Well, I got the mineral glass lens and the 27mm IMS reflector from the Sandwich Shoppe...AND the Arctic Alumina epoxy. Now, I have no more excuses for not modding that brand new 3D Mag in the closet.
Per instructions, I removed the retainer ring inside the bezel by sticking the points of a small pair of scissors in the holes, and unscrewing it. I then cut the little legs off the reflector, and dropped it and the lens into the bezel. A little work, and the retaining ring was tightened down.
I turned it on, and lo and behold, the light rings from the optic were gone. Very nice beam. I have to wait till it gets dark see what else has happened.
Only one very minor problem, and it isn't, really. At distances closer than about 3 ft. there is a small star shaped hole in the beam's center. Back the light off past 3 feet, and the star disappears. I don't remember the last time I used a flashlight for anything closer than 3 ft, but if I need to, I'll use the edge of the beam, where the star ain't.
The star can be made slightly smaller by screwing the bezel on as tight as possible without crunching something. A worthwhile mod, I think, and not very expensive. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/au.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif
It got dark, and I compared my Costco Luxeons. The beams are about equally as bright, one not being better than the other, just different. The reflector gives a little tighter hotspot, and the optic spreads it a bit more. Throw is about equal, both light up a neighbor's garage at about 40 yards very well. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Per instructions, I removed the retainer ring inside the bezel by sticking the points of a small pair of scissors in the holes, and unscrewing it. I then cut the little legs off the reflector, and dropped it and the lens into the bezel. A little work, and the retaining ring was tightened down.
I turned it on, and lo and behold, the light rings from the optic were gone. Very nice beam. I have to wait till it gets dark see what else has happened.
Only one very minor problem, and it isn't, really. At distances closer than about 3 ft. there is a small star shaped hole in the beam's center. Back the light off past 3 feet, and the star disappears. I don't remember the last time I used a flashlight for anything closer than 3 ft, but if I need to, I'll use the edge of the beam, where the star ain't.
The star can be made slightly smaller by screwing the bezel on as tight as possible without crunching something. A worthwhile mod, I think, and not very expensive. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/au.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif
It got dark, and I compared my Costco Luxeons. The beams are about equally as bright, one not being better than the other, just different. The reflector gives a little tighter hotspot, and the optic spreads it a bit more. Throw is about equal, both light up a neighbor's garage at about 40 yards very well. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
