New here, and a couple questions

[Flow]

This is my first post here, go easy on me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
First, I own a Mini-Mag AA and a Mag Solitaire, and I've had them quite some years now. Also had a 6-D club, eer Mag, but it was stolen /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif and I'll be replacing it soon.
So anyway. I was at my local radioshack picking up a pack of spare bulbs for my mini, and it occured to me I could try a LED this time instead. Grabbed the bulbs and went home to do a little homework on LEDs and flashlights, and found out it is a little more complicated then just sticking in a ratshack LED and giving it a twist. And it seems there's yet more options then just slapping in a resistor too.
After doing some homework, I've made some progress but I'm still quite lost, and I'd like some feedback as to where I am now.
For my club (6-D mag, I had "club" inscribed on it) EverLED seems good. Soposed to be quite brite, good on batteries, and I can still adjust the beam.
For my mini I'm stuck between the MagmaLED which says I will still be able to adjust the beam (because it's flat?) and the NewBeam with which I have no clue if I'll still be able to adjust it, but I would think it would be brighter?
And I have no clue for the solitaire, cant seem to find anything. Over time I've spent at least a good $50 for new bulbs on it alone though, especially when it blows because it was dropped. I would really *really* perfer to just mod it, but if not I may go ahead and try an Arc AAA. It looks to be a solid tool as well. Though the Sol will stay on my keychain regardless as it's older then anything else on it.
For the most part I'm more worried about my Solitaire. I can dig around and find more reviews and such for my mini (and seesh there are quite a few options for it) and D, but I can't find anything about my poor Sol.
-- edit --
And now I feel like an idiot. I posted in the wrong forum /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

 

[pedalinbob]

well, im not sure about the other possibilities, but i can tell you that the opalec newbeam is fantastic! VERY long fully regulated runtime, bright enough for most issues, and you will never have to repace a bulb again. you need to have a "new" version AAmag.

if you want even brighter, you can try an inretech drop-in. simple, inexpensive, and pretty darn bright.

brighter yet? badboy or madmax sandwich. (i will be getting one of these soon).

solitaire? well, the arc aaa is a very highly regarded instrument. i also have an infinity ultra, another fine light.

you really should just run fast--your wallet is about to be emptied by the flashaholic within!

Bob

 

[logicnerd411]

You sound like you've been on FatWallet: "This is my first post here, go easy on me" WE CPF'ers are all nice people. Welcome!

Things to do:

1. THROW AWAY THE SOLITAIRE. Get an Arc AAA. www.arcflashlight.com Almost everyone will agree with me on that one.

2. Buy a MadMax dropin module for your MiniM^g 2AA. Get it here: http://home.attbi.com/~theledguy/cpf_store/cpf_store.htm

It uses a Luxeon Star; you've probably looked around and know what it is. You will be very happy with it! I know I am! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
You can't adjust the Newbeam, but some people are very happy with it!

3. Look at some mods from Mr. Bulk and Lambda. THey make good Mag mods.

Again, welcome! And let your wallet give in, your flashlight addiction will make it happen soon anyway... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tsg68]

I agree with the others definitely lose the solitaire and go with Arc AAA I was in EMS the other day lookin at flashlights (hey, it was pouring out and I had an hour to kill before I was meeting a friend) and a guy ran in and grabbed two solitaires off the rack and moved quickly toward the counter, I found that I had to resist the urge to chase down this guy and grab the lights from his hands and scream NOOOOOO! in his face like I was gonna jump on a grenade for him or something. Oh well he'll find out about it in short order. I bought an Arc LE and that is something to get sentimental about (at least till technology changes) You should view the Solitaire as an old soldier who just needs to fade away. I hear great things about the opalec and the other mods available through the forums and may myself purchase some for my old Minigags and the ones my family members own.

Later,
TSG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Flow]

Sheesh. Not even 10 minuts before the first reply.
My little Sol has gotten me through too much s--- to be thrown out, heh. Wonder if I can have it bronzed... Anyway, Arc AAA comes with a pocket clip no? It sure looks like it's built like tank.
I'm going to go look around about these suggestions for my mini now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Thank you.

 

[logicnerd411]

You're welcome. And we're fast. All 3000 of us.

Dan

 

[Flow]

BadBoy 400mA looks damn sexy. Will I still be able to adjust the focus though? It's... flat, like the MagmaLED. Not really sure if that has anything to do with it, but it would make sence to me.
And yeah, I've heard of Luxeon Star all over the place. Seems well respected.
And looking at that Arc AAA some more, it would look good on my keychain...
Oh, and one other thing. What was that about an extention tube I saw? Would the extra 1.5v hurt anything or does the regulator deal with it ok? I would assume it would allow it to run a bit longer at any rate.

 

[logicnerd411]

Yes, you can focus the thing, but it'll be useless. VERY ringy, at least for me.

To quote Saaby when I joined CPF months ago (and I never forgot it; he corrected me when I tried to quote it):

Arc AAA. You need one. need <-- "That bold is crucial"

And for the extention tube, I think that's for his experimental Wizard or something....

 

[Bill.H]

First things first - you must get at least one Arc AAA (I think it's a law or something). Don't worry about the solitaire, after 5 minutes with the Arc, you'll forget all about it - I don't even know where mine is anymore.

Then buy an Opalec for one of your minimags - it will be MUCH whiter and brighter up close, but it won't throw as far. You won't care about the throw on it once you do the next step.

