Has anyone tried this LED upgrade for Maglites?

[Zener]

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:

zen

[Manx]

…because a Maglite is forever. Simply that

[ryukin2000]

@Zener

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:

zen

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.

[Zener]

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.

zen

[Icarus]

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.

[Icarus]

@The_Driver

They seem to be from adventure sport flashlights: https://asflashlights.com/home/98-firefly-800-lumen-led-upgrade-for-maglite.html The quality is very good for a maglite drop-in. I own an older variant. They are made by vesture of blood, a member here in the forum. I would generally recommend buying a new light though. Cheaper and much smaller.

Then they are cheaper in the UK than buying them straight from Adventure Sport Flashlights. (29.95 GBP vs 56.00 USD).

[Icarus]

@WalkIntoTheLight

… I suppose some people see something in old mags that I don’t.

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?

[Icarus]

Lime Green Maglite 2C

[hank]

When my neighbor called for help breaking up a teenage party and convincing a bunch of uninvited dropin boys to leave the yard (they were hanging out in the bushes and trying the windows), I took my 7D M@g along.

I don’t think a little 18650 light would have been as convincing, even though brighter.

Teenage nighttime flash crowds grew really fast in those days.

[hank]

> M@g

Came into use, as far as I know, when people learned that the M@g corporation started lawyering a trademark, or was it copyright, claim threatening to put Arc Flashlight out of business.

As with most historical happenings, there are various versions of the story, some perhaps accurate.

Here’s one: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?262587-Why-the-maglite-hate&p=3287365&viewfull=1#post3287365

[teacher]

@Kindle

@WalkIntoTheLight

I guess. They were good lights back in the day. Functional, certainly. But aesthetically pleasing? Meh.

Sometimes you just need to accept that not everyone hast the same tastes as your own.

:+1: … Yep, +1

@Manx

…because a Maglite is forever. Simply that

Exactly…

[nottawhackjob]

Say watt ya will about MagLite, their shortcomings against today’s better throwers and flooders, butt IMO MagLite’s momentary side switch has from the earliest get-go been a stroke of unparalleled ‘switch genius’ if there ever has been one.

Whenever I pick up a C/D cell MagLite, old or new, becuz of that switch I feel at home.

Can’t say that about ANY other flash out there. MagLite switches: Simple, direct, and no BS. They work dam near everytime and they still do it silently first off the bat - which is how it should be. Not the other GD way around.

To wit, if you’re gonna make/incorporate reverse switches for all your lights at least make them silent.

Do I really NEED to hear a GD LOUD CLICK everytime I turn on a flash?

I mean really. Sheesh. I think this rant almost deserves a standalone Notta rant.

[Couchmaster]

@Boaz

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 .

LOL, so true! My second most expensive flashlight is my Malkoff drop in adapted maglight. However, it has great memories that I’ll never part with….well, unless they stop making D cells:-)

[nottawhackjob]

@Couchmaster

@Boaz

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 .

LOL, so true! My second most expensive flashlight is my Malkoff drop in adapted maglight. However, it has great memories that I’ll never part with….well, unless they stop making D cells:-)

Yeah butt ya can’t club sumone over the head nearly as well with an S2. :sunglasses: :+1:

[chadvone]

@nottawhackjob

Say watt ya will about MagLite, their shortcomings against today’s better throwers and flooders, butt IMO MagLite’s momentary side switch has from the earliest get-go been a stroke of unparalleled ‘switch genius’ if there ever has been one.

Whenever I pick up a C/D cell MagLite, old or new, becuz of that switch I feel at home.

Can’t say that about ANY other flash out there. MagLite switches: Simple, direct, and no BS. They work dam near everytime and they still do it silently first off the bat - which is how it should be. Not the other GD way around.

To wit, if you’re gonna make/incorporate reverse switches for all your lights at least make them silent.

Do I really NEED to hear a GD LOUD CLICK everytime I turn on a flash?

I mean really. Sheesh. I think this rant almost deserves a standalone Notta rant. :exclamation:

If you start a rant thread about loud switches I am there.

[nottawhackjob]

@chadvone

@nottawhackjob

Say watt ya will about MagLite, their shortcomings against today’s better throwers and flooders, butt IMO MagLite’s momentary side switch has from the earliest get-go been a stroke of unparalleled ‘switch genius’ if there ever has been one.

Whenever I pick up a C/D cell MagLite, old or new, becuz of that switch I feel at home.

Can’t say that about ANY other flash out there. MagLite switches: Simple, direct, and no BS. They work dam near everytime and they still do it silently first off the bat - which is how it should be. Not the other GD way around.

