Recommendation for a Mag Reflector and Lens

[jaznoize]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a couple of recommendations:

I have a 3-D Mag that has the 3 Watt Magled dropin installed. Love the brightness and runtime, but don't like the beam quality. It doesn't help that the reflective coating is coming off of mine - it's old and beat.

Can someone recommend where I can get a redesigned reflector (throw or flood) and a better quality lens? Focusing is not required, but if it the beam quality would be as good as my 3aa magled, I'd be happy with it.

I'd also like to know where to get a superior lens for my 3aa Magled.

Thanks,
Tony

 

[cratz2]

I've sputtered most of my Mag reflectors. Costs about $1 and 10 minutes of your time. You will lose a bit of your throw, but the hotspot will become larger in diameter and the spillbeam will become slightly brighter. A good tradeoff in my opinion for ANY flashlight use other than impressing your friends with throw. Search for sputter or sputtered in the search engine.

Glass lenses are available from flashlightlens.com and lighthound.com I believe. You can also order a UCL (upgraded lens) for the 3D Mag while you're at it. A bit more fragile than plastic, though I've never had one break yet.

 

[Strauss]

I would also try "sputtering" the reflector. I just used regular old hairspray on mine and it worked out great. Some throw was sacrificed, but the beam looks great and has a lot more usable spill. I would also go with the UCL lens as a borofloat won't be necessary in your set-up(not too much heat).

 

[carbine15]

It's always nice to have a glass lens though. Check out my thread where I made watch glasses into maglite lenses:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=154788
Cratz.. I've got a few of these set aside for you, all I need is your address. I have no use for them so I just wanted to spread the wealth.

 

[cratz2]

Cratz.. I've got a few of these set aside for you, all I need is your address. I have no use for them so I just wanted to spread the wealth.

Thanks. Just sent a PM and payment earlier today.

 

[jaznoize]

Just got myself a can of Krylon Clear Gloss Acrylic and am going to give sputtering a shot. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[cratz2]

You might try to go easy at first. I usually end up doing about 4 coats that are as thin as possible, but I'm trying to brighten up the spillbeam as well. Just 1 or 2 coats will do a very impressive job at making a Surefire-like smooth beam.

 

[carbine15]

no need to use Krylon.. hairspray is the way to go.

 

[pilou]

no need to use Krylon.. hairspray is the way to go.

Do the droplets dry solid? And how does a harispray coating stand up to heat?

 

[jaznoize]

Is the technique the same when using hairspray (i.e. depositing largeish droplets on the reflector) or does he hairspray dry differently?

 

[vic2367]

yeah,,,id like too know too...

 

[lowatts]

The good thing about hair spray is it should be easy to wash off if you don't like how it comes out.

 

[pilou]

But doesn't it stink as it heats up during usage? That stuff smells like poison to me.

 

[sparkysko]

I'd just paint your existing reflector white. Make a cone out of white paper, and slip it in there, and try it. With high powered aquarium lighting we'd forego reflectors and just use white paint on the inside of our light hoods, as it is better than most homemade 'reflectors' out of shiny metal.

 

[jaznoize]

I am very impressed with the effect of the sputtering. I'm sure it's not a perfect job, but it really did clean up the beam without too much effect on the throw. Now I just have to get a new lens (deep scratches) and my mag is better than ever.

...and I don't smell Krylon when it heats up, but I haven't left it on for very long.