The Next Step: don't replace that 6D Mag, get a Blaster II: http://elektrolumens.com/BLASTER/Blaster_II.html.

If, after all this, your wallet isn't bleeding, check out the Blaster 5. Looks like you might want an Everled for your other mag. And the PT Attitude. And the PT Impact or a Streamlight 4AA. Maybe a Lightwave 2100 or 4000 (there's another rule that says "always buy both". A badboy for your other minimag, or even better, put something in a Dorcy (aka Sears Craftsman) 2AA instead of a minimag. You'll need some of these smaller ones as gifts for the wife (not that she'll really understand anyway...).

By the time you've done all that, it will be almost summer and you can start looking for the new Streamlight Twin Task lights. You'll probably need several of those.

Oh, I left out the Arc LS on purpose... the LS4 is coming!

Now, I know you asked that we take it easy on you.... I did! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif You'll find out that no matter how many people tell you to buy something, you're already considering it, because (here comes another law!), it's not a matter of "will I buy?", rather, it's "which will I buy first?".

 

[Flow]

Well, there certainly isn't much love for the solitaire here... fine fine, I'll get an Arc AAA. Wish I hadn't missed the black body/white LED ones though.
And wow. I don't think I need that many lights, heh. Have the sol on my keychain, mini on my belt, and club in my car. I suppose after breaking into my car and finding it has never even had a sterio (no wiring/speakers/antenna/anything) they decided my light was worth taking.

The Opalec is looking less and less intresting unless it is quite a few times brighter then the MagmaLED or BadBoy. I *really* like being able to adjust the beam. What are these absolutly huge dome type lenses I keep seeing that are attached by the std. filter holder? Would be annoying to keep them in my pocket though. And I do in fact make use of it's "candle" feature. I think the BadBoy will allow that fairly well.
And I simply must be able to adjust the width for my car light. The Blaster 5 looks awsome but doesn't mention wether it can do that?

 

[logicnerd411]

It's used for focusing the MadMax or BadBoy into a very TIGHT beam, very good for throw! It's of course optional.

 

[Icebreak]

By all means ARC AAA.

Check out all the ModMen's stuff.

When you look at Elektrolumens Blaster II+ check out the Vs and VIs also.

Keep all your Mags. Many options for modding. If I remember the name I'll post it but I think BuddTX found a AA drop in that actually fits in a Solitaire. For AAs there are Bad Boys and Mad Maxes. Watch the "Homemade" forum here. They build some excellent lights and you never know what you might find like: ab's LS for Solitaire

**edit**

I should have read your response more closely.

It is the MagmaLED that some members said will, with a little coaxing, fit in your Solitaire.

 

[Flow]

There's no lens on the Arc AAA that I can see... doesn't the reflector get scratched up? My keychain is generally cliped onto my belt (next to my AA Mag) and hanging down into my pocket, which can have an assortment of things in it. Usually RJ-45 ends and crimpers for the same, and a variety of screwdrivers. I wouldn't want to poke it the wrong way...

 

[logicnerd411]

Nope, and none of us have complained of the reflector being scratched. We should start an Arc AAA torture thread...

Be assured that the Arc AAA will live up to its standards!

 

[Flow]

I'm in love. You've all convinced me to still try an Arc AAA though.

 

[Size15's]

Flow,

Welcome to CPF!

My ArcAAA suffers more from dust and pocket lint getting into the lens area then scratches. Anyway, I don't think the ArcAAA's reflector has the type of finish that requires the "nothing must touch this" approach. After all it's only an LED and the ArcAAA is intended to be carried in the harshest conditions (on keys in a bloke's pocket)

Al

 

[Flow]

Ahhhh. Nice then. I've been thinking about how I actually use them. My Sol is mostly for quickly finding lost items or reading while I'm camping or such. The Arc or the Sol LS mod should do that fine. I wouldn't even particularly care if it didn't eat though bulbs so quickly. My 6-D is mounted onto my dashboard and used for searching about my trunk when I'm working at night or fixing something on my car itself. And bashing heads. Amaizing how much more easyly a customer will pay up when I'm holding that monster...
And my AA Mini. I dunno. When I'm working or camping/hiking it's on more then it's off. Battery life would be a huge plus, and it is usually on the tightest possible unless I have it set up like a candle. It's all that's lighting this room at the moment in fact. Even if I actually tossed the Sol and got a Blaster to replace my 6-D, my AA is going nowhere. I feel naked without it. I suppose if the LED is in fact bright enough I wouldn't need to keep the beam tight so much. The red low-batt light sure is nice...
Then again I do need more distance then coverage a lot of the time (looking down walls and such). Mabey the BadBoy and that huge lens would be best after all.
Hmmmm. So many choices....

 

[Flow]

Hmmmm. Ok, I've got my shopping list.

Small:
Arc AAA (need, right?)
LS Sol mod, and a MagmaLED (I'll see which I like more)

Medium:
Either a BadBoy or a NewBeam (which is brighter?)
Inova X5

Large:
6-D Mag + EverLED
Blaster V or VI

My wallet is already cringing, poor thing.
Any other suggestions?

 

[logicnerd411]

Badboy, by all means!

 

[Sigman]

[ QUOTE ]
Flow said:
My little Sol has gotten me through too much s--- to be thrown out, heh. Wonder if I can have it bronzed...

[/ QUOTE ]
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Use the Sol lanyard on something else and hang the ole' Sol on the Christmas tree for an ornament...