I have a Xtar SSC P7-C2 - 2 mode light available if anyone is interested.. Very small form factor for p7 light.. About 3/4 inch shorter than Fenix L2d.. 129mm length - 4.3 ounce weight w/o battery.. 50.00 shipped price for USA.. PM for more info.. 45-50 minutes on high mode (additional 10 minutes on low mode before cutting off) - 5+ hours on low mode.. Fits protected and unprotected cells..

Very bright about 100+ lumens brighter than my NR Trinewt, 600 lumens out the front.. More detailed info here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/XTAR-900L-SSC-P7...QQcmdZViewItem

What's the output like om low, and what is the run time?

OK, I need some help please. I have three bikes all with various kinds of lights/blinkies. I recently broke one light mount and need to replace it. So, I now want to standardize my lighting system to allow me to switch lights from one bike to another easily.

I want a 3 mode flashlight that is bright and provides me lights in darkness when needed and a daytime blinkie.

Where I need help is sorting all the various P7 parts and pieces out.

This is what I would like to order. Does this sound right to you people, given what I said I need the system to do?

Flashlight = http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19189

Battery = http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790 My question is do I need a single for the above light, or, do I need this two pack?

Battery Charger = http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1251

Bike Mounts X 3 = http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15642

Thanks, your help is very much appreciated.

The drop down to low is about 100+ lumens, I did a runtime test on low but stopped after 5 hours... The low is good enough to get home but too weak for fast riding on streets..

I think the three mode is more than sufficient, I just purchased a single mode from Wayne at Elektro Lumens. (I also have the fenix Q5) I finally received it last week after an almost three month wait. Wayne seems to be a very nice guy but unable to keep to the promised shipping date. That being said I did receive a very good quality light. If you don't mind waiting and are willing to spent the extra cash it is well worth the wait.

Batteries, you need two, one for the light and one for a back up when the first one dies. Yes you should most definitely get the protected ones, which the ones the linky was to.

Charger, not the one I have but it has been recommended on this forum many times.

Bike mounts, I use the fenix ones, but I am not real happy with them. (Chatter, side to side adjustment all but worthless)

All in all I think the setup you have chosen should work well for you, If you haven't seen the P7 in person you will definitely be pleased. They do live up to all the hype> :thumb:

I still haven't tried finding something to use for option 2, but I tried helmet-mounting my 8-mode for two rides and I like it. It's a little heavy but my commute is always less than 30 minutes--closer to 20 with a tailwind--so I can handle it. So I'm just going to go with this set-up for now. The best thing about this option is that I can keep my check card in my wallet for awhile! :)

I just bought the P7 mte ssc 900L 8-mode from DealExtreme and a charger, but it didn't come with a battery. Which battery should I get?

Battery

http://www1.dealextreme.com/producti...90_1_small.jpg

Or you could order one from a place like batteryspace.com and get it in days instead of weeks.

except the guy is in Japan, and items from HK don't have to travel as far.

The protected Trustfire gray 18650 batteries have a decent reputation, and are cheap.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5776

thanks for the advice I went with the protected Trustfire.

OK, I'm gonna do it... I'm gonna get a P7. I read all of this thread and the other P7 on the front page and decided I will get this one. Could someone tell me if the barrel will fit in a 1/2" conduit hanger or will I need to get a 3/4 one?
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16092

I will get these batteries as I see them suggested more than any other kind.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790

However Ziemas suggested this lesser mah version which are also a couple bucks less. How different do these batteries perform compared to one another?
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5776

I also want a charger that will charge both 18650 and CR123A as I will upgrade from NiMH for my Romisen light. I'm not sure which charger is best for my needs and there seem to be differing opinions on the various chargers available from DX (the Pila charger sounds great but it's way out of my price range). These have been recommended the most, but I'm looking for the best charger that will be easiest to use and pose the least likelihood of burning my house down in the event I leave my room for a few minutes while it charges.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1251
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4151
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.936

Do any of these chargers have the capability to charge both types of batts at the same time or am I doomed to charging one type at a time? I'd prefer one that could do 1 18650 and 1 CR123A at the same time if that is even possible. If I decide to get a dedicated chargers for both battery types, which ones would be the best to get for them?

