Malkoff SSC P4 vs TerraLux SSC P4

[racer7]

The power consumptions are approx 1.05A for the Malkoff and 0.54 A for the TerraLux according to my Fluke 189 across the tailend of each.

You can predict the rest from that. The Malkoff has way more output but is also more expensive. The TerraLux SSC P4 is a very obvious improvement over the TerraLux K2 that also consumes about 0.54 A so the K2 version should be considered obsolete.

As published elsewhere, the sweet spot for the TerraLux insert is 4 cells (or up if the size doesn't bother you) so it will run a lot longer given the lower power consumption and its preferred configuration.

My thoughts
1) The TerraLux is a very nice drop in mod for the 4D Mag. Ample light for almost all uses and a reasonable price.
2) The Malkoff is the output winner, by far, and the choice for a tactical stunner or across the beanfield light.
3) Malkoff makes a low output version of the SSC P4 with drive set at 0.5 A. I don't see an obvious reason to buy this instead of a TerraLux insert that is a lot less expensive though it will porobably outperform the insert for efficiency by a bit.
3) Matt and Gene are both good guys to deal with - you won't go wrong with either.

My version of how to choose
If you have to buy a MagLight to hold the TerraLux, spend the extra $ on the Malkoff unless you want the much longer runtime of the TerraLux - as in candle mode after a hurricane power outage. We get those lasting days up to a week every couple years here on the NC coast.

 

[ace0001a]

Well first thought for me is that either solution is noticeably brighter than a Mag stock or LED bulb. From there I think the next thing that comes into question is cost: Yes Gene's mod is an excellent custom product and Terralux drop-in is an excellent mass-market product. If you have your own C/D 2/3 Mag, Gene will mod it for about $74 shipped or buy one direct from him for around $90 shipped. If you simply want a DIY drop-in, the Terralux will run about $29 shipped. Personally I think either is a good choice...

Oh and I have both by the way...

 

[Cydonia]

You forgot to mention the size factor. If I'm not mistaken Malkoff can make you a SSC P4 in a 2C Mag body right? But you need a 4 cell C or D body with the TerraLux to get full output potential right? So...
Malkoff = half the size, nearly twice as bright, but double the cost.
TerraLux = half the price, nearly half the brightness, but twice the size.

:touche:

 

[ace0001a]

You forgot to mention the size factor. If I'm not mistaken Malkoff can make you a SSC P4 in a 2C Mag body right? But you need a 4 cell C or D body with the TerraLux to get full output potential right? So...
Malkoff = half the size nearly twice as bright but double the cost.
TerraLux = half the price but twice the size.

:touche:

Yeah that too...But I guess I was trying to oversimplify it, hehe. :rock:

 

[Cydonia]

forgot to add the TerraLux is almost half as bright too, or 2/3 as bright... anyways. Some fun trade off's to consider. I'd rather have a compact 2C form factor, Mega bright, and shorter run times of about "a few hours".

Wait a minute... more options and configurations being computed:
The TerraLux has developed a substantial advantage now...
I see a 4C Mag with TerraLux, putting out 2/3 the light as Malkoff, PLUS the LED module is user removable and replaceable and upgradable all for 1/3 the price (with current sale of $27 each for TerraLux). A low drain long run time alternative LED module can be stored in the 4C tail cap... like a Nite Ize... allowing insane long run times if needed. A simple user swap results in a much better flexibility and versatility - at the sacrifice of the size of a larger Mag body! Who wins?!

Wait! Isn't TerraLux going to come out with a 2 cell version in 4-6 weeks?! Doesn't that mean a 2C can run at full brightness of 150 Lumen? And you can still store a Nite Ize in the tail cap!? Am I wrong somewhere?

 

[MattK]

racer7 - thanks.

Jeff of course follows the CPF creed: "I have both."

Cydonia - TerraLUX has a boost version for 2-3 cell lights coming - likely 4 weeks out by now.

There's plenty of room on the market for both products and they have very different customers for the most part I suspect.

I think it's now safe to say, unequivocally, that TerraLUX is making the brightest, most efficent drop in on the market and has leapfrogged the competition by not only going to the SSC P4 but also offering quality regulation.

