P60: Difference between revisions

Surefire created an assembly called P60 that goes inside some of its flashlights. It is a 6-volt incandescent bulb and reflector assembly (for instance, the Surefire 6P, M2, and G2 flashlights all use the P60 assembly). They also make a [[LED]] version called a P60L and 9-volt versions called P90 and P90L that are the same size. This became an industry standard and now many companies offer '''P60 drop-ins''' (the bulb and reflector assembly regardless of bulb type or voltage) and '''P60 hosts''' (flashlight bodies that accept the drop-ins). Some companies avoid the Surefire naming system by calling P60 a D26 (the bezel diameter is 26.5 mm) or won't even mention P60 at all. No soldering is required: you just unscrew the head of the light, drop the assembly into the host, put the head back one, and you are ready to go.  

When picking out a drop-in, make sure you match up voltage requirements. For instance if you get a 3.7-4.2V drop-in, don't operate it using two CR123A batteries which would be 6V. LED drop-ins include the reflector, an LED mounted to a board and glued or epoxied to the pill, a brass (sometimes aluminum) pill, and a 17mm [[driver]]. There are is usually small spring soldered to the bottom of the driver as a contact for the positive end of the battery and a larger spring around the pill to press the drop-in against the lens of the host and keep it from rattling around. Drop-ins are available as single mode or multi-mode, though the drivers could be swapped out separately to change that (requires soldering). [[Terminology#CPF|CPF]]'s [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=45 LED forum] has a sticky listing P60 drop-ins with a link to a list of P60 hosts. The advantage of the P60 system is that once you find a host you like, you can upgrade to a newer LED by just buying a new drop-in which will come with a reflector and driver designed for that particular LED.