I will need a link to some good CR123A batts (preferably protected ones that will fit) to use with my Romisen RC-N3 CREE Q5 that are compatible with recommended chargers.

I guess I need a doodad to test the voltage of the batteries when I take them from the charger to be sure they are fully charged/not overcharged. What would such a beast be called? Searching for battery voltage tester just brings up el-cheapo battery testers for determining charge/no-charge, not the amount of charge. Please recommend a <$15-$20 (preferably under $10 but I don't know what these things are called much less what they cost) model to use soley for testing the charge of lithium rechargables.

I have the same flashlight in an 8-mode and I would recommend the 3/4 hanger. The problem with this light is that the tail cap is bigger than the barrel which makes a quick removal problematic even if you use a wing nut. What I do is just loosen it, take of the tail cap, and then pull it out.

I use a CR123 in my Romisen but my charger wont do one of those and an 18650 at the same time--they sit in the charger in different directions.

I really, really , really like my P7 3 mode.

When I ordered it I ordered this bike mount for it: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15642

In fact, I bought three mounts for my three bikes thinking I would swap the flashlight easily enough. Well, the best laid plans....

I am finding it difficult to tighten and loosen the small locking screw that holds the light tight in the receiver.

Anybody see a solution I might try?

Thanks

Lockblocks come highly recommended from other members on this site.

I have the fenix mounts but do not really care for them much. They have some movement in them while riding and the angle adjustments aren't fine enough to be of any real value. They also have the small mounting screws that are a pain to tighten. (not as bad on my fenix, but a real pain on my P7)

The larger version (cycloblock IIRC) is much better for a larger light.

I like the 8274 from DX. I have it on two of my bikes and it has held very well so far.

Yep, I remember that discussion now. :)

I want to be able to easily change flashlights from bike to bike. Will this mount accommodate that need?

Yes, simply wait until the flashlight bounces out and catch it.

It would move fairly easily, but at $2 a pop, why not buy one for each bike and a few spares?

That is exactly what I want to do. When I ordered my P7 I also ordered three of these: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15642 thinking I could exchange my one flashlight easily. The mount is not the best for that and now I seek an alternative.

I want a mount that will open and close easily and quickly.

Then it sounds like you want the Two Fish Lockblocks. But with shipping it will cost you as much as about 5 sets of the 8274 and it will still take you longer to move the light from bike to bike, so I'm not sure I see the point.

I bought two of these (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274). Have one on each bike; switch the light back and forth.

me too, they work great, very stable.

This is what I did: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hreadid=509266. The mount is actually attached to the flashlight, and mounts/unmounts a bike :) very quickly, one-handed, even with mitten gloves.

I have bee lurking on this forum for a while, today I finally joined. With all the discussion on the P7 lights I bought one as well. I opted for the MTE 5 mode sku 12060 . I have taken it to work and everyone is amazed how bright it is on high . It blows away the much more expensive li'l ed recoil leds lights we have on the job.This is the mounting bracket I bought with it from DX sku 15342 its quick release and fits on my 31.8mm bars. I am surprised no one else has seemed to suggested it. I haven't had the chance to give it the road test yet. Still waiting for the weather to warm up a bit more for my 26 km commute

Wow after 17 pages you guys (along with Unknown Cyclist) have convinced me! I have some questions though.

1) Is there a reflector I can replace the standard one with in order to make the light have better throw and less flood for road riding?

2) I was thinking of having 1 set up with a better reflector, and another one to get a bit of flood around so I can see the peripheral objects.

3) It seems that I need some protected batteries, a charger that is more than 600mA, and the torches. Anything I am missing?

4) There are so many different models which is the best? I figured I should avoid trustfire. The ones I have been looking at are these:
http://www.bestofferbuy.com/SpiderFi...campaign=gbase
http://www.bestofferbuy.com/Aurora-A...campaign=gbase
http://www.bestofferbuy.com/MTE-SSC-...campaign=gbase

Any other tips to get the best out of the lights?

Thanks

Daven

1: not really
2: actually, just one can solve all of it: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18475 the benefits of a massive reflector really gives a ton of spill, but also a very concentrated hot spot so you can really aim it down the road.
3: how will you mount it?