    #8
    Gnarly likes this.

    Blerv Uber Prepared

    I recall reading those warm XML's can do about 400 lumens OTF. At least how they were being built in that specific p60. I would love to play with a hotwire but some of these LED's are making it hard to justify.

    No disrespect or attempt to thread jack :). Looking forward to read more on Incans in this thread.
    Blerv, Nov 14, 2012
    #9
    Gnarly likes this.

    calipsoii Loaded Pockets

    In my opinion, every flashaholic should have at least 1 good incandescent in their collection. Fire up a 6P with some fresh batteries in it and you'll be shocked at the throw, warmth and vibrant colors. LED's have come a long ways, but side-by-side, I've yet to see an LED that can top even the lowly P60 lamp.

    I have only 3 incans in my collection:
    • Surefire M6 (FM bi-pin socket w/ WA1185, wquiles 17670 battery pack)
    • Surefire A2 (FM bi-pin socket w/ Strion, multi-mode LED ring, RCR123 batts)
    • Surefire E2E (FM bi-pin socket /w Strion, 17670 bored body)
    I don't think I'll ever get rid of any of them, they're that good. These are lights from when SF was at the top of their game, producing high-quality modular hosts. With almost a decade on the market, all of these lights have plenty of after-market modifications available.

    If you ever get the chance to head out on a dark night with a fully-modded incan M6 and <insert favorite LED light here>, do it. There's still really no comparison between the two.

    Just remember to stock up on a few extra incan bulbs (LumensFactory makes nice ones) and a rechargeable battery solution (your wallet will thank you).
    calipsoii, Nov 14, 2012
    #10

    archimedes Loaded Pockets

    You should try the E1e, too .... really wish I could find the now-mythical fivemega E-series bi-pin :frantic: - congrats!
    archimedes, Nov 14, 2012
    #11

    scaru Loaded Pockets

    I have a 7B tint warm XM-L in a P60. It is just like a incandescent light while still putting out around 600 lumens at 3 amps.
    scaru, Nov 14, 2012
    #12
    Gnarly and Blerv like this.

    Sniperx7 Loaded Pockets


    I'll be sure to look into it! Are there any production lights with the B-7/7B XM-L emitter or just drop-ins?

    sx7
    Sniperx7, Nov 15, 2012
    #13

    Blerv Uber Prepared

    I don't think driven quite that hard as a production light. Dereelight has a 2.8a warm xml pill you can prob get in the DBS custom order.

    They have this new search light that's bigger than the DBS. Avail in a T3 "warm" XML as well. The pill is removable like most their lights for a custom one if needed.

    http://dereelight.com/xseacher.htm

    Note: those lights take a pill screwed into the reflector. Often you can get a custom one made from like Nailbender and folks like that. Just gotta ask so they don't perm affix them.
    Last edited by Blerv, Nov 15, 2012
    Blerv, Nov 15, 2012
    #14

    Sniperx7 Loaded Pockets

    Ah! Options! I'll look into that too :p

    sx7
    Sniperx7, Nov 15, 2012
    #15