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Posted: 9/11/2011 4:43:44 PM EDT
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I have a couple of G3's that I would like to upgrade to led; one for use on an AR and one for general use. There are several different makes at various powers. Do Cree and Malkoff rate their lumans the same way? I know the Malkoffs are highly regarded. What are some other makes that are dependable and durable. Also I plan to put an aluminum bezel on the G3's is there any advantage/disadvantage besides looks to the crenulated bezels? I also notice some led dropins do away with the shock isolating springs––is this a concern on a weapon light.
Thanks for any opinions or insights |
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I've seen the SF LED units sell on CPFmarketplace for around 24-30 bucks. I'd stick with the lower output SF LEDs as apposed to fiddling around with the super duper high output ebay stuff. SF is more likely to work correctly in the G3 but you may need to go with 14500 cells to have low enough voltage.
You could also get a bored 6P for not that terrible much if you shop around. Obviously this will work and be more reliable than hit and miss aftermarket. If you want to go the Malkoff route it's a little more expensive. You'll need to fiddle with any other aftermarket choice to ensure it works 100 percent. I've had experience with them. I now use one I've found to be 100 percent as I've set it up in a Z2 with 17670. All the other Cree type dropins I use with Solarforce bodies as I've found them to be more compatible. Malkoff, Oveready, SF dropins are more reliable with SF, Overready, and Fivemega hosts. I'd make sure I had a spring on each end of the battery to insure there isn't a problem with shock. I've used 14500s in a G3 copy from Cabela's with no problem. Output is max of 8.4v. For general use you could also get a M31 Malkoff. Runtime wouldn't be anything impressive but you could use rechargeable Nimh AA cells in the G3 and carry extras keeping a AA fastcharger handy. http://www.oveready.com/ carries M60 for slightly less output than M61. P6 size host for it though if it was me. The 17670 will run full power for some time then start tapering off so it doesn't go suddenly dead like 2xRCR cells.. |
There's a really good thread on CPF ... but it runs 34 pages and has almost 1000 posts 
P60 LED drop ins on CPF. |
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Quoted:
I vote for Malkoff M61L or M61WL. Long runttime, and plenty bright, but not full-throttle so safer to use in the plastic G3. Forget everything else, get the best. +1. I replaced an old Surefire incandescent M60 head (from an MP5 lighted forearm) with the Malkoff (full throttle, as it's a metal bodied host). It's blinding even when you aren't looking directly into the beam. I'd go with the more powerful of the two listed above for the weapons light, and the less powerful for the handheld. JMO. |
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Quoted: I vote for Malkoff M61L or M61WL. Long runttime, and plenty bright, but not full-throttle so safer to use in the plastic G3. Forget everything else, get the best. This is good advice. Addtionally, you could use the M31L, or M31WL and two AA's in your G3. Just a thought. |
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