Driver, that does look interesting, but bad tint could be a spoiler. I’ll have to check youtube for vids. That’s why I was hoping someone may have tried that switchable one I first posted.
Walkinto, I do have some Li-ion cells. I have a couple single 18650 1k Lumen lights, and a 3200 Lumen light that runs on two. I like that cell a lot. I’m mostly just upgrading a couple of old Mags because I have a small collection of them (15 or so), and a few really cool older 1st generation ones.
I want to upgrade a 2D Maglite also. Would converting to Li-ion start getting into over $100? If so, I may just go with a Malkoff, or one of these we’re talking about.
It might be possible. With an efficient LED and driver, you might be needing about 1.5A from four D cells. For 5 hours, that requires you to get 6000mAh out of those D cells. If they are NiMH D’s, no problem. But even good alkalines might be able to do that.
I appreciate the input folks. I’ll probably just end up trying some different ones, since I have a lot of Maglites. I think many are advertised in an exaggerated form, in perfect conditions. I guess sometime ya just gotta buy it and try it. It’s only money huh.
I’ve considered the Malkoff too. I did see someone here on the forum say they hated the Malkoff, but didn’t say whether it was the lower lumen/price one, or the higher lumen/price.
My opinion on maglites has never changed . If you can’t mod it for 10-15$ than it isn’t worth doing at all .because for 15-20$ you can buy a complete light that will dust it . find another (sucker ) “collector ” of antique garbage and sell them for 10$ a piece and be way ahead of the game . IMHO it’s a “noobs folly ” and there are a 100,000 noob posts about resurrecting the dead (weight).
Sit down and think about what the light needs to be fixed . New reflector ? yep …? 5-10$//emitter 5-15$//.heatsink 5$//driver 5$-10$//modification to accept different type batteries $5…and hours of time and trouble , Even using just the lowest estimates you’ve spent 25$ and a bunch of time on a light that’s worth a third of what you paid .
-Even just throwing them away would be a better idea than modding them …Just my two cents
I have three here I wouldn’t consider modding
instead …sell each for 10$ and turn the money into a collection of convoy s2’s and c8’s
Either figure out a 10$ mod or forget it …old xpg emitter 50 cent piece of copper 2$ driver no reflector 100% diffuser film all flood … something like that makes sense .
I don’t get the appeal of maglites. I have several old ones, but they are just simple designs without much character. All, IMO, of course.
I can understand someone that wants to mod them; they make descent hosts. But I’d only mod it to do something unique, like put in some disco RGB flashing LEDs, or something crazy. Something you couldn’t buy in a stock light.
Like others have said, it doesn’t make economic sense to spend more $$$ to mod it, if all you’re doing is creating a basic light that would otherwise cost you half as much.
I suppose some people see something in old mags that I don’t.
I guess. They were good lights back in the day. Functional, certainly. But aesthetically pleasing? Meh.
I can understand one good use for the 4xD or 6xD form factor, and might be worth upgrading. If you need it as a defensive tool (security guard or something like that), it makes sense to keep it.
@jacktheclipper … Nice 2C … I like the C models, and recently got the “Chevy Trucks” one.
Thanks for the suggestions folks. To me, a $30 LED upgrade brings a 35 yr old $10 incan Mag from useless to a dependable backup light, self defense possibilities aside. I’m not worried about a few $$, but not looking to build a $150 custom light.
I buy/sell/trade/restore all sorts of vintage items that some people consider junk, or don’t understand the values of. Cha-ching $$, thank ya very much.
I too, like the look and simple styling of the Maglite, and enjoy collecting them and having them around my multiple buildings, basements, workbenches, and on the truck seats. Looking at auctions sites, I’m not alone. I sure hope my other brands of modern lights sell for more than what I paid for them in 30 yrs.
I think I have the bases covered with bright tacticool lights, and they are what I carry for daily illumination needs.
Well I ordered the Malkoff 3-6D which uses the Cree XP-G2. It’s on sale, and I like Gene’s products. I have no doubt it will be well built.
I sprung for the crenellated bezel & glass breaking tail cap as well, just because I always wanted to try them, so what the heck.
Here’s a pic I got of a few of my C Mags. The two 3Cs are pre letter, from the mid 80s, and the one is near mint. One has a decent led upgrade already … and one of the best things about Maglites - I got them cheap. :money_mouth_face:
Good choice. They are quality drop-ins. For my Vehicle light, I have a 2C with Malkoff Dropin, glass breaker and bezel like you. Because it sits in my car year round and it gets to –35 to +40. I only use AA Energizer Lithium primaries. i use an empty roll of toilet paper tube as a spacer. its been on the same set of batteries for 5 years and still turns on. Reliable and won’t ever leak. Due to the way things have progress i doubt i will ever buy a maglite again.
I also have a Malkoff 3D in the house which i regret getting because at the time it was around $80(shipped to Canada). Doesn’t get much use at all. Also don’t like the fact they are single mode.
All before I learned about 18650. Too many great options now.
I thought I’d update the thread, and give a thumbs up to the Malkoff drop-in. Hope ya’ll like pics. I put all of the parts onto a mint 4D dated to the mid 90s, although I’m going to end up putting them on separate lights, and the LED will soon go into one of my 3D truck lights.
So it looks like it belongs in the Batmobile. Not cheap either, but I always wanted to do that to a Maglite, so what the heck. The bezel and tailcap are very well made, and would no doubt break something if need be.
The Malkoff drop in is the best led upgrade I’ve tried. It’s the ~325 lumen one, and I can’t imagine the 700L one, because this is almost too bright for some close up uses, having only one mode. On a full tight focus, it will really put a spot out there. I haven’t taken it down to the river yet.
It’s great for a spare Maglite, and I’ll get another one or two for my C mags, but the beam is still limited to what a maglite beam always was. It won’t take the place of my modern multi mode lights in the pic above, but I never expected it to. I do want to try an OP reflector and see what difference it makes. If anyone has tried one, please let me know if it improves the beam much.
Nice lights! I’m a big fan of modded Maglites myself and trust me they last a lifetime.
Needless to say I have a bunch of them including all kind of accessories. I really don’t care about the Maglite haters.
Right! Not everyone likes the same car too. Some even spend a fortune on a vintage car. Then people turn their heads for some piece of old iron. So, why then blame people who still love to own, mod and use a Maglite?
I really don’t care about the Maglite haters. 
