Faceted reflectors for M*glites?

[NYCblue]

Does anyone know if they make faceted reflectors for M*glites? And if so where can they be purchased?

Any input would be appreciated
Thanks

 

[litho123]

There are aluminum replacement reflectors in an Orange Peel finish which smooths out the beam to become more surefire-like. Fivemega has some cammed reflectors on order and there are camless ones as well soon to be available.

What are you trying to accomplish with the faceted reflector?

 

[NYCblue]

Hi Litho123,

I have a ton of mags before I went to higher quality lights, like surefire and streamlight. Once you see a quality flashlight's beam quality its hard to go back!! So if I could breathe a little more life into my mags with a better reflector I think it would be worth it.

 

[3rd_shift]

What type and quantity of maggs do you have?
Also, what are some of thier ages in general?

I currently have a 2d magg with 2 3AA to D battery holders from the elektrolumens forum, stock 6d magg bulb, fivemega light orange peel aluminum cammed reflector, and 6 aa nimh batteries powering it.

It looks great with only the biggest artifacts in the beam creeping through.

 

[NYCblue]

Hi Stephen

I have 2 2c mags, 1 2d mag, 1 3d mag, and 1 4d mag. I saw that the fivemega reflectors are 20 bucks which are too much for me for a simple reflector upgrade, though I understand it is ideal if you are doing a mod. Speaking of which, my modding skills are not very extensive. Does anyone sell a completed mag85 or similar light? I would be interested in purchasing one.

 

[KDOG3]

Good grief, a Surefire G2 is like 34 bucks!! Get the real deal!!!

 

[paulr]

I have one of the FM LOP (light orange peel) reflectors in my Mag3d and it really does clean up the beam noticably.

The main skills you need for a Mag85 is getting the parts together, since they're not always available. You need an FM or Carley drop-in reflector (easy swap), glass lens (easy swap), 3-to-D adapters (just drop in place of the normal batteries), potted 1185 bulb (replace normal bulb), nine AA NiMH of not too high capacity, and a charging setup. Some of those parts are hard to find. But once you get them, assembly is simple.

Even simpler is an MC60, which is not quite as bright as an Mag85. You just buy a stock Magcharger and replace its bulb with a WA01160. Frankly I think this makes more practical and financial sense than doing the work to get a Mag85 together. Cost is about the same and you get a more convenient light, that you can just drop into a charging cradle instead of having to remove nine AA cells from the light and charge them externally.

The amazing Jim Sexton (js) is selling some turnkey Tigerlight mods; I like these better than Mag3D/MC mods because of the smaller TL body. Watch the modder BST forum if you want one.

Finally, keep an eye on the Ultimate Stealth Light (USL) thread. It's a 2D Mag body outfitted with a custom NiMH pack and what looks to be a 100 watt automotive halogen lamp. If that thing ever really gets made and sold, it will stomp everything else out there. It will make a Mag85 look feeble.

 

[bjn70]

There are other options for beam-smooting. The easiest to me appears to be using an Acrylite lens which has some diffusing qualities to it. If you search for "acrylite" you'll find the CPF member who was making and selling these. These are OK for relatively stock mags but they won't withstand the heat of the hotter mags. Besides acrylite, flashlightlens makes their own version of this. Also, some people have also put "writerite" or frosted scotch tape on their lenses.

Last, people have frosted their bulbs with acid-etch solutions or with very fine sandpaper.

 

[JasonC8301]

I have one made by Otokoyama that is cammed and lightly orange peeled. I originally wanted a smooth one for max throw on the Mag 2C with 3X 123's and a KPR112 bulb, but I ended up with a OP'd one.

I think I paid about $25-$30 for it? Sure it may cost more than the flashlight (paid like $15 for it) but the construction is top notch and going from a plastic cheapo reflector to a metal one can be an isurance thing so a high powered bulb does not melt the reflector.

Add on a UCL lens and you are set! Nothing like dumping 2 1/2 times more money into a flashlight to be make better, LOL one of the things of flashaholism when a SF G2 is only $34...

 

[modamag]

Acrylite lens are available at from flashlightlens.com he also a a CPF sales special here

 

[cratz2]

For cheap mods, you can 'sputter' your stock Mag reflector using clear spray paint. I have two such reflectors I bought already done. I will try my hand at sputtering my other Mag reflectors when the weather is over ~40 degrees!

It really makes quite a difference. I need to take some pictures of the beams. When it the tightest focus, the beam is actually quite smooth. Wider focus is still horrible though.

 

[ACMarina]

I wonder how that "hammered-finish" spraypaint would work for a sputter. .

 

[XtremePyro]

Probly pretty good if you could find it in clear, chrome, or silver.

 

[nikon]

Stick to the clear acrylic spray and use as little as you can to get the effect you want. Spray for only a split second at a time from more than a foot away so that tiny droplets form on the surface of the reflector (hence the term "sputter"). You want to avoid a smooth coat.

Anything you spray on a reflector will lower its efficiency, even the clear acrylic. The chrome and silver sprays will render a reflector essentially useless. The clear acrylic works because it allows light to reach the original surface of the reflector.

 

[357]

The LDF lens that flashlightlens.com sells does a good job of making the beam usable. Gets rid of most of the artifacts, and also floods the beam more. I like this mod, its cheap and does a great job without being difficult.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

If you aren't going real hot with the Mod, Writeright PDA Screen protection film (currently for the Palm Zire B&W PDA) does a nice job of smoothing out a beam.

I hardy have a M*g that doesn't have that, Acrylite or Scotch Satin Tape.

My best current M*g incand is a 3D with 4C nimh and Acrylite.

But I have the good stuff coming... he he!!!

 

[StuU]

Another cheap way to make the Mag reflector into a faceted reflector is-

Buy one of the Dorcy Boss flashlights which cost about $3.00 at the Dollar Store(when available). Remove the reflector and expoxy glue it into your mag reflector. Rough up the Mag reflector before bonding. The Dorcy reflector should fit the Mag reflector fairly well.

Results in a nice round focused spot.

 

[chevrofreak]

Th Mag-Num Star bulb ($3.99 at Sears) helps the beam shape a lot, and tightens it up as well. I just got my 4D mag to where its nearly perfectly focussed, so I used half a bottle of thread locker on the head :P

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

That's funny Chev!

I try to get the reflector situated to be in good focus with the head screwed tight on lights I REALLY like....

Kinda Anal eh?

 

[bjn70]

Has anyone talked with otokoyama recently? I emailed him about purchase of some acrylite lenses but haven't gotten a response.