What's the new hot stuff in this department? When I was looking into it about a decade ago, Malkoff was more or less the only real option, but not cheap. I seem to remember it being over a hundred bucks to convert a 3-4 D cell to a couple hundred lumens. It didn't make a ton of sense when there were much brighter, smaller lights for cheaper than that. Now there seems to be a number of options, and all over the place from 100 lumens to 5,000!

I picked up a 4 D cell Mag-Lite at Goodwill for $5. The reflector and lens are frosty looking and it had a cell that leaked near the tailcap, so there's some corrosion in there. It didn't look too bad to clean up and make a project of, so if I have to completely gut it to get it going, that's not really a concern. I intend this to be my "bump in the night" light, paired with a GLock with a TLR-1 HL. Something I can deliver a nice, solid blow with, if needed. Same thing for road trips and such when it gets dark and rainy out here.

I looked at pages worth of results on Amazon, and decided to look for non-Chinesium options. I found this:
https://littindustries.com/pro...e-400-lumen-3-6-cell

Seems pretty reasonable for a simple swap job. This guy has a number of options on his site, and the 800 lumen version is actually pretty temping:
https://asflashlights.com

Behold, 5k lumens from a Mag-Lite:


So yes, I know there are bright, efficient LED lights for the same amount of money or less. But the appeal of the Mag-Lite is in its dual utility, and I think they'd still be near the top of the heap if they had embraced LED technology early on.

I converted all of my Maglites to LED (maybe 5 or 6 flashlights).
No way was it the 5K lumen model - not sure what it was, this was maybe 5 years ago or more.
It improves the light, and much much better battery life.
I can't recall how much it was per unit but while it wasn't uber cheap - it was worth it.
PS... also converted a couple of my PolyStinger Streamlights too and the same opinion.
YMMV

I have a C cell nightsti..., uh Maglite, that 370 lumen unit for twenty bucks may be just the thing. I like that it lets the flashlight retain the factory focusing capability.

quote:

Originally posted by clubleaf206:
I have a C cell nightsti..., uh Maglite, that 370 lumen unit for twenty bucks may be just the thing. I like that it lets the flashlight retain the factory focusing capability.

Yeah, that's one factor I'm considering in my decision. The 800 lumen unit is going to be a lot brighter, but it's a fixed beam.

I need to take this thing apart and get to cleaning it up before I make any decisions, because if the reflector isn't salvageable and I have to replace it anyways, I may just go for the brighter LED and be happy with a fixed beam. If I can clean the reflector up nicely and the light works, all I need is to get an LED and a lens and it will still be substantially brighter, and I have a beam I can focus. * Edit - The reflector is toast... Now what to do?

One thing to note is even if you just replace the bulb for one of the LED units that's a straight swap, you want to replace the plastic lens with a polycarbonate or glass lens to handle the added heat generated.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: P220 Smudge,

Yeah, I dunno. For 20 lumens more, the price is more than double the Litt replacement. Plus, there's the extra fiddling with trimming the reflector down. I need to look into it a bit more, but if all that price difference is the heatsink size, I think I can live with a light that gets a little hotter for the price. For what I'd pay for the Malkoff and a reflector, I'm into the same price range as a drop-in that's 800 lumens with a built-in reflector, though I'd lose the ability to focus the beam:
https://asflashlights.com/home...ade-for-maglite.html

I gave it a quick wipe down to get the loose corrosion out and popped two alkaline D's and an Eneloop in an adapter in it and took it outside. So it's a 3 cell, not a 4 like I thought. I'm fine with that. It works, but good gravy, I forgot how weak these lights are compared to anything at all LED.

I like the idea of rechargeables in this light, but honestly, the heft you get from alkalines is part of the appeal. Another thing to look into, I suppose.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:

quote:

Originally posted by clubleaf206:
I have a C cell nightsti..., uh Maglite, that 370 lumen unit for twenty bucks may be just the thing. I like that it lets the flashlight retain the factory focusing capability.

Yeah, that's one factor I'm considering in my decision. The 800 lumen unit is going to be a lot brighter, but it's a fixed beam.

I need to take this thing apart and get to cleaning it up before I make any decisions, because if the reflector isn't salvageable and I have to replace it anyways, I may just go for the brighter LED and be happy with a fixed beam. If I can clean the reflector up nicely and the light works, all I need is to get an LED and a lens and it will still be substantially brighter, and I have a beam I can focus. * Edit - The reflector is toast... Now what to do?

One thing to note is even if you just replace the bulb for one of the LED units that's a straight swap, you want to replace the plastic lens with a polycarbonate or glass lens to handle the added heat generated.

