Left in vehicle-Ignored-Always Ready

[papajoe]

For fifteen years I've carried a 3D Mag wedged between the console and seat in my pickup truck. I use it for only minutes at a time, and several times per month (structural inspections). It's been very dependable, replaced the alkalines as necessary.
I now know the Mag is a dinosaur, but I also know we may attain world peace before Malkoff drop-ins are again available. I'm waitng for an M60.
Obvioulsy, large flashlight size is not a concern. But the environment is sub-zero in winter to 125 degree cab temp in summer. BTW there is a 12v power point in the console. I need 200 lumens and a spot to overcome ambient light.
The thread title says it all (especially the ignore part). Budget is negotiable-I'm cheap, but I'll spend $150 if it'll work properly.
Thank you in advance. Joe PS Been looking at Thrunite Catapult . . . .

 

[dwminer]

Get the new latest 3D Mag LED and be done with it. The one with the deeper reflector that just came out.
SEE: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=275530
Or just hold off for the Malkoff drop-ins to come back in.

 

[tre]

Catipult is a good choice. Check EagleTac M2XC4 or Fenix TK40 if you like regular batteries.

 

[ronkar]

Can't speak about the Mag 3D led, but I do have a Mag 2D led, and my Solarforce L2r is brighter using 2*AA NiMH. Before I get flamed, neither set of batteries is fresh, so it wasn't a scientific test.

In your case, I would feed a decent 2*AA flashlight with Energizer e2 Lithiums. They will hold their own in the temperature extremes better than most anything else. Just make sure that the extra voltage of the lithiums are OK, as some drivers might fry.

If you don't get a gold plated, Titanium model, you will be that much closer to the Catapult.

As for the old Mag 3D, it still has value as a self defense tool, or as a hammer on a lug wrench in cold weather. I keep mine in a box in the kitchen, and fire it up once in a while to remind me how great led's are.

 

[AnAppleSnail]

If you like the mag, the mag LED won't be too bad. Nothing's gotten any darker; and the MagLED is brighter than the Mag lite. But we've got lots of fun new toys; just be sure to feed them batteries that are up to the temperatures. LEDs don't mind the range of cabin temperatures; as long as you can hold a well-built light it's not overheating.

 

[Rocketman]

Well, for what it's worth here's my thoughts. How about a Malkoff MD2 with an M60 or an M61, I know they seem difficult to buy though. I bought the M60L for mine, it's available. I also must recommend my Fenix TK40, it's just awesome. I just can't recommend a Maglite until they bring their technology more up to the times.

 

[kramer5150]

I now know the Mag is a dinosaur, but I also know we may attain world peace before Malkoff drop-ins are again available. I'm waitng for an M60.
Obvioulsy, large flashlight size is not a concern. But the environment is sub-zero in winter to 125 degree cab temp in summer. BTW there is a 12v power point in the console. I need 200 lumens and a spot to overcome ambient light.
The thread title says it all (especially the ignore part). Budget is negotiable-I'm cheap, but I'll spend $150 if it'll work properly.
Thank you in advance. Joe PS Been looking at Thrunite Catapult . . . .

Key points highlighted in red.

For cold temps the only cell chemistry thats advertised to work well is Lithium primary. If you search CPF you can find the details. 18650 liIo and NiMH cells don't fare so well in those temperature extremes.

I dont know if the fenix TK40 or ITP polestar work well with Lithium primary cells.

As simple as this sounds, I think a 6P + surefire primaries + Malkoff M60/M61 is your best bet.

Have you considered a 12V vehicle spotlight? that seems like a MUCH more economical solution, being that you have a 12V port at your disposal. A 12V/100W halohen H1/H3/H7 lamp will emit around 1000 Lumens... and they can be found cheap on the www.

 

[ginaz]

i leave an inova T2 in my car. primaries for long shelf life, great runtime (4-5 hours!) and durable as anything out there

 

[FlashKat]

I would consider a couple of good LED lights that use CR123 batteries and keep both loaded and ready to use in you car, then keep spare batteries in the car as a back up.

 

[Jash]

I dont know if the fenix TK40 or ITP polestar work well with Lithium primary cells.

No lithiums in TK40.

Check out the TK20. 2AA and will take lithiums and though it's not 200 lumens (150), because of its warm white tint it will give you better CRI and it throws like a beast.

It's a tough light too, you won't be killing it in a hurry.

 

[Narcosynthesis]

If you are looking to upgrade the Mag at some point, why not go for something more common for the short term? I recently put one of the Terralux upgrades in my 3d Mag and it has made the light immeasurably more useful. For £15 it might be worth grabbing one for the near future then possibly upgrading at some point when availability permits.

 

[paulr]

If you ever have to fix something under the hood in the dark, you will wish for a handsfree light. I'd say toss a Zebralight H31 or something comparable in the glove box with some spare 123's and call it a day.

