Upgrading a 3D Maglite to LED. Drop-in options?

[nutcracker]

Hi,
I think about upgrading my old 3D Maglite to LED with a drop-in module.

Is this the only option I have?
http://www.tacticalleds.com/TerraLUX-TLE-6EXB-TerraLUX-MiniStar5-LED-p/tle-6exb.htm

These are not for 3D http://www.tacticalleds.com/TerraLUX-TLE-300M-EX-EXTREME-p/tle-300m-ex.htm

Do you recommend this one http://www.batteryjunction.com/3waluledform.html ?

Or are there other options?

 

[Chrisdm]

Malkoff makes a great one, however it is sold out at the moment. You cna sign up for a stock notification here:

http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop/dropin-module-for-36-dcell-to-fit-maglite-p-1.html

Macs Customs made the best one (in my opinion), but unfortunately Maglite threatened him so he discontinued making his version. There are many of us here that buy Maglites soley BECAUSE of Mac's upgrades, so we are dumbfounded by that move my the company...

Also I have that Terralux you posted, perhaps it is worth $32 but I wouldn't pay any more for it... I would rather pay twice as much and wait for Malkoff's far superior product... Hopefully somebody can come up with a better upgrade solution!

 

[flashlight chronic]

I have 3D maglites that I've upgraded w/ malkoff and terralux drop-ins. My Terralux Maglite (3 mode) 700 lumen drop-in uses a 6 volt battery stick for the magcharger. It consists of five 1/2D NiCad rechargeable batteries which are sleeve wrapped. My Malkoff Maglite has the 3-6D drop-in w/ four NimH C batteries slid into 1 inch PVC pipe. I had to reverse the tailcap spring and sand away the anodizing on the inside of the tailcap for a good ground connection w/ the spring. The Malkoff has very good throw when focused to a tight spot. The Terralux has three LEDs w/ optics instead of reflectors and has a wider and brighter beam w/ less throw. Battery junction is now advertising a 1000 lumen Terralux drop-in that should be out in a couple of weeks. This new drop-in has a switch on the side of the body that can be used as a single or triple mode.

 

[Lightwriter]

I bought a TLE-6EXB from Amazon last month for $13.45 plus shipping. Not sure how much it will be for you if you're in Germany. I'm very happy with it. I installed it in my camo 3D Maglite. It's just as bright as my 2nd generation 3D MagLED digital camo, though the color is slightly warmer. The TLE-6EXB and the 2nd generation MagLEDs both use Rebel LEDs.

I also have a Malkoff 3-6 cell drop in installed in my black 3D Maglite. In a room or outside the Malkoff is a bit brighter throws a bit farther but to the average person probably not bright enough to justify the $50 price difference. I like my Malkoff but looking back I'd rather buy 3 TLE-6EXBs instead of one Malkoff.

 

[gearhead1972]

what is your budget? The single led terralux, the first one you mentioned to me isn't that great, but if you only want to spend a few bucks then ok. The malkoff is very nice, and much, much brighter (mine is driven with 2 26650 imr's), but the $105 terralux upgrade kit from battery junction is very very bright and well worth the money

 

[nutcracker]

I thought about sub-50$

Is the upgrade kit from battery junction really compatible with the 3D Mag?
I thought is only for the Maglite Charger?
http://www.batteryjunction.com/maglite-supercharger-combo.html

 

[alpg88]

the best drop in you can get for mag now, that is available now, is tle300, however it needs more than 4,5v.
there ways around it, you either need 9AA adapter, or li ion cells instead of alkalines.
i would go with protected li ion, 3x 18650, this will also make the light lighter weightwise.
throw and output of tle300 is huge improvment over stock bulb, night and day, it is also a lot brighter than tle 6ex.
malkoffs and mc customs drop ins are good but not available, and more expencive than tle300. with either to get most light they can make, you would need to forget about alkaline cells.
you can also feed it with 4c cells in 3d light, but they wont last long, and wont give you full power.

 

[alpg88]

I thought about sub-50$

Is the upgrade kit from battery junction really compatible with the 3D Mag?
I thought is only for the Maglite Charger?
http://www.batteryjunction.com/maglite-supercharger-combo.html

it is but you can fit it in 3d mag, thou i wouldn't bother with it, go li ion route you get more power and less weight.

for sub $50, you can't get much, i mean you can get tle6e, but its output is not that strong, and heat is an issue, output drops considerably after few min. there were tests here done to this and mnay other lights, i can't find them now.
i would not waste money on sub $50 drop ins, they wont be much better overall than magnumstar bulb from maglite.
save some more and get a something that actualy worth the money

 

[nutcracker]

I couldn't answer earlier because CPF timed out for 1hrs long. Considering the Malkoff is sold out at the moment I looked for the Terralux TLE300. What I found was this http://stores.ebay.com/LED-SECURITY...&_dmd=2&_from=R10&_ipg=&_sasi=1&_sop=10&_vc=1 all around 50$ But I couldn't find the new 1000lumen TLE310, it that module new on the market and not yet available? http://www.terraluxportable.com/product/tle-310-m-ex/

 

[LEDninja]

For a simple bulb swap.

In addition to the TLE-6EXB.

superbrightleds have a some models.
PR2-1WHP-9V 100 lumens $11 - but the maker has changed LEDs. (suspect SSC-P4 instead of the Cree in the catalog);
PR2-3WHP-9V 180 lumens $15 are 3W versions. Very bright but bigger hotspot not brighter hotspot. Also gets very hot very fast. I do not recommend them for plastic flashlights. Metal flashlights with metal bulb holders.

 

[nutcracker]

Thx, now I have 2 paths I can go.
Either Terralux drop in with much brightness and more money.
Or the superbrightleds PR2-1WHP-9V for easy swap, low price and nice color temperature of 5500k.

 

[gearhead1972]

I thought about sub-50$

Is the upgrade kit from battery junction really compatible with the 3D Mag?
I thought is only for the Maglite Charger?
http://www.batteryjunction.com/maglite-supercharger-combo.html

Yes it is for a standard 3D mag, the magcharger drop in is different. That is the exact kit I have in my old 3D mag, for me it was well worth the money. It is a really bright flood type beam, but it is so bright that it throws pretty dam far. As for battery life the 5 1/2D battery pack (that fills the space of 3D's) is pretty dam good. To be honest with you I have never run it down yet, I just charge it once month or so. Granted it is only used like 15 min a night when I walk the dog.

 

[flashlight chronic]

Battery Junction sells an upgrade kit for the standard 3D maglite which includes the drop-in, battery charger and a rechargeable 6 volt battery stick. The price is about $105. I also heard about a drop-in called the Fusion 36 but I have no experience w/ this particular module. I think it sells on Ebay.