Alternatively, you can substitute the Malkoff Bodyguard v.1 head which will provide 700 lumens on the IMR 16340 cell listed above or 400 lumens on a standard CR123A lithium battery.
Either way the entire package weighs only three ounces including battery.
Just keep in mind that while it has a lot of lumens, it doesn’t have a ton of throw, as it wasn’t designed for distance. The lux is roughly 7k, vs 11k on the E1T, and 20k on the e2st.
I actually asked Gene Malkoff for the lux rating of the Bodyguard v.1, which he measured at 7700 lux/600 lumens. Interpolating for the v.2 version (it’s the same head with different voltage regulation), that’s around 11k lux. For two-eyes-open, the slightly wider beam seems beneficial.
I think the bigger difference is that the Bodyguard heads automatically step-down to around 200 lumens after 10 seconds (a quick blip of the switch resets the timer and brings the head back to full output). Some may see this as a liability, others may see it as an advantage (as I do) to be able to run for four to five time longer on a charge at the reduced output.
BTW, thanks for getting the 300 body back in-stock in time for the Turkey Day discount (I just ordered that and a mount this morning)!
My vote still goes OEM Surefire. Much better light, IMO, for a carbine. For a hand-held, YMMV. I was one of the first people using Gene’s stuff. Hand-engraved modules, etc. Surefire was putting out a whopping 80 lumens of disco-pant-purple light and my M60’s were pushing 235+ of nice, white light. FFWD to now though, and Surefire is outperforming anything I can get from Gene in 1 and 2 cell lights for weapon applications. People talk smack, but Surefire has stepped up and stayed out front of Malkoff products for those applications for over half a decade, now, in my opinion.
*I am a fan of both Malkoff and Surefire, I can’t say I like one better than the other, and have personal dialogue with Barry and Gene in the past, and think they are both great people!
WS6, I don’t disagree that SF remains the undisputed leader in quality WMLs. But as an admitted fan of Malkoff products, I very much prefer supporting a small “mom & pop” American business that has always operated with the highest ethics and unmatched customer service. That said, my favorite hand held is a 1000-lumen Malkoff/SF Lego;
I have installed the new light set up, which comes in at 3.4 ounces including the 16340 Li-ion cell. I ended up using a Malkoff E-series Tailcap because I had one on-hand. Along with using a readily available (and easily replaceable) McClicky switch mechanism, it also provided an unexpected benefit: due to the deep scallops, the ability to turn the tailcap with just the thumb. Turning the tailcap about 120 degrees CCW locks-out the light, turning it back with just the thumb (with the support hand in its normal firing position) re-establishes the connection.
I’m pleased with the set-up. It’s compact, lightweight and snag-free, with the ability to fit a wide selection of Malkoff MDC or SF E-series heads. I currently have a Malkoff Bodyguard v.1 head installed, which provides 700 lumens on a 16340 Li-ion cell or 400 lumens on a standard CR123A lithium battery. It’s an easy swap to install the 1000-lumen v.2 head, which currently resides on my hand-held shown above.
