Though not a P7, one of my CREE flashlights was flickering and changing modes until I tightened the tailcap insert (see pic). Needle nose pliers did the trick...

Ok that did the trick. Only i used a set of scissors. Thanks!

Shiningbeam.com has begun to sell a new Cree MC-E based flashlight. It looks to be better made than the typical DX flashlght. I ordered one this week and will be posting a brief review once I receive it.

https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...LI-Cree/Detail
Review on Candlepower Forums.

Have to disagree there, it doesn't look better made than any of the Ultrafire torches I've bought from DX.

Actually, TBH it doesn't look as well made.

I have bought several torches from SB and they have always been solid and reliable lights.. He has quite a a good rep and selling junk would not be in his best interest.. Sure you can buy a light cheaper from DX but I would rather deal with a seller who is easy to contact and usually answers any and all questions within 24 hours.. I am also going to buy one of the PLI MCE lights.. The beamshot below is right in line with many of the P7's.. I read in a separate review that these have a little better throw that most stock p7's, we'll see if that is true..

For a great helmet light look at the L-mini version 2.. I use the original L-mini as a helmet light and they are small and have great throw along with multiple modes.

https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...ni-1081/Detail

ShiningBeam is an excellent supplier. Great customer service and good value products. I've purchased 5 lights from them - they all worked perfectly when new, as described, and still do. You will not be disappointed buying a light from ShiningBeam.com.

Before that I bought 4 lights from Deal Extreme. Only 1 of them worked properly from the beginning. The other three were in various stages of malfunction, easily discernible by anyone with normal vision and 5 seconds of inspection time. DX is basically a clearinghouse for junk that normal US sellers would not waste their time selling. Their low price deals are a fallacy, since in reality you often don't get what you've bargained for. The ridiculous order delays and absurdly ineffective customer service of DX alone makes their business practices unacceptable to all but people of third world countries who are accustomed to such nonsense.

SC rider - I like the L-mini too - I'm using one as a low lighting desk lamp as I type, and have for months. I'm spoiled by superior p7/mce output now, so my single die q4/p4/q5 lights are only suitable for non-bike illumination jobs now.

BTW the romisen rc-n3 makes a great work light in the single rcr123 cell configuration - small and light enough to hold the lamp in your "third hand".

With so many P7 flashlights which one should I go with?

Should I get one or two? Or three, one for the helmet?

Whilst I think Shining Beam is a great seller, I really think that this light should have a flashing mode and non-crenelated bezel for biking purposes. Over on CPF he mentioned that this was specifically designed for bikers, so why not add the flash and get rid of the sharp parts? The last think I want in a crash is a sharp piece of metal strapped to my bars......

Very good points, in what way is it 'specifically designed for biking' ??

Compact size, according to Brian from SB...... https://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sho...d.php?t=194757

Hmmm....

Doesn't look any more compact than any of the other 18650 torches - and there are a lot available....

Anyway, I thought this was a P7 thread, not a 'buy american' advertisement ?

WTF? Do you have a problem with people talking about lights that don't come from DX? This is totally on topic.

so which p7 models is everyone going with?

which ones have great flood? which ones great spot?

They are all on the floody side. The MC-E lights tend to have a bit more throw from all that I've read. I have a MTE MC-E light from DX which I'm quite happy with. With cheap Chinese lights it's a bit of a crap shoot as to quality; different people with the same lights report completely different quality, and sometimes vastly different runtimes.

First decide how many modes you want.

The Aurora I've got have been very good, but isn't to everyone's taste.

I started with one and now I have three. I'd go for just one. Shipping is free and you can always order another if you like it.

I personally don't like the weight of a P7 on the helmet.

I use a Q5 light for a helmet in conjuction with a P7 on the bars.. The L-mini is a good size for a helmet light..

https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...ni-1081/Detail

If you are looking for a small sized P7 with lots of driver options, there are some builders on the candlepower website making some nice modded flashlights.. The price is over 100.00 but you get exactly what you want in a very small form factor..

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...d.php?t=218409

Is your night pic showing the mini or the light which resembles the P7?

I have three lights from DXE and two out of the three work flawlessly (9-10months thus far) and the third seems to work correctly now that I fidgeted with the cap connection.........

It seems that each flashlight manufacturer makes a torch with a different set of batteries........P7 use the 18650 (which I had never heard of before this torch) and the SB version uses 2 CR 21320 or something like that which I think I have..........anyway, it is like Mac and PC........if I were to get a SB light I would need a new charger and batteries............

I want another 700 Lumen-esque torch as back up........I agree that one cannot expect any service from DXE..........so if one is lucky great otherwise you are out the money..............

They beamshot was the MC-E PLI flashlight.. Using the 18650 will save you on some $$ by not having to use cr123's which are not rechargeable and cost from $1.00 to $2.00 per cell..

SB also sells chargers and batteries..

Yes, indeed. I have 2 16092s from DX purchased 2 months apart. They're not even the same light. I think every single part except for the o-rings are different between the two. The body and/or tailcap threads were not cut the same, so I can't even interchange tailcaps. One works great (read my enthusiastic review at DX), the other is pathetic. The second 16092 replaced a 13060 which had a bad circuit from the beginning (it flickered, changed modes, and shutoff all by itself sitting still on a table without anyone touching it).

Although their flashlights were a disappointing experience for me, DX's lithium batteries and chargers have all worked well. They have some of the lowest prices you'll find on 18650,16340, etc. I bought 3 chargers and 12 cells, they all one work fine after 6 months of service, used 3-5X per week.

Just placed an order at ShiningBeam.com for an MG PLI mc-e light. I've been watching SB's lights closely and was considering the PLI for purchase since they were annouced months ago. Friday night my (crappy) 16092 went from bad to worse on the ride home. Figured it was a sign that I needed to go ahead and send Bryan some money. I hope SB expands it's offering of 18650/mc-e (or p7) lights.

https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...650/Categories

I am basically a moron for anything practical. So, I will ask my stupid question: Can you use an 18650 battery in the MC-E PLI flashlight instead of two cr123's?

Thanks

Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm gonna guess yes but I don't know either.

Yes, you can.

Temporary illiteracy?

From: https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...LI-Cree/Detail


** Compact size flashlight specially designed for bikers**
[/COLOR]* Features a Cree MC-E emitter, M bin with WC tint
* 700+ lumens on high mode
* Comes with tactical momentary-on switch and regular switch
* Voltage input 2.8-6V
* Compatible with 1x18650, 1x17670, and 2xCR123A
* 3 Modes: Low > Mid > High
* Current output: 140mA on low, 1000 mA on medium and 2500 mA on high
* Regulated circuit for constant current output
* Built in Voltage protection, will cut off at 2.8V
* Reverse-polarity protection prevents wrongly installed batteries from damaging the circuit
* HA III anodizing
* It can tail stand
* The memory feature will memorize the last mode
* Toughened ultra clear glass lens with 98% transmission rate
* Extra thick body for good heat dissipation and excellent durability
* Orange peel reflector for flawless beam pattern
* Comes with accessories: holster, 1 tactical switch, lanyard, O-rings, and G.I.D tailcaps
* Recommend not to run over 15 minutes continuously on high mode when using 2xCR123A
** Do not run it with 2xRCR123A rechargeble Li-ion**[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR]

I hope it is only temporary..........thanks