Should I Upgrade My Maglites?

[parrothead2581]

Upgrade My Maglites: To Do or Not to Do?

Hello all,

I do a lot of lurking here and have learned quite a bit. Thanks to everyone!

Here is my question. I have 3 maglites. One 2AA Maglite Mini with a NiteIze LED Upgrade that I keep in my office bag, 1 3D Cell Maglite with the Maglite LED upgrade that I keep next to my bed and 1 standard incandescent 4D cell that I keep in my car.

Would anyone recommend upgrading any or all three of these with the following?

http://www.batteryjunction.com/tle-6exb.html

http://www.batteryjunction.com/tle-6k2.html

http://www.batteryjunction.com/tle-5k2.html

Is the Maglite brand 3-D Cell LED upgrade that I currently
have, just as good, better or not up to par with the Terralux?

Much thanks!

 

[spencer]

I have little experience but the upgrades for the 3D and 4D will be about 3x brighter than the Maglite LED upgrade you already have for your 3D. The upgrade for your minimag will give it a huge boost to.

 

[sawlight]

I was going to try and talk you out of this, but I followed the links and can't:twothumbs

Terralux quality, with a Cree emiter, all for $23 each? I wish thes had been out out when I foolishly bought my $18 Mag led for the 4D.

 

[EDP]

If you really want to have some fun with your 3D, do a search on Mag85 on the incan forum. The estimates I've seen are 1100 - 1300 lumens out the front. It's my brightest light, by far. It requires no special skills - just ordering and assembling the pieces. Here's an inexpensive battery carrier that works very well: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=188664.
Eneloop AA's can provide the higher amperage needed by the Welch Allyn 01185 bulb. Oh, and you'll need a bi-pin bulb holder that you can order on the CPF website. An aluminum reflector and glass lens can be ordered from KD. Very effective for impressing (or annoying) the neighbors!!

 

[pbs357]

Should you upgrade? Of course! Stock incan mags are made to be upgraded, even if you just put in a Mag brand LED. Just doing that will stretch your runtime a good deal, and to my eyes initial brightness is better also. Also, going LED means not having to worry about breaking the bulb if you drop in - there's no filament to break so it'll be much more durable. It'll make for a great car or emergency/utility light.

Question for those up on the latest and greatest: Is the Terralux the brightest option for an LED upgrade that's under the $40 price tag?

 

[jag808808]

parrothead,

For an LED upgrade under $50.00, this is incredible!

http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=4475

You want your mag to throw ~200 yards? This is the perfect avenue!

http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=4465

I toyed with both drop-ins and chose the aspheric route. My other 3D is a P7 mod. These are currently IMHO, the best single emitter deals to date. I used to have a mag LED upgrade. It was ok for around the house. I needed something with more punch at night. Have fun!

Aloha,

jag

note-These are by far much better and brighter than the Terralux alternatives.

 

[Gunner12]

Check this thread.

1 larger Maglite should be a Hotwire and the other should have a good LED drop-in.

 

[qip]

do you like the size of the big mags or do you want to try something smaller..if you love the classic design and want to keep them ,get a malkoff 2-3-4 drop-in and 6exb therefore you can interchange them in either light , 3d for 6ex you get decent light and goes for 15 hours , in 4d it has good light and does 20 hours..the malkoff in 3d does very good and goes 6 hours and 4d is best and 8hours...you can swap since they both work in 3-4d


but if you wanna try something small then theres tons of stuff to look at Fenix,O-light,NDI,Novatac etc

 

[parrothead2581]

Thanks guys! Plenty of great ideas to keep me busy for a while.

I have been thinking about getting the Fenix L1T for an EDC and the TK10 for something small but with a bit more punch.

I tend to walk the beach at night, when I'm out on vacation and the standard Maglite...well, the pitch black just swallows it. I haven't had a chance to try it with the LED upgraded version yet, though.

Gunner12, that thread doesn't seem to be too keen on the Terralux. I'm assuming it's basically good for the price but that there are other better options.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Would anyone recommend upgrading any or all three of these with the following?

http://www.batteryjunction.com/tle-6exb.html

http://www.batteryjunction.com/tle-6k2.html

http://www.batteryjunction.com/tle-5k2.html

Is the Maglite brand 3-D Cell LED upgrade that I currently
have, just as good, better or not up to par with the Terralux?

TLE-6EX is ideal for 4-6 cells
TLE-6EXB is ideal for 2-3 cells, but generates slightly more output on 3

I've purchased several the later model over the last year. They seem to improve it every every few months, with better color, more output, better build. The latest are quite good. The older the review you read, the more salt grains should be applied. For best results, upgrade the reflector and lens.

I've upgraded several minimags and have stopped using them. The output is good, but the design is such that the upgrade sits on top of the tube (instead of inside as with C's and D's), so the head does not tighten down as far. It doesn't take much of a turn then, for the head to come off.

Another consideration for both is, if you're not emotionally attached to a particular host, consider replacing it at the same time. If you really want a 3C, for example, what's another $15 if you are putting in $30-40 in upgrades.

Bonus thought: As quad emitters gain in popularity, multi reflector designs will come down in price and popularity, making it easier to get a good deal on a used one. One of these would go very well in a 4D:

http://www.batteryjunction.com/tle-300.html