To wit, if you’re gonna make/incorporate reverse switches for all your lights at least make them silent.

Do I really NEED to hear a GD LOUD CLICK everytime I turn on a flash?

I mean really. Sheesh. I think this rant almost deserves a standalone Notta rant. :exclamation:

If you start a rant thread about loud switches I am there.

U GOT IT! See and believe…… :laughing:

Not ANOTHER NOTTA RANT............Switchez.....

Say watt ya will about MagLite, their shortcomings against today’s better throwers and flooders, butt IMO MagLite’s momentary side switch has from the earliest get-go been a stroke of unparalleled ‘switch genius’ if there ever has been one. Whenever I pick up a C/D cell MagLite, old or new, becuz of that switch I feel at home. Can’t say that about ANY other flash out there. MagLite switches: Simple, direct, and no BS. They work dam near everytime and they still do it silently first off the bat…

[Zener]

Nice lime Mag Icarus. I spotted a 2C Vari-Beam on the other site, dang, a 2C Vari is my dream light.

Surprised to see this old thread re-surface. The update around here is, yes, the Malkoff is built like a tank, and it’s still going strong in my 4D. I used it for something in the basement earlier. I never did try one of those 3 stage bulbs in the original post.

Since last year, I’ve taken a big liking to the 2C, and I’ve gotten several of these Cree SP-G2-S4 LEDs for the 2C / 2D Mag. They go for around $14 - 16, and are rated at just under 300 lumens, and have decent tint. Definitely will melt the plastic reflector & lens. While not as bomb proof as the Malkoff, it makes my 2C almost as bright as my 4D Malkoff, for around 1/4 the price.

I have one more on order now, along with a vintage 2C that I’m going to use it in. I had ordered several of the OP aluminum reflectors and glass lenses last year, and had one set left to use. This will make 4 modded 2Cs I’ve done since last year, and I keep them in the vehicles and around the house, along with various modern lights. I can slide a 2C in my back or front pocket, and have an instant self defense mechanism that I can take practically anywhere.

+1 on the switch comment above! Mag got it right the first time on the switch. I have no other light that is as easy to find the switch, even with gloves, no matter how I pick it up, as well as the silent / momentary capabilities, durability, reliability, etc. If I pick it up by the head, I can feel the switch instantly with my 1st or 2nd finger. If I pick it up by the barrel, a slight roll left or right puts my thumb on the switch in 1 second, without looking.

I still use my expensive Fenix and Malkoff lights, but I haven’t bought more of them like I have with some cool Mags in the last year. There’s something about grabbing the 2C out of your back pocket, turning it on, and putting it under your arm if necessary, that is very quick and convenient for certain repetitive tasks.

I figure I have about $50 into a 2C. $20 for a good used vintage Maglite, $15 for the LED, $10 for the reflector, $4 for the lens. I know it’s old-hat for most light junkies, but I think it’s a pretty good value for a light that will last a lifetime, can be used as a hammer or a blackjack, and is all around convenient. By the time I decide to sell my super clean 7D and 7C “paten pending” examples in 25 years, I expect they’ll be worth 4 to 6 hundred each, maybe more ;).

Will get back with pics later.

~zen

[Icarus]

You’re right that 2C Vari-Beam is gorgeous. I agree that the Maglite 2C in general is the most practical of all Maglite models. I’ve built many powerful Mags since I started modding in 2003. My latest is a Mag4D with Delghi 3” head running an XHP35 Hi at 2.5A on high. Driver is a Taskled b3Flex running of four purple 26500 Efest cells. It’s a great light. Some time ago I also build me a self-defense Mag6D which got 6 spikes around the head, a SS bezel and a glass breaker tailcap.

Currently I’m waiting for some parts for a Mag2C XHP35 Hi using an LD-B4HV 2S driver. I love big lights but the Mag2C will be more practical for everyday use. However, it’s a pity current 26500 lithium cells don’t fit the Mag 2C body and the old black AW 26500 cells and red Efest 26500 cells became unobtainable.

I’ll make some pics as soon as the weather gets better. Big lights aren’t easy to photograph inside.

[Lightbringer]

@nottawhackjob

Do I really NEED to hear a GD LOUD CLICK everytime I turn on a flash?

Then how’d you know whether/not it’s on?

[nottawhackjob]

@Lightbringer

@nottawhackjob

Do I really NEED to hear a GD LOUD CLICK everytime I turn on a flash?

Then how’d you know whether/not it’s on?

You’re messin’ with me, right? :laughing: