TerraLUX MiniStar2 EXTREME SSC P4 U-bin LED upgrade for AA MiniMag Maglites TLE-5EX

[MattK]

Sales and promotion threads belong at the market place. NOT on CPF proper.


Thread closed




In partnership with TerraLUX I'm thrilled to announce that BatteryJunction.com is launching the new TerraLUX MiniStar2 EXTREME aka TLE-5EX which utilizes a Seoul SemiConductor (SSC) P4 U bin emitter. The newest, brightest AA MiniMag drop-in made! .

-Retains focusability of MiniMag AA
-Works with Alkaline, NiMh and Lithium AA's
-Regulated output.
-3-4X the runtime of the standard bulb
-Made in the USA!

In stock as of Wednesday 4/9.

Shipping
Domestic: USPS First Class shipping option for domestic orders will be <$4.
For international buyers we can offer air letter shipping for $5 anywhere in the world but as it's uninsurable the risk is your own. If you want this service please check out at the air parcel rate (will be $15-20) then just send me an EMAIL (NO PM's please) immediately afterwards with your order number and I will adjust your order. If paying via PayPal the overage will be refunded to your PayPal account.

Battery Questions: It works fine on NiMh, Alkaline and primary lithium. I have not tested it with Li-ion though I'm sure it would work with 1 and a dummy I don't know what would happen with 2 Li-ion cells but most likely you'd fry the electronics.

LUX & Runtime: I'm sure one of you will post some numbers soon enough and I will update this section accordingly.

ORDER LINK - $24.95 - CPF coupon = $23.70 + shipping.

As usual coupon code: 'cpf2006' will save you 5% - YOU MUST ENTER THE COUPON CODE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE IT WILL NOT BE APPLIED RETROACTIVELY SO DON'T FORGET!!

Beamshots: 2 stops at ~ 36", all with fresh Duracell Alkalines

TLE-5K2 - TLE5EX - Stock Mag

TLE-5K2 - TLE5EX

[MattK]

RESERVED

[chrome-addict]

Does this use the same guts as the TLE-5K2? Anotherwards, If I was planning on swapping out the LED on my 5K2 with an SSC P4, is this essentially the same thing, minus the headache?

[qip]

pic incase you need it matt & also for buyers important useful info

[qip]

Does this use the same guts as the TLE-5K2? Anotherwards, If I was planning on swapping out the LED on my 5K2 with an SSC P4, is this essentially the same thing, minus the headache?

yes ,same as 5k2

[MattK]

LOL - yah, pretty much.

Does this use the same guts as the TLE-5K2? Anotherwards, If I was planning on swapping out the LED on my 5K2 with an SSC P4, is this essentially the same thing, minus the headache?

[FrogsInWinter]

Someone, anyone please compare this new 5EX drop-in to the MiniMag LED, specifically comparing runtime & brightness. If the 5EX's runtime is shotrer than the MM LED, then it better be brighter than the MM LED OR vice-versa.

Quickbeam's review of the older MiniStar2 Extreme (TLE-5K2) drop-in indeed confirmed it as extreme, an EXTREME waste of money. Buying three of those drop-ins has made me extremely wary of buying anymore TerraLux MiniMag drop-ins until they are compared to the MiniMag LED.

Sorry for that mini-rant, but I would like more info on the TLE-5EX before buying it. I'm a little angry at myself for being so quick to buy the TLE-5K2 without waiting for reviews. Lesson learned the hard way. This time I sit back and wait for reviews and info to come in.

[lightmad]

Just bought 3. Can't go far wrong with Seoul SScP4.The TLE6EX was good for my 3DMag using 4C .Batteryjunction took back the TLE5K2 when I told them the one I got sucked.
Great service from them.

[customh]

Been waiting for this since I found out about it, when i get the chance ill order this and the IQ switch.

[lightmad]

IQ switch dims it

[Face]

If it runs safely with a 14500, I'm in.

Any chance of giving it a thorough testing Matt?

Perhaps just put a 14500 in it and leave it running flat out on top of all of your important paperwork

[BMRSEB]

If it runs safely with a 14500, I'm in.

Any chance of giving it a thorough testing Matt?

