Surefire dilema

[novak1911freak]

So i am having a bit of a predicament and I was hoping for some input.... I have an E2D that I have dedicated for a gun light to be mounted to my AR.... I have been looking for a good mounting solution but that is for a different thread....

The background is that I've wanted to replaced the E2D incandescent head with the KX2C LED head, which produces 200 lumens and is the current LED head on the scout..... The problem is that the replacement head alone costs 150.00 MSRP and about 135.00 retail.... VTAC sells their version of the L4 for 149.99 and the L4 mini for 139.99.... The L4 produces 200 lumens and the L4 mini produces 110 lumens....

So the input I am looking for would be, is it better to buy a whole new light for my rifle and keep the E2D as a hand held light or would it be better to invest in the LED head....

If you had the choice, which would you choose?

[cevtv]

The TLS Cree Q5 Single Stage LED Conversion Head for E2 is 220+ lumens and is $80.00.

I've had one for a couple of years, and love it....

[joffe]

Another alternative:

http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop/malkoff-valiant-concepts-vme-head-p-67.html +
http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop/m61-mod-to-fit-surefire-and-malkoff-p-7.html

I use this combo on an LX2. :)

[crusader4x]

+1 to the Malkoff Devices LED upgrade. I recently put one in my M952XM07 and it's been fantastic.

[El Pistolero]

The SureFire KX2C is very expensive, I would never pay MSRP for any SureFire, especially these days.

If you look you can buy one for much less, I've seen KX2Cs go on eBay for $90. Another option is the Valiant Designs VME head which allows you to run any Malkoff drop-in on any E-series or SureFire Scout.

I am using a Veleno Designs E-series LED drop in: http://www.lighthound.com/Veleno-Designs-E-series-Drop-In-Neutral-White-LED-Single-Mode_p_3664.html

They are currently out of stock but if you are willing to wait (I waited about a month for it to come back in stock so I could get mine). I'm using the single-mode Veleno in an E2E and it is very bright and a total room lighter due to the OEM reflectors absurd spill, should work well as a short to medium range weapon light, though without the optic or a larger reflector it does have it's limitations. IIRC Veleno Designs pots these with epoxy to provide shock resistance.

[novak1911freak]

Thanks for the input everyone... I have only ever purchased Surefire products before so I wasn't aware of the alternatives.... I will have to put some time and thought into this..... thanks again.....

[joffe]

I made a quick video showing the design of the VME and the two alternative Malkoff modules you may use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH59zRBIoIM

The M60 will produce an LX2-like TIR beam with a tight hotspot, relatively good range, and outputs 200 lumens.

The M61 has a small reflector and will therefore produce a more 'floody' beam, with a larger hotspot. It has a higher output of around 260 stable lumens due to the newer LED.

There is a third module, the M91. It is however more expensive, and requires a 9V supply. In practice that means using either 3 CR123s, or two rechargeable RCR123s (or IMR 16340s).

[toasterlocker]

Any light which uses a P60 drop in is the most versatile light out there. Simply drop in any one of the numerous aftermarket drop ins and you will have a far better light.

Malkoff Devices drop ins are more or less universally considered to be the best drop-ins out there. You can't go wrong getting a Malkoff. They are pricey, but considering you were thinking of getting the KX2C LED head, the price of a Malkoff will probably seem like a bargain to you.