noob but not an idiot

[PTS@itsfinest]

thanks for having me first and for most, had a few questions? and i'm kinda getting lost in your guys tech talk.

i just picked up at mag light 6D cell light, and its great.....but i want more. i need a beam tho not just a spread of light every were. I work at a marina, with over a mile of docking and being able to look at something far away is handy. and im a week end warrior for the navy so it will be used. now reading before i post. i have had a few questions.

i found this TerraLux MiniStar30M-EX TLE-300M-EX from battery junction on line for 75bucks at your guys general recommendations. i like the out put:huh:. and was going to pick it up.

now the questions???

1: is that a ok place to order from/ good price?
2: is the "8.4 degree beam" really a beam or is that a spread, as far as flashlights are concerned. any mods to make it a beam? better options?
3: do i need a glass lens from the heat?


batteries

i have 6d alkaline in there now so it will work with stock till i get my upgrade all ready.
providing i go with the 300m ex are there any battery tricks to know.
i know switching to nihm batteries, but is there a battery pack option.
it wants 6-12v so should i give it 12v i have alot of room. can one battery pack run it and hold a back up? or one big one for longer run time.

and whats up with the mAh 3500, 4000, 2000, what does lowere or higher mah mean/do are there requirments for the 300m ex

(i know mah is electrical current something something.)

im not looking to have the biggest D!(k out there, just want something good and reliable to do my job better.

thanks for your time reading and helping

 

[divine]

Usually multi-emitter setups are not good for throw.

There is some information about this drop-in in this thread.

It is described as a wall of light, which is all flood and no throw.


Should we move onto suggesting a module that will better suit your wants/needs?

My first suggestion would probably be one of Malkoff's XP-G drop-ins. You'd probably have to sign up for the mailing list and keep your eyes peeled to get one, they sell out pretty fast.

I can't find a very good thread with a lot of info on the new (XP-G) Malkoff Drop-in. =\

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

You need a Maxabeam.

Welcome to CPF!

Cheers.

 

[PTS@itsfinest]

Usually multi-emitter setups are not good for throw.

There is some information about this drop-in in this thread.

It is described as a wall of light, which is all flood and no throw.


Should we move onto suggesting a module that will better suit your wants/needs?

My first suggestion would probably be one of Malkoff's XP-G drop-ins. You'd probably have to sign up for the mailing list and keep your eyes peeled to get one, they sell out pretty fast.

I can't find a very good thread with a lot of info on the new (XP-G) Malkoff Drop-in. =\

yes please suggest some thing more fitting if you think of one.

looked at the Malkoffs kinda scary to have eye injury warning.
as far as the maxabeam, thanks buttttt im good, and i cant beat people over the head with it.:duh2: joking.......kinda.....

looking more into it and thinking about my needs having the ability to flood. at my feet. IE for looking for a water pump bolt for a hmmwv in the sand, is a handy thing. dont know if that counts as flooding or not.

To ease the questions and the search.

i have 230ish lum now and was looking to get around 400ish with the ability to focus the beam. If thats out there. higher lum is ok too. but i have to be able to look thur a bags, look at wires ect ect and not be blinded or catch things on fire. and im ok with getting metal reflectors and glass lenses for heat.

you guys asked some one else this so im answering ahead of time. money is no object. as long as what im paying is equal to what im getting. i couldnt live with my self if some one (or me) got shot while were opping, or drowned at work, all because i couldnt see incoming targets, or some one farther out in the water. but i saved 60 bucks.

so ill be looking if you guys think of anything that fits the bill, post up. im not worried so much on powering it right now, i have a few buddies that do rc trucks and will make me a battery pack if it comes down to that.

thanks again....have a blessed day

 

[Kestrel]

Usually multi-emitter setups are not good for throw.
There is some information about this drop-in in this thread.
It is described as a wall of light, which is all flood and no throw.
Should we move onto suggesting a module that will better suit your wants/needs?
My first suggestion would probably be one of Malkoff's XP-G drop-ins. You'd probably have to sign up for the mailing list and keep your eyes peeled to get one, they sell out pretty fast.
I can't find a very good thread with a lot of info on the new (XP-G) Malkoff Drop-in. =\

All good information in the above. Malkoffs are considered to be the tops for drop-ins - especially with regards to quality. The XP-G drop-in in the large Mag reflector should be _excellent_ for 'throw' (although others here will have had hands-on experience with these types of units).

You need a Maxabeam.
Welcome to CPF!
Cheers.

Um, I hope that this is in jest - the Maxabeam is 20x - 30x more expensive than an LED drop-in for a Mag.
(Although I'm sure the OP does need a Maxabeam - we all do, really. )

Edit: I didn't mean to sound so serious here, I just didn't want the OP to get all excited looking at the various Maxabeam threads, until he comes across the price... after that, he'd leave this great forum and subscribe to onecandlepowerforums.com instead ... ;-)

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

All good information in the above. Malkoffs are considered to be the tops for drop-ins - especially with regards to quality. The XP-G drop-in in the large Mag reflector should be _excellent_ for 'throw' (although others will have had hands-on experience with these types of units).

