The Malkoff Front Porch

I've been out of the flashlight game for a while as (shock horror) been fairly happy with what I have… All my Malkoff's are pre the new body design so the new changes are all a bit bewildering at the moment.

I've long lusted after just a simple Okluma DC0 in tumbled aluminium but never going to find one of those… And I hate the thought of Anduril complications... And 97% of other flashlights I find hideous. So as an alternative...

Can someone talk me through 16340 Bodyguard options? - Pref to only use a rechargeable 16340 rather than CR123s

I would love the short new 16340 Bodyguard shrouded body but with a LMH or just a LH

I don't believe the slightly loosen the head hi/low switch exists for the MDC range?

I'm not in the Police or Military so don't need a tactical blinding light so I'm a bit stumped as to how to make it work for me.

Would love a warmish/neutral tint - ideally a Nichia 519a perhaps... And a High that doesn't step down but is more frugal and considered and stays at something in the range of 250 - 350 ish lumens - so I could have a decent long run time and only a mildly warm flashlight in High.

And I think maybe something around 25 lumens for the Low…

Preferably come in on Low always. So kind of like the AA MDC - but I owned the original and it was too long for me.

I have a FiveMega 18350 body ring and a nice big chunky Hexagonal head someone did a little niche run of, with a M61 N LLLL for a little low house light and I love it, but want something a tiny bit more pocketable and with also a bit of a higher output for an EDC light.

Also is the MDC 1CR123 body the same as used in the complete MDC Bodyguard flashlight?

I don't know what lego combinations might work?
Lumens Factory bits?
What custom head options does anyone offer?

Am I right in thinking that the Bodyguard - is sized/threaded the same as a Surefire E-series...? Half of my confusion looking at Lumens Factory etc, is not knowing which bodies/heads/tails/ are the same diameter and thread pitch etc...

I do have a M361N-LMH - and seem to remember there is a VME Valiant?? head that maybe took M61 drop ins for the MDC range?? Edit: Just checked, this still exists... though I wish it had no white lettering/branding on it.

So what would my options be for a head and drop in for a the MDC Bodyguard…

Many thanks
I'm not so sure you can change the head in a bodyguard (maybe I'm wrong), but I would get a AA or cr123 body and use the VME head with the m361. Rechargeable battery options would be 14500 (AA) or 16340 (cr123)
 
I'm not so sure you can change the head in a bodyguard (maybe I'm wrong), but I would get a AA or cr123 body and use the VME head with the m361. Rechargeable battery options would be 14500 (AA) or 16340 (cr123)
The Bodyguard head function cannot be changed, but you could use the MDC HA LMH V2 Li-ion Rechargeable Head. Also the MDC HA 1CR123 Body is available separately.
 

Can someone talk me through 16340 Bodyguard options? - Pref to only use a rechargeable 16340 rather than CR123s
Most MDCs are 16340 compatible, the one that is not is the MDC AA, max voltage for that is 2V.
I would love the short new 16340 Bodyguard shrouded body but with a LMH or just a LH
The Bodyguard head is identical to the MDC head, both E-series threaded. The Bodyguard comes on at high and sustains it for 8 seconds before stepping down. High can be reset an unlimited amount of times by turning the light off and on.
I don't believe the slightly loosen the head hi/low switch exists for the MDC range?
Unfortunately no. If it did, I would buy a high CRI version to replace my Tactician.

Would love a warmish/neutral tint - ideally a Nichia 519a perhaps... And a High that doesn't step down but is more frugal and considered and stays at something in the range of 250 - 350 ish lumens - so I could have a decent long run time and only a mildly warm flashlight in High.

