36 LED dropin for 2-6 cell Mags

1084 lux / 240 lumens.

Still doing remarkably well.

994 lux / 221 lumens

Impressed!

Output dropping fast now.

761 lux / 169 lumens

7 hours 23 minutes to 50%. Stopping the run at 7:30 just to be kinder to the cells. At 7:29 output stopped. Dropin warm but not hot.

Then time for beamshots with 6 NiCd D cells I happen to have freshly charged.

Outputs

Switch-on 1937 lux / 430 lumens

30 seconds 1868 lux / 415 lumens

2 minutes 1790 lux / 398 lumens

The usual tree - shorter exposure than usual - just realised when I looked at the EXIF data.

Control shot

Pointed at the base of the tree

Pointed at the top of the tree

Just for comparison

Trustfire Z1 high

Trustfire Z1 high pointed at treetop

Romisen RC-C6 High wide angle

Romisen RC-C6 High zoomed

3D NiMH (8,000mAh)

Around 311 lumens at switch-on

6D NiCd (5,000mAh)

Around 400 lumens at switch-on. I'd expect 8hr 30min with the 8,000mAh NiMH Ds.

I have one of those cheap 1 or 2 million candle power floodlights but it is bulky and I don’t like the captive battery setup so with one of these dropins running on 6 NIMHs the Maglite is now, for me, a far more compact and useable flooder.

I’m a bit late with this but I have to say a big thank you to Don for selling me a brand new 2D Maglite at the sale price he bought it for.

It was sent extremely quickly (despite the rain) and was very well packaged.

Thanks again Don, very happy with it and the adapters.

I bought 2 of the dropins from the ebay seller so was sent a free 2xAAA penlight which was nice but I must say I’d be very disappointed if I had paid the $6.50 he’s asking for them on their own.

Cheers,

Gary

These are available for reservation in warmer tint now.

Got mine.

Can you do a little review or a "first impressions" with some beamshot photos with a well known light next to it? I wanna know how a nichia warm looks like. Thanks in advance.

No problem, but it might take a while to arrive (it's a reservation so I don't know when they'll ship it).

Anyone received a warm tint version yet? i just got notification that mine has shipped :) and some beamshots would be great for increasing my anticipation level

I just got mine. I'll update when I get home and use it. I don't have the first batch so can't really compare.

Impressions:

1. The "throw" at the center is still bluish, but the flood around it is warmish. The blue isn't that big of a deal when you're actually looking at what the light's pointed at instead of the color.

2. The flood is quite wide. It's a nichia keylight chain x 36.

3. This makes it very nice indoors, but not great for looking at any distance outdoors.

The easy way to think of it is basically a giant UniqueFire AA-S1. A great indoor light.

Is it worth $25 + maglite? Obviously you're getting some value with so many nichia's, but it's not really a general purpose light. However, it's very good at fullfilling its niche. if you're the kind of person to get a thrower just because, you should probably get this. It's the ultimate light in the house.

There's only two good ways to configure this light. A 2D mag with 2 3xAA adapters for ultimate brightness (I like it bright), or 3D for runtime, or I guess a 2D in either config if you only get one host. The output scales linearly above 3 batteries.

My 3 d mag works great with the drop in and two 18650's with a dummy battery. They will take up to 9 volt safely. (I tried it with 12 v for a short period)

i killed one running it on 3 x 18500 after around 2 hours the internal wiring burnt out

i have been using the leds to up grade some cheap lights

It will take up to 9 volt safely, i am looking for the lowest price LED light

Hi kevinvalid

welcome to BLF you will have no problems running it from 2-9v it seems at its happiest around 7-8v the one i killed was all in the name of science

it is the most light you will get for your money in a Mag-lite upgrade and as easy as changing the bulb

Barrie

Thanks for posting this. I dunno how I haven't seen this before... My parents love the color Green, so for Xmas I'm going to get them this drop-in and install it into a 3D Jade Mag for them. Should be a great present for them assuming i get all the pieces in time LoL!

When I first got this dropin I was pretty enthused about it .

I bought several for my buddies and all of them are still operational over a year later .

I'm really enthused about it and it's a gift! Now I'm sorry I didn't order more of them for MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!