First custom light

hig789

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Joined
Jun 8, 2011
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39
Hello everyone I am new to custom light world. Right now I carry a small Martac cu AA and I was looking to make a major upgrade to something with more power and a clicky. I carry my light clipped to my back pocket at work, so a clip is a must. I'd like something in between a flood and a spot light if that is possible. Ideally I'd like to keep my budget some where around $350-400. AA's or a single cr123 is fine. Li ion is okay too. Sorry for all the newb questions and I know this is a broad range of lights but I don't know where to begin. Thanks in advance for any help.
 

hig789

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Joined
Jun 8, 2011
Messages
39
I was thinking of getting Mac's tri edc but I don't really want to wait 6 months and I haven't found one for sale yet. I have been looking at the McGizmos also I like how small the sun drop is but I dont know what the beam is like.


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Z-Tab

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Mar 10, 2011
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694
Location
Los Angeles
How much power do you want? McGizmos are beloved for a lot of reasons, power is not one of them.

If you're willing to go up to $400, you have a ton of options. Are you looking for a Ti light? As bright as possible? If you carry it clipped to your pants, an 18650 based light might be too big, but at that size there are a lot of great choices.

Have a look in the Custom maker subforums. I would say that McGizmo, Mac's Customs, TnC Products, DarkSucks, and Oveready all have excellent lights that might suit you. When you put that much money into a light, it's worth poking around and asking any questions you have.
 

AVService

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Messages
2,163
This might sound silly bit I would try a Malkoff before throwing a lot of cash at this?

For 1/4 the outlay you can get a damn nice light that will do what you want and then some.
See if you really like getting into a more serious light and if so after a little while then jump in.

You can sell the Malkoff anytime for what you paid pretty much but I will bet that doesn't happen either!
 

AVService

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Messages
2,163
What is it that makes Malkoff NOT a serious light?

Only the word you seem to take out of my mouth?

Read what I typed and then think about it.

A $400.00 light is MORE serious than a $100.00 light by about $300.00.

I am the one who suggested the Malkoff,didn't I?
 
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Grmnracing

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Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Messages
193
Location
CT USA
I myself have been looking into custom lights. I like Mac's Tri EDC. But I'm a huge fan of moonlight mode. Im still on the look out, but I just may choose the Tri EDC


Steven
 

yoyoman

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Joined
Nov 15, 2012
Messages
2,345
Location
Switzerland/Scarsdale
$400 is more serious MONEY than $100. And, if you're quick, you can get a turn-key MD2 for less than $100. The clip is extra. This sale won't last forever. But this is a 2XCR123 or 1x18650 and might be too big for your needs. The Hound Dog head is also on sale, and you'll have to buy a body for it, too. These are less money than the other custom lights, but they are very high quality and they are serious lights.

I have a few other custom lights. Haiku XML, Prometheus Ready-Made, Tain's Flute and several Oveready lights. Besides the fit and finish, what I really enjoy about using these lights is they represent the designer's/builder's concept of what an ideal light is. Most of them have long runtimes. Most have wonderful beams. Some are in titanium and others in wonderfully machined alum. Some are geared for EDC - general use - and have reasonable drive levels that don't get too hot and provide runtime. Others have high drive to deliver amazing output (but at the cost of heat and runtime). Most are floody and some are throw specialists. Some are small and some are big. Some have the ability to lego and some have proprietary sizes. So before you drop some serious money, think about your vision of an ideal light. And if you make a mistake and get a light that you don't like, there is always the Market Place...

Another option is to buy different parts and dropins. I like small lights - I bought a SureFire Z44 bezel, a 3P (1x18350) body from WonderLite and cannibalized a SureFire Z41 tailcap with McClicky upgrade. Depending on how much light or runtime I need, I swap dropins. It isn't titanium, didn't come from one maker, but I feel it is my custom light.

My final piece of advice is don't do it. You won't stop at one. My name is yoyoman and I'm a flashaholic.
 

BigBluefish

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
1,461
If you are looking for a pocket size light, perhaps one of the Malkoff MDCs? Malkoff was mentioned by a couple of previous posters, but I don't think this specific model. Pocket size, clicky, and a nice deep-cary clip. He has models taking a single CR123a, Li Ion 16340/RCR, or AA (which wil take a 14500, but you loose the low mode.) I have a couple of these and they are very nice, for about $100 a piece.

Another pocket light possiblility is a Peak, perhaps a Logan? From Oveready, you can get a Logan that takes a 17500 cell, and with an adapter set, will take AA/14500/CR123/RCR as well. You can get a momentary switch tail for these (but not a true clicky) I believe you can also order the same light from Peak, but not the cell adapters. The Eiger, taking an AAA, can also be had with a momentary (thought not clicky, tailcap.) There is also a straight AA tubed light, but I forget the name. These can be had in single level output models and ones using a QTC pill, which will give you infintely adjustable brightness (well, infinite to the limits of the emitter and drive current, but you get the idea). Peaks aren't fancy, but they are well made, and they are a nice solid chunk of metal in whatever type you choose. They have a nice "refined tool-light" vibe to them, but are a bit classier than most production lights.

I don't have any experience with more expensive/purely custom lights (I consider Malkoffs & Peaks "semi-custom" imeaning, limited production of "standard" models in a small shop with high quality). That said, I've been researching and contemplating a Mac's XM-L EDC, and a Prometheus Alpha (though the later is isn't a pocket-size, but rather, a duty-size light.)
 

hig789

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jun 8, 2011
Messages
39
My final piece of advice is don't do it. You won't stop at one. My name is yoyoman and I'm a flashaholic.

I found a tri EDC on Sunday and now I have a copper MBI HF and a Bitz cr123 aluminum body and Ti bezel in the mail. I am sure there will be a few more too.


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Bertrand

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Joined
Sep 26, 2011
Messages
55
I'd look into the variety of Oveready creations as well. They make/sell a decent variety of lights in the $75 to $400 range with great build quality.
 
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