Best First Mag Mods?

[redvalkyrie]

Hello, this is my first time posting here but my collection includes an ARC AAAP, G2, Inova X5, a large Dorcy, and of course, two 3D cell Mags.

The Mag lights are currently not being used due to dead batteries. I've never really cared for the battery life they provide and the quickly yellowing beam. So, I'd like to upgrade these and make them useful again.

What would be some good mods for a first timer?

Thanks
JP

 

[WildRice]

my first mag mod was a 3D. Direct drive so no circuitry. a LUX III (TX1L) and a o-sink. quick, easy, bright, white, and long lasting. A o-sink and UCL combo is the way to go.

.02

Jeff

 

[revv11]

I did the ROP (Roar of the Pelican) for my first mod. Very easy, all drop-in stuff, and the light is really bright.
http://lights.lightrefineries.org/?page_id=9

 

[VWTim]

I was about to recommend the same thing as Wildrice.

My first mod was a 3D direct drive with a T-bin Lux 3. Unless you want max throw I'd recommend a UCL with the LDF. The LDF made my light much more usable.

 

[LED Zeppelin]

This is so easy I don't even think the term "mod" is appropriate: replace the bulb with a the PR Lux I out of the Sears Craftsman Tool 3 X AAA light (retail $19.99).

It won't give you the output of a Lux III, but for the effort it is pretty amazing. It saved my Mag 2D (3C converted) from the dumpster. I then put the Mag bulb in the Craftsman, and gave it away.

 

[VWTim]

Hmm, does that Sears "drop in" have any regulation or boost?

 

[black7]

Quick question:
I have both a Mag 2D (to 3C) with the Sears PR LuxI drop in and a 2C (to 3 CR123) with a LuxIII/nFlex.
I bought the LuxIII/nFlex modded Mag thinking it would blow my simple Sears PR LuxI drop in.
For the life of me, I can't see THAT much of a difference in terms of brightness.
If I have them at ~10 feet on a white wall the LuxIII does seem brighter but otherwise I can't really tell a difference while being used.
The LuxIII also does throw a tad bit more but nothing that WOW'd me.
The difference in tint is readily noticable though.

My question is, should the LuxIII blow the LuxI away like I thought it would?
Or was I expecting too much?

Not that I'm not throughly happy with the LuxIII, I was just wondering ;)

Maybe there's something I'm doing wrong/missing?

Back to the OPs question, the Sears PR LuxI drop in is SO simple and satisfying! (Expecially if you catch it on sale!) Gives new life to your Mag and it "wows" those whose whom aren't familiar with LED lights and are familiar with the junk Mag output. ;)

 

[VWTim]

I'm not familiar with the nflex, but what current is it driving the Lux3 at?

 

[black7]

It's adjustable.
Up to 1000mA, according to the spec sheet.

 

[VWTim]

How far do you have the mA set up? I run my Lux3 at about 800 mA, also what bin is your Lux3? Maybe you have a good bin Lux1 and a low bin Lux3?

 

[black7]

The LuxIII is at full bore as far as I know (1000ma).
It is a TV1J.

The Sears LuxI, I have no idea what bin it is as it was out of a sears light. :-P

 

[VWTim]

The LuxIII is at full bore as far as I know (1000ma).
It is a TV1J.

The Sears LuxI, I have no idea what bin it is as it was out of a sears light. :-P

Hmm, something definetly doesn't sounds right then.

 

[hotbeam]

Welcome to the CPF redvalkyrie.

Yeah as per others comments, try a LuxIII Luxeon/ Hotlips heatsink combo to start. Very easy mod. From there, you can do a variable output LuxV.

 

[VWTim]

Just went to pickup a Craftsman 3xAAA Lux1, but they were all out.