The Official Malkoff Junkie thread - Part 2

[Modernflame]

I got my 2000mah keeppower 18500's today.

When I do the test on the T, I will test both cells and see if there are any notable differences

It's a helpful test for posterity's sake, but I can't imagine using the M61T with an MD3 format. If you're going to step up to the MD3 form factor, I'd strongly recommend an M91B drop in. The cool white M91B has almost as much reach as the M61T, but has a wide, sweeping spill, especially when coupled with the 22.3 MDX.

 

[INFRNL]

It's a helpful test for posterity's sake, but I can't imagine using the M61T with an MD3 format. If you're going to step up to the MD3 form factor, I'd strongly recommend an M91B drop in. The cool white M91B has almost as much reach as the M61T, but has a wide, sweeping spill, especially when coupled with the 22.3 MDX.

I'm just doing it to cover all grounds. I do have an M91W, this is a floody light though; so maybe the new M91B/BW is different, IDK.

 

[Modernflame]

I'm just doing it to cover all grounds. I do have an M91W, this is a floody light though; so maybe the new M91B/BW is different, IDK.

It's a floody light. Don't get me wrong. But it throws respectably just by sheer muscle. I'm not familiar with the previous generation of M91's, but the M91B uses the XPL, which, as you know, lends itself to throw.

 

[Modernflame]

Just noticed that Gene has restocked some of the larger and mid size lights. They are for sale again!

 

[INFRNL]

Just noticed that Gene has restocked some of the larger and mid size lights. They are for sale again!

They are probably working their tails off to get stock replenished or they might be waiting on items from the machine shops, etc.

I'm waiting for a couple of modules and mdc lights.

 

[INFRNL]

Here are the M61T results MD3 Panny 18500 2000mah cells. Light cut off between 160-165min

 

[xdayv]

oh nice, nearly 3hrs of regulated runtime!

 

[INFRNL]

It's a floody light. Don't get me wrong. But it throws respectably just by sheer muscle. I'm not familiar with the previous generation of M91's, but the M91B uses the XPL, which, as you know, lends itself to throw.

I was just thinking about this as i posted results for the M61T MD3

My M91W is the version before the BW as far as I know. So it is the warm lower output version of the 91B but both have a similar range but a very wide spill beam as you mentioned. These in my opinion are similar to a Wildcat v6 but less output and different tints. The WC will actually out throw the M91's but I get your point.

I think if someone wanted an MD3/MD4 version of the M61HOT/T, they would need to look at the M91T. I used to own both the HOT and the M91T. Same beam tint/profile but the M91T had more throw which is to be expected but not night/day difference.

I'm thinking it goes like this for output/throw: M61T, M61HOT, M91T
M91T probably going to get the worst runtime
, all very similar beam profiles if not the same w/ the exception of throw...just my thoughts from experience. I still need to take the HOT and T out somewhere to compare profiles to make sure

 

[Woods Walker]

I would love to hear the results. If they work as claimed, I would definitely invest in some. Perfect time of year to test them out as well

If I get it in time next week might be going to the Dacks. It can be -20F or colder so will know fast if the claims are BS. Going to take the pulk sled and a heated Tipi but lots of snowshoe hikes and wood foraging. I got their newest one with up to 8A draw on the protection circuit.

 

[INFRNL]

If I get it in time next week might be going to the Dacks. It can be -20F or colder so will know fast if the claims are BS. Going to take the pulk sled and a heated Tipi but lots of snowshoe hikes and wood foraging. I got their newest one with up to 8A draw on the protection circuit.

You are crazy my friend. I will leave all the cold weather activities to you and anyone else that enjoys it. It gets cold here in Colorado, and i've lived here since 1980, but it doesn't get as cold as up North and I've been living in a controlled environment for the past 3 yrs

I worked outside all day every day for over 13yrs and I was fine most of the time, but I admit I'm a big baby now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed hat they are good cells and you didn't waste your money.

 

[Swedpat]

oh nice, nearly 3hrs of regulated runtime!

Then we can expect ~5hours with 2x18650. Still I find M61T best with a single 18650. A certain time of stable output followed by a slow decline so you can notice when it's time for battery replacement/recharge in good time before it's too depleted.

 

[xdayv]

Then we can expect ~5hours with 2x18650. Still I find M61T best with a single 18650. A certain time of stable output followed by a slow decline so you can notice when it's time for battery replacement/recharge in good time before it's too depleted.

I concur with the T. And probably won't be too stressful on the battery I guess?

 

[INFRNL]

Then we can expect ~5hours with 2x18650. Still I find M61T best with a single 18650. A certain time of stable output followed by a slow decline so you can notice when it's time for battery replacement/recharge in good time before it's too depleted.

I will get to the MD4 18650 test tomorrow, so you won't have to guess, but you are probably right in line with what we might see. I'm currently running M61 18650 high mode test. it should finish while I'm sleeping, then we can run M61T MD4

It is always nice to have warning that your cells are about to die

 

[Modernflame]

There was a bear attack maybe 5 miles away in summer. My primary concern is not HCRI. It's looking around for whatever left that. Did it run off as I approached? Nature tends to sense confidence and frankly I was not in the least concerned but illumination IMHO is the end goal and at times more is better.

