US - Defiant ArmorMax 3D Tactical Flashlight - 3D XML light $29.97 - GET BACK TO HD NOW!!!!

anyone mod this yet?

its at the bottom of my list of about 6 mods i have ongoing (waiting for parts, deciding on drivers etc)

i figure maybe i will wait till mouser has the new 90cri XML2 warm white 3200k in stock, stipple the reflector and make a nice incan looking beam out of this one

I would love to see a 1D version of this! Think its possible to thread the tube since the space for the label takes up so much room? Also waiting to see some good lux numbers…or maybe I should just buy a lux meter myself. :slight_smile: Dont know how I would get that by the wife; maybe distract her with shoes.

purses work well too :slight_smile:

Went to the local HD for the 3rd time trying to find this 3D light, even though online showed 5 in stock, no one had been able to find one in the store on multiple visits.

Today they were sitting on the shelf, alongside a 3C version of the Armor max, and a 2AA version Armormax. (Is this new news, or have I missed posts about these?)

the 3C model packaging stated 225lumen, 3 mode. The reflector was much smaller in diameter - more along the lines of a Mag-C. I couldn’t easily tell what emitter was in it - it was very small - looked to be smaller than the XP-G’s I’ve used in other lights. Nichia 219 maybe? I’ve never seen one of those in person. SKU 852740 $24.97 @ my store.

The 2AA model was mini-mag sized, and stated as 70lumen. Emitter in this one was quite large - looked to be XM-L sized, but it didn’t seem like one to me, comparing it to the emitter in the 3D model. SKU 852546 $17.97 @ my store.

Pics:
3C Armormax

3C emitter

2AA (thought I had taken a pic of the emitter too - I can’t find it on my phone :frowning: )

nice find! i saw those on the HD website last night, i am going to see if my local HD has any when i go to pick up some new cree bulbs

Looks like you posted the wrong link for the 2AA one. Edit, you fixed it.

-Garry

I actually didn’t grab any of the 3, after reading some of the issues people have had with the 3D - I already own 2 of the 3C tactical throwers, and the 2AA didn’t really ring my bell when I can buy an XM-L Ultrafire 502 on Amazon for $13 all day long.

I’m pretty bad, huh?

I think I was fixing it before you posted, lol.

I'd like to hear how the pill/heatsinking is on the 2AA. Could be a decent mod host (not having to fit a heatsink into a Maglite 2AA). What kind of switch does the 2AA have? Side switch, tail switch? Twisty?

-Garry

I probably should have grabbed one (or both, or all 3) now that I think about it. The 2AA model actually seemed a little bigger than a minimag. Closer to my 502 or a surefire G2. Little longer though.

The West Hartford Home Depot just put the 3C “Super Thrower” out on the floor a couple of days ago (March 5). The 3D is nowhere in sight at ANY HD around here. Maybe next year?

I’m curious about the 2aa also, might make a nice host for an upgrade.-Rick

The 2aa will run off of 2 14500’s?Wow…thats a huge jump in voltage, from 2.4 to 8.4 volts!I wonder what driver it has?Do the modes still work with 14500?Also, as Garry asked…does the 2aa have a side switch?-Rick

Thanks for posting. I dont know how I missed this thread but I’ll definitely be buying the 3D version soon. This looks like the perfect cheap “flooder/long run time/skull basher” combo for the pickup truck & camping light. I also need something to stuff all my NiMH D cells in… easy to fix and mod.

If you order it online theyll ship it to your local store free… Danbury and derby had the 3d last weekend

Can an XM-L even operate below about 2.6v? Cree’s spec sheets don’t show a forward voltage spec below about 150ma current.

and are you saying you’re running a pair or 14500 LiIon’s in series for a 7.2-8.4v powersource? Most of these lights are direct driven, and intended to be maxed out at 3v from a pair of Alkalines. I could see a single 14500 working. You’ve got to be seriously taxing the current limiting resistors, and heating the poo out of the pill, right? I’m surprised the emitter has taken that very well.

I’s like to see the inside of this one. Guess I’ll have to go get one after work.

Did you ever find your 2’ length of poly pipe in Derby?

Haha not yet… Got sidetracked with…… Other mundane things of life

I, too, have been debating if I want to keep mine. It’s still sealed in the original package. Here are the pro’s and con’s as I see them:

Big Pro’s:

  • Has room to handle many types of batteries and different configurations (Opportunities for big power or long run times).
  • Appears to have (very?) good heat sinking.
    Small Pro’s:
  • Big and heavy (gotta respect a light that can second as an improvised club).
  • Good size reflector, offset by the fact that there are many similar priced multi-led competitors. Maybe a different emitter would make it special?

Big Con’s:

  • Odd reflector size makes it difficult to find other reflectors for different beam patterns (e.g. more throw, etc) and glass lenses.
    Small Con:
  • Tail switch is awkward in such a big light. Have to give up battery space to move switch forward

I’m not going to count the switch functionality issues as that seems easy to fix. The Pro’s are pretty compelling to me. Are there any other lights in this price range that have them? Please correct me or add other items if I missed anything. I need help deciding.

I don’t know about that one. Its main problem with me is definitely that rear switch with such a big heavy light. If it had a forward switch this light would’ve rocked a whole lot more.

What were they thinking?