 

[nein166]

I've got an EagleTac M2XC4 Neutral in the car loaded with CR123s good to go for the next 10 years.
Great spotlight. The spot will show in daylight, the Cool white would be more visible though.

I never leave alkalines in a car light. At least twist out the Mag tailcap to break connection.

If your using it from the car (not going far from the door) consider a Lightforce Blitz 240 as it plugs into the cigarette lighter

 

[papajoe]

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but I had honey-do's to do.

You guys are great, thank you. If the Malkoffs would simply become available, my problem would be solved, eh? I suppose I'm destined to get a Malkoff drop-in eventually for the Mag. Don't want to get a new Mag though, because I recognize Mag for the slow techno company they are. Not slamming them, but they're not leading the hi-tech charge.

The Surefire with the Malkoff drop-in sounds like sage advice, but then I'm still waiting for Malkoff to hatch a batch.

Please indulge me on the Catapult . . .any more comments on Thrunite ?

Thanx again.

Joe

 

[alpg88]

for less than 150 you can turn your 3d into a mag 85, you'll have a lot more than 200lm. it will be brighter than malkoff xp-g drop in. 2-3 times brighter.
just get 9aa holder , metal reflector, bipin socket, wA1185 bulb, and glass lens(borofloat).
it will be completely reversible mod, but you will need rechargeable cells. or lithium's primaries, you could use 7 aa lithium's, in 9aa adapter, with 2 dummy cells.
or you can go another way, 9 aa lithium's with dewalt 12v bulb, overdriven should give you 400+ bulb lumens. with dewalt bulb you wont need socket adapter, and you can keep your stock plastic lens and reflector.
i have 4c mag 85 running on 3 li ion cells, it destroys a lot more powerful , than xp-g, p7 led in terms of output, color.
i also have 4d running on 12 rechargeables with porter cable 12v bulb, it is not as bright as mag 85 but not much far behind,
http://www.dewalt.com/tool-categories/cordless-flashlight-bulbs.aspx
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=182370
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=3326024#post3326024
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=179891
great for mag 85 http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=239973
for stock size bulb, like de walt..ect http://kaidomain.com/CategoryPage.aspx?CategoryId=44

as for rechargeables a recommended nimh eneloop.


you also can get terralux drop in tle 300, however it needs min 6v 4 cells, you can use 4c cells in your 3d mag, with pvc pipe sleeve, it is claimed to have 600lm, i have one of those too, i run it on 6aa rechargeables, in 2d mag, awesome light, very bright has good throw, cost about 70, but you wont need to do anything to the light, just swap bulb reflector for tle 300, and 3d cells for 4 c cells, new version of that drop in has multi level output.
http://www.led-replacement.com/tle-300m-ex.html

 

[Howecollc]

The answer's been right under your nose for almost 30 years: MagCharger. Looks just like your 3D, puts out 218 lumens, charging cradle plugs into your power point, super bright spot easily overcomes ambient light, $25 battery lasts 5 to 7 years, available today for $90.

http://www.brightguy.com/products/MagLite_Rechargeable_Flashlight.php

 

[shark_za]

Cheapest solution approaching 200 lumens would be a Solarforce L2r.
Drop in 2x Energiser L91's and it will sit there for years till you need it.

The beam profile of the SF low voltage single mode is superb.


But its not 200 lumens, its more like 150.

 

[LEDninja]

There are 2 versions of the Mag LED out there.

1) The 3W version.
Flashlight reviews measured 1 lux at 86.6 M (284 ft.) for the older 3W Luxeon version. 7500 lux at 1 M.

2) The new Rebel version.
Based on info I gleaned in dwminer's link on post #2, I calculated 1 lux at 144.5 M (474 ft.). 20,000 lux at 1 M.

3) The stock Mag.
Flashlight reviews measured 1 lux at 78.65 M (258 ft.) 6185 lux at 1 M.

The older 3W version of the MagLED performed similarly to the incan. Mag. The new Rebel version will give you a much brighter hotspot.

-

The Quark AA2 Turbo R5 will give you 200 lumens, but the discontinued R2 Turbo have the brighter hotspot.

Take a look at selfbuilt's 2AA review roundup.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=214890
The Quark he tested is the regular head, not the big head turbo.

None of the 2AA lights can match the throw of the latest Rebel Mag with its much bigger reflector.

I agree on using Energizer L91 lithium batteries to handle the weather extremes. Just remember lithium and LSD NiMH batteries die rather abruptly compared to alkaline, so always have spare batteries on hand.

 

[papajoe]

Thank you all for the response - much appreciated. I have a lot to peruse.

But for now, it's back to work.

 

[Mr Bigglow]

Mags are so common and old fashioned that they are low to zero value items for thieves. And since they are so common there will be NQA about them if you have to use one to defend yourself. And there are few if any other lights that are even close to being as good for that express purpose. So whatever you do, I suggest you keep your mag right where it is.