Vermonter73
Enlightened
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- Jul 25, 2006
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I'm going to build a quad-Cree or Seoul magmod using a 3D mag. Which reflectors or optics are going to give me the tightest beam?
Which reflectors or optics for a quad-thrower?
- Thread starter Vermonter73
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benighted
Enlightened
I'd go with a couple 27mm IMS reflectors for throw... If they'll fit in your setup.
http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/index.php?cPath=48_50_64
http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/index.php?cPath=48_50_64
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Kryosphinx
Enlightened
27mm IMS reflectors aren't going to fit. One will fit, there's no chance of you getting four in there.
Sway
Flashlight Enthusiast
Good question we seem to a few have more options than this time last year. Wish I could answer your question as I would like to know also 
Later
Kelly
Later
Kelly
Gryloc
Enlightened
You know, I have the same question as Vermonter73. I had a quad LuxIII (TWOH bin) 2D Maglite that I made a little more than a year ago using 4 of the IMS SO20XA reflectors, and it was nice, but now I want to use the U-bin Seoul P4's. With the LuxIIIs, the IMS 20mm reflector gives a decent spot, and with enough lumens, it will throw pretty well. I think the spot is still kind of large. You can light up the trees and other objects at good distances, but I know that throw can be so much better.
I modded the ProPoly 4AA Luxeon with a SSC P4 and holy crap I love the beam. The beam is like the stock beam, but so much brighter. I wanted to have reflectors that throws like the large, deep reflector of the PP.
I thought the McR-- line of reflectors were nice, being aluminum, though they are expensive. I wish I knew what the beam pattern is like with them. I worry because a lot of the McR-- reflectors are sputtered and have the orange peel look, which will ruin the desired throw.
Anybody use some cheap plastic, Chinese made reflector that works perfectly with the SSC P4 that throws better than the IMS SO20XA? Is there a perfect, smooth McR-19mm or 20mm that would work for us tri-quad maglite modders? That would be great! Thanks!
-Tony
I modded the ProPoly 4AA Luxeon with a SSC P4 and holy crap I love the beam. The beam is like the stock beam, but so much brighter. I wanted to have reflectors that throws like the large, deep reflector of the PP.
I thought the McR-- line of reflectors were nice, being aluminum, though they are expensive. I wish I knew what the beam pattern is like with them. I worry because a lot of the McR-- reflectors are sputtered and have the orange peel look, which will ruin the desired throw.
Anybody use some cheap plastic, Chinese made reflector that works perfectly with the SSC P4 that throws better than the IMS SO20XA? Is there a perfect, smooth McR-19mm or 20mm that would work for us tri-quad maglite modders? That would be great! Thanks!
-Tony
Strauss
Flashlight Enthusiast
You just aren't going to get tons of throw using 20mm or smaller reflectors, smooth or not.
That being said, I agree with Mac on this. If throw is your main concern, you are better off going with a single LED using the stock or modified Mag reflector. Mac just built me a Mag with an SSC P4 and modified stock reflector, and it puts out over 20,000 lux at probably ~150 lumens out the front.
Now compare that with my Quad-LuxIII which has (4) U-binned LuxIII's, McR-20 reflectors, and the wonderful bFlex driving them all at 1amp each. This light puts out ~350 lumens out the front, but "only" 9,000 lux. The LuxIII's have a very similar beam pattern as the SSC P4 LED's. My QL3 would pick up some lux with an emitter swap to Seouls, but I seriously doubt it would put out ~20,000 lux. It would probably be 700+ lumensnaughty: ), but it still wouldn't touch a single Seoul in a larger reflector in the lux department. Multi LED's strong point is output over lux.....
That being said, I agree with Mac on this. If throw is your main concern, you are better off going with a single LED using the stock or modified Mag reflector. Mac just built me a Mag with an SSC P4 and modified stock reflector, and it puts out over 20,000 lux at probably ~150 lumens out the front.
Now compare that with my Quad-LuxIII which has (4) U-binned LuxIII's, McR-20 reflectors, and the wonderful bFlex driving them all at 1amp each. This light puts out ~350 lumens out the front, but "only" 9,000 lux. The LuxIII's have a very similar beam pattern as the SSC P4 LED's. My QL3 would pick up some lux with an emitter swap to Seouls, but I seriously doubt it would put out ~20,000 lux. It would probably be 700+ lumens
naughty: ), but it still wouldn't touch a single Seoul in a larger reflector in the lux department. Multi LED's strong point is output over lux.....
DaFABRICATA
Flashlight Enthusiast
What about a small diameter cluster of 3-4 emitters with an enlarged hole in the Mag reflector?
Any drawbacks or advantages?
Any drawbacks or advantages?