And I think maybe something around 25 lumens for the Low…
This retailer orders high CRI runs of Malkoff items. He did offer a high CRI MDC LMH at one point, but now out of stock.
Preferably come in on Low always. So kind of like the AA MDC - but I owned the original and it was too long for me.
The AA MDC has a moonlight low (0.4 lumens for the high CRI model), not quite 25 lumens as you mentioned above. The MDC heads use an "on time" timer to reset back to low, and not the more common "off time" timer. Takes a bit to get used to, but normal daily use pretty much has the light come on in low mode every time.
I have a FiveMega 18350 body ring and a nice big chunky Hexagonal head someone did a little niche run of, with a M61 N LLLL for a little low house light and I love it, but want something a tiny bit more pocketable and with also a bit of a higher output for an EDC light.
The MDC will be a great fit. I use mine with 14500/AA bodies.
Also is the MDC 1CR123 body the same as used in the complete MDC Bodyguard flashlight?
Please see above for the interface for the Bodyguard, it is unique.
I don't know what lego combinations might work?
Lumens Factory bits?
What custom head options does anyone offer?
E series threads and as stated above, Kosen One offers limited run emitters.

Also, I'll send you a PM because I might have a few options for sale.
 
Thanks for all the details

Ah interesting, really pleased to note the VME has no lettering anymore. I'm slowly recalling what I used to know about P60, E-series, Z41 etc compatability.

I'm not sure I want to go back to the MDC AA - not least as I would like to use rechargeable lithium/Li-ions, and I found its length just too long for me for an AA light, and I wish the knurling went the whole distance on the new one. I did use to really like its modes, especially the moonlight, and "on timer".

So now, I would be looking at the MDC 1CR123 Shrouded Body, possibly fitted with a VME head, and a rechargeable 16340, and possibly my M361.

I'd also be curious to know, do the MD2 heads, the narrower opening is no more, - all of them are 22.3mm now?
 
Thanks for all the details

Ah interesting, really pleased to note the VME has no lettering anymore. I'm slowly recalling what I used to know about P60, E-series, Z41 etc compatability.

I'm not sure I want to go back to the MDC AA - not least as I would like to use rechargeable lithium/Li-ions, and I found its length just too long for me for an AA light, and I wish the knurling went the whole distance on the new one. I did use to really like its modes, especially the moonlight, and "on timer".

So now, I would be looking at the MDC 1CR123 Shrouded Body, possibly fitted with a VME head, and a rechargeable 16340, and possibly my M361.

I'd also be curious to know, do the MD2 heads, the narrower opening is no more, - all of them are 22.3mm now?
The M361 in a VME and the shrouded CR123 body is about .5" shorter than the AA MDC.

I have that setup with the Neutral M361 V2, and then the AA MDC in neutral and the 519 from Kosen.

I find the M361 mode spacing to be not my favorite, as the 200/500 lumen modes are barely distinguishable.

Meanwhile, the MDC AA is AMAZING. I love the mode spacing, and it just looks so great. The Kosen has a beautiful beam, though I like the slightly warmer SST-20 on the Malkoff site.

Yes, 500 lumens is way higher than 90 lumens, but you'd surprised at how useful 90 lumens is around the house, and at night. If you're going to be using it outdoors in mixed lighting, the more powerful M361 will likely be better.

You could always split the difference and get a single mode M61NL at 200 lumens. I think FiveMega has one more of the 18350 MD-1 bodies left. That WOULD work with the hi/lo ring, too.
 
Sounds like the MDC LMH Neutral 95CRI head fits your bill, no? LMH at 20/200/550 and you can throw it on the 123 shrouded body to run 16340s. I use that configuration a lot and it's great. For most uses it will always turn on in low (although you can pre stage it to turn on in medium or high, but will reset back to low on the next turn on if the light is on for a short period of time).
 
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I'm not sure how the quote ability works,

But I do actually have this option already -
"You could always split the difference and get a single mode M61NL at 200 lumens. I think FiveMega has one more of the 18350 MD-1 bodies left. That WOULD work with the hi/lo ring, too."
So am going to trial that again.

I'd maybe trial a MDC AA again if I could find one with no gap in the knurling

And one of you just slid into my DMs and gave me a fair price for a MDC Nichia LMH Nichia 519A with a 16340 body so will trial that too.

