3D Maglite Ultimate?

[toadman]

Okay, I have 3 3D Maglites. One with a Electrolumens 3 P7 dropin with 9AA batteries, a Electrolumens 4 MCE dropin with 4C batteries, & a Terralux triple dropin with 4C batteries. Am not really happy with any of them. The Electrolumens dropin are very floody but not enough throw. The
Terralux throws well but the beam pattern sux.
What mod is out there for the 3D Maglite that has good combination of flood & throw? I have a Surefire with a Malkoff dropin & a Fenix T1 & I'm looking something that outthrows those 2 with the flood of the P7.
Wishfull thinking?

 

[tx101]

Easy, but you will have to build it yourself
SST-90

 

[Sgt. LED]

The SST-50 does awfully well for spill and throw.

 

[jahxman]

The SST-50 does awfully well for spill and throw.

+1 I have a Mac Custom 1D mag with SST-50 running at 3.2A off an IMR 26650, it's not as bright as multi-P7 or multi-MC-E setups but the beam is very useful, wide spot and good spill. Not a super thrower but excellent for mid throw to close illumination. It throws better with the stock SMO reflector but I replaced that with a KD MOP that I just had to sand a little bit with a dremel to fit around the heatsink post. This gave me the type of beam I was looking for.

 

[lctorana]

Okay, I have 3 3D Maglites. One with a Electrolumens 3 P7 dropin with 9AA batteries, a Electrolumens 4 MCE dropin with 4C batteries, & a Terralux triple dropin with 4C batteries. Am not really happy with any of them. The Electrolumens dropin are very floody but not enough throw. The
Terralux throws well but the beam pattern sux.
What mod is out there for the 3D Maglite that has good combination of flood & throw? I have a Surefire with a Malkoff dropin & a Fenix T1 & I'm looking something that outthrows those 2 with the flood of the P7.
Wishfull thinking?

Nothing easier.

Mag85.

 

[Sgt. LED]

OH there's also the Malkoff triple if you can find one.
Love mine!

 

[toadman]

OH there's also the Malkoff triple if you can find one.
Love mine!

Do U know how it compares to Electrolumens P7 Triple or their MCE Cree Quad light?
I used to have a Mag85, thats the rechargeble one right? Didn't impress me a lot? I think I've just been jaded by all the new lights out there.
Been looking at the new Electrolumens SSR-90. It's about the size of a 3D Maglite & they are saying it'll turn out 1,750 lumens. Damn thats bright. I just don't think I can wait until Jan. of 2010!
To the people that have built their own, I applaud U. I'm too inept to try & build one. I guess I'll just have to wait.

 

[scarlet]

+1 on the MAG85

Simple and effective. Cheap bulbs, easily accessible batteries (AA), stupidly bright, but with enough runtime to be slightly practicle

 

[camaro09]

+1 for the Malkoff Triple. There out there you just have to look.

 

[toadman]

Do U know how it compares to Electrolumens P7 Triple or their MCE Cree Quad light?
I used to have a Mag85, thats the rechargeble one right? Didn't impress me a lot? I think I've just been jaded by all the new lights out there.
Been looking at the new Electrolumens SSR-90. It's about the size of a 3D Maglite & they are saying it'll turn out 1,750 lumens. Damn thats bright. I just don't think I can wait until Jan. of 2010!
To the people that have built their own, I applaud U. I'm too inept to try & build one. I guess I'll just have to wait.

Okay I just realized the Mag85 isn't the off the shelf rechargeble I was thing about. Is building it from scratch the only way to get one?

 

[RyanA]

Mag 85's are easy. If you can get a deal on a Magcharger, you'd really only need a few parts, and it's a really solid, long throwing setup.

I've got to run to work. I can create an enumerated list when I get back. Guess what light is coming with me? Mag85:devil: It's cold out, gotta stay warm somehow.

