MALKOFF XM-L Drop-In for 3-4D MagLite

Ragnar66

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Nov 22, 2011
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Got the new Malkoff XML for my 3d mag. His other ones were ok. Actually preferred terra lux. However this new drop in is awesome. Great throw and very bright for the mag. Great duty light as always. To anyone that was on the fence.....this thing rocks. I love having the super bright beam and still have the good ol mag adjustment. Top of the heap imo.
 

yamatitan

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Got mine a couple days ago and im very impressed. It throws about the same as my fenix tk40 but with twice the flood.
 

Mr Floppy

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My review from the Malkoff thread
And the quick review of the XM-L drop-in is that it's great. Definitely a noticeable step up from the XP-G.
Rated at 700 lumens, spot on. Only had the 630 TK40 to compare it with and it looks just as bright. At these levels even the ceiling bounce was hard to gauge with just my eyes as to the difference. What was really good was the throw. It lights things up better than the TK40 at a distance. I don't really have any other throwers but this is great. 100 metres, not a problem, the tree on other side of the football field was lit in all it's glory.

Tint on my XM-L was a bit green around the edges when compared to the TK40, which now seems a bit blue. Initially I didn't notice the green and though that the overall tint was a little bit warm. Very happy with the unit. Have to keep the head out of focus as the light is just searing when it is tightly focused and you turn it on near a wall.

Unit was easy to install as usual. I put it in my 4D and the head did get warm after 5 minutes. Not blistering hot let alone hot. On a side note, the Tenergy centura LSD D cells didn't have a problem with amperage being drawn from them.

Also want to add that the XP-G is better than the terralux. Like this one, the heat sinking is top-notch. I still have it installed in my 4D. The size matches the light better.
 

vollertron

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Jul 3, 2012
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do you need to upgrade the lens or reflector with these drop ins? or will they sustain the heat. i'm new to this.
 

hook63

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do you need to upgrade the lens or reflector with these drop ins? or will they sustain the heat. i'm new to this.
You need to modify the existing reflector, you can read about it on the website.
 

ThirstyTurtle

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are you running it off standard alkaline D's? My boss REALLY wants something like my 5*Cree R2 "drop in" that I have but doesn't have the knowledge/skill/time/interest in wiring and grinding and probably doesn't want to have to go buy "special" batteries and chargers. I know this thing will run off alkalines per the website but it says at a "reduced output", any idea how reduced?
 

jonnyfgroove

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are you running it off standard alkaline D's? My boss REALLY wants something like my 5*Cree R2 "drop in" that I have but doesn't have the knowledge/skill/time/interest in wiring and grinding and probably doesn't want to have to go buy "special" batteries and chargers. I know this thing will run off alkalines per the website but it says at a "reduced output", any idea how reduced?

Maybe just get him the XP-G model instead. Full regulated output on alkalines and awesome throw. Costs much less too.
 

ThirstyTurtle

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Maybe just get him the XP-G model instead. Full regulated output on alkalines and awesome throw. Costs much less too.

True, and it is a TRUE drop-in aside from cutting the reflector right? And it's twice as bright as the stock LED so it's not a bad idea...
 

Swedpat

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It would be nice with this drop-in to upgrade one of my Mag 3D. Or why not the 1D with the 3xAA carrier...:popcorn:
 

ThirstyTurtle

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It would be nice with this drop-in to upgrade one of my Mag 3D. Or why not the 1D with the 3xAA carrier...:popcorn:

NOW YOU'RE TALKING!

You suck because now I DEFINITELY want to do my first 1D mod with a 3xAA carrier and an XM-L, flashlight porn...
 

lumen aeternum

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"4 cells will not increase runtime or brightness over 3 cells (just more waste heat)"

Who sells dummy D cells?
 

Swedpat

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I have a Malkoff XM-L dropin in my modified 1D Maglite with 3AA adapter. Since the last year it has been used now and then with Sanyo Eneloops. I have no real idea of used runtime, but this evening I noticed that the brightness was decreased.
My curiosity lead me to do a runtime test with 3AA alkalines. Initial brightness was pretty much the same as with NiMh cells(~750lm), but as expected not regulated. After around 25minutes it was 50%. After 1 hour it was still 200+lm and after 2 hours 100+lm.

