Review: Mac's Mods - Micro "Mac"-Light

Mac's Mods: Micro "Mac"-Light

Reviewer's Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Summary:

Battery: AW 14500 600mAh
Switch: Twisty (Aftermarket tailcap available.)
Modes: Five
LED Type: Cree XM-L
Lens: TIR
Tailstands: Yes
Price Paid: $65
From: BLF User JohnnyMac
Date Ordered: 03/22/2012

Pros:

  • It's a MagLite
  • Custom built!
  • Multiple modes
  • TIR Optic with GITD behind optic
  • XM-L in neutral white (or cool, your choice)
  • Tiny
  • Low voltage step down! (The only other light I have that does this is the Zebralight SC600).
  • Comes with custom fit holster.
  • Comes with custom lanyard.
  • Comes with certificate of authenticity.

Cons:

  • PWM (Not horrible, but it is there and it isn't exactly high frequency).

Features / Value: ★★★★★

I can't believe the quality of workmanship put in this light for the price I paid. It is VERY well done and get's more comments than any other light I own from my friends and coworkers.

Design / Build Quality: ★★★★

The build on this light is superb. A lot of time was put in to this light by JohnnyMac and it shows. The weight is good because of the massive pill. The threads are nice. Also, thermal paste was used to facilitate heat transfer to the body of the light. During a hard run on high, the body of the light gets VERY warm, which is good! Especially considering the amount of power this light pulls from the AW IMR I use. I will explain in the next section. I took away one star for PWM. I may just be extra sensitive to PWM but it is the only thing I really don't like. It's not horrible but it is there.

Battery Life: ★★★★★

I have not done a full runtime test on this light but I have done some calculations.

High: 2.5A - 15 minute calculated runtime (20 minutes 30 seconds observed).

Medium: 600mA - 1 hour calculated runtime

Low - 20mA - 30 hour calculated runtime

This is NOT correct though. As the circuit is not current regulated, output drops as the light approaches 3 volts increasing runtime. I will do some actual runtime tests in the near future. When the voltage of the cell drops to 2.8 volts in high or medium mode, the driver switches to the lowest output instead of just switching off. That is a great feature. Especially if you use IMR cells, which are okay down to 2.5 volts.

Light Output: ★★★★★

I honestly believe that this light is brighter than my Zebralight SC600w. I can not believe the output of this light from a fully charged AW IMR cell. Especially from something so small. I have received more compliments on this light than any other light I own. Even in broad daylight this light is blindingly bright.

Summary: ★★★★★

JohnnyMac really hit the ball out of the park with this one. It's tiny, custom, well built, extremely well priced and a real "WOW" light when turned on the highest mode. Not only is this light really well built but it even comes with a holster, lanyard (with an awesome little skull on it) and a certificate of authenticity. My only warning, I wouldn't run anything less than an IMR in this as 2.5A on high is HUGE current for a standard LiCO cell. You will not be disappointed with this light if you purchase one. JohnnyMac is also very communicative on the status of the build when you order the light, which is very nice. He was also very quick. I have never received a custom light this quickly. Just buy one already :D

Pictures:

I can't tell you how happy I am that you like the light as much as you do! I does my soul good to see my efforts appreciated. :)

Johnny

A quick runtime test on high: 20 minutes 30 seconds till the low voltage stepdown hits. Wow.

Congrats, KLow great to have something so unique.
Another fine build, JohnnyMac!

Looks great guys.

Thanks, guys! :)

As an aside, I was surprised the light pulls 2.5A with an IMR as the driver is rated for only 2A. Using a TF Flame I get 2.1A at the tail which is still plenty bright and not as much heat in the head. I do need to get myself an IMR to play with though!

Custom build FTW !!!

Great review on a great light. Thanks for posting.

Oh man does it get hot. You can't even hold on to it with it on high.

I finally had a chance to test this light, I took the dogs for a little night walk on the trails. On medium there is way more than enough light to see way down the trail. High seems to be just for showing off because that will wash out your vision. Low is still enough light for a "I have to get home" walk but I prefer more light when hiking. Overall the light did awesome and the PWM was not an issue at all.

I kind of want to buy a tail clicky switch and a pocket clip for this light.