Cree xr-e or modded AA MiniMag

Hello everyone, this is my first time posting, so please go easy on me. I need a good, small, reliable light and an torn between LED modding my AA minimag or purchasing this Cree:

http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1900

If I were to mod my minimag, I really don't know what route I would take, but most likely something like this:

http://www.led-replacement.com/tle-5ex.html


Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

First of all: :welcome:


My suggestion is to keep your Minimag as a backup and get yourself a new light. And if you like that CREE why don't you start with it?

You will have plenty of time to learn new things about flashlights but if for whatever reason you have come to like that one, get it!

:wave:

I'll second that. Maybe drop a SMJLED into the minimag, brighter than stock with great runtime (20+ hours easy).

Give a look towards dealextreme.com for some killer cree lights at great prices. I've got a few. Actually dropped a new board and Q5 into the sku1892 with a P4 and it was a huge improvement! Got some 14500 li-ions coming and I'm hoping they give it a nice boost over the LSD NiMH AA in there now!

Get them both.

How about this instead of either of them?(Cheaper then the all battery and uses 2 AA batteries, review)

The Terralux Drop-in is also a good option.

Cree XR-E is just the LED not a company. The Cree XR-E P4-R2 bin LEDs are a part of the current generation LEDs(Whic are twice or more efficient then the last generation).

For lower priced current generation LED flashlights, I would suggest well reviewed lights on Dealextreme or Kaidomain. Shipping will take about a month though.

:welcome:

I've modded a aa minimag with the teralux drop in. It works ok, a lot brighter but there are problems with the heatsinking (i.e. there isn't any). If your going to go down this route then you need to buy a tailcap clicky switch (beware the one that gives you various levels reduced the maximum light output) and then search for the heatsinking mod on the forum using a bit of metal inder the drop in.

I've just brought a Fenix L2D Q5 from here http://fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/fenix_l2d_q5.html and its outrageously good. No really its outstanding. I can't belive how good it is. I'm using it as a helmet light for mountain biking and its perfect, its close to as good as a mountain bike specific light of similar dimensions and brightness that costs £150

Just my 2p's worth

Hope it helps

Ian

Gunner12 said:

How about this instead of either of them?(Cheaper then the all battery and uses 2 AA batteries, review)

The Terralux Drop-in is also a good option.

Cree XR-E is just the LED not a company. The Cree XR-E P4-R2 bin LEDs are a part of the current generation LEDs(Whic are twice or more efficient then the last generation).

For lower priced current generation LED flashlights, I would suggest well reviewed lights on Dealextreme or Kaidomain. Shipping will take about a month though.

:welcome:

Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. Now I'm leaning toward that! So, I'm guessing this is a pretty good starter light? Can I put Lithium Ion batteries in it? Obviously, I'm a total noob!

You've already gotten good advice. Modding the MM is just putting off the inevitable. A Fenix light would be a good next step up. :thumbsup:

Do you mean Lithium AA batteries as in 1.5v(Actually 1.7v) or the 14500 batteries which are 3.7v.

The light will work with 2 Lithium AA batteries but two Lithium Ion batteries will fry the light. One lithium ion battery would work though.

If you have Lithium Ion batteries, which kind do you have? 18650s, RCR123s, 17670 etc.

It would be a good low price starter light.

here - https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/109064

Gunner12 said:

Do you mean Lithium AA batteries as in 1.5v(Actually 1.7v) or the 14500 batteries which are 3.7v.

The light will work with 2 Lithium AA batteries but two Lithium Ion batteries will fry the light. One lithium ion battery would work though.

If you have Lithium Ion batteries, which kind do you have? 18650s, RCR123s, 17670 etc.

It would be a good low price starter light.

Click to expand...

I'm actually talking about Lithium AA. Not lithium ion. I'm learning alot! Okay, I'm going to order that light today. Thanks everyone for the help!

I hope you like your light!

nanotech17 said:

here - https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/109064

Click to expand...

So, let me get this straight. If I go with Lithium Ion, I need to put in only one battery with spacers (since this light takes 3 batteries)? The idea is to have a dependable, bright light that I can grab from the cabinet and not have to worry about dead batteries.

The minimag or the Romisen?

If you mean the Romisen, then all you will have to do is remove the 2AA extension and run it with 1 RCR123. Or use a 14500 and an extension.

If you are speaking of the minimag, then you will need a spacer.

Gunner12 said:

The minimag or the Romisen?

If you mean the Romisen, then all you will have to do is remove the 2AA extension and run it with 1 RCR123. Or use a 14500 and an extension.

If you are speaking of the minimag, then you will need a spacer.

Click to expand...

I was talking about the Romisen, good to know on that. But for future reference, where do I buy spacers?