The Mule Experience, for Newbies

[Chrontius]

Just discovered a clever little Mini Mag hack.

Step one: gather your materials. You will need the following:

1. incandescent Mini Mag host
2. Terralux power-LED conversion; here I use a TLE5-EX Cree
3. Tailcap switch; here I use a second-generation Nite Ize IQ switch

Step one: unscrew the tailcap, and remove the batteries. Set aside the batteries and the stock tailcap.

Step two: Unscrew the head from the body, and store the light bulb in your spare parts drawer. You won't need it again in this mod.

Step three: Unscrew the bezel from the head, and store the reflector. Put the bezel back on without your Terralux-supplied reflector.

Step four: Put the batteries in the light, and screw on the tailcap. This is for diagnostics.

Step five: Put the Terralux module in place; if it lights, good. If not, remove it, rotate 180°, and reinsert it. It should light now.

Step six: Remove the stock tailcap, and drop it in your spares bin. Replace with your tailcap switch of choice. This mod disables the stock twisty action of the Mag; your ability to switch the light off is dependent on a new switch. I used an IQ switch for the find-in-the-dark beacon and the ability to dim the light.

Step seven: Screw on the head, sans reflector. This is where the magic happens; without the reflector, the Mag will screw on much further than it used to. Less than half a centimeter will remain between the module and the lens.

Step eight: click on, and enjoy. Net result is a perfectly even flood between 120 and 150 degrees, ideal for close-up work or reading in bed.

============================================

This mod was born from my attempt at a Groovy switch switch; the IQ switch was incompatible with the AWR linear dropout regulator, so I had a spare IQ switch to play with, and the Terralux was never very well focused (ringy hotspot, Cree rings, only moderately bright by modern standards.) My accidental discovery yielded a perfect low-end mule, that can be built for under $40. I've noticed an influx of new members, and most of them would balk at spending several hundred dollars right off the bad on a custom light. Besides, everyone knows the best McGizmo is the LunaSol 20. :D

 

[Juggernaut]

Cool….

 

[Tomcat!]

Good idea. I've just tested a MiniMag I converted with the same TerraLux and reflector ages ago. It's been sitting around doing nothing for a long time but it never crossed my mind to just take the reflector out to make a genuinely useful close up beam. Great for poking around at the back of my computer. I guess it's one of those simple little things that gets forgotten about in the quest for bigger, brighter, further.
:clap:

 

[gallonoffuel]

I did this with a direct driven radioshack 276-017 5mm LED and a kroll switch. More than enough light for navigating the house in the dark, and it literally runs for days. there is a slight natural hotspot from the emitter pattern but much less than with the stock reflector installed. This is probably the best mod i've ever done to a minimag (and my one and only minimag has gone through a ton of incarnations).

 

[socom1970]

Excellent idea, Chrontius!!!

What an excellent way to show newbies the true value of a Mule light, something which they would not be exposed to ordinarily. If they can appreciate that sort of Mule mod, some may opt for a quality McGizmo or other top-quality Mule.:goodjob:

 

[ypsifly]

I've done the same thing with Niteize led upgrades. I've used the 1W led with and without the reflector from the 3 led upgrade. I've used the IQ switch, but I like the cheaper switch that came with the 3 led upgrade. Although cheaply made, its a forward clicky and it doesn't have that annoying SOS. The high on the IQ seems less bright than that of the other switch. Not by much, but I have read that the IQ has a lot of resistance.

 

[ZMZ67]

I've done the same thing with Niteize led upgrades. I've used the 1W led with and without the reflector from the 3 led upgrade. I've used the IQ switch, but I like the cheaper switch that came with the 3 led upgrade. Although cheaply made, its a forward clicky and it doesn't have that annoying SOS. The high on the IQ seems less bright than that of the other switch. Not by much, but I have read that the IQ has a lot of resistance.

I also use the straight wall reflector from the 3LED module with the TerraLUX5EX CREE.The MiniMag with this combo has been my low cost flood flashlight for awhile.I like the inexpensive switch generally sold with TerraLUX products better than the cheap Nite-Ize switch.The IQ switch is better quality but robs too much current,output is noticably brighter with the single level switch.
Chrontius is right this is a great mod for persons new to the forum (or anyone really) to see what an all flood beam is like from a flashlight. :thumbsup:

 

[Chrontius]

I also use the straight wall reflector from the 3LED module with the TerraLUX5EX CREE.The MiniMag with this combo has been my low cost flood flashlight for awhile.I like the inexpensive switch generally sold with TerraLUX products better than the cheap Nite-Ize switch.The IQ switch is better quality but robs too much current,output is noticably brighter with the single level switch.
Chrontius is right this is a great mod for persons new to the forum (or anyone really) to see what an all flood beam is like from a flashlight. :thumbsup:

I was pleasantly surprised, using this thing in the wild (err, reading in bed, getting up for a glass of water, digging through bags in the dark, etc). That said, I find the low of the IQ switch rather too high, robbing current is not my priority. The levels on this were clearly picked for an incan Mag with fresh alkalines.

Also, I noticed that this mod completely wrecks any water resistance in the head of the mag - you have all been warned. I'll try the straight-wall reflector from the 3-LED module, and see if this holds the lens in place. :oops:

The straight-wall reflector appears to fix the waterproofing issue, without affecting the beam pattern any. :thumbsup: Definitely a good $4 if you plan on taking your new Muleoid camping, and a good $4 (the actual 3-led module) if you need to conserve batteries. That thing will fire on some very depleted cells.

 

[Oddjob]

I did this to my minimags using the 1 watt nite-ize drop-ins before I got my McGizmo mule. It's a great and affordable way to try the mule type beam.