Malkoff MD2 or Elzetta Bones

[Kernelpanic]

Hi,
im looking to buy a good solid flashlight as I lost the MD2 I had many years ago.
im looking for a very solid US made flashlight, I don't want fancy features just good solid reliable and quality flashlight, single output level and easy to use with little to go wrong, as a backup to my head-torch.
i have narrowed it down to a Malkoff MD2 or Elzetta Bones. I will be using rechargeable 18650 cells. What would people recommend.
cheers
KP

 

[thermal guy]

Oh boy. Tough one there. With the MD2 you have the option of many different outputs and tints. The bones not so much. You will get a much longer throw with the bones though.for just a EDC the MD2 is probably best. If your after more output and throw get the bones. Both are VERY good lights.

 

[Kernelpanic]

Oh boy. Tough one there. With the MD2 you have the option of many different outputs and tints. The bones not so much. You will get a much longer throw with the bones though.for just a EDC the MD2 is probably best. If your after more output and throw get the bones. Both are VERY good lights.

thanks for the below, the longer throw on the bones sounds like it would be more practical when out on walks in the peak/Lake District in open space. Is there much between them on build quality and reliability .
cheers
KP

 

[wicky998]

Reliability and build quality is phenominal on both. Unmatched and surperb.

Like thermal mentioned you have the options on tint and other modes if you wanted later down the road.

But if throw is something that's in your criteria and your still looking towards the malkoff you can get the m61 hot md2 which has more throw.

You can op out for the h/l ring if the single output is what youe looking for. Even with it installed there is still little to go wrong.

Idk if your looking for the single output for the fact that it may minimize what could possibly go wrong but the h/l ring in the malkoff is pretty solid and idk if I've ever heard of anyone ever having an issue that was resulted back to it in particular

Either is both really good tho, Im not throwing shade on elzetta, just pointing out other options.

 

[Kernelpanic]

Reliability and build quality is phenominal on both. Unmatched and surperb.

Like thermal mentioned you have the options on tint and other modes if you wanted later down the road.

But if throw is something that's in your criteria and your still looking towards the malkoff you can get the m61 hot md2 which has more throw.

You can op out for the h/l ring if the single output is what youe looking for. Even with it installed there is still little to go wrong.

Idk if your looking for the single output for the fact that it may minimize what could possibly go wrong but the h/l ring in the malkoff is pretty solid and idk if I've ever heard of anyone ever having an issue that was resulted back to it in particular

Either is both really good tho, Im not throwing shade on elzetta, just pointing out other options.

the single output option was purely down to reliability, but good to hear the Malkoff hi-lo is reliable, sounds like Malkoff might be the better option.
worst case I buy both and not tell the wife
cheers
KP

 

[De-Lux]

the Malkoff is every bit as reliable as the elzetta even with the Hi-Lo ring. Even if the ring failed for whatever reason, you would just remove it. You have more options with MD2. If throw is your number one priority then there are quite a few lights that out perform the Malkoff and the Elzetta. You could also run a 3 mode Malkoff dropin with the MD2.

 

[thermal guy]

Seriously I'd get both. They both are the top in there field.

 

[wicky998]

2 is 1 and 1 is none

 

[bykfixer]

The low on the MD2 is plenty of light for close up in cases where a casual stroll is on the adgenda. Slight tighten on the head and insta-bright.
The Bones is easier to grip in unsure situations, the gray is easier to spot in low light and it's not completely round so the sculpted surfaces do provide some anti-roll while the larger than the tail head causes it to roll in a circle where the MD2 a straight line.
MD2 can tail stand. Bones cannot.

MD2 with hi/lo costs a lot less. For a few bucks Gene will swap an N tint for ya so you can get the same (or very similar) tint as the Bones. I use the Bones a lot more than the MD2 and opted for a Bravo with hi/lo tailcap then stashed the MD2 for use on special occasions. I just prefer the Elzetta grip.

 

[thermal guy]

Agree with all of that except the price. They are within 5 bucks of each other.

 

[Kernelpanic]

Sounds like my best option is to buy both and decide which one to keep, I can always use the second as a spare my wife can use
KP

 

[Dave D]

Malkoff MD2 with the M361 drop-in, not available on the website but email them, it'll give you 20, 100 and 500 lumen models.

The M361 driver isn't as efficient as the single mode drop-ins but it gives more flexibility.

If you go for a single mode get the optional high/low switch.

 

[bykfixer]

Agree with all of that except the price. They are within 5 bucks of each other.

When I bought my MD2 hi/lo it was $99 tg. Bones was $135. Times change I suppose. I had not checked prices in a while.

Based on the only $5 dif, I change my vote to Bones……

 

[thermal guy]

Your points on them are dead on. I honestly would not want to pick just one. There both fantastic! If only the elzetta would tail stand.

 

[Cerealand]

Check out the WTS section. Kyhunter1 has a bones for sale at a good price.

 

[bykfixer]

That one in the WTS is a great price. Good point CL

 

[Modernflame]

Neither the bones nor the MD2 is much of a thrower. As stated above, you can get the M61HOT, which has more range, but the beam pattern is not as generally useful as that of the Bones. The M61HOT is more of a niche item. Personally, I love the beam profile and tint of the Bones. Elzetta deserves credit for their bin selection and that jewel of an optic.

I'd vote for the Bones if getting both is not an option. One last thought. The Malkoff uses the McClicky switch, an inexpensive mechanical switch that is user replaceable and easy to obtain. Eventually, anything can fail, so having spares around is a solid insurance policy.

 

[nmiller]

Both are great. I've switched over to the MD2 for its versatility. I use customlites drop ins because I like hicri with warm tints. High/low rings don't work with this setup, but I like single mode simplicity. For indoors I use the textured reflector. For outdoors I use the smooth. With a smooth reflector I get plenty of throw for normal use. I appreciate the quality of the M61 but the beam pattern doesn't do it for me. The Customlites drop ins are better for my use and the MD2 is bomb proof. If I want multiple modes customlites has them using pwm.

 

[Kernelpanic]

After watching some reviews on YouTube I'm now toying with option to get a flashlight to use pair of primary cr123 as this gives more Elzetta options.
just concerned with risks of imbalanced cr123's
cheers
KP

 

[thermal guy]

Well the bones can take cr123's I'm sure you know that. As far as imbalance primaries, i wouldn't be to worried. It's not as big a risk as I'm sure your going to be told. Just put in 2 new primaries each time and all's good