Titanium Makai

[eyeeatingfish]

Aloha eyeeatingfish,

There are some custom variations I can offer within the bounds of the titianium components and LED's I currently work with but beyond that, I don't do or offer custom lights or modifications. I haven't worked with aluminum components now for a few years. There are probably any number of options and alternatives available to you out there. One that comes immediately to mind is Gene Malkoff. Have you looked at his offerings? Have you posted a thread elsewhere on the forum with a punch list of desirable features and asked for suggestions?

I was not aware of this newer line that Malkoff is producing, thanks for the suggestion. I have my peak listed for sale so I can buy a different light, but if no one buys it I talked to the guys at pheonix electroform and they said they could try to design a reflector for it assuming the head dimensions would fit a proper one.
I did mention my desires in other threads but didn't really get any American solutions. Similar to the relative lack of a good American AA light. (No offense Peak!)

If you only do titanium now then I can respect that, I just can't justify that yet. I am guessing you don't do one in SS either huh?
Ill be back when I can justify one.
Thanks

 

[easilyled]

Malkoff sounds like a very good recommendation.

One other possibility you might consider is to put a WTB thread in the Customs B/S/T section for an Aleph-3 host (with 2-cell body).
Aleph-3s were produced by McGizmo a few years ago and are Aluminium. There are probably still quite a few around in good/mint condition.

You can use the Makai's reflector and L.E in the Aleph-3 head if you employ a spacer to isolate the solder points.
(Don cut a delrin spacer for me for this purpose, but you would need to check with him if he's happy to do this for you)
In this set-up, the beam is virtually identical to that of the Makai.

 

[eyeeatingfish]

Thanks. I wonder how much those old bodies go for.
Of course that doesn't completely solve the money problem as the titanium for the head aint cheap either.

 

[easilyled]

Thanks. I wonder how much those old bodies go for.
Of course that doesn't completely solve the money problem as the titanium for the head aint cheap either.

The whole Aleph-3 is made out of Aluminium. Head, body and tail. No Titanium anywhere.
With an existing Seoul SSC-P4 L.E, this is already a good thrower.
(You could probably find a complete Aleph-3 light with SSC-P4 L.E for about $200)

However if you want slightly more output, you can buy the Makai reflector, L.E and spacer separately (from McGizmo) and put them in the Aluminium Aleph-3 head.

 

[BenChiew]

Post #175 Don says... Both used the 3S Buck converter with a current drive of ~1400 mA.

Does this mean that the 3s LE typically found in the Makai is driven at 1400ma whereby the 3s LE in the Haiku is driven at 1000ma on high?

 

[tshirley]

IMO the Makai is the greatest light ever produced. I started with 6v now have the 1xcr123 body and it is perfect for me. Compact light that has great spill and is able to reach out. This is my go to light without question

 

[magellan]

IMO the Makai is the greatest light ever produced. I started with 6v now have the 1xcr123 body and it is perfect for me. Compact light that has great spill and is able to reach out. This is my go to light without question

I might agree. I had the chance to buy the 2x123A model recently and I love it. I will never part with it even if I'm some day reduced to eating Top Ramen to survive.

 

[jkid1911]

Makai with the single 123A body is like a miniature torch and one of the coolest little lights I've ever had the pleasure to own!

LOVE IT!

 

[RedLED]

I like it too. I have the two AA pack and can run it with two eneloops, or two AA, primes, or in a single CR 123 prime, with my single CR123 McClicky

Versatility. With this system is great.

 

[F89]

I like it too. I have the two AA pack and can run it with two eneloops, or two AA, primes, or in a single CR 123 prime, with my single CR123 McClicky

Versatility. With this system is great.

I like the idea of a Makai on my 2AA pak too

 

[RedLED]

It's a great set up.

 

[greatscoot]

Just picked up a Makia head, something that has been on my wish list for a while. Threw in an XPG4000K in there to test it out and WOW, does this thing throw. I'll probably get a Tana Super LE in XPL for it now.

