Schokokeks
Enlightened
I know the legacy around here is to kind of just search through old threads, but when poking around about incandescent lights...my word...the threads are CRAZY old.
Some of the companies discussed have been out of business so long, that a kid born when they disappeared could drive you to the bar, and maybe have a beer with you, hahaha.
So, maybe let's share what's still alive and kicking, or at least readily available as we're nearing the end of 2025, into 2026.
I'm in the camp of "When these were all around, they were kind of expensive, so I wasn't really interested." Now, I'm older, have more disposable income, and think they're just neat, and have pretty beams. The nostalgia is fun, too. BUT, that means I don't have a draw full of old adapters and parts. I'm incandescent curious, but a bit dismayed at the landscape these days. But, I'll plead complete ignorance, so maybe I'm just missing obvious things.
From what I've found, it seems like the incandescent modding world is mostly dead. Many people still have old stuff from back when, and might use that, but it's not really an active market.
Maglite still makes and sells incandescent lights, and they still have the normal Maglite quirks (for better and worse).
The P60 ecosystem seems to be maybe the best bet these days. Both Kaidomain and Lumens Factory sell parts and drop-ins (Lumens Factory sells a decent range, even).
Malkoff and Lumencraft sell some adapters for running Li-ion cells in a Maglite, but are more focused on LED conversions.
MHVAST can be found if you want a 3P clone (with a glass lens), or parts (I find them to be more expensive than Lumens Factory, and less nice, though).
Sure, new-old-stock and used Surefire hosts are around, but the prices are kind of nuts.
Surefire DOES seem to sell 65 lumen P60 drop-ins, still (but they say you can't use LFP batteries?).
I know people used to run all sorts of different bulbs, especially in Maglites, and that stuff looks awesome, but it seems like that's all with adapters no longer available. Is anyone still making this stuff?
There appears to be some availability for the more "hot rod" bulbs, but without the adapters, it's not as useful for someone looking to explore this.
Regarding voltages, LiFePO4 seems to be great with incandescents because of the voltage ranges, BUT ALSO because of the flat discharge curve. There are a LOT less LFP batteries around in "conventional" Li-ion sizes these days, though. But, you can still get RCR123 (16340), 18650, 10440, 14500, 18350 sized LFP cells.
From what I gather, the advantage of higher voltage drop-ins is less draw, so longer runtimes, but it does seem like the incandescent drop-ins still being made are meant more for normal Li-ion voltages (which is probably a good thing) - save for the warning on the Surefire ones (which is a 6V drop-in).
So, is this kind of it?
Anything I'm missing?
Any "hidden gems" still out there?
Some of the companies discussed have been out of business so long, that a kid born when they disappeared could drive you to the bar, and maybe have a beer with you, hahaha.
So, maybe let's share what's still alive and kicking, or at least readily available as we're nearing the end of 2025, into 2026.
I'm in the camp of "When these were all around, they were kind of expensive, so I wasn't really interested." Now, I'm older, have more disposable income, and think they're just neat, and have pretty beams. The nostalgia is fun, too. BUT, that means I don't have a draw full of old adapters and parts. I'm incandescent curious, but a bit dismayed at the landscape these days. But, I'll plead complete ignorance, so maybe I'm just missing obvious things.
From what I've found, it seems like the incandescent modding world is mostly dead. Many people still have old stuff from back when, and might use that, but it's not really an active market.
Maglite still makes and sells incandescent lights, and they still have the normal Maglite quirks (for better and worse).
The P60 ecosystem seems to be maybe the best bet these days. Both Kaidomain and Lumens Factory sell parts and drop-ins (Lumens Factory sells a decent range, even).
Malkoff and Lumencraft sell some adapters for running Li-ion cells in a Maglite, but are more focused on LED conversions.
MHVAST can be found if you want a 3P clone (with a glass lens), or parts (I find them to be more expensive than Lumens Factory, and less nice, though).
Sure, new-old-stock and used Surefire hosts are around, but the prices are kind of nuts.
Surefire DOES seem to sell 65 lumen P60 drop-ins, still (but they say you can't use LFP batteries?).
I know people used to run all sorts of different bulbs, especially in Maglites, and that stuff looks awesome, but it seems like that's all with adapters no longer available. Is anyone still making this stuff?
There appears to be some availability for the more "hot rod" bulbs, but without the adapters, it's not as useful for someone looking to explore this.
Regarding voltages, LiFePO4 seems to be great with incandescents because of the voltage ranges, BUT ALSO because of the flat discharge curve. There are a LOT less LFP batteries around in "conventional" Li-ion sizes these days, though. But, you can still get RCR123 (16340), 18650, 10440, 14500, 18350 sized LFP cells.
From what I gather, the advantage of higher voltage drop-ins is less draw, so longer runtimes, but it does seem like the incandescent drop-ins still being made are meant more for normal Li-ion voltages (which is probably a good thing) - save for the warning on the Surefire ones (which is a 6V drop-in).
So, is this kind of it?
Anything I'm missing?
Any "hidden gems" still out there?
