First of all, when I say, ‘I’m looking for a torch for a friend,’ it’s not code. I don’t want anything to do with Maglites (since I gave up on an ROP build years ago.)
Anyway. I have a friend who has a very old 3D cell Maglite (possibly with a cheap Terralux drop-in), and I caught him saying, “It’s a really good torch.” I - as smugly as I could manage - told him otherwise. He asked me what would be better, and I started rattling off long lists of alternatives. All of which are lighter and throw further.
His response to each viewed was, “It’s not much good for hitting people with.”
His logic was impeccable and I was silenced.
So. His three main requirements are throw, durability and a decent heavy weight - comparable with the Maglite. Budget could probably stretch up to $50, but I’d like to show that the Maglite can be outperformed for less than that.
So double the budget, but the TR-J20 absolutely wipes the floor with Maglites.
Good for hitting people with? It could be used for hitting bears with!
I just got one, and if you don’t have a copy of this ridiculous monstrosity, I question your flashaholic creds!
For just under budget:
TR-J18
MUCH brighter than anything stock Maglite, simple resistor mods can really wake them up.
in usa store that is called home depot sells 3d defiant light, it is a lot brighter than most mags, and costs here 30bucks. definatly just as good at hitting people with as mag, if not better, but since you are in uk, idk if such light is available at all, and if it is, how much it may cost there
I think the Defiant line is a fair replacement. If he only uses Maglites I kind of doubt he will want to deal with a Liion flashlight, cells, and charging.
You said “ROP”! lol. Haven’t heard that term in some years I’ve moded my only 3D mag with a 1040mA, Nanjg driver and an XP-G LED and it’s a great, practical alternative to super bright mods. If you can find someone in the UK to do the mod for you, it’ll be a nice upgrade. The usual problem is finding a heatsink for the mag. H22A from the cpf isn’t all that easy to communicate with.
The Supfire Y11 is out.
The TRJ-18 looks good but some mixed reviews regarding reliability…shipping from BG/GB to UK then returning/delaying due to poor QC is a bit of a concern.
Li-ion is very much in; I’ll provide him with a steady supply of charged batteries until he realises how it’s not actually that expensive or difficult and I can convert him onto Li-ion for other torches.
The drop in seems like a good shout, would it be a decent improvement over the Terralux drop-in he currently has? If so that’s a real contender.
General modding - by me or someone else - is too much faff. I’ve not brought myself to do anything since the abortive ROP attempt, if I do it won’t be for someone else to get the benefit.
I have a 3 C Maglite. Frankly I like it, it does what I need, and with the “cheap” Terralux bulb puts out all the light I need. It is one light I would not part with, having used it for camping and fishing for 30 or so years. I do not like 18650 lights.
Jerry
ROP= Roar of pelican. ( old cpf, ground breaking technology )Incandescent mod for 2D mag using pelican’s Big D hi bulb (6V) and a 6AA series adapter for rechargeable AAs. 500-800 lumens depending on batteries! Lol. 800 lumens were amazing back then. I still have a pack of bulbs. :party:
I agree… Defiants would be a great alternative for the Mag, available in C & D versions 2 to 4 cells and provide “500 to 1000” lumens depending on the size and model. (although I bought a “1000 lumen” 3 or 4 D cell last Christmas from Homes Depot and returned it, no where near a 1000 lumens.) Have used other Defiants that were way better. Check them out…
Also, how about a Maglite ML300L series? 625 lumen 3 D Mag. Have the XL model and it’s my night stand go to light for those bumps in the night. You should be able to find them under $50.
take a $2.15 #3 zoomie and tape it on to his mag light warclub .
i;m guessing 130 lumens and an ability to zoom zoom will impress him enough to make him get rid of the mag.
BLF member vestureofblood sells Mag mods and drop-ins. Those things are outside the $50 budget, but he also sells custom machined heatsinks, so you can do the mod yourself. You can PM him or just take a look around his shop at http://asflashlights.com/en/