 

[M@elstrom]

The problem you're experiencing toadman is multi emitter configurations (ie. 3 x MC-E/P7) sacrifice throw for flood because they require smaller independent reflectors unlike a single quad emitter configuration that can maximise throw by utilizing either an aftermarket reflector OR the stock offering (see below) :thumbsup:

* Image courtesy of StefanFS's thread found HERE *

 

[toadman]

The problem you're experiencing toadman is multi emitter configurations (ie. 3 x MC-E/P7) sacrifice throw for flood because they require smaller independent reflectors unlike a single quad emitter configuration that can maximise throw by utilizing either an aftermarket reflector OR the stock offering (see below) :thumbsup:

* Image courtesy of StefanFS's thread found HERE *

I think I have all those lights & then some! Based on what people are telling me looks like I need to get a Mag85.
I'll have to see if my mediocre assembly skills can manage to put one together based on the
instructions I get. Stay tuned.

 

[lctorana]

I think I have all those lights & then some! Based on what people are telling me looks like I need to get a Mag85.
I'll have to see if my mediocre assembly skills can manage to put one together based on the instructions I get.

A Mag 85, particularly if you use a bi-pin adaptor, is WAY easier than any LED mod. Once you have assembled all the parts, 20 minutes is all you need to be up and running.

Parts List:
a 3D maglite
9 x AA NiMH cells, capable of standing up to a 3A draw (Eneloops will do)
a 9AA:3D high-current battery holder (e.g. from FiveMega or mdocod)
either a bi-pinR adaptor or a "Kiu socket"
a metal reflector
a glass lens (the lens out of a dime store 2" magnifying glass will do)
a 1185 bulb.

Charge the batteries, put the above together and you're done.

 

[UpChUcK]

What kind of runtimes does a Mag85 get on 9xAA Eneloops?

My ROP Hi on 6xAA Eneloops gets about 35 min.

 

[BSBG]

What kind of runtimes does a Mag85 get on 9xAA Eneloops?

My ROP Hi on 6xAA Eneloops gets about 35 min.

About the same, depending on your battery capacity. Or you can run 12AA or 4 IMRs with a JimmyM or AlanB regulated driver for longer run time and really white output.

 

[M@elstrom]

I think I have all those lights & then some!

That image was used to illustrate the obvious difference between 3 small reflectors & one single large 50mm one, for the record if you already had "those lights" you wouldn't need to build a Mag85 as the 50w Osram IRC 4D Mag on the extreme right puts out more than twice the Lumens :devil:

Based on what people are telling me looks like I need to get a Mag85.
I'll have to see if my mediocre assembly skills can manage to put one together based on the instructions I get. Stay tuned.

We can only base our answers on the information you provide, if you already have a single "D bin" P7 emitter converted Maglite and are still unhappy with that then perhaps the Mag85 is the light you've been looking for I hope you'll find 20~30 minutes runtime acceptable for your needs, a Mag85's output is in the realm of a really well driven "D bin" P7 and either will outhrow both your SF with Malkoff & Fenix T1, for an example compare the beamshot (distance/spill) of a super thrower single emitter Spear clone (deeper reflector than T1/Malkoff P60) and that of a single "D BIn" P7 Maglite as seen below

Distance to target 109ft.

 

[MKLight]

All I can say is....WOW!!!! Great pics, M@elstrom! I'm getting M@g envious! :twothumbs

 

[M@elstrom]

Thanks, actually they're terrible pic's taken back when I was still mastering my digital camera IIRC white balance was set incorrectly so the tint is all wrong but it still manages to convey the 900Lm throw/spill of a well driven P7 Mag

 

[MKLight]

ha ha...they're definitely better than what I could take. I just saw a 3D LED M@g in person and use. I was (in my mind, surprisingly) impressed with its output. Now seeing other possibilities, I'm VERY impressed. I was trying to slow down my flashoholism...now this!?!? :naughty: :mecry: to my already thin wallet...