Diamond Luxeon Maglite Upgrade?

[hk dave]

Hey guys... new flashaholic.... I found an old 3D maglite i bought something like 6-7 years ago at least... I purchased it with an upgrade... i'm pretty sure it was a diamond luxeon upgrade of some sort.

Anyhow, I turn the sucker on... and compared to say my surefire e2dl or jetbeam Raptor-0... it's just sad...

The upgrade is black and has a diamond logo on it... anyone know what the lumen output on it is?

I did some research... and it looks like these LEDs are direct drive... i wonder if using brand new batteries would make a huge difference... or perhaps some nihm rechargeables?

Been thinking about getting a brighter bulb for my maglite...

So was hoping someone could shed some light on some questions...

1) Anyone know what the lumen output on the diamond luxeon from 6-7 years ago is? I'm not sure if its a 1 watt or a 3 watt, is there a way to tell?
2) Does the diamond-luxeon company exist still?
2) How's the terralux 140 lumen upgrade? Is it really 140 lumens? Will it get anywhere near the brightness of say a Fenix tk11?
3) Any suggestion on a simple drop in replacement that uses D Cells and maximizes lumen output? (I love the malkoff... but i just can't do $70 for a maglite upgrade)

Thanks guys!

 

[McAllan]

I've got the TerraLux 140 lm upgrade for my 2D Mag (can also be used in 3D in contrast to Mags own modules). To be true I'm not very thrilled with it. Consider trying Mags upgrade module instead although it's horrendously expensive where I live. However I won't expect more light (the opposite in fact) but better quality.

The TerraLux I've got is the one with a Seoul LED instead of Luxeon K. Probably brighter but light color and color rendition is quite poor. Quite blue and if turned on for 5-10 min the color gets even bluer. Screwing off the head and touching the module it feels too hot. The electronics might not have a problem with the temperature but can't be very healthy for the LED - must shorten it's life quite considerably.

So I'll suggest you'll either settle with the low output (compared with todays competition) of an original module (at least instead of the TerraLux), keep it incan or mod it with malkoof etc.
However because of the high quality reflector it got quite good throw despite low lumen output so it may still have some use other than novelty and historic value.

 

[Locoboy5150]

Screwing off the head and touching the module it feels too hot. The electronics might not have a problem with the temperature but can't be very healthy for the LED - must shorten it's life quite considerably.

That's probably because the original stock Maglite bulb holder assembly has no thermal path to the aluminum flashlight body and thus there is no heat sinking for the LED. That's the problem with many of the drop in upgrades for Maglites. The only Terralux drop in upgrgades for Maglites that have heat sinks are the TLE-300M and TLE-300M-EX.

The popular Malkoff Devices drop in upgrades also have heatsinks, but good luck finding one for sale.

 

[McAllan]

That's probably because the original stock Maglite bulb holder assembly has no thermal path to the aluminum flashlight body and thus there is no heat sinking for the LED. That's the problem with many of the drop in upgrades for Maglites. The only Terralux drop in upgrgades for Maglites that have heat sinks are the TLE-300M and TLE-300M-EX.

The popular Malkoff Devices drop in upgrades also have heatsinks, but good luck finding one for sale.

Not probably - that IS the cause

The problem is the same no matter what drop in except very low powered as one NiteIze I got which says 2-6 cells. Looks like a giant 100 mA 10 mm LED. Light output is nothing impressive to say it mildly although it is an OK alternative to a stock 2 cell krypton bulb.

Mags original drop in has temperature management so it won't cook the LED as much as the TerraLux but light output will fall and stabilize like approx half of initial (although it doesn't seem quite as severe because perception is logarithmic).
I've also got a TerraLux TLE-300M (the later one, non EX, with Cree instead of Luxeon K2) and it's quite nice. Especially if you apply some thermal paste or if you haven't got any then Super Lube or similar synthetic grease can substitute. But it's noting like the original reflector. Light is plenty full but floody. Great for medium range but no thrower. Have considered converting my 6D back to stock and make a nice smaller metal case capable of using 8 AA with the module. A 6D just calls for throw not flood.

Don't know the sales situation of Malkoofs. But for those with a metal lathe it should be a good and relatively easy starter project to make more or less of a duplicate. Then add a few parts such as an LED and a driver both which are easily available from KD and DX. If they are so scarce and wanted that you're implying then I almost could be temped to start my own hobby production - if only I got the space for my own lathe :mecry:

 

[optodoofus]

1) Anyone know what the lumen output on the diamond luxeon from 6-7 years ago is? I'm not sure if its a 1 watt or a 3 watt, is there a way to tell?
2) Does the diamond-luxeon company exist still?
2) How's the terralux 140 lumen upgrade? Is it really 140 lumens? Will it get anywhere near the brightness of say a Fenix tk11?
3) Any suggestion on a simple drop in replacement that uses D Cells and maximizes lumen output? (I love the malkoff... but i just can't do $70 for a maglite upgrade)

1) The Lux 3s were about 60-ish lumens while the K2s were about 75-ish (maybe I'm being generous on the K2). I still have one of the K2 models around somewhere but it got evicted when I upgraded to a Malkoff.

2) and 2) #2: Don't know

3) I splashed out for the Malkoff and have no regrets. If you can get past the cost, the availability is still tough these days. But I would recommend one in a heartbeat.

optodoofus

 

[robotoid]

1
3) I splashed out for the Malkoff and have no regrets. If you can get past the cost, the availability is still tough these days. But I would recommend one in a heartbeat.

optodoofus

I put the Malkoff LED upgrade in a 3D Mag with a Malkoff cutoff reflector and it is the brightest and farthest throwing light I own. I would have no hesitation recommending it.

 

[hk dave]

Thanks guys for your great responses!

I wonder if the malkoff would out throw my fenix tk30 or jetbeam raptor 1.