Anyone modify their Maglites?

[jock1]

I have been reading a lot about modifying the standard d cell maglite to run on l.e.d.s Iknow there is a standard maglite drop in but has anybody made their own drop in? if so how hard was it?and where did you get the bits and bobs?
Thanks 

[Leatherman123]

Well for my mini mag lite I bought the L.E.D conversion kit with the tailcap that has full power half power. low power, and stobe. Its pretty bright too! And I bought the fiber optic attatchment! That allows you to see in small spaces and stuff.

[J-sews]

I did the same as Leatherman123 and just used the standard NiteIze upgrade for my MiniMag. I'm not familiar with the D-cell conversion to LED's.

[SoDak]

Maglite now makes an l.e.d conversion bulb that you can find at walmart, target, etc. Nite-ize, makes one, but its not nearly as bright.

[Leatherman123]

I disagree 100% SoDak. The Nite-ize one is far more powerful then the std. maglite conversion. And this one has a really cool tailcap!

[Grant Lamontagne]

Funny, I found that the Nite Ize conversion wasn't really that great:

LED Light Shootout

Def

[665ae]

I have been reading a lot about modifying the standard d cell maglite to run on l.e.d.s Iknow there is a standard maglite drop in but has anybody made their own drop in? if so how hard was it?and where did you get the bits and bobs?
Thanks 

What are you talking about when you say "make your own?"  www.dealextreme.com has LED's and regulation circuits you can buy to try to piece together your own setup if that's what you're looking for.  I'm not a big fan of "D" cell's so I can't offer anything more than that...

My favorite MiniMag drop in is the Terralux.  The Nite Ize one is pretty dim compared to other ones like the SMJLED and TerraLux. 

If you want to have some fun with a MiniMag and have some cash to burn... try doing an AuroraLight Hotwire Kit

[SoDak]

I disagree 100% SoDak. The Nite-ize one is far more powerful then the std. maglite conversion. And this one has a really cool tailcap!

Oops, I was talking about the maglite led converions for the C and D lights. Maglite also makes an led AA light that blows my old nite ize out of the water. 665ae mentioned the teralux module and I have to say that mine is real bright. My only real dissapointment with it was that it didn't have much distance due to such a shallow reflector(which is unavoidable with maglites, so I don't blame terralux for that).

[Leatherman123]

Oh, I see

[Stormdrane]

I've been happy with the Terralux, Diamond 3W, SMJLED, and NITE iZE upgrades for my Maglites.  Even though the NITE iZE is much dimmer, it makes up for it in runtime with a usable amount of light.  I haven't tried the assembling LED/circuits with soldering and epoxy fun yet.  I do have the tools, but haven't tried any of the many tutorials for such upgrades on CandlePower forums.  I've just been modifying the outside of 'em with paracord.   

[Roadie]

Here's my 2aa maglite with a Nite Ize 1 Watt upgrade and IQ switch, with paracord wrapped round the body to make it comfier to grip (and nicer to hold in my mouth when the need arises). I'm quite impressed with the upgrade, its much better than the original 3 led one, it retains the focusing ability and the IQ switch gives me a variety of levels to play with. I have thought about getting a Terralux upgrade but i figure i'll just get a fenix at some stage so there's not much point.

[665ae]

I've been happy with the Terralux, Diamond 3W, SMJLED, and NITE iZE upgrades for my Maglites.  Even though the NITE iZE is much dimmer, it makes up for it in runtime with a usable amount of light.  I haven't tried the assembling LED/circuits with soldering and epoxy fun yet.  I do have the tools, but haven't tried any of the many tutorials for such upgrades on CandlePower forums.  I've just been modifying the outside of 'em with paracord.  

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

I really like those paracord wraps!!!  That blue/gray one on the left makes me want to buy a D cell maglight

[NutSAK]

The light on the left that the blue/grey paracord is on is a C-cell Maglite.   

My opinion is that Maglites really aren't very good hosts for simple LED modifications.  Heatsinking in a Maglite is nonexistent, and required by high flux emitters.  If you're going to modify a Maglite to run an LED at high current, you must upgrade the heatsinking first, or you will greatly reduce the life expectancy of the LED.

[Anthony]

I've been EDCing a MiniMag with the 3 LED Nite Ize upgrade.  It puts out decent light (no more or less than the original buld, just a diffrent kind of light), and the two main reasons I like the upgrade is 1. The LEDs won't suddenly pop, leaving you in the dark, and 2. the long runtime.

I do however carry a regular spare bulb in the tailcap just in case...

And no other flashlight can have bangs, scrapes, discolorations, paint missing, etc. and still look good   A well used Mag Lite always catches my eye.

[jock1]

Cheers Guys
I think I will have a look at the tutorials on CPF and give it a go I will update with results if I ever get around to it