Maglite modders i have an idea!

redswr

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Messages
60
Location
California
After looking at putting a multi mode switch in my Malkof Mag 3D and not being able to find anything i got the idea... Make an endcap with a low powered LED in it! I do night watch in the mountains and with just the big throw of the Malkof it's hard for me to get back in my cabin without waking up anyone. Just a thought!
 

StarHalo

Flashaholic
Joined
Dec 4, 2007
Messages
10,927
Location
California Republic
Had one of these on the end of my Mag for several years now.

Cap1.jpg
 

redswr

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Messages
60
Location
California
Had one of these on the end of my Mag for several years now.

Cap1.jpg
That's pretty cool... Love how there's absolutely no info on their site...lol. Found it elsewhere though, it says it's magnetic... Magnets don't stick to aluminum though last time I checked. How's yours attached? Stay on pretty good?
 

redswr

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Messages
60
Location
California
As can be seen in this picture it is a replacement tail cap.
scaled.php

Norm
oh ok my bad... i was on my iPhone and the flash toolbar with the info didn't show up. just looked at it from my laptop, thanks!
 

StarHalo

Flashaholic
Joined
Dec 4, 2007
Messages
10,927
Location
California Republic
My Flash-Cap review from a couple years ago:

Okay, my Flash-Cap finally arrived today, first impressions; It's actually pretty bright. The business end is essentially six LEDs in a ring, three that point straight out and three within the clear reddish casing that point somewhat outwards at an angle. It's plenty for navigating around indoors with dark-adjusted eyes, and perhaps to some extent even outdoors, as the three straight-out LEDs actually do throw a bit of a beam, comparable in throw to a decent keychain light.

The whole package adds an inch to the length of the Mag, and is its own completely separate circuit powered by four button cells with a very solid/quality feeling center switch. The cabbage-red transparent casing makes for quite the showpiece, displaying the LEDs and IC board/chips within. All of which is mounted atop a remarkably heavy-gauge flat black anodized aluminum cap (it's a single piece of machined aluminum; the endcap that the LED assembly sits on is roughly 5mm thick!)

The light has two modes, click for constant on, click off, click for blink, click off, repeat. Blink mode turns the light on/off roughly three times a second, with the on and off intervals being equal in duration (like a fast turn signal, not an instant flash/strobe). There's a slight delay between the click and the light coming on, so the aforementioned IC chips are clearly not just for show.

Also included is a powerfully magnetic base (also very heavy black aluminum) which screws into the base of the light assembly when it's not on your Mag - theoretically you could store/carry the magnet cap and the stock Maglite tailcap, this would allow the Flash-Cap to instantly become an adhesive work light or strobe while you continue to use your Mag (stick the Flash-Cap on the underside of your car hood to light the engine bay while using the Mag for spot lighting, for instance). There's also a lanyard rope and clip included, if you want to carry it like a flashlight or wear it around your neck.

Overall it's a solid piece of engineering, with a lot of forethought having gone into the design and a lot of quality in the individual components. Aside from the "how many different ways can I use this" factor, this also bumps up the safety use and value of a Mag considerably; in standard use just walking down a sidewalk for example, you now have a complete traffic-compliant lighting system - a headlight up front and a taillight in back. Plus you can always just use the Flash-Cap when the full power of your Mag isn't necessary, saving your primary batteries for when you need them.

And here are the Flash-Cap pictures:

As a side node, the colors in the images are pretty much dead-on, the Flash-Cap itself is sort of a cabbage/beet red color, but the light it puts out is pure red, which is how it looks in use.

2D Mag with Flash-Cap

Cap1.jpg


Closeup view, chips and LEDs; pic isn't blurry, the plastic is

Cap2.jpg


The stock Mag tailcap fits nicely on the magnetic base, creating the world's most durable magnetic pillcase

Cap3.jpg


Business end, the three holes lead down to the LEDs that point straight out

Cap4.jpg


The beamshot; Lighthound keychain light on left, Flash-Cap on right, distance of 1 yard

Cap5.jpg


The profile at night, plenty of light going everywhere

Cap6.jpg


The whole package

Cap7.jpg


In-use

Cap8.jpg
 

PCC

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 28, 2007
Messages
2,326
Location
Sitting' on the dock o' The Bay...
How about a variable resistance tailcap that would either allow you to ramp (using a QTC or potentiometer) or have different preset output levels (using a rotary switch with resistors)?
 

richpalm

Banned
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Messages
965
Location
Central Pa.
Flashcap is expensive... but I'd like to have some kind of rear flasher on my Mag that I use for walks. Button cells are a PIA; that put me off more than the price.

Any other alternatives?

Rich
 
Top