Even though I do agree that generally I prefer a high of around 90, I would quite like to see how I get on with a bigger high.

I think generally I just need to pick up some more lego pieces as there's been quite a few additions since I was last on here. At least another MD-1 and a MD-1.5 and a VME head, and maybe some lumens factory bits. Or an Oveready little E 18350 body.


I wish there was something akin to a M361L or a LMH(L) without just having a high/low ring permanently on loose.
 
I'd maybe trial a MDC AA again if I could find one with no gap in the knurling
Have you got a chance to feel the new body? It's really great.

The full ringed body was a nightmare for pockets, so this is very nice, but as an added bonus, it tapers in (so, it's not just a flat spot) right at the balance point, so it makes for a SUPERB cigar gripper. I normally am more of a icepick holder, but the shape and balance of the new MDC AA means I can just gently rest it between my index and middle finger, and use my thumb to aim it all around. It's my new favorite way to sweep a light around when indoors. It's not as natural of a holding method on the fully ringed body, which I had to kind of do a single finger "talon curl" if I was going to use a cigar hold.

I get why a smooth section would seem less grippy, but don't forget that a tapered section creates a natural grip, too. Plus, a contiguous patch of surface for your skin to grip can often work better, depending on your circumstances.

Of course, I should mention my hands are between XL and XXL gloves, and I'd consider them "less than averagely sweaty/oily," so your mileage may vary.
 
Have you got a chance to feel the new body? It's really great.

The full ringed body was a nightmare for pockets, so this is very nice, but as an added bonus, it tapers in (so, it's not just a flat spot) right at the balance point, so it makes for a SUPERB cigar gripper. I normally am more of a icepick holder, but the shape and balance of the new MDC AA means I can just gently rest it between my index and middle finger, and use my thumb to aim it all around. It's my new favorite way to sweep a light around when indoors. It's not as natural of a holding method on the fully ringed body, which I had to kind of do a single finger "talon curl" if I was going to use a cigar hold.

I get why a smooth section would seem less grippy, but don't forget that a tapered section creates a natural grip, too. Plus, a contiguous patch of surface for your skin to grip can often work better, depending on your circumstances.

Of course, I should mention my hands are between XL and XXL gloves, and I'd consider them "less than averagely sweaty/oily," so your mileage may vary.

this 100%
people look at them and assume they are slick, I got the newer AA body and its a dream in and outa the pocket with no grip issues, now I gotta get a 16650 body to try, I'm sure it will be the same
 
this 100%
people look at them and assume they are slick, I got the newer AA body and its a dream in and outa the pocket with no grip issues, now I gotta get a 16650 body to try, I'm sure it will be the same
I didn't realize there was a new body, got the new one with the Kosen 519 MDC, and was really impressed. I like the ribbed design in the hand, but it was essentially impossible to get in/out of my pocket if I used that clip, haha.
 
^^^^^^^

This is one of those times when a couple of photos (or just links to them) depicting the difference(s) would be 'worth 1000 words' to some who aren't familiar but might have an interest;-)
 
^^^^^^^

This is one of those times when a couple of photos (or just links to them) depicting the difference(s) would be 'worth 1000 words' to some who aren't familiar but might have an interest;-)
Not exactly an exact comparison, but just imagine the one on the right (actually a 16340 body) is the same length as the one on the left. That would be the older 14500 body with full ribbing. The one on the left with a smooth section is the current 14500 body.

IMG_4041.jpeg
 
After about 3 weeks the MDC 3.4-6V SST20 head can't give useful light with the old CR123. I've been running it all this time at night as a night light, I placed it on top of a piece of resin with a scorpion on it to diffuse the light around it. It gave about 0.1 lm if compared with HDS, the last 2 days it gives less than 0.01 lm if compared with Zebra. A real vampire
IMG_9594.JPG
 
Just seen that Kosen is releasing a few new things, including a new/updated 16340 MDC body with a shorter clip?
 

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