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(Lamp Module Only - Shown installed in a Surefire C2
tactical light)
The G&P Luxeon 3 LED modules are direct drop-in
replacements for the Surefire P60 and P90 lamp assemblies.
This allows you to convert your high output Surefire
light to a long running, high efficient, but still plenty
bright LED light. Note that output is diminished relative
to the standard lamp assembly (my numbers show a bit
more than 1/2 the output) but runtime is more than doubled.
Any light that is factory designed to take the P60
or P90 form factor should accept these modules. This
includes Surefire models: 6P, 9P, G2,
C2, C3, D3, G2Z, NRA,
M2, Z3 and others.
They will also work in the Vital
Gear F2, the Brinkmann
Maxfire LX, and third party reports are that they
also work in the Pelican M6.
They do NOT work in the Brinkmann
Legend LX.
Basically what we have here is a P60 sized lamp assembly
which includes the reflector, a regulation buck circuit
to drop the 6V output from the batteries down to an
acceptable level for the LED and provide constant output
for several hours, a Luxeon III high output LED, and
a polarity protection plate on the end of the positive
spring.
Two types are available - the regular model and a special
model for the Surefire G2 and the G2Z. The G2/G2Z model
has an extra outer spring around the body of the module
which needs to be trimmed to size for your particular
G2. The G2 bezel will not tighten down all the way with
the spring in place, but you can usually trim the spring
until there is only a 1mm-2mm gap. As long as the O-ring
on the head of the G2 is covered its watertight integrity
is not compromised. Now preliminary reports from some
users are that they don't need the outer spring at all,
so take it off the body and try it first - if it works,
leave the spring off. My G2 works with the spring off
and the bezel closes all the way.
This is by far the simplest drop-in replacement LED
module I've worked with yet.
 
Standard replacement lamp, G2/G2Z replacement lamp -
note the extra spring around the body.
Polarity protection plate on end of + contact spring.
The reflector is textured just like the original P60
module to provide a smooth outer spillbeam of light
with a nice concentrated hotspot in the center. Since
the lamp assembly uses an LED instead of an incandescent
bulb, it is virtually shockproof. Feel free to beat
the snot out of your light if you wish, the LED will
be fine.
Output is in the form of a simply gorgeous spot of
bright white light. This shot was taken with the module
installed in a newly acquired Brinkmann Maxfire LX,
but the beamshot would appear the same from any light
since the reflector and bulb are all one piece.
Runtime
completed with Duracall batteries. More information
on runtime plots is available HERE.
The module will accept 6 or 9 volts per the packaging,
but I cannot test the 9 Volt configuration this since
I don't have a light which takes the P90 lamp assembly.
Per the supplier, the module provides 4 hours regulated
output (on and off use, not constant) + about 3 more
hours of unregulated output . Third party tests have
shown a runtime of about 2.5 hours before the lamp drops
out of regulation and output diminishes thereafter.
The supplier also states that the modules work with
Pila rechargeable cells,
and this has been confirmed by third party sources.
On the bad news side, I was supplied with two of these
modules and one did fail. Out of over 100 supplied so
far I am told that mine was the first to fry itself.
There were no extenuating circumstances surrounding
the failure. It was loaded into a C2 and after about
2 minutes it crackled, flickered, and went out. For
safety I would run a pair of batteries through the module
just to make sure you get past the "burn in"
period so it doesn't fail on you when you really need
it.
What I Liked: Good output, Easy
installation, Relatively long runtime, Smooth beam
What I Didn't Like: Nothing, really
Other Things I Noticed: One module
did fail, and although it did re-light it went out again
in less than a minute. I'm sure the supplier will replace
defective modules for consumers.
Conclusions: An excellent replacement
for the P60 or P90 lamp module if you are looking for
an easy drop-in LED replacement and longer runtime.
Output is diminished a bit, but the longer runtime and
constant output for 2.5+ hours allows this module to
turn your high output light into a fantastic compact
utility light.
UPDATE Feb. 2007: from reader George
B. who had the problem where the module fit but did
not work without the spring and did not want the gap
in the bezel which resulted from using the spring:
"I got a strip of Aluminum Foil, folded it over
a few times into a strip. Then I cut it to size to
wrap around the bottom of the LED Module in place
of the spring. I crimped the foil strip into the little
groove where the top of the spring would have rested
in order to hold the foil strip in place and I placed
the module into the G2 Body, and then put the bezel
on over it. The foil only need to be about 1/4 inch
wide to work. It only need to contact the metal inside
of the G2/G2Z body. It works great and since the LED
should not blow or burn out, the LED should not ever
need to be removed. If need be, one could always put
a new foil strip on it. I have 3 G2's and 1 G2Z that
I've done this with and all the light have been used
extensively since April of 2006 and have not failed
or needed to be re-done."
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