Um, I hope that this is in jest - the Maxabeam is over ~20x more expensive than an LED drop-in for a Mag.

It also throws 20x more than that LED cap gun! :devil:
More expensive, WTH? Are you a flashaholic or what?? That sort of throw has no price.

 

[Kestrel]

This is true. I hereby turn in my 'Flashaholic' status for one day.

Edit: I'm trying to find that pic that DM51 posted, showing the Maxabeam illuminating the tree line almost 1000 yards distant, and the setting was only on 'medium' ...

Here we go. OP, would this work for you?

Here's Patriot about to catch a tree on fire with his Maxabeam at a relatively close 183 yards...

 

[Flying Turtle]

Welcome to CPF, PTS. Hope you find your perfect light, but then that wouldn't leave room for something better. Watch your wallet around here.

Geoff

 

[Lightcrazycanuck]

Welcome to CPF, PTS. Hope you find your perfect light, but then that wouldn't leave room for something better. Watch your wallet around here.

Geoff

+1 :naughty::naughty::naughty:

 

[ragweed]

I have a 6 D cell Maglight & I think its the best thrower ever made. It will serve you well. The only 3 complaints I have is that it sucks batteries like no tommorrow & the bulbs are real prone to break if dropped & last a month if that long.

 

[Locoboy5150]

I have a Terralux TLE-300M-EX in my 4 D cell Maglite and I love it, but as others have already said, it is not a thrower of a light. It's a flood type light. "Wall of light" (from the other thread mentioned before) describes its beam perfectly.

If you do get a TLE-300M-EX, I strongly suggest using Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound on the bottom of it where it seats against the flat portion of the Mgalite's head to help with the heat transfer. I did that with mine and it doesn't overheat at all. Overheating is a common problem with many Maglite drop in LED upgrades.

If you want your flashlight to throw those kinds of distances, I'd forget about flashlights completely and look at HID spotlights. In particular, I'd look at the Stanley model. For around $70, it cannot be beat in my book.

Here it is on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001U04MEY/?tag=cpf0b6-20

By the way, Battery Junction is a *very* reputable online dealer and myself and many CPF members have had great success with buying items from them. They also have a discount code for CPF members:

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=181841

The TLE-300M-EX doesn't get *that* hot to where the stock Maglite plastic lens will melt.

 

[qip]

i would still go malkoff, for the beam for close up work just point it next to the thing you wanna light up ,the spill will be bright for close up work....or get an aspheric setup for the mag so you get focusable flood and throw

also for the malkoff you can get a Kaidomain textured reflector , i think there great and the throw will diminsh some but the beam is more pleasing and be good for close up + you will still have the stock smooth reflector if you wanna maximize throw

 

[UnderTheWeepingMoon]

I think an incandescent setup would be the easiest path to take if the OP is looking for useful throw without blowing the budget right out of the water.

The following is what I'd choose as an upgrade for the OP's 6D Mag. It's often called a Mag11 around here.

FM 2.5" Throwmaster - This is an upgraded aluminium reflector and glass lense which will give the light a tighter beam and allow it to withstand the extra heat from the high-output bulb.

AW's Mag D Softstart Switch - This will give the light 3 brightness levels to conserve battery life and has a ceramic socket to mount the bulb. The softstart feature also helps to protect the bulb from the sudden rush of current when the light is switched on, giving longer bulb life.

Welch Allyn WA1111 Bulbs from Litho123's thread - These are high-output halogen bulbs that will blow away the stock Mag bulb. Because they still have a relatively small filament, they also have exceptional throw.

Finally, the light should be powered by 6 NiMH D batteries, as standard alkaline batteries cannot deliver the current needed by the bulb.

The above light will easily outthrow any LED setup short of an aspheric, is focusable, rechargeable and all parts are simple add-ons to the standard Mag.

 

[Locoboy5150]

All of these Malkoff Devices recommendations are great, and I certainly do not doubt one bit how great they are, but good luck finding one.

One of the reasons why I went with the Terralux TLE-300M-EX was because the Malkoff LED drop ins for Maglites never seem to be in stock on the website. I signed up for the email notification for when they will be back in stock.

You have to be *very* patient to get a Malkoff drop-in LED Maglite upgrade.

