Chicken Drumstick,
One of my favorite drop-ins to use (and others here as well) is the Solarforce low voltage XP-G. Good mode spacing and very well driven on everything from 1xAA to 14500.
Thanks Match. Well I’ve actually just finished up using the above XM-L U2. I ground the raise rib off and then found out that drop in is also longer than other ones too. So I had drill down into the head a bit further. I’ve used a Terralux SMO refelctor.
Quite pleased overall. A little scruffy on my part (I didn’t have a vice or pillar drill, done it all hand held).
550 lumen (880 if you believe the Solarforce Sales site 
) XML-U2 with 3 very nicely spaced modes and no PWM that I can detect by eye.
The beam is lovely and smooth despite the SMO reflector. It’ll run on 2x14500 or 1x14500 (I made a battery spacer too). It’ll even run high on 2x Lithium primaries. 
Match thanks for the guidance and inspiration. 
Well done ChickenDrumstick. Sounds like a nice mod you've done there with a bit of creative thinking. Whats next?
@Match: really a great mod! Just bought 3 minimags for nostalgic reasons and will mod them.
Just a short request and question:
May you update the links depending on bare pill and ready to go pill, in the first post, please?
Is the XP-G S2 maybe an better alternative?
Thanks and best regards
hibbert
Thanks, glad folks are still getting some milage out of this old post.
As for the links, it was just a bare P-60 pill from kaidomain. Reflector doesn't matter, as it won't be used. The ready to go pill was the .8-4.2vdc XPG drop-in from solarforce.
As for emitter choices - since this was first posted, there are better choices now depending on what you want to go for. The nichia219, xp-g2, xp-e2, and xm-l would all work wonderfully.
Well I’ve ordered a Thrunite XP-G P60 drop-in to perform this mod (already have the drill bit on hand, yay!) but I’m wondering now if this will work with an already LED mag mini? In looking at my mag mini led’s reflector it is MUCH longer than the one in the original post which I assume is from an incandescent mag mini.
So has anyone done this on an already led mag mini? Am I going to need a different reflector? Anyway I could use the reflector on my incoming drop-in?
Thanks,
Matt
You can still use the LED reflector. You will just need to bore out the head to the proper depth to accommodate the total length of the reflector and pill. If you use a TIR optic with the pill you won’t have to drill as far which will leave more of the threads in the minimag head.
Welcome Thirsty Turtle! Heh...that's the name of a bar close by me.
As for your led minimag, I'm not sure (haven't done one of those yet). I know the reflector is ridiculously deep... not sure there would be enough room for the P60 even after trimming it down. One way to find out though, give it a shot and let us know!
I saw someone(I thought in this thread) put a P60 pill and reflector in a mini mag but they cut down the reflector…but they didn’t have any pictures of what all was done to the reflector for it to fit.
I didn’t think of taking any photos along the way. Basicly all I did was cut the P60 reflector off just above where it starts to flare out, that leaves the total reflector and pill combination at about 23mm long. Where the normal mini-mag head gets drilled to 16-17mm the first generation LED mini-mag head can be drilled to 23mm leaving plenty of threads to attach to the body. I then drilled the head with my normal bit to 23mm and opened up the top portion with a dremel the length of the reflector. Problem was the reflector diameter was as large (or larger) than the head in the bezel O ring area, the end result, no threaded portion for the bezel. I used J/B Weld to secure the drop-in in the head and the same to secure the bezel on the reflector. It looks ok and works perfect, just don’t try to take the bezel off.
I’d love to find another old LED mini-mag, I’ve got an INT’L Outdoor neutral XM-L drop in that needs a host.
It was a little beat up prior to the mod and I never cleaned it up, it’s my tool box light.
Edit: I forgot to mention. I started this mod thinking I would use the original, deep reflector. After carefull measuring I didn’t think I’d have enough room to make it work without grinding too much off the reflector.
I had the idea to put a P-60 in my pretty little blue mini mag some time back, wish I’d found this thread then as it might have saved me some work and grief! I actually killed a malkoff m61 to get the brass base and emitter, only to learn about potting!
That’s ok, O-L fixed the little light up with an XP-E2 that is very nice, albeit with some diffusion film on the TIR for smoothness.
But now I’m on the hunt for the 25/32” bit and another minimag.
Thanks Match!
i grabbed a solarforce xpg p60 for 14.99 shipped
not the cheapest option (parts from dx are about $9) but this already comes assembled and i just have to remove the reflector
if i am feeling ambitious i can replace the emitter with a xpg2
Best bet for getting an odd sized bit. They carry all the fractions, decimals, even letter sizes.
Match that is really an intelligent design. I love it too because about anyone can do it. No special equipment required.
my drill has a 3/4” chuck… it looks like that odd size bit only fits 1” drills
DOH.
time to get creative with the proxxon rotary!
The bits come in a reduced shank for smaller drills.
Here is one that should fit your 3/4 drill no problem JP.
My bit didn’t fit and I was impatient to borrow a proper drill. Ultimately I ended up with a drill bit crammed in a socket and wrapped in duck tape. :bigsmile:
thanks for the find! i can use amazon points to get for free
im going to try going through my grandpas garage once i get my pill/drop in… im too cheap to buy an odd ball bit for a one time use
A 3/4” (24/32”) hole saw works just fine, is cheap, can be had anywhere, and a 5/8” bit wrapped with tape and sand paper can easily smooth it out to exactly 20mm
wanting to go scorpion hunting this spring and im looking for the best uv light for this. looking for a good throw and width and hopefully a good price never owned on before so a little worried about buying one before testing it myself please can somebody help me there are no videos to watch to see how good they are but ive looked at the skyray 5 and twin task from streamlight but still havent made up my mind (HELP)