New to this forum, would like help upgading from a mag 3d led

Hello everyone. I have been looking at all the info on this site and am now thoroughly confused. I am looking to replace my led mag 3d with something alot better. I would like the throw, lumen output and run times to be better, but in a much smaller package. I would also prefer standard size batteries if possible. I was perfectly happy with my mag until I ran across this site. Please help me choose an awesome replacement for less than $100.00. Thanks

except for runtime and throw (on the very last meters, where the totally focused beam o fhte big Mag is next to useless in spill)

Fenix L2D Q5
imho there is about nothing that offers a comparable, nearly perfect, package at that price.
Normal Ni-Mh batts, small, easy to pocket, easy on pockets, very versatile
(dont let the "difficult level choosing"-guys fake You - its easy in reality)


Fenix P3D Q5, when You want to go CR123a Li-Ion battery:
shorter + a bit thicker (better to grip). all the other points stay the same

The Dereelight DBS is the best throwing stock LED light that I know off but the whole setup, flashlight, batteries and charger(The flashlight is brightest with the digital pills which only work with Li-ion rechargeable batteries) would cost way more then $100(though still lower then $200).

You can still get a pretty good light for under $50. WF-600(this one would be a bit brighter, it uses a more efficient LED, the DBS will still throw further) + cheap charger(this one is a better charger) + cheap batteries (many would say AW's are the best) would cost you a bit under $45 shipped. There are also many other lights on there that you might be interested in, like this one. Look in the Cree/Seoul/Rebel section(current gen LEDs) and look for lights getting good reviews.

All the lights mentioned above will out throw the Magite 3D LED, which you can probably upgrade(magLED drop-in right?) wit a current gen LED to get double the output.

The WF-600 would be a good lower priced(relatively) way to start. Decent quality, good throw, not too large, and shipping is included(though it will take a two weeks to a month to get to you).

:welcome:

Would the WF-600 Q5 outperform the Fenix P3DQ5. I was trying to stick with a flashlight with standard size batteries, but it seems most are using rechargeable. Is this the best way to go for performance or for savings?

It would easily out throw the P3D-CE Q5, the Q2 version would also do this easily(4000 lux vs 14000+ lux). This is due to the larger and deeper reflector of the WF-600.

Well, a 18650 battery has more power then 2 CR123 and 2 RCR123 batteries. It is also much closer to the input voltage of the LED so the driver can be more efficient. The battery is a bit wider then 2 CR123s stacked together(18mm wide, 65mm long, 3.7v normal, 4.2v off the charger).

The P3D-CE Q5 will easily out output the Maglite 3D but it won't out throw the Maglite 3D.

If you buy the Fenix, go to Fenix Store. Good customer service and they also have an 8% off coupon for CPFers, "CPF8".

yellow said:

except for runtime and throw (on the very last meters, where the totally focused beam o fhte big Mag is next to useless in spill)

Fenix L2D Q5
imho there is about nothing that offers a comparable, nearly perfect, package at that price.
Normal Ni-Mh batts, small, easy to pocket, easy on pockets, very versatile
(dont let the "difficult level choosing"-guys fake You - its easy in reality)


Fenix P3D Q5, when You want to go CR123a Li-Ion battery:
shorter + a bit thicker (better to grip). all the other points stay the same

Click to expand...

Also check out Olight T10 & T20, or Fenix T1, better throw & spot than either of the Fenix models above. :devil:

Don't throw out that Mag 3D yet.
With the proper drop in it can be very impressive. Malkoff for throw. Electrolumens for flood.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/188845

I suggest the L0D CE Q4 1AAA. It is small enough to be on your keychain so you will have it with you at all times.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/188124
Even the year old original L0D CE (the Q4 is 1.5X brighter) got this comment from flashlightreviews.com
http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews/fenix_l0dce.htm

flashlightreviews said:

The shear volume of light produced is amazing for a single AAA cell light. My readings show that on the "high" setting the L0D-CE is producing more light overall than a 3-D Maglite. On "medium" it produces more light overall than a common 2-D cell light. All this from one AAA cell.

Click to expand...

The area where the L0D CE impressed me most was the brightness of the spill making it a very useful walking light especially on uneven ground with puddles.
Here is a video of the comparison between a 3D Maglight and the tiny L0D CE. It is 10 minutes long. Luckily the comparison is in the 1st half.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=isfuJ8ru7Xk

To everybody else. The OP prefers STANDARD BATTERIES.
So instead of the Fenix P1D, P2D (CR123A) etc look at the L1T, L1D (1AA) or L2T, L2D (2AA)
https://www.fenix-store.com/index.php?cPath=22_69_50
https://www.fenix-store.com/index.php?cPath=22_69_71

Lumapower look at the LM31 or Formula 1
http://www.batteryjunction.com/lululudlpm1f.html

For Olight look at the T15
http://www.batteryjunction.com/olt20t15t10.html

Don't forget the Proton Pro
http://www.batteryjunction.com/proton.html

Other than the L0D CE & L1T I do not own any of the torches listed. Just pointing out most manufacturers do have AA/AAA models.

I'd recommend a smaller 3C Maglight. Then he could swap his MagLED into it.
A 3C is really much smaller than a 3D. Buy online for under $20.

Then go and buy Ultra Clear Glass (UCL) lens for your Maglight... C and D size take the same... 52.1mm x 1.90mm and they are $6.25 from flashlightlens.com here. Going to a real high quality glass lens with coatings allows up to 10% more light to leave the flashlight.

Keep it simple, keep it real For a $100 budget I would seriously say buy a few 2C and 3C Mag's and get UCL lenses for them. If you're adventurous, buy the heatsinks for C size mags that keep the MagLED's cool and never dimming, for $11, here.

:welcome:

Hey, while we're on the subject of using C batteries, how about the Lowes Taskforce 2xC cell Cree version (or even the Luxeon since the Cree can be hard to find)? That's about 30 bucks and takes two C batteries.

I don't have one because I like my Fenix P2D too much but that takes the CR123 battery. If you hang around here long enough, you'll eventually end up with a CR123 light because they're the most fun in the smaller lights! Good CR123 cells are available online for a buck a piece or a little higher but not over $1.75 a piece for the best.

And when you're looking at the pictures, remember that the camera adds 10 pounds!! The lights seem to always look smaller when you get them in your hands!

Go to a sporting goods store that sells Surefire and play with some of those for a while. That's where the conversion to flashaholic will begin!!