 

[id30209]

Makai tribute
Don retired this icon

 

[F89]

Makai tribute
Don retured this icon

Are you saying that Don has stopped making (retired) the Makai?
I hope not, I don't have one but of course I'd love one. Such a cool light.
What would also be cool is a Makai head that has an adaption to fit a Terra Ram pak. Not sure how the dimensions of each part would line up and whether the head would need a complete redesign to work?
I haven't handled either (Makai or Ram/Mule aqua/terra 18650) but I'm guessing it would probably take more than some kind of coupling piece?

 

[greatscoot]

Are you saying that Don has stopped making (retired) the Makai?
I hope not, I don't have one but of course I'd love one. Such a cool light.
What would also be cool is a Makai head that has an adaption to fit a Terra Ram pak. Not sure how the dimensions of each part would line up and whether the head would need a complete redesign to work?
I haven't handled either (Makai or Ram/Mule aqua/terra 18650) but I'm guessing it would probably take more than some kind of coupling piece?

I have a Makai and it throws like crazy.

 

[desert.snake]

Are you saying that Don has stopped making (retired) the Makai?
I hope not, I don't have one but of course I'd love one. Such a cool light.
What would also be cool is a Makai head that has an adaption to fit a Terra Ram pak. Not sure how the dimensions of each part would line up and whether the head would need a complete redesign to work?
I haven't handled either (Makai or Ram/Mule aqua/terra 18650) but I'm guessing it would probably take more than some kind of coupling piece?

It looks like need an adapter, like Malkoff, with an internal part for the battery contact and "+" in the driver. Only with their own thread on pak-side, maybe they are compatible, no one tried it?

upd.

I spoke to Malkoff, his adapter has the same wide part of the thread as Aqua/Terra's body - thread 7/8 x 20

MDC 18650 to E-Series Body – Malkoff Devices

This MDC 18650 flashlight body will allow you to power your Malkoff MDC and E-Series/Scout Heads with a single 18650 protected button top battery. Flat top batteries will need a spacer. It will NOT WORK on the new Surefire DF Series Heads. They have a larger thread pattern. For the Dual Fuel...

malkoffdevices.com

BUT as far how can you see here on the first page ( https://www.candlepowerforums.com/t...ram-18650-lights-terra-versions-added.372460/ ) Aqua's head has a long thread and 2 O-rings behind it, that is, that body collar is quite long and this adapter from Malkoff simply will not reach the thread in the depth of the body, even if the thread would fit.

It's easier to buy this Malkoff body and put a Makai head on it, it will work well. Or find a craftsman who will custom-make a suitable adapter.

 

[F89]

It looks like need an adapter, like Malkoff, with an internal part for the battery contact and "+" in the driver. Only with their own thread on pak-side, maybe they are compatible, no one tried it?

Looks like that (or something similar) might work?
Whatever the solution (to a problem that doesn't exist) is, you'd want it to be neat and solid.
Honestly the 2x123 pak would be great. I've got a couple of Surefire I've modded that use 16650, although they aren't easy for me to get (16650's).

 

[id30209]

Are you saying that Don has stopped making (retired) the Makai?
I hope not, I don't have one but of course I'd love one. Such a cool light.
What would also be cool is a Makai head that has an adaption to fit a Terra Ram pak. Not sure how the dimensions of each part would line up and whether the head would need a complete redesign to work?
I haven't handled either (Makai or Ram/Mule aqua/terra 18650) but I'm guessing it would probably take more than some kind of coupling piece?

Yes, Don posted in his Facebook group that Makai is no more
Apparently, he has problems editing his posts here on CPF.

 

[id30209]

It looks like need an adapter, like Malkoff, with an internal part for the battery contact and "+" in the driver. Only with their own thread on pak-side, maybe they are compatible, no one tried it?
View attachment 29006

Hi DS! Yes, something ike that might work.

 

[desert.snake]

Yes, Don posted in his Facebook group that Makai is no more
Apparently, he has problems editing his posts here on CPF.

Did he run out of reflectors? ( This is just an assumption, since problems with the head bodies are unlikely, it seems that it was mentioned somewhere that he makes them himself or someone makes them for him in Hawaii, that is, nearby)

Or the demand is so small compared to haiku and others that it makes no sense to make a new batch.