Perhaps just put a 14500 in it and leave it running flat out on top of all of your important paperwork

Battery Questions: It works fine on NiMh, Alkaline and primary lithium. I have not tested it with Li-ion though I'm sure it would work with 1 and a dummy I don't know what would happen with 2 Li-ion cells but most likely you'd fry the electronics.

[Face]

Thanks for the pointer... but Matt says it hasn't been tested.

I'd just like to know for sure so mine doesn't POOF!

I tried the K2 version on a 14500 and that started smoking - literally - so I just wanna know for sure, as this would be ideal for my cutdown.

Thanks again,

Face

[schiesz]

I would also like a confirmation on the 14500 use. I'd love to use this in a mmmag. I have had great success running a regular mag bulb in my mmmag with a 14500 using the IQ switch, maybe that is the ticket to using this as well! Finally a GOOD use for those IQ switches and their power stealing ability!

schiesz

[customh]

What is a 14500 scheiz? I'm looking to run an IQ switch and my plan was to get this bulb, then go to sportsman's and test it with and without the IQ switch, any better ideas?

[Alteran]

A 14500 is a AA sized rechargable lithium-ion battery. It is not really a replacement for a AA, however, because it is 3.6V, which is more than twice the voltage of normal AAs. They can also be up to 4.2V hot off the charger. Sometimes, in 2 AA lights, you can use 1 dummy cell and 1 14500. 14 is diameter, 50 is length, and 0 means cylindrical cell. I believe measurements are in milimeters.

[customh]

Alright, thanks, puts a whole new gamut to my questions...
EDIT:

pic incase you need it matt & also for buyers important useful info

I dont understand how heat would get transferred to the body of the light with the washers as said in that link, will i need to sink this thing in my minimag? Is there a metal switch body i need to get?

[vic2367]

hey alteran ,,where can i get a 14500 dummy cell ? would you know ?

[hank]

And is anyone making the new chemistry (3.2v) type lithium rechargeables in the AA size yet?
I see them in the 123 size.

The mmmag is a great pocket size, I'm using some with the SMJLED dropins meant for the Solit@ire (with 1.2 and 1.5v AAs).

Sure would like to put a 3v rechargeable in without risking the 3.7v-and-higher troubles.

[vic2367]

yeah hank same here...

[qip]

Alright, thanks, puts a whole new gamut to my questions...I dont understand how heat would get transferred to the body of the light with the washers as said in that link, will i need to sink this thing in my minimag? Is there a metal switch body i need to get?

no need for metal switch , just washers ...a new switch wouldnt make contact with 5ex module to transfer heat anyway

the bottom of the module will make contact to the washers ,in turn making contact to the body ....the reason the module wont sit flush onto the minimag is because at the higher current it gets hot and most likely will melt the plastic adapter the 5ex plugs into

[Gary]

I've got a MM with one of these BHC mods. So, it has a large, aluminum reflector (MCR-27L), that could take a log of heat, if necessary. I've been looking for a worthy upgrade for it, but so far, just the stock MM light bulb. And it doesn't focus that well (has to be screwed way out, almost off the O-ring). I've been thinking about an AuroraLite, but they're always sold out.

Do you think this would be an appropriate upbrade? Is there something brighter, since i can handle more heat? Any chance it would solve my focussing problem, too (does it sit lower than the stock filament?)?

Thanks in advance!

-Gary

[Phaserburn]

Very interested, but a bit wary of the same K2 circuitry. Looking forward to reviews.

[Burgess]

Yes, awaiting some reviews.

[qip]

i wonder if quickbeam used alkalines or E2 lithiums ...and im sure the heat didnt help

[qip]

check 4th post and give it a try

[Alteran]

hey alteran ,,where can i get a 14500 dummy cell ? would you know ?

No idea, never actually used any 14500s, or any dummy cells for that matter. Maybe lighthound?

[qip]

Just got word that the 5k2 review was done with Alks so at the very least the runtime now should be better on E2

maybe of some help

[customh]

How does the light turn on and off without the switch pins of the thing that says "DO NOT REMOVE" on it? (Assuming some people still prefer the twisty and dont have a tail switch.)

[qip]

clicky tail cap..or nothing