Gene's product, because of it's 3-4X higher entry price is largely a niche product. I'd really like to see him add an OP reflector and (put) multi-level output (back) so I can simply direct the people who ask me why TerraLUX doesn't do that stuff to Gene. Also, I suspect that Gene's selling his product too inexpensively to actually make any money doing it which is fine and dandy but ultimately limiting. I'd sell Gene's product if a business case could be made to do so but based upon some of his comments I am fairly confident that's not possible.

One thing's clear; there's never been a better time to be a flashaholic.

 

[Cydonia]

I'm hanging in there for this 2-3 cell boost version. Then I'll buy myself a 2C Maglite.
My first ever C cell flashlight of any kind! Should yield a powerful size/brightess ratio... can't wait!

 

[Gene43]

Wow! Thanks for all the kind comments. I too think mine is a niche product. Which suits me fine since the amount of time, money, and work required to build one makes mass production impossible. I originally built one to spotlite the coyotes that were eating my chickens. It has since proven to be a valuable tool for many people. And Matt, I think the Terralux is the way to go for 500ma, but I do occasionally sell one.

 

[ace0001a]

Jeff of course follows the CPF creed: "I have both."

LOL, I wouldn't be a true flashaholic if I didn't try to buy as many different solutions as I can! :rock:

There's plenty of room on the market for both products and they have very different customers for the most part I suspect.

I think it's now safe to say, unequivocally, that TerraLUX is making the brightest, most efficent drop in on the market and has leapfrogged the competition by not only going to the SSC P4 but also offering quality regulation.

Gene's product, because of it's 3-4X higher entry price is largely a niche product. I'd really like to see him add an OP reflector and (put) multi-level output (back) so I can simply direct the people who ask me why TerraLUX doesn't do that stuff to Gene. Also, I suspect that Gene's selling his product too inexpensively to actually make any money doing it which is fine and dandy but ultimately limiting. I'd sell Gene's product if a business case could be made to do so but based upon some of his comments I am fairly confident that's not possible.

True that man... Yeah, I couldn't agree with you more with Terralux having done what they've done.

As for what Gene charges...well he's only doing what the market allows so to speak. From the beginning, I've seen him sell his mods on Ebay and with some trial and error, the price he's selling them for seems to be the sweet spot. That how I guage how much something can be sold for is to test the Ebay waters. And I'm sure his profitability will rise as he finds way to lower his material and production costs.

One thing's clear; there's never been a better time to be a flashaholic.

Amen to that brother! :thumbsup:

 

[MattK]

Gene - I think there's a way to mass produce just about everything - the question is really whether a large enough market exists for let's say a $60 'drop-in' for a Mag. I've discussed this with TerraLUX and they don't think it's big enough to justify the tooling and development costs. They're probably right which is partly why I'm more than happy to cheer you on (and egg you on re: multiple output levels and OP reflectors).

Jeff - I think part of the whole problem is the eBay selling environment - the cost of business is too high relative to the exposure for a product like this IMO. I'm not sure how Gene can lower his parts/labor cost - I'd really like to see some pics of the heatsinking solution as I think that might be the 'answer' if there is one.

 

[Phaserburn]

I plan on getting one of the 2-3 cell Terralux units when available. Matt, any runtime curves from Terralux on these? Curious what kind of regulation they provide with 2 or 3 cells.

Having said that, I have a Malkoff on order. To me, Gene's product does a couple of unique things. It provides current regulation (not a simple voltage boost) and maintains 1A to the emitter for 3 hrs from 2 alkaline cells. Not too shabby! I've yet to see a boost circuit around here that good. It will also run fine if not better/longer on nimh C/Ds. I'm not sure of the circuit type that will be used by Terralux.

Even if Terralux provided a unit with a similar circuit, 1A would cook a drop in unit no matter who made it. As we well know, for all it's AL mass, a Mag bulb post is thermally isolated. The Malkoff (Gene, you need a sexier name!) has what sounds like terrific heat sinking, the likes of which are rarely (ever?) seen. So, it can run for hours at maximum power/output without heat issues or concerns for led life reduction. That, to me, is the difference between the two setups operationally. Pricewise, it is what it is. Both have their place. I plan on using the Terralux Mag as the around the house power outtage light.

