Stereodude
Flashlight Enthusiast
I just got my KD Cree Q5 Mag drop-in today, so here's my review.
WARNING:
Don't buy this drop-in in any of the 4 kits with reflectors (SMO or MOP) and Lenses offered by KD unless they "fix" them. Kit1, Kit2, Kit3, & Kit4. The Q5 drop-in is not compatible with the 8.4mm opening reflector that comes in the kits. You can't focus the beam down to a spot because the LED can't extend far enough into the reflector.
It does however work well with the 15mm opening MOP reflector. It also works great with the KD aspherical lens.
Output:
The overall output of the KD Q5 drop-in appears to be the same in either the 2D or 3D configurations (see bounce test shots below). It's quite a bit brighter than the stock Maglite LED upgrades (2 or 3 cell). It is also noticeably brighter than a SSC P4 USX0H modified Maglite LED Upgrade modules (2 or 3 cell). You can also see that in the pictures below.
Installation / Mechanical Fit:
The drop-in is a pretty tight fit in my Pewter 3D mag. It's a very tight fit in my Silver 2D mag. I could barely get it out of the 2D.
In both Mags in order to put it in I had to unscrew the inner portion of the module from the output portion and insert the outer portion of the drop-in into the Mag pushing it in until it was flush with the top of the mag. Then I inserted the smaller portion and pushed it into the Mag's socket bulb socket twisting it back and forth until it would go in far enough to make electrical contact. Once it would light up I pressed it in and threaded it into the outer portion (using pliers to grab and twist it) until it was tight. I originally tried to insert it as one piece in the 3D mag, but it would not light. I suspect this is because the center post has pushed the socket down rather than going into it far enough to make good electrical contact.
Taking it out was basically the reverse. Unscrew the inner portion with pliers and work it out of the socket. Then flip it around and screw it back into the drop-in with the center contact post sticking out. Then grab the post with pliers and work the combined module out.
I would not want to remove and insert this drop-in on any regular basis. It is a tight fit. If I were going to take it in and out I would sand down the module slightly so it was a looser mechanical fit. The good news is that the module isn't going to shake loose or work it's way out if the light bounces around or experiences rough treatment.
White Wall Beamshots:
Here are some white wall beam shots of the two reflectors and the aspherical lens. Keep in mind these pictures are for beam pattern only, not for color or brightness comparisons (exposure and white balance are not constant between them).
Mag 3D w/ KD Q5 Drop-in, KD 8.4mm MOP reflector, & UCL Lens:
Mag 3D w/ KD Q5 Drop-in, KD 15mm MOP reflector, & UCL Lens:
Mag 3D w/ KD Q5 Drop-in, no reflector, KD Aspherical lens:
Kitchen Bounce Test Shots:
As promised, Here are the bounce test shots of the KD Q5 drop-in in both a 2D and 3D Mag as well as some other 2D & 3D Mag drop-ins.
These pictures are in order of brightness. The number in italics next to the description is the average brightness level for the entire picture and reflects overall output from the light.
Mag 2D w/ stock Mag 2 cell drop-in, KD 15mm MOP reflector and UCL lens: 25.3
Mag 3D w/ stock Mag 3 cell drop-in, KD 15mm MOP reflector and UCL lens: 29.0
Mag 2D w/ Mag 2 cell drop-in mod'd to SSC P4 USX0H, KD 15mm MOP reflector and UCL lens: 48.5
Mag 3D w/ Mag 3 cell drop-in mod'd to SSC P4 USX0H, KD 15mm MOP reflector and UCL lens: 53.3
Mag 3D w/ KD Q5 drop-in, KD 15mm MOP reflector and UCL lens: 63.0
Mag 2D w/ KD Q5 drop-in, KD 15mm MOP reflector and UCL lens: 63.2
Mag 2D w/ ROP High, FM 6AA-2D Battery Holder, KD 15mm MOP, and UCL lens: 140.6
Note: The color balance (daylight) and exposure (ISO400, F5.6, 1sec) is consistent for all pictures. All lights were focused to the tightest possible beam.
These shots are comparable to my Kitchen Bounce Test shots here. When comparing keep in mind that they are not all taken on the same day, the camera is not in the 100% identical position (it's close), and visible items in the kitchen have changed and moved.
