MagLite 6D

litemup · Jan 1, 2008

Hey all, I've got a Maglite 6D cell flashlight with rechargeable batts. I've got the terralux led drop in, it's bright, but NOT nearly bright enough for my taste. Can anyone tell me how I can make this monster as bright as possible for a hundred bucks or less? That is, without any major technical modifications on my part... As of now, I am considering the Malkoff drop in, and the Terralux 3 emitter drop in. I want the most super bright white light bang for my buck.
Thanks in advance!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL:twothumbs

tebore · Jan 1, 2008

litemup said:
Hey all, I've got a Maglite 6D cell flashlight with rechargeable batts. I've got the terralux led drop in, it's bright, but NOT nearly bright enough for my taste. Can anyone tell me how I can make this monster as bright as possible for a hundred bucks or less? That is, without any major technical modifications on my part... As of now, I am considering the Malkoff drop in, and the Terralux 3 emitter drop in. I want the most super bright white light bang for my buck.
Thanks in advance!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL:twothumbs

Unless you're going multi emitter I would say mod it incan style. It's got the room for a good power pack that can take heavy draw. I'm thinking a ROP or a philips 5671 in a Bi-pin adapter.

All the other LED options won't get much brighter just longer runtime. This is because you can't heatsink the LED very well.

litemup · Jan 1, 2008

Wouldn't the Malkoff drop in have better throw etc, than the Terralux 6 led that is in the mag now?

tebore · Jan 1, 2008

While it is brighter, I saw the words "monster" and the words "as bright as possible". I figured I'd throw in a little observation/opinion and a suggestion.

If you want to stay LED you're looking at 250lm max and a lot of runtime. Unless you go with more than 1 emitter.

Going with Incans you're looking at 500-1500lms with some runtime.

Just something to ponder.

ynggrsshppr · Jan 1, 2008

I don't know about the Malkoff, but like tebore says, if you want bright you want to go either multi emitter or incandescent.

Since you already have rechargeable batteries in the 6D turning it into some kind of monster hotwire with good runtime shouldn't be a problem. I personally prefer the white color of a good incan over the glow of a white LED.

litemup · Jan 2, 2008

Without sounding too awfully ignorant, (I haven't really done any technical flashlight modding), exactly how would I go about doing some sort of Incan mod to the 6D cell maglite?

Thanks

litemup · Jan 2, 2008

Or, would the Terralux TLE-300 3-emitter drop-in be the way to go?
It seems the forementioned just might fit my needs??

gnef · Jan 2, 2008

the new terralux is definitely the easiest path to go. I believe elektrolumens also has a tri-emitter drop-in for the mag, but not sure how many cells it is rated for.

If you are willing to put some time into it, you can do the hotwire modifications, but you are looking at a bit more work.

Toohotruk · Jan 2, 2008

litemup said:
Wouldn't the Malkoff drop in have better throw etc, than the Terralux 6 led that is in the mag now?

As far as that question goes YES! A Malkoff is the way to go if you want the best LED drop-in. VERY bright, with a huge heatsink that really works and great runtime. And Gene just started making 4 - 6 cell versions.

As far as going incan...you could turn it into an ROP by getting an aluminum reflector, a Borofloat lens and an ROP 3854 bulb. That would be VERY bright! :naughty:

litemup · Jan 2, 2008

As far as going incan...you could turn it into an ROP by getting an aluminum reflector, a Borofloat lens and an ROP 3854 bulb. That would be VERY bright!

How would I go about locating the reflector, lens and bulb? Would this be the component combination I would need to make this 6 cell mag as bright as possible, within the price and technical knowledge taken into consideration???

Toohotruk · Jan 2, 2008

ROP bulbs HERE

Reflector HERE

Borofloat lens HERE

And HERE is a good thread on the subject.

Edit: Actually, Lighthound.com has Borofloat lenses as well as bulbs.

litemup · Jan 2, 2008

Toohotruk, will I be able to use the 6 d cell rechargeable batts I have now in the maglite with the ROB mod? I checked out the bulb, reflector and lens you have listed - prices are great.
What sort of lumens will I be able to see with this mod?

mdocod · Jan 2, 2008

assuming you have good NIMH cells, (like 9000mAH or better), you will get probably over 1000 bulb lumens on the ROP mod. If you do some resistance fixes to the switch and tailcap you will be pushing into the realm of possibly blow bulbs frequently but will be well into the 1200+ lumen range.

Beamshot · Jan 2, 2008

I say go with the ROP, you wont be disappointed! Even with the low bulb its very bright. I have been thinking of putting together a 6D rop with the lo bulb myself.

arty · Jan 2, 2008

I have a Malkoff in a 3D mag and just ordered one for the 4-6D mags. I plan to use it in a 4D.
The Malkoff Mag dropin is the brightest light that I own. I have bought the Everled and others, but want the light output of the Malkoff combined with good runtime.

I don't know how much light you need or want, but the Malkoff works fine for me.

litemup · Jan 2, 2008

For around 30 - 40 bucks for the upgrade, (bulb, lens and reflector), and be able to see about 1000 lumens - wow! I think this is what I will try for now. The Malkoff sounds like one of the best quality maglite led mods out there. Maybe Malkoff upgrade will be on the agenda soon.

PS, which bulb on the ROP mod would I need to use, the Low or the High?

litemup · Jan 2, 2008

Which lens is better, Borofloat or UCL?

Beamshot · Jan 2, 2008

PS, which bulb on the ROP mod would I need to use, the Low or the High?

Either one you want, the lo will give you a little better runtime and is still pretty bright. I use the high in my 2D ROP and keep a lo in the tailcap.

iSleep · Jan 2, 2008

litemup said:
Which lens is better, Borofloat or UCL?

Borofloat is the glass you find in some test tubes or boiling tubes ... so they have pretty good resistance to thermal stress ...

UCL (Ultra-Clear Lens or Water-White glass), as the name implies, it allows more light to get out from the bulb ...

Unless you want to squeeze that few percent out of the ROP, most would say that the Borofloat lens would be a safe bet ... (They don't call the ROP a hotwire mod for nothing ... :laughing

Watchguy · Jan 2, 2008

You might check this thread out too. Might do it myself.

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/182370

MagLite 6D

Newly Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Newly Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Newly Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Newly Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Newly Enlightened

Flashaholic

Newly Enlightened

Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Similar threads