Maglite Motion Control UI Lego

[elumen8]

Now that Maglite has come out with an amazing UI that uses motion control to change between 5 modes, brightness, strobe speed and lock-out...I was wondering how it could be used in other lights. I really like the UI better than any other I've used. (ie: reverse clicky, forward clicky, twisty, bezel twist adjust, tailcap twist adjust etc etc) The UI electronics are housed in the tailcap. The tailcap has one positive and two negative leads.

If you haven't had a chance to pick up and use the Mag XL100 yet, its a 3AAA light with a tailcap clicky or power button switch that adjusts the light with a roll or twist of the wrist while pressing the switch. Here's a link to my review. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=262186

On to the Lego:
My first and most obvious thought was to try to fit the XL100 tailcap onto my other 3AAA lights. I found that the Mag tailcap and battery carrier work perfectly with my stainless steel Leatherman Monarch 500. I think I'll either call it my LeatherLite or MagMan XL500.

XL100 tailcap

XL100 tailcap leads

Maglite XL100 and Leatherman Monarch 500

Mag UI Leatherman Lego

I'm also trying to figure out a way to modify a Mag D-cell tailcap to utilize the motion control electronics in a single cell format. Its gonna take some doing to make an adapter to get both the positive and negative to the correct leads on the tailcap. I'll post info as it comes along.

Future Maglite D-cell motion control UI tailcap (hopefully)

I'd love to see what Legos other CPFers come up with using the Maglite motion control UI.

JB

 

[hiluxxulih]

I just got my Maglite XL 100 in the mail today and I am lovin the user interface I am impressed :twothumbs

 

[digger]

I really like the night light feature on the new Maglite.

 

[hiluxxulih]

Have you tried the lockout feature yet ? its pretty sweet Maglite realy seemed to put some thought into the XL 100 .

 

[elumen8]

I really like the night light feature on the new Maglite.

I dig the Nite Lite mode a lot. I used it this morning along with my alarm clock...reached over to hit the snooze button and bing...a slight bump and the light pops back on to wake me right up.

Have you tried the lockout feature yet ? its pretty sweet Maglite realy seemed to put some thought into the XL 100 .

The Lockout really is sweet...no moving parts. I like to mess with my friends and tell them you have to know the secret handshake to unlock the light.

I just got my Maglite XL 100 in the mail today and I am lovin the user interface I am impressed :twothumbs

I'm very impressed also. It has become my favorite UI.

JB

 

[Robin24k]

Does the lights work? I imagine a bit modding will need to be done because the body of the XL100 isn't used to conduct electricity. In the end, you may be left with only one working light because of the battery carrier...

 

[elumen8]

Does the lights work? I imagine a bit modding will need to be done because the body of the XL100 isn't used to conduct electricity. In the end, you may be left with only one working light because of the battery carrier...

The Mag tailcap and carrier fit well in the Leatherman and work perfectly with all modes intact. As with many 3AAA flashlights with battery carriers, both the Leatherman Monarch 500 and the Maglite XL100 do not use the body to conduct electricity.

The Leatherman tailcap and battery carrier on the other hand are a bit too snug in the Mag body for my comfort, but works as a single mode anyway. The Leatherman battery carrier is just a skosh wider than the Mag carrier. I didn't include a photo of that Lego because I personally think it looked ugly.


Notice the different methods of working the positive and negative leads.
Leatherman on the left, Mag on the right.

JB

 

[Robin24k]

Ah, I don't have much knowledge about 3AAA lights, and I assumed they were like that because I have a 21 LED 3AAA light that uses the body of the light to conduct.

I wonder if this kind of mod would be more common once Mag has spare parts out... :huh:

 

[elumen8]

Ah, I don't have much knowledge about 3AAA lights, and I assumed they were like that because I have a 21 LED 3AAA light that uses the body of the light to conduct.

I wonder if this kind of mod would be more common once Mag has spare parts out... :huh:

I think with the amount of money some people spend on their mods, buying the light for its cool electronics isn't such a stretch. Imagine motion control on a Surefire, Fenix etc etc. I'm not saying everyone will run out and buy it just for the tailcap, but a few of us crazies are willing to sacrifice a few lights for the fun of the hobby. But as soon as spare parts are sold, I think we'll be seeing a bunch of motion control mods out there

I also think the XL100 is perfect for modding itself. A single Lithium-Ion cell adapted to this light will be great. I'm waiting to see who'll put together that FrankenMag first.

JB

 

[parnass]

.... I found that the Mag tailcap and battery carrier work perfectly with my stainless steel Leatherman Monarch 500. ...

Does this mean that the XL100 tailcap threads are metric?

If the Leatherman Monarch 500 is made in China, I'm thinking its threads are metric.

 

[elumen8]

Does this mean that the XL100 tailcap threads are metric?

If the Leatherman Monarch 500 is made in China, I'm thinking its threads are metric.

I''m not sure whether the Maglite threads are metric or not, but the tailcap threads into the Leatherman body with only a hint of play.

JB

 

[Gryffin]

Notice the different methods of working the positive and negative leads.
Leatherman on the left, Mag on the right.

Huh. Is it just me, or does that Leatherman battery carrier look an awful lot like the ones Coast uses in their 3xAAA LED Lenser models?

 

[elumen8]

Huh. Is it just me, or does that Leatherman battery carrier look an awful lot like the ones Coast uses in their 3xAAA LED Lenser models?

I wouldn't doubt that Leatherman lights are manufactured by the same factory.

JB