Vermonter73
Enlightened
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- Jul 25, 2006
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So should I get an HID light instead? I don't want a really hot light with short runtime like a ROP, Mag85, etc
Vermonter73
Enlightened
- Joined
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Hmph, looks like all the HIDs have a fairly gradual startup.
Guess I'll go incan until LED lenses progress some more.
Guess I'll go incan until LED lenses progress some more.
Ikonomi
Enlightened
I guess this is kind of a related question I've been meaning to ask. Does anyone know what is the largest reflector you can fit three of in a Mag head?
Sway
Flashlight Enthusiast
Some good suggestions have been made to switch over to a single emitter and use the larger Mag reflector but I don't think that's what a few of us are looking for. I'm trying to figure out which reflector/optic will focus the SSC P4 the best, I'm not looking for a throw monster here, just trying to get the most out of the light.
I have a few parts and more on order right now, what I have been able to determine from using the lights outside is, a Tri-SSC P4 with unmodified IMS 20's has the same useable throw as a U-Bin Tri-Lux with McR20's.
The Tri-SSC light looks to have a brighter spill and may have a little larger spot than the Tri-Lux. I have some McR20-S reflectors now but no good way to temporarily attach them for testing along with a few other minor problems
Just too many optics and reflector options for my billfold.
So if anybody out there has a Tri/Quad SSC or Cree they can compare along side a Lux based light I would be grateful of you input :wave:
Later
Kelly
I have a few parts and more on order right now, what I have been able to determine from using the lights outside is, a Tri-SSC P4 with unmodified IMS 20's has the same useable throw as a U-Bin Tri-Lux with McR20's.
The Tri-SSC light looks to have a brighter spill and may have a little larger spot than the Tri-Lux. I have some McR20-S reflectors now but no good way to temporarily attach them for testing along with a few other minor problems
Just too many optics and reflector options for my billfold.
So if anybody out there has a Tri/Quad SSC or Cree they can compare along side a Lux based light I would be grateful of you input :wave:
Later
Kelly
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Ikonomi
Enlightened
cmacclel said:
Thank you.
IsaacHayes
Flashlight Enthusiast
quad, SSC P4's and McR20-S or IMS 20mm tweaked .03" shaved to bring to best focus I would assume. Maybe even just 20mm IMS without modding would work too. I plan to do IMS 20mm SSC p4.
The Cree and McR19-XRE might be good too but not sure how much throw vs the p4 and 20mm's will have...
My tri-lux3 Tx0k throws good, so a quad P4 should be crazy...
The Cree and McR19-XRE might be good too but not sure how much throw vs the p4 and 20mm's will have...
My tri-lux3 Tx0k throws good, so a quad P4 should be crazy...
Lighthouse one
Flashlight Enthusiast
Someone in another thread put a Mac 38 mm reflector in a M*G (c or d) and got great results.... the lens holds the reflector in place. ( use a Seoul p4 I think)
Gryloc
Enlightened
Anybody with experience of both the McR19 or 20 (Seoul version or standard) and the IMS 20mm reflectors so they can make a good comparison? I wonder which does the best when it comes to overall tight beam and brightness between the McR or the IMS reflectors. Does all of the McR reflectors have that sputter on them to diffuse the beam?
Well, I invested too much into a quad LED flashlight, so I do not plan on converting to a single LED and stock reflector (maybe that's my next maglite mod). I currently want to get the most out of my light. I plan on ordering some Seoul P4 U-bins soon. I get tingly inside when I know that I may have anywhere from 600-800 lumens of light, even if it isn't as tightly focused from the reflector as I always hoped. I hope all of you can help me. Thanks!
-Tony
Well, I invested too much into a quad LED flashlight, so I do not plan on converting to a single LED and stock reflector (maybe that's my next maglite mod). I currently want to get the most out of my light. I plan on ordering some Seoul P4 U-bins soon. I get tingly inside when I know that I may have anywhere from 600-800 lumens of light, even if it isn't as tightly focused from the reflector as I always hoped. I hope all of you can help me. Thanks!
-Tony
I hope you don't mind me being sneaky and sneaking in a question of my own here Vermonter73.
I was just wondering which heatsink you guys are using for these setups? I've been thinking of making a tri or quad Seoul mod myself but I'm not sure which heatsink I should use. The only I've really found so far is the PES2 (as I plan on using emitters).
I was just wondering which heatsink you guys are using for these setups? I've been thinking of making a tri or quad Seoul mod myself but I'm not sure which heatsink I should use. The only I've really found so far is the PES2 (as I plan on using emitters).
DaFABRICATA
Flashlight Enthusiast
I'm using an old subaru WRX alumininum shiftknob that i cut the top off of with my bandsaw for my heatsink. It's 4cm in diameter and about 8cm thick. It fits nicely inside the Surefire turbohead and is large enough for 3 emitters.