WARNING:
Don't buy this drop-in in any of the 4 kits with reflectors (SMO or MOP) and Lenses offered by KD unless they "fix" them. Kit1, Kit2, Kit3, & Kit4. The Q5 drop-in is not compatible with the 8.4mm opening reflector that comes in the kits. You can't focus the beam down to a spot because the LED can't extend far enough into the reflector.
It does however work well with the 15mm opening MOP reflector. It also works great with the KD aspherical lens.
Output:
The overall output of the KD Q5 drop-in appears to be the same in either the 2D or 3D configurations (see bounce test shots below). It's quite a bit brighter than the stock Maglite LED upgrades (2 or 3 cell). It is also noticeably brighter than a SSC P4 USX0H modified Maglite LED Upgrade modules (2 or 3 cell). You can also see that in the pictures below.
Installation / Mechanical Fit:
The drop-in is a pretty tight fit in my Pewter 3D mag. It's a very tight fit in my Silver 2D mag. I could barely get it out of the 2D.
In both Mags in order to put it in I had to unscrew the inner portion of the module from the output portion and insert the outer portion of the drop-in into the Mag pushing it in until it was flush with the top of the mag. Then I inserted the smaller portion and pushed it into the Mag's socket bulb socket twisting it back and forth until it would go in far enough to make electrical contact. Once it would light up I pressed it in and threaded it into the outer portion (using pliers to grab and twist it) until it was tight. I originally tried to insert it as one piece in the 3D mag, but it would not light. I suspect this is because the center post has pushed the socket down rather than going into it far enough to make good electrical contact.
Taking it out was basically the reverse. Unscrew the inner portion with pliers and work it out of the socket. Then flip it around and screw it back into the drop-in with the center contact post sticking out. Then grab the post with pliers and work the combined module out.
I would not want to remove and insert this drop-in on any regular basis. It is a tight fit. If I were going to take it in and out I would sand down the module slightly so it was a looser mechanical fit. The good news is that the module isn't going to shake loose or work it's way out if the light bounces around or experiences rough treatment.
White Wall Beamshots:
Here are some white wall beam shots of the two reflectors and the aspherical lens. Keep in mind these pictures are for beam pattern only, not for color or brightness comparisons (exposure and white balance are not constant between them).
Mag 3D w/ KD Q5 Drop-in, KD 8.4mm MOP reflector, & UCL Lens:
Mag 3D w/ KD Q5 Drop-in, KD 15mm MOP reflector, & UCL Lens:
Mag 3D w/ KD Q5 Drop-in, no reflector, KD Aspherical lens:
Kitchen Bounce Test Shots:
As promised, Here are the bounce test shots of the KD Q5 drop-in in both a 2D and 3D Mag as well as some other 2D & 3D Mag drop-ins.
These pictures are in order of brightness. The number in italics next to the description is the average brightness level for the entire picture and reflects overall output from the light.
Mag 2D w/ stock Mag 2 cell drop-in, KD 15mm MOP reflector and UCL lens: 25.3
Mag 3D w/ stock Mag 3 cell drop-in, KD 15mm MOP reflector and UCL lens: 29.0
Mag 2D w/ Mag 2 cell drop-in mod'd to SSC P4 USX0H, KD 15mm MOP reflector and UCL lens: 48.5
Mag 3D w/ Mag 3 cell drop-in mod'd to SSC P4 USX0H, KD 15mm MOP reflector and UCL lens: 53.3
Mag 3D w/ KD Q5 drop-in, KD 15mm MOP reflector and UCL lens: 63.0
Mag 2D w/ KD Q5 drop-in, KD 15mm MOP reflector and UCL lens: 63.2
Mag 2D w/ ROP High, FM 6AA-2D Battery Holder, KD 15mm MOP, and UCL lens: 140.6
Note: The color balance (daylight) and exposure (ISO400, F5.6, 1sec) is consistent for all pictures. All lights were focused to the tightest possible beam.
These shots are comparable to my Kitchen Bounce Test shots here. When comparing keep in mind that they are not all taken on the same day, the camera is not in the 100% identical position (it's close), and visible items in the kitchen have changed and moved.
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