Introducing The MicroDragon

[MR Bulk]

Thanks to a highly skilled and motivated journeyman machinist, we were able to modify a tiny 5-Watt Cyan host out of the Brinkmann NexStar 2AA donor to create the MicroDragon (2C NexStar and 2AA Maglite shown for size reference):

This sucker is small.

Yet hidden in its miniscule confines we were able to cram three CR123 lithiums while leaving alone the 2AA NexStar's thick, heavy aluminum body, especially around the head joint, for more than adequate heatsinking...

...in order to overdrive the 5-Watt Luxeon at a full 9V:

The beam of the 2C Nexneedle is tighter due to its larger reflector. The MicroDragon's tiny reflector proved inadequate for a tight, focused beam and the NX-05 optical collimator was substituted, but a wider and possibly more useful beam was the result (look at the sidespill light on the tabletop directly in front of the MicroDragon).

But its 2AA reflector (about the same size as the 2AA Maglite's) was modified and retained for a quick and easy swap if a larger flood beam is required. Here's a comparison of the front ends:

And here is another beamshot of the two newest members of The Fire Breathing Green Dragon family against a wall five feet away (again note the additional sidespill of the MicroDragon's beam):

Just another teeny and bright 5-Watt mod to add to the LED flashoholic's burgeoning arsenal.

(Click HERE to read about the original Fire Breathing Dragon)

 

[curvie]

As always, another wonderful mod!

Victor /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[B@rt]

Now where did I leave my sunglasses... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yellowlaugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[revolvergeek]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif VERY cool!/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif

You planning on selling any of those??

 

[Joe400]

Charlie,

Awsome light, you truly are the king of flashlight mods. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif

 

[BuddTX]

Charlie,

What is your opinion of Cyan vs White?

Do you think that Cyan is useful in a general purpose light?

I have always heard that Cyan is supposed to be the brightest of all the LED colors, but have never really had a chance to play with the colors to see if Cyan is effective as a general purpose light.

So, what are your comments? Say you were hiking in the woods. With the same form factor, would you rathter have a 5 watt White or Cyan with you, and why?

Thanks

(Nice mod btw!)

 

[leddite]

awesome job!

*lust* :>

 

[BuddTX]

Hey, that Brinkmann Nextar 2AA has a real nice tailcap!

could you check to see if the NexStar tailcap can screw into the MagLight 2AA?

If it does, I think we might have found a better tail cap for the Mini-mag, and ANYWHERE else the Kroll tailcap is used!

So it is a little more expensive! Big Deal!

Let us know, ok!

 

[Roy]

Just when I thought I was finished with the peanut butter diet! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif ANOTHER Mr Bulk "Just Gotta Have" flashlight! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[X-CalBR8]

Every time I read a of a cool mod like this, I think “Yay!, somebody has found a small, metal 2AA flashlight that is easily moddable to hold three 123a batteries”, then I continue to read and find that they had a machinist grind them out for them. *Sigh*

Cool mod though. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[James S]

Add one more reason why I need to get myself a mini-lathe...

I'm curious as to the hardware used to do the machining. I'm not interested in a huge lathe, but I would certainly like to know if something like this is possible with one of the mini-lathes that have been talked about here quite often.

Charlie, as per usual, cool stuff! You're going to single handedly put sure fire out of business if they think they can sell 123's at cost /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thanks,

 

[mst3k]

Ok, Charlie! How much and when?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/popcorn.gif

 

[Mutie]

Damn! That is nice. Like everyone else here I want one. I'm thinking that cyan might be the way to go with my night vision (actually lack thereof).

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[MR Bulk]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the comments. To prevent misperceptions just let me say that I am not yet sure if this will be made for sale (well, maybe just this one when I get tired of playing with it).

Two main reasons:

1) my machinist friend must agree (obviously) and the cost has to be kept reasonable. It was a LOT of work because the tube's internal threads were actually smaller than the 123 battery diameter, thus necessitating a re-tap of new threads once the body tube was bored out, which in turn necessitated a re-creation of the original parts (ie., tailcap, etc.) themselves since they were now too skinny, etc.

2) the beam pattern, which although some will like and many may find actually more useful, does not fit me personally because I prefer a different kind of throw for work.

But the good news is that Slick just told me (and I'll have to find out for myself when I get home tonight) that the NX-01 optic (the old style one) actually forms a tighter, more focused beam with the Lambertian 5W, which is what this MicroDragon uses. Kinda cool concept actually, because it means one can switch from spot to flood by carrying the other optic (or the modified reflector). Additionally, for wider beams the McFlood would fit as well.

Bruce, I always like white. Color rendition and just plain easier on the eye. The Cyan was put in this one because it was a High Dome, kind of hard to get HD Whites (or any guaranteed-quality 5W White) right now, and I knew going in that the SE would not work with the 2AA's tiny reflector or any of the currently available optics. Cyan does seem among the brightest, although I heard the Red-Orange is even brighter (not sure if it's available in 5W).

The tailcap has been reworked so it is definitely much bigger than a Mag 2AA right now. Don't have another to try, sorry.

Mutiny, I find that when looking at Cyan light for anything other than very brief periods, everything takes on a reddish tint afterwards.

I hope to hear from the machinist today, and that, together with the resulting output using the NX-01 optic, will tell me more.

 

[Rothrandir]

nice mod!!!

the ingan leds (red, red/orange, amber) are not available in 5w /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[S4MadMan]

Charlie...

...Sir:

You KILL me! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twak.gif
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif

 

[WS6mro]

Charlie,

Nice work as always! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

You better tell that machinist fiend to help out. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Slick]

Nothing short of AWESOME, Charlie! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I have indeed found that I like the NX01 / 5W combination. The four "grill shaped" squares are just barely larger than the circunference of the beam. So the beam will still be round, but the corners will slightly protrude past the circular beam. I like to use a little write-right to smooth out the grill artifacts..

 

[Kiessling]

yo Charlie !!!!
great.
have to say it even if I am really not the first one.
-bernie

 

[RickLux]

Oh Boy. I was just out playing with my er umm working in the yard with my new mr bulk creation, which I like a lot thank you, and was thinking, that Charlie would be lying low after this last run of brilliance. Butttt noooo ! I glance in here, see this and think this guy is not from around here. These mods are coming way too fast for human productivity. I bet he could tell you how the weather is on the 3rd star of the pleaides star system. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/popcorn.gif