The Malkoff Front Porch

[Rossymeister]

MDC AA incoming from Kosen. Looks like it's going to be 519a 3500k. At least that's what it says in the description.

Malkoff MDC AA HCRI Flashlight

Why we built this: For those who spend lots of time in the dark, or require globally available commodity batteries, the MDC AA HCRI brings the same...

www.kosen.one

So, when is that being released?

 

[Rossymeister]

I CAN swing 3000K and 3500K, but 4000K is my favorite. I think I still prefer my SST-20 because of the softer hotspot, and because it's got a beautiful 4000K beam.

Do you notice any green on that sst20?

 

[Schokokeks]

I may go with the stock 4000k AA again or even try the 5700k. Price is better, and I'm at the point where I don't really care too much about the niche of LEDs. Plus I'd hate to spend $185 on another light just when I only need the head. Already have the 3500k in li-ion and it's great

I'm also starting to hope he'll sell just the heads. The M61 drop-ins are great, because I have SO MANY bodies and heads, and so this is the boat I'm starting to find myself in.

I use Convoy T-series to have a 500K gradient of LEDs. I already have the SST-20 4000K MDC AA and the 4500K 519A MDC AA, so I don't think I need another full body MDC AA.

Now, if the amber and reds come out, I WILL be all over those, hahaha.

I actually haven't even gotten any of the 14500 MDCs because I like being able to not have to worry accidentally blowing one of my 1-2V head with a "whoopsie." Once in a blue moon, I swap on my VME and run a 14500, though.

Do you notice any green on that sst20?

Only when I compare it directly to a 519A.

By itself, and in use, it's beautiful. Against a 519A with both on, it's very noticeably green. The lower the level, the more green it is. The 519A seems to render colors well at all outputs, while the SST-20 seems to look less green the brighter it is.

BUT, to be fair, I prefer a green tint to a rosey one. The yellowish beam of the SST-20 with a green tint is just more pleasant to my eyes, though the 519A is objectively better looking.

If you're a bit of a tint snob AND you don't have an MDC AA, I think this 3500K IS worth the money. The 519A versions look beautiful. If you don't really care about tint, are concerned about the cost, and/or are more curious about the MDC AA (not sure if you'll like it) - or are getting another - I think the SST-20 is just fine.

I think me and @ilikeguns40 are in the boat of we have a few of these Kosen products AND some of the normal Malkoff variants, so it's less about "Will this be great" and more about "Do I REALLY need ANOTHER $200 light!?" hahah. So, don't let our conversation dissuade you if you are interested.

You could also LEGO together an MDC AA body with a VME head, and then get a M61W (or M61WL or M61WLL) and run a 14500 single mode. OR, get the MDC AA body, VME, and an M31W, and then run a single AA for a single mode ~80lumens. The 3000K SST-20 is very yellow, but less green, if you REALLY hate green, but want a high CRI Malkoff on a budget.

EDIT: Honorable mention: If you want a cost effective, US made, high CRI, warm AA light, the Peak El Capitan in single mode is neat. Runs and Eneloop or 14500, and you can get a floody hear or a normal reflector.

 

[HRace]

Anyone order a glow ring from Kosen yet for their MDC? I’m curious how decent (long lasting, not brightness) the glow is for anything other than the bright greens. And…general durability comment. Feels a bit strange putting a plastic ring on the front of the “built like a tank” Malkoff. Maybe it’s more robust than I fear. I’ve held off ordering to try and add on to an order. That MDC AA 3500 is definitely on my list. Glad it’s come back up again.

 

[Schokokeks]

Anyone order a glow ring from Kosen yet for their MDC? I'm curious how decent (long lasting, not brightness) the glow is for anything other than the bright greens. And…general durability comment. Feels a bit strange putting a plastic ring on the front of the "built like a tank" Malkoff. Maybe it's more robust than I fear. I've held off ordering to try and add on to an order. That MDC AA 3500 is definitely on my list. Glad it's come back up again.

I didn't get one, but I looked up the base material. It's a clear epoxy, so it's "plastic," but not like ABS. It's made by a carbon fiber epoxy company, so it's likely someone who is decent with their production.

My concern is that epoxy (without the composite aspect of fibers) tends to be a bit brittle and/or chip/crack.

I'd wager it'll eat up dents fairly well, but as with all plastics, it will eventually become brittle from ozone and UV exposure, and shatter. So, while not as bullet proof and "forever" as a stainless bezel would be, I'd bet you'd get a few years out of it.

I see it mostly as something for people who REALLY want a glow ring. I've never disassembled one of the E-series Malkoff heads, but you could probably get a glow in the dark o-ring or gasket for a VME or MDX head, and have a glow ring a la Convoy lights.

 

[Ashe]

Does anyone know if the Illumn 219b M61s ever get restocked? I feel like I’ve been checking forever and never see them.