 

[PTS@itsfinest]

lets go from top to bottom, but first i know how much a pain new people can be, Im a long time member of a ford ranger forum. so i know the stigma new people get. weird to be on the other side of that line. so thanks for the open arms.

down to biz
MD51:
thats really cool man, first time i ever saw a light that out shined the human eyes ablity to see. ever try and singal aircraft with that?

undertheweepingmoon:
very interesting set up. i like it is there a know run time on this mag11?
the the 2.5 throw master. does that replace the head of my mag or just go inside?

and ill be looking over malkoff web page in the AM

 

[UnderTheWeepingMoon]

undertheweepingmoon:
very interesting set up. i like it is there a know run time on this mag11?
the the 2.5 throw master. does that replace the head of my mag or just go inside?

The 2.5" throwmaster is an extension of the head and replaces the window (lense) retaining ring, keeping the base of the head. A much cheaper option would be to buy metal reflector and glass window, available from a number of sellers on CPF, to replace the stock items in the Mag, as they would melt from the bulb's extra heat. This wouldn't give as much throw as the Throwmaster, however.

I can't really comment on the runtime of the setup, as my Mag11 isn't built using a 6D Mag, but I guess you'd have well over an hour and a half of light on high.

I have to apologise, as I recommended a fairly expensive setup to you. Maybe a cheaper option would be to build what's known as a ROP (Roar of the Pelican). It involves replacing the stock bulb in your Mag with a xenon bulb from a Pelican lantern and again powering it with NiMH Ds. This mod would also require a metal reflector and glass window but would also work well with the 2.5" Throwmaster. Here's a thread you might find useful.

 

[PTS@itsfinest]

I have to apologise, as I recommended a fairly expensive setup to you. Maybe a cheaper option would be to build what's known as a ROP (Roar of the Pelican). It involves replacing the stock bulb in your Mag with a xenon bulb from a Pelican lantern and again powering it with NiMH Ds. This mod would also require a metal reflector and glass window but would also work well with the 2.5" Throwmaster. Here's a thread you might find useful.

no worries i like seeing options

sooo looking all morning, i think i have pined down some parts.

i like the AW's Mag D Softstart Switch , and the Welch Allyn WA1111 Bulbs from Litho123's thread set up.

not sold on the throw master jsut yet. gonna keep looking at my options.

>>>>>Popular for 7.2v (6AA nimh) - 7.4v (2 x Li-Ion cells) operation<<<<<
Bi-Pin WA 01111: 6.0v 3.35a @ spec (465 b-lumens) / 7.2v (880 b-lumens)
looking at the specs. and generating all sorts of questions lol. 6D nihm cells gives me 7.2v. so thru that bulb im gonna get 880 lum? whice is cool with the three step switch, (which i really like btw, thanks for bringing that up. lets me not burn a whole in my map.)

but the battery things is tripping me. i under stand the volt part, but the amp and mAh is stumping me. is it calling for 6AA cell batterys not 6d cell?
is it the same thing just "d's" give you more run time cause of higher mAh.
if i need the trio of AA in the "triangle" converter things, do they make a "AA" battery pack that would be better, then the "D's" sorry this is were i have to take the "not an idiot" out of the title

 

[PTS@itsfinest]

did some looking up, about the mAh so if i have a 3.35a bulb and 3000mAh battery. it would run under and hour? and a 3500mAh battery would run a lil over an hour? and the 10000mAh:naughty: battery i found would run right around 3 hours at full tilt.

yes... no...have i upgraded from idiot to just newbe yet lol

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

I think an incandescent setup would be the easiest path to take if the OP is looking for useful throw without blowing the budget right out of the water.

The following is what I'd choose as an upgrade for the OP's 6D Mag. It's often called a Mag11 around here.

FM 2.5" Throwmaster - This is an upgraded aluminium reflector and glass lense which will give the light a tighter beam and allow it to withstand the extra heat from the high-output bulb.

AW's Mag D Softstart Switch - This will give the light 3 brightness levels to conserve battery life and has a ceramic socket to mount the bulb. The softstart feature also helps to protect the bulb from the sudden rush of current when the light is switched on, giving longer bulb life.

Welch Allyn WA1111 Bulbs from Litho123's thread - These are high-output halogen bulbs that will blow away the stock Mag bulb. Because they still have a relatively small filament, they also have exceptional throw.

Finally, the light should be powered by 6 NiMH D batteries, as standard alkaline batteries cannot deliver the current needed by the bulb.

The above light will easily outthrow any LED setup short of an aspheric, is focusable, rechargeable and all parts are simple add-ons to the standard Mag.

Excellent post and excellent choice of hardware! But I still think that for a noob, a ROP High is a better choice.

Cheers.

 

[divine]

All of the mAh ratings are for rechargeable batteries.

I'm going to assume that you aren't using rechargeable batteries because it costs somewhere around $60 to fill a 6D with rechargeable cells.

The incandescent setups need rechargeable cells to power a good incandescent lamp.

I still suggest the malkoff, because it will give you much more runtime and can run off alkalines, you can always choose to do the rechargeable route later.