I didn't see anything about heat, I thought they suggested replacing the factory plastic lens because it could get scratched up and effect the light out put.

I have two bats that double as a flashlight in my vehicles, but the truth is since they make such lousy flashlights (compared to the tiny little light in my pocket) that I never use then. And because I never use them, I don't remember they're there, which is I'm sure what will happen if I ever need them for the other reason.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
I have two bats that double as a flashlight in my vehicles, but the truth is since they make such lousy flashlights (compared to the tiny little light in my pocket) that I never use then. And because I never use them, I don't remember they're there, which is I'm sure what will happen if I ever need them for the other reason.

My 6-D cell Maglite is sitting on the floor of the vehicle to the left of the driver’s seat. I have some foam rubber cradling the tube it so it does not roll around / rattle. It fits pretty nicely in a channel between the rocker panel and the seat frame.

Quick and easy access if I need it.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
https://malkoffdevices.com/

+1 on Mallkoff, my 3D sits by my beside and its USA made

I spent much more to convert my Maglight than a better brand new flashlight that would outperform it would cost. But I don't care, the maglight has a personal connection and I'm not letting that history go easily.

I went Malkoff as I needed a new reflector too and they are top notch folks. It will outlive me and the cost pales when looked at over for so many years.

I have 2 2D-cell maglights both modded with short springs and PVC sleeves running 2 26650 batteries. One has a Malkoff drop-in and the other an ASF. Have had them for a couple a couple years and both are solid.

Matt (ASF) and Gene (Malkoff) are nice guys and great to work with. You won't regret giving money to either.

Dan

Have a few from the days of patrol back when they were still Kellits. Hated them. Bulky and heavy. Today's lights are so much more useless.

I tried a conversion for a small Maglight years ago. It hot hot and melted itself.

quote:

Originally posted by clubleaf206:
I didn't see anything about heat, I thought they suggested replacing the factory plastic lens because it could get scratched up and effect the light out put.

I have seen that also. I swore I read somewhere about the heat being an issue with the old plastic lenses. Perhaps I'm wrong. Either way, the lens upgrade is a good idea, and the one in mine is pretty scratched up and needs replacing anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by KBobAries:
I have 2 2D-cell maglights both modded with short springs and PVC sleeves running 2 26650 batteries. One has a Malkoff drop-in and the other an ASF. Have had them for a couple a couple years and both are solid.

Matt (ASF) and Gene (Malkoff) are nice guys and great to work with. You won't regret giving money to either.

Dan

This is meaningful feedback I greatly appreciate, thank you. I know Malkoff has a great reputation but I hadn't heard of Matt Smith at ASF until recently. He seems like an decent sort, and last night when I was comparing his prices to Amazon, I was pleasantly surprised to see he had them beat. It's good to know someone here has had good experiences doing business with him.

I think I'm leaning towards the 800 lumen replacement from ASF. With a new lens, it comes in cheaper than Amazon without the lens. I'll have to see what his shipping is like. I'll lose the capability to focus, but with a bright enough light, I don't think that's necessarily a problem for me.

I found this video and it seems like a pretty good comparison of the main options. The beamshot on the Firefly looks pretty good to me, bright and decent sized hot spot and plenty of spill. Looks like it's got some pretty good throw, too.

I have a Malkoff in one and a small bulb replacement module in the other. But as I've said in the past, unless there's sentimental value in the light, or you just want a club, it's not worth it IMO.

5 D-cell mag light with Malkoff conversion. It’s a left over from doing inspections on the USS IOWA.

I’ve got Fenix for lighting things, and a Maglight for whacking what needs it.

Over the years I have converted 4 or 5 using Malkoff parts. Never regretted any. I actually found one of the really long ones, like cops used to carry. It was pretty cheap even though it was brand new. I bought it just to convert. And beat people. It’s my favorite flashlight.

Malkoff doesn't do any custom work but if you contact Matt he can tweak the output and UI. Sorry, I don't remember what the fee was for the custom programming.

Mine is a simple low/high mode and he dropped the max output to match my needs; a work light that can run on max for an hour in Phoenix 90 degree nighttime temps without burning me or destroying the drop-in. He had to use either the 2000 or 5000 lumen model and under drive the LEDs to get that. IIRC output is 800 lumens and it's a great flooder. Back wall in my yard to the RV gate is a bit over 25 yards and it will light up all the area in between well enough that one can easily identify a threat all the way to the gate. What I have is more than you want to spend but I wanted to point out the options. He might be able to fiddle with the 800 lumen model you're considering.

Dan