Woods Walker! I am not the outdoorsman that you are, but I still don't see how you make these treks with such low output devices. I understand that 50lm is enough for navigation, but when I'm in the woods I want to clearly illuminate everything within at least a hundred meters. And I don't live near bears!

I find that a Hound Dog is perfect. The low beam is about 70 lm and has adequate reach owing to the profile. This is sufficient for getting about, but the little green eyes in the brush retreat when I hit my high beam!

 

[Blues]

If I get it in time next week might be going to the Dacks. It can be -20F or colder so will know fast if the claims are BS. Going to take the pulk sled and a heated Tipi but lots of snowshoe hikes and wood foraging. I got their newest one with up to 8A draw on the protection circuit.

When I still lived up in NYC I would go to climb Mt. Washington on Washington's B'day for a few years...and often go winter hiking for a week or so up in the high peaks region of the Adirondacks, usually going in from Keene Valley and setting up camp near the Slant Rock lean-to near Mt. Marcy and Haystack. Miss the snow shoeing, x-c skiing I used to do up there as well. (We have similar down here in the western NC mountains but I'm older and wiser now. LOL!)

Be safe. I can affirm it can be colder than a witches'...and let us know how those batteries perform. Will be interesting.

 

[Greenbean]

Looks like I'll be trying to get that 18650 HD sooner as I just opened up a nice little eBay score and got a new MD2 with Malkoff triad tail for under 50 bucks and the seller sent me two nice 18650 batteries. Nice bonus there!

 

[Woods Walker]

Woods Walker! I am not the outdoorsman that you are, but I still don't see how you make these treks with such low output devices. I understand that 50lm is enough for navigation, but when I'm in the woods I want to clearly illuminate everything within at least a hundred meters. And I don't live near bears!

I find that a Hound Dog is perfect. The low beam is about 70 lm and has adequate reach owing to the profile. This is sufficient for getting about, but the little green eyes in the brush retreat when I hit my high beam!

If I am on a trail and it is defined like the AT 50 lm is really enough for me. Same for blue trails. My concerns are tripping over a rock or stepping on a rattlesnake (have lots of them and they're out at night) not navigating. Now during Autumn when the trials are covered in thick leaves or during winter with fresh snow or off trail more is better but those situations are really the exception. I mostly need moderate light running for a ling time.

Also my Wizard or other headlamps are much more powerful than the M61/31. I always pack a headlamp. Same for most of my lights. For example a SolarForce with Mountain Electronics P60 is frankly better in terms out output and modes etc etc to my M61/M31. I can also get them in NW, Warn. CW and 219C. In fact ordered a warm 3 mode today. The Solarforce hosts are good. As for dependability I can carry a cheap knock off SF plastic twisty in the pack in case the clicky goes. That applies to all clickies. Aw heck I can even carry an extra drop-n and those are really easy to change in the dark just like any other SF host. I like to wrap them in some foil to increase the heat sink.

But the Malkoff is the ultimate (IMHO) in durability and reliability and operates often at wider voltage ranges. So I am reluctant not to have one.

 

[markr6]

Yeah it definitely depends on the trail. Some highly used trails I think grandma can take her motorized cart on no problem. Others, not so much. Throw in a new place you're not familiar with or bushwhacking, which I like to do, and I start going to the max modes.

 

[Modernflame]

If I am on a trail and it is defined like the AT 50 lm is really enough for me. Same for blue trails. My concerns are tripping over a rock or stepping on a rattlesnake (have lots of them and they're out at night) not navigating. Now during Autumn when the trials are covered in thick leaves or during winter with fresh snow or off trail more is better but those situations are really the exception. I mostly need moderate light running for a ling time.

Also my Wizard or other headlamps are much more powerful than the M61/31. I always pack a headlamp. Same for most of my lights. For example a SolarForce with Mountain Electronics P60 is frankly better in terms out output and modes etc etc to my M61/M31. I can also get them in NW, Warn. CW and 219C. In fact ordered a warm 3 mode today. The Solarforce hosts are good. As for dependability I can carry a cheap knock off SF plastic twisty in the pack in case the clicky goes. That applies to all clickies. Aw heck I can even carry an extra drop-n and those are really easy to change in the dark just like any other SF host. I like to wrap them in some foil to increase the heat sink.

But the Malkoff is the ultimate (IMHO) in durability and reliability and operates often at wider voltage ranges. So I am reluctant not to have one.

I guess I'm chicken! As Gene would have it, chickens started all of this, so I suppose I'm in good company. There is a lovely four and a half mile wooded trail walk near my home. Literally, it is a walk in the park. No bears, no wild cats (pun intended), but I have seen a few snakes. I won't go back there at night without at least three Malkoffs. Logic? No matter what happens, I won't have to change batteries or a tail cap in the dark.

Respect, Woodsy. Mad respect.

 

[INFRNL]

Here are the results for M61 MD2 18650. Light is on it's last leg but still putting out light.

I wish I could make a better graph but these long runs limit what I can do. It looks like there is a sharp drop after 3 hrs, but it's not as drastic as it looks. The chart should run every 5min to 6hrs then every hour, but you won't be able to read it like that. let me try something else.

Here is another version of the chart.