I had such an outtage a few days ago; lost power for 5 hrs. The Magled was quite handy as a ceiling bouncer, as it's a no-worries longtime runner, and I didn't have to think about what it was loaded with, if it was charged, etc. I'd like to replace it with the Terralux unit.

 

[ace0001a]

Gene - I think there's a way to mass produce just about everything - the question is really whether a large enough market exists for let's say a $60 'drop-in' for a Mag. I've discussed this with TerraLUX and they don't think it's big enough to justify the tooling and development costs. They're probably right which is partly why I'm more than happy to cheer you on (and egg you on re: multiple output levels and OP reflectors).

Jeff - I think part of the whole problem is the eBay selling environment - the cost of business is too high relative to the exposure for a product like this IMO. I'm not sure how Gene can lower his parts/labor cost - I'd really like to see some pics of the heatsinking solution as I think that might be the 'answer' if there is one.

Yeah, I'd like to see Gene reinstate the dual output...I agree that is a feature that would make his light/mod stand out.

As for the Ebay environment, I will agree that it's not the perfect environment for a seller of such an item. It does however give another avenue to sell this kind of product in general. I see people sell modified flashlights all the time there. Funny thing is, I see people sell what you sell as in the Terralux dropins for more that what you sell them for Matt. I will say that ebayers can be fickle at times, but I honestly do believe that what you end up selling something for on Ebay on a conistant basis is a "fair market" price for it. Gene started low, went higher and then too high to finally where he's been selling them for at around the $80-90 price point. From my standpoint as a consumer (even with a niche product) that I can respect his selling methods... :goodjob:

 

[MattK]

David - No data yet. I hope to have a prototype and some data in a few weeks. I recall being told that the boost circuit is similar to that used in the TLE-100's so it will be a boost AND regulated. I'll spill the beans when I have them and get the go ahead.

Thermal concerns are, of course, why TerraLUX doesn't run the units at an amp or more - they would if they could and the Cree and SSC's in the TLE-100EX and TLE-100S are going to run at/near those levels because they have the thermal mass to run reliably at those higher currents. I've had more than a few conversations with TerraLUX regarding the thermal isolation hurdles the Mag presents and the conversation always comes back to the same place; they COULD unquestionably design a heatsink solution to handle 1A (and multiple output levels, op reflector etc) but the market simply doesn't warrant their pursuance and they already have a ton of projects they're working on so it would divert resources used more effectively elsewhere. Remember they still have 4 major product launches coming in the next 4-6 weeks and have released like 10 new products already this year and now they're launching a flashlight line so.....

 

[ace0001a]

Anyways, gotta love all the options out there for the trusty old Mags. MattK's got an excellent price on the new Terralux TLE-6EX...I'd buy another one, but I've got too many of this kind already. People on Ebay are still selling the older K2 version for $30 ( http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&satitle=terralux+tle-5k2&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=95822&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search )! If you log in and check the completed items, many have been recently sold for $29.99 + $3.00 S/H. Or go for one of Gene's mods and you'll have a light blaster on your hands! Or you can be like me and get both! :rock:

 

[MattK]

Jeff - That's the TLE-5K2 for the AA Minimag which we sell for $24, compared to $30 on eBay. Hmm, I should list those on eBay, never bothered.

 

[ace0001a]

Jeff - That's the TLE-5K2 for the AA Minimag which we sell for $24, compared to $30 on eBay. Hmm, I should list those on eBay, never bothered.

Oops!! Yeah, I became dyslexic for a moment LOL! Actually did a search for "maxstar5" and found people dumping those for around $20. But yeah dude, you should consider eBay as another avenue to move your inventory. Not trying to move off topic here though hehe. I know the Diamond Marketing guys do with their Diamond Mag dropins. I've used ebay at my computer store to move old merchandise before.

 

[ace0001a]

Another Mod to consider:

http://home.mchsi.com/~lambda_lights/pro_charger.htm

 

[TORCH_BOY]

Another Mod to consider:

http://home.mchsi.com/~lambda_lights/pro_charger.htm

I have one of Kevins previous M@Gmods, you just can't beat it for value
it included the host, UCL Lens and was set up ready to go, no messing around
its one of my all time favorites

 

[Trashman]

Link to Malkoff?

Edit: Never mind -- http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=155653&highlight=malkoff+ssc

 

[etc]

BTT