Maglite 2D Recomendations

I've been lurking here for awhile. Great forum. I'm newbie to this stuff so excuse me if I ask any stupid questions. Anyway, I have a 2D maglite that I want to upgrade to LED. I've sifted through threads, flashlightreviews, and a couple different retail sites. All that really did was overwhelm me with choices and info I really didn't fully understand.

If you guys would give me a few ideas that would be great.

I'm not all that skilled so something on a beginner's level for installation would be preferred. I want a fairly bright light, brighter than the stock incandescent. Battery life doesn't have to be great. As for cost, I don't want to break the bank for a maglite mod. Thanks for any help.

Have you checked the stickies?
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/137823

:welcome:

Did you check this thread? Look in he drop-ins. Those require minimal work. Most are just like changing a bulb. The more in depth one like the Malkoffs are a bit more complex but are still very easy to install, no soldering needed since it is supposed to "drop right in".

:welcome:

There are so many choices, that you are right. Please do refer to the links mentioned above.

The Terralux drop-in for $20 is a great way to start. If you want higher quality and output, check out Malkoffs for $50. Or, if you see a Maglite's own MagLED upgrade, in the stores, you can try that too (~$15-20). Just be aware that there are better options but it is an improvement over the incan bulb.

Good luck!

I'd recommend buying a whole new 2D MagLED (the one with the Rebel LED) rather than the MagLED Luxeon drop-in, which is much dimmer.

Still, even the MagLED Luxeon drop-in is an improvement over the stock incandescent lamp.

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/maglite_mag-led.htm

As stated above the new Rebel 2D Maglite is about $27 from Academy and it is far superior to the Maglite brand LED dropins that cost about
$19/each. A Malkoff drop-in is next, and it is even better but costs about $60 and is worth every penny, but I don't know if thats considered "breaking the bank". Your 2D Maglite is worth about 13 bucks so I would think leaving it "as is" and buying the new Rebel LED Maglite would be your best bet unless you want to splurge and get a Malkoff.

I started with a 3D terralux LED drop-in before this latest upgrade, which was a big improvement over the stock incan light. You might as well skip some steps, and go directly to this setup:


2D Maglite Quad-Bored ($35.00 + shipping). This is so the fivemega 8xAA to 2xD adapter fits in your maglite.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/156080

fivemega 8xAA to 2D adapter ($37 + Boro lens $6.50 + shipping). This allows you to use AA cells, rechargable, or primaries
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/198633


Malkoff D Size P7 Drop-in to fit Mag-Lite ($135 + shipping). I just got mine, but have read countless thread raving about quality, and reliability of his work.
http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop2/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2&products_id=27


I don't know if this is breaking the bank, perhaps so. This light should be seriously bright, with a floody wide beam in a small (for maglite) package. I slot my 9AA to 3D adapter with Energizer Lithium (L91) batteries, and it's definitely lighter then 3 alkaline D's. Hope this helps. I'm new also, but have been lurking since the SF UB2 was announced, and then vaporized. Ended up upgrading the mag instead.

asdalton said:

I'd recommend buying a whole new 2D MagLED (the one with the Rebel LED) rather than the MagLED Luxeon drop-in, which is much dimmer.

Click to expand...

+1 It's about as cost effective an option as there is to get brighter while still being simple. You'll still have the current 2D later to use as a host when you've stuck around here too long and want to try something more extreme.