Saw these at my local TSC store last Friday and thought of user dthrckt. I never noticed them in silver before. As seen below, on clearance for $9.99 each. 3D, "3 Watt", 12hr runtime. Feels pretty cheap. FWIW.
-Garry
I just picked one up for $4.50 two days ago. Was on clearance for$4.99 plus my 10% off that i couldn’t pass up!
Will have to mod cuz it isn’t much. Very little emitter (only have experience with XMLs) looks like 17mm driver with spring, but haven’t taken apart any farther yet.
Hmmm . . . Now why didn't this thread take off to 600 posts??? :)
-Garry
thanks garry
my local store sold out weeks ago, but I got 2 at 9.99 before they did.
When I’m done modding them I might sell them here, mainly as a way to make (bigger) zoomies more popular, because it can be quite a performer w/ that big head and Nimh Ds.
they had realtree style camo ones this year, too. You’ve gotta love that feature in outdoor gear - easy to lose.
Maybe because Tractor Supplies aren’t as widely spread as Home Depot? I still haven’t been in the one we have here(which is 20 miles south of me).
also because there aren’t many zoomies fans…
I don’t have any experience with modifying torches, only built a couple XML bike lights.
Putting an ammeter battery and driver, i came up with. 6 amps on high. Wasn’t the greatest test, i need to make a jumper wire with alligator clips.
I believe it to be considered a direct drive driver, very little on driver board.
fyi, stock driver is not direct drive
if you change the emitter so something better, you’ll want a more powerful driver. I think after reducing resistance in the tailcap and switch (with copper braid and solder) I got a little over 1.5 amps at the tail from good alkalines.
It’s where I buy my riding crops… Oops did I say that aloud? 
garry keeps finding cool cheap lights 
thank you dthrckt, I am new to torches, this will be my first project. I figure if I ruin it, $4.50 is no big loss.
What kind of emitter do you guys think this is?
Would a 7135 driver be OK with Alkalines?
Sorry for the noobie questions, I am familier with messing around with 18650s but haven’t messed around with an alkaline setup.
I will have to take a peek at the tail cap and switch and see how it helps before modding.
Oh yeah,
I saw a light with 18650 and charger at Tractor Supply Company too. First time for that!
I don’t remember what brand or anything. Maybe around 25-30 dollars and I believed it said it was a Cree.
they have them in camo
Depends on the current level of the 7135 driver. Alkalines can't push a lot of current for long (and risk venting when pushed hard for long I believe). I have a 3C Mag modded with a 1.4A Nanjg AMC7135 driver and it has been run with AA alkalines (in AA->C cell adapters). I've never tested the tail cap current nor compared runtimes though. Your not going to push 3A through alkalines though (neither C nor D's).
-Garry
Good call Garry
I don’t plan on running it at 3 amps, only with LiIons would that be a consideration for me. What do you think about something in the 1 to 1.5 amp range, possibly with XML
Is that doable with 3Ds? I am not looking for huge lumens, maybe something in the 250 - 300 lumen range???
I need to do some more reading and learning……
Thank you, Don
If you don't need/want modes you could go direct drive. If you want modes, than I would stay at 1.4A or less (if it can be done on AA's I'd say D's should be fine). XM-L will be fine. I would link you to a statement made by user oldbobk but it appears his posts were removed (not sure why, but I noticed he wasn't active anymore). Best I can do is link you to where someone quoted his build on alkalines.
-Garry