Posted: 4/27/2014 8:48:18 PM EDT
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My semi-custom made lites: Surefire 6P, 9P, "12P" if it existed and a 3xAA custom body.
First, 6P clone. It's a 18mm body mated with Surefire 6P head and Z41 tailcap. The LED module is Malkoff M61. It's very bright but the runtime is only 2 hours at 250 or so lumens so it's not truly suitable for TSHTF but does great for a massive wall of light. It's neither too floody nor throwy. I usually run a 18650 cell in it and have lots of backup 123 Lithiums cells - it can take either and it's about as compact as a MiniMag length-wise. 
Next step up is a custom made 4x123 18mm body, I run either 18mm Li-Ion cells in it or 4x123. It can take either and that's it's beauty. I think it's a little brighter on 4x123 as the voltage is higher. I run a Malkoff SHO (super high output) module, and it's around 400 lumens depending on the cells used. 
My favorite TSHTF end of the world lite is a custom 9P body bored for 18mm running a Malkoff M61LLL (Low Low Low). It only generates 50 lumens I am guessing but you can run it on almost anything. 1x18650 cell plus a spacer. 2x18500 cells 3x123 cells And when you run out of Li-Ion and CR123A cells, you can stick two good olde plain alkaline cells in it, turns out that length-wise, 2xAA = 3x123. You do have to wrap them in something so they don't rattle. You get enormous runtime as the module runs below its normal lumens and is out of regulation. I tried to run down the cells and you get something like 3 days of runtime, admittedly after day 1 it's pretty dim - maybe 5-10 lumens but enough to navigate in the dark. Lithium AA are of course brighter, the rechargeable NiMh cells are the dimmest. You can even stick CR2 or AAA alkalines in it if you get the right spacer. It's the perfect omni-light that will chew through almost any cell you can find. It's also a pretty good cell vampire meaning it will empty it to zero. I have a boatload of 18650's, 123s and Alkalines AA, I think it would last me for several years. 
If you get tired of 1" surefire bodies, there is a custom made 3xAA body that mates with 6P bezel. Most of the modules I have run well in it except for maybe M61 as the 3xAA just don't provide enough voltage, unless you use Lithiums. M61LLL runs for an incredibly long time in it. I tried to time it, left it on overnight and got tired of waiting to discharge. M61LLL will run on 3xAA of any chemistry, including junk 'heavy duty' non-alkaline cells. You can lego it anyway you want. For example put M61LLL in the "12P" body and get 18 hours of runtime at a constant 50-60 lumens, or take M61 and stick it in 3xAA body which will make it run slightly underpowered but with increased runtime. M61LLL works real nice in 6P body also, either with Li-Ion or 123s, but 6P is not long enough for 2xAA in case of an emergency. Also have M61LL (Low-Low) that works with almost anything and is just slightly more powerful than M61LLL. Not pictured is a custom 18mm Surefire "3P" body that takes only 1x123 cell and nothing else. It plays really well with either M61LLL or M61LL and is very compact, half the length of 6P. 
Family picture. 6P, 9P, "12P" and 3xAA. 
Malkoff M61 SHO. The voltage input is stated. You can even run it on 3x18650 but the light would be huge. 
9P next to 3xAA body. I don't use the latter as much as I thought I would. It's cool but not very practical for EDC. On AA cells, it's brighter than 9P with 2xAA but with a shorter runtime. 
Malkoff M61*** beam profile. I like neutral colors. 
My TSHTF lite package. I have since taken out 3xAA and put 9P in it. Plenty of Li-Ion, 123s, AA in both alkaine and Lithium versions. 
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The guy that made it goes by FiveMega. Most of the bodies above are made by him, though lately I prefer genuine Surefire bodies that are bored to 18mm.
The only reason downside to 3xAA is that you cannot use the standard Z41 tailcap, or the clickie version of it. |