Upgrades for 2D maglite with Everled?

[greg_in_canada]

I ordered an Everled to upgrade my 2D maglite (it was
a going away gift from my previous job so it has
sentimental vale).

I assume the beam quality will be better than the
stock bulb. Are there other things I could/should do
to improve it further? A few ideas I've had are adding
diffusing plastic to the lens (PDA covers or mactac plastic
film), buying a new diffusing lens.

Other ideas are spraying
the stock reflector to make it somewht diffusing or
buying a new reflector. Are there any aftermarket reflectors that are drop-in
or require minimal modifications? Has anyone had
success stippling a mag reflector with some sort
of spray.

I don't want to spend too much money since I'm not a
full fledged flashaholic (yet

On the Pentax (camera) mailing list that I read they
have a term: enabled. People join the list with one or
two Pentax cameras and a few lenses. After being "enabled"
by list members they soon have an LX, some screw mount
bodies, and 5 or 10 prime and zoom lenses.

Thanks - Greg (I can only afford one hobby at a time)

 

[4x4Dragon]

krylon sputtering the reflector is the way to go. darkzero(screen name here on CPF) does these and there is a list right now for those who want one done by him. $7 or $8.

if you don't feel like waiting you could get one of the diffusing lenses from flashlightlens.com

if you do decide to wait for a krylon sputtered reflector you'll still want to get a UCL(ultra clear lens-glass) from flashlightlens.com

 

[greg_in_canada]

So krylon sputtering is beyond the do-it-yourselfer?
Even after practicing on pieces of glass or a dollar
store flashlight reflector?

Greg

 

[4x4Dragon]

[ QUOTE ]
greg_in_canada said:
So krylon sputtering is beyond the do-it-yourselfer?
Even after practicing on pieces of glass or a dollar
store flashlight reflector?

Greg

[/ QUOTE ]

no, darkzero from my understanding has no special equipment. he's just mastered his technique. im sure with practice you could do it. may just want to inquire with those such as darkzero or lambda to get some tips.

 

[IlluminatingBikr]

Here is the thread about the sputtering. I thought maybe you might want to have a look at it, even though it appears to be closed.

As far as smoothing beams goes, there seem to be two options. One is the change the reflector/optics (the sputtering is probably the best way) or change the lens. There have been some threads about using diffusing materials on lenses for making your beam smoother.

Good luck with your search! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[14C]

Otokoyama makes some nice Acrylite drop-in lenses for 4 or 5 bucks (last time I picked some up was a while back). They do a good job of smoothing the beam on a C/D stock reflector with an EverLED or a Diamond.

He also does a sweet complete aluminum C/D reflector the PMR but I don't think you want to spend 25 dollars and shipping....

 

[greg_in_canada]

Thanks Aaron,

From the one message in that thread it appears that
a maglite + everled has enought artifacts that sputtering
(or other smoothing) is worthwhile.

I should have my everled next week, so then I'll see
how good it looks to my untrained eyes.

Cheers - Greg

 

[greg_in_canada]

Thanks 14C,

I saw a thread somewhere where the stock lens
was replaced with the plastic material frame shops
use for anti-glare (non-) glass. Is that what you
are referring to?

Greg

 

[14C]

You know I am not sure exactly how Oto makes (or exactly what the material is) them but you could PM him to ask. I have found he's very good at responding.

I'm betting you'll be pleasantly surprised with the EverLED too. It works much better than stock bulbs but I have to say that I think the optimum setup for run-time and output is probably a 3D.

 

[greg_in_canada]

If found the thread where Oto offers the lenses and
in it someone explains that it is picture framing
material.

Getting a few scraps from a framing shop could be a
cheap way for me to do-it-myself without the risk
from spraying my reflector wrong. I'll save that for
later

Greg

 

[nikon]

Sputtering is very easy to do. Here are a couple of Mag reflectors I did and what you should use:

It normally takes about six very light coats applied so that droplets form on the reflector. Fifteen minutes between coats gives it ample time to dry.

 

[357]

^Thats really cool. You gave the Maglites a textured reflector at minimal cost (the price of a can of paint).

 

[nikon]

And there's enough paint in that can to do at least a hundred reflectors.

 

[357]

[ QUOTE ]
nikon said:
And there's enough paint in that can to do at least a hundred reflectors.

[/ QUOTE ]

How easy is it? I'm not particularly good at painting or any type of handy work. If I tried doing that to my Mag reflectors, is there a chance I damage a reflector or cause problems?

If you think its fairly easy, I'll give it a try. I really want a textured reflector for my Mags.

 

[nikon]

It's very easy and you don't have to be good at painting. In fact, you purposely apply the paint the wrong way. I'll post instructions with pictures tomorrow.

 

[Yukon_Jack]

An Everled in a 2D is sort of a waste of the expensive bulb. I believe they told me a 2D gives about 75 to 80 light output. What would make terrific sense to me would be to go with lithiums in the two D. Actually, you can buy D cell lithiums at 3 volts each. This would be a real dandy survival light.

 

[Stanley]

Nikon, pls do... I would love to try that out on my Mag reflector as well. Thanks! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[greg_in_canada]

I'm looking forward to seeing your spraying tips
Nikon.

From the review on flashlighreviews it seems the Everled
is a good upgrade from incandescent (on a 2D). But
3D does sound better (output jumps from 17.4 to 23.5).
Perhaps there are lithiums in my future ...

Greg

 

[357]

[ QUOTE ]
nikon said:
It's very easy and you don't have to be good at painting. In fact, you purposely apply the paint the wrong way. I'll post instructions with pictures tomorrow.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds great.

With an EverLED bulb and texture applied to the reflector, can the mods ever get the beam to Surefire quality? Or is the shape of the reflector too wrong to allow a flawless beam?

I really appreciate a great beam.

 

[BatteryCharger]

[ QUOTE ]
Yukon_Jack said:
An Everled in a 2D is sort of a waste of the expensive bulb. I believe they told me a 2D gives about 75 to 80 light output. What would make terrific sense to me would be to go with lithiums in the two D. Actually, you can buy D cell lithiums at 3 volts each. This would be a real dandy survival light.

[/ QUOTE ]

My two main lights are a 2D and 3D Mag with an EverLED. When used together, the 2D is only slightly dimmer. When used seperately, you can't tell the difference.