Conclusion: even if it doesn't meet my demands of a flat runtime it's really useful even with alkalines. Just imagine if this dropin was regulated at 200lm: I guess it would perform 2-3 hours stable output with 3AA alkalines.
 
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StorminMatt

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Just imagine if this dropin was regulated at 200lm: I guess it would perform 2-3 hours stable output with 3AA alkalines.

You could always try the XP-G2 drop-in for 3-6 cells. I'm not sure how it would perform with 3xAA. But it would probably come alot closer to what you are looking for in terms of brightness and runtime.

Speaking of Malkoff, I REALLY like the 3-4C XM-L2 drop-in. I have one in a 3C light. And I feel like it provides he best balance between size, brightness, and runtime. It's quite a bit smaller than a 3D Mag, but it's not so small that it's uncomfortable to carry on long hikes (it can still be nicely balanced and doesn't need to be constantly gripped like a small light). And runtime is 2:40 with Tenergy Premiums or 2:05 with Tenergy Centuras. If I want more, it's still lighter to carry three extra C's along with the light than a 3D Mag.
 
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Swedpat

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You could always try the XP-G2 drop-in for 3-6 cells. I'm not sure how it would perform with 3xAA. But it would probably come alot closer to what you are looking for in terms of brightness and runtime.

Speaking of Malkoff, I REALLY like the 3-4C XM-L2 drop-in. I have one in a 3C light. And I feel like it provides he best balance between size, brightness, and runtime. It's quite a bit smaller than a 3D Mag, but it's not so small that it's uncomfortable to carry on long hikes (it can still be nicely balanced and doesn't need to be constantly gripped like a small light). And runtime is 2:40 with Tenergy Premiums or 2:05 with Tenergy Centuras. If I want more, it's still lighter to carry three extra C's along with the light than a 3D Mag.

To be honest the 3AA Mag with XM-L is a bit just for fun. I could get much better result in a 3D with 3D batteries, but yes; the size and weight of the modified D with 3AA is very comfortable.
I also have a a Malkoff XM-L2, but in a 4C. This one is even brighter, ~900lm with Titanium NiMh 6000 mAh batteries.
Since earlier I have ordered a lot of Malkoff dropins for Maglite, and as well sold some and gave away one for a present to a friend who had a stock Mag 2D. Still I am tempted to get some more of these great dropins.
 
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Lightwriter

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I have a 3D with Malkoff XML, and two Defiant (Home Depot brand) XML flashlights. One is a 3C ($20 during Black Friday) and the other is a 3D ($29.99). All three with new batteries are just as bright (the Mag was slightly less with months old batteries before I put new ones in). The Mag is adjustable while the Defiants are not. The Defiant 3D has hi/low/strobe though.

My uncle has a small avocado farm and we stayed out at night like a bunch of kids using these flashlights looking for coyotes and raccoons to scare away.
 

StorminMatt

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I have a 3D with Malkoff XML, and two Defiant (Home Depot brand) XML flashlights. One is a 3C ($20 during Black Friday) and the other is a 3D ($29.99). All three with new batteries are just as bright (the Mag was slightly less with months old batteries before I put new ones in). The Mag is adjustable while the Defiants are not. The Defiant 3D has hi/low/strobe though.

My uncle has a small avocado farm and we stayed out at night like a bunch of kids using these flashlights looking for coyotes and raccoons to scare away.

I also have a few of the Defiant lights (3C, 3D, Super Thrower, 5C). And although they are good lights and basically equal the Malkoff XM-L2 drop-ins in terms of brightness, I can't say they are of the same quality as a Mag or the Malkoff drop-ins. In other words, ten years from now, the Malkoff Mags will still be operational. But I don't know that I can say the same about the Defiants. Also, the 3D Mag is a considerably smaller and lighter light than the 3D Defiant Armormax.

To be honest the 3AA Mag with XM-L is a bit just for fun. I could get much better result in a 3D with 3D batteries, but yes; the size and weight of the modified D with 3AA is very comfortable.

I have to admit that I've never held a 1D Mag in my hand. But I always felt like a 1D would be rather head-heavy and awkward due to the short length of the body. The nice thing about a 3D of 3C is that they balance well in your hand.
 
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