 

[Wilburforce]

Sorry guys, I pestered him asking if he was going to do another run of 3500k MDC as I missed the first drop...

I feel you though on the wish he sold the heads separately --

I've also never actually fiddled with the MDC heads/bezels, so I presume there is no way the actual modules inside could ever be made modular and removeable and interchangeable?

 

[ilikeguns40]

no, they are potted

Would be awesome if there was a module type drop in that fit the MDC heads

 

[HRace]

Does anyone know if the Illumn 219b M61s ever get restocked? I feel like I've been checking forever and never see them.

You may want to try emailing Craig. He’s pretty responsive. I don’t know the answer to your question but all my 219b + Malkoff purchases from Illumn were in 2016. Not sure if those products have been actively restocked in recent years.

 

[Rossymeister]

Does anyone know if the Illumn 219b M61s ever get restocked? I feel like I've been checking forever and never see them.

I think i bought the last one on illumn maybe 6 or 7 months ago. Totally worth picking one up when/if he gets them back in stock.

No greens or purples here.

 

[md17]

Anyone order a glow ring from Kosen yet for their MDC? I'm curious how decent (long lasting, not brightness) the glow is for anything other than the bright greens. And…general durability comment. Feels a bit strange putting a plastic ring on the front of the "built like a tank" Malkoff. Maybe it's more robust than I fear. I've held off ordering to try and add on to an order. That MDC AA 3500 is definitely on my list. Glad it's come back up again.

Yes I got one of the orange ones. It is very durable, but it’s also recessed so the likelihood of damaging it is low. Very bright for several minutes after using the light and I’d say it could be at least noticeable in a very dark room overnight.

 

[Rossymeister]

Does anybody use a mdc 18650 body with a vme head? Does it feel better in the hand than the md2?

What would be a good body to pair with a M361?

 

[md17]

Does anybody use a mdc 18650 body with a vme head? Does it feel better in the hand than the md2?

What would be a good body to pair with a M361?

I believe you’d need the 18650 to e series body with adapter correct? Never thought about this combo. I have an m361 with the cr123 body and I think it’s awesome.

 

[JP031716]

Does anybody use a mdc 18650 body with a vme head? Does it feel better in the hand than the md2?

What would be a good body to pair with a M361?

I used to have one of the older, fully-knurled 18650 MDC bodies and it's a little smaller in diameter than the 18650. That being said, I imagine the hand-feel would be better with the newer, tapered MDC bodies. Furthermore, the MDC's clip is rugged and is another improvement over the MDX bodies as the clip sold, at least from Malkoff don't allow for a deeper carry.

I’d recommend it for the M361 in the VME as it would give you great runtime.

 

[Rossymeister]

I believe you'd need the 18650 to e series body with adapter correct? Never thought about this combo. I have an m361 with the cr123 body and I think it's awesome.

Hows the runtime with the cr123 body? Does it feel pretty good in the hand?

 

[Rossymeister]

I used to have one of the older, fully-knurled 18650 MDC bodies and it's a little smaller in diameter than the 18650. That being said, I imagine the hand-feel would be better with the newer, tapered MDC bodies. Furthermore, the MDC's clip is rugged and is another improvement over the MDX bodies as the clip sold, at least from Malkoff don't allow for a deeper carry.

I'd recommend it for the M361 in the VME as it would give you great runtime.

Okay, cool. I like the look of the clips on the mdc bodys. Im currently running the m361 in a surefire 6p body. I was thinking about getting something a little more edc friendly.

 

[JP031716]

Okay, cool. I like the look of the clips on the mdc bodys. Im currently running the m361 in a surefire 6p body. I was thinking about getting something a little more edc friendly.

Are you running a CR123s, a 16650 or 18650, in the 6P? I just realized I forgot to mention the 16650 MDC body which is a nice option if you want to skip the e-series adapter on the 18650 MDC body. You can just pop the VME M361 on there. It'll be as slim as the 1CR123 body with the around the same length of the 6P.

 

[Rossymeister]

Im running 2x CR123's in there now, but im trying to standardize to 16340 and 18650.

Anybody got any good pictures of the vme head on the different mdc bodies?

Ive owned an MD2 in the past, but it was too big to comfortably edc.

 

[Rossymeister]

Ill google a bit and see what i can find.

 

[md17]

Okay, cool. I like the look of the clips on the mdc bodys. Im currently running the m361 in a surefire 6p body. I was thinking about getting something a little more edc friendly.

The cloud defensive deep carry clip is an awesome option for the md bodies.

Hows the runtime with the cr123 body? Does it feel pretty good in the hand?

its def nice and small. I want the new body cr123. Id say about 30 minutes on high for runtime.

Another nice clip option for the md2 or even better, fivemega md1.5 is the cloud defensive deep carry clip with the Malkoff body extender grip ring