Maglite LED conversion!

ArkAngel

Native
May 16, 2006
1,201
22
51
North Yorkshire
I had my doubts as well demographic,

It is a marked improvement over the standard maglite. The light is cleaner, much much brighter than standard and it gives a clear 'pool' of light a bit like a surefire, no weird pattern as you get on the standard.

I have a spare maglite that i broke the reflector on, i am now sorely tempted to get a second conversion kit for it.
 

demographic

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 15, 2005
4,762
786
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ArkAngel said:
I had my doubts as well demographic,

It is a marked improvement over the standard maglite. The light is cleaner, much much brighter than standard and it gives a clear 'pool' of light a bit like a surefire, no weird pattern as you get on the standard.

I have a spare maglite that i broke the reflector on, i am now sorely tempted to get a second conversion kit for it.

I also own a 3D cell maglite that I never use (why I bought a 3 cell one when you never buy batteries in 3s so I end up with a spare one kicking around and I can't turn half of the batteries round like I could with an even number of batteries to prevent accidental "turn on" I will never know) so maybe it will get a new lease of life also.

I also got sick of feeding it batteries :(
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
26,891
2,143
Mercia
Don't know about 5 years mate, but I'll make you a deal, if you aint happy after the first two, I'll pay the postage and take the remaining 6 for the price you paid for 8! :)

Red
 

nzgunnie

Tenderfoot
Sep 11, 2005
61
0
New Zealand
For those that were asking about the solitair LED upgrade:

http://www.led-replacement.com/lt-3.html

Check out the various other LED upgrades for the various size mags.

I have the TLE5 and it is very good. I also have the DB-3W, in a 3D mag and it is not so good, although it is still an improvement over the stock bulb, there are better ways of spending money to upgrade a 3D mag.

EDIT: Here is another LED upgrade for the Solitaire, and it's cheaper:
http://www.lighthound.com/sales/arcmania_led_upgrades.htm
 

crazydave

Settler
Aug 25, 2006
858
1
55
Gloucester
ebay - I've just got some for ours - c and d cell bulbs 8 quid. the minimaglite bulb kits you can get from halfords or ebay again
 

crazydave

Settler
Aug 25, 2006
858
1
55
Gloucester
demographic said:
I am glad this thread has come up, I have had a mini maglite for ages and to be honest compared to my Petzl Tikka plus, its fairly crap.

Its not that bright, the batteries don't last very long at all and the bulbs are not much better either.
Converting it to run on LEDs might just save it from the depths of the kitchen drawer.

I've just done mine and used old batteries to test it - works great and stays bright. I have mini petzls but dont like carrying two types of battery.

I've had a cmg infinity for years and its still going strong getting new battery every year whether it needs it or not :)

I've never seen a kit for the solitaire though as there's some electronics in with the bulbs and you cant get the solitaire reflector out
 

nzgunnie

Tenderfoot
Sep 11, 2005
61
0
New Zealand
Ryan Woods said:
Does anyone know a British or Dutch supplier for teh 3mm MJ LED Drop-In?

( http://www.lighthound.com/sales/arcmania_led_upgrades.htm )

I fear that the site might try to charge me 40 USD... like omahas supplies attempt. Even at lowest P&P!

I assume I cant pic these up at the local electronics/DIY store... ?

Have you even bothered to read read the international shipping details?

Add the items to your cart. You will find they charge about US$7, then the additional shipping you need to add for being international, typically US$2 per item, or group of items. This is clearly stated on each page how much extra you add, just click the relevent buttons, it's all up-front. Although the MJLED does not incur ANY extra cost.

Lighthound has customers all over the world and are well regarded on forums like CPF. I'm in New Zealand and their shipping is some of the lowest offered by anyone.
 

Ryan Woods

Nomad
May 20, 2005
333
0
Where my bergan is
You're a tough talker. Now brighten up :D ;)

Ive actually went a step further and tried to order on the site but it wont let me because Ive got a British debit card but need to have it shipped to another...
 

simonsays

Forager
Sep 9, 2004
126
0
57
sunderland
Ive actually went a step further and tried to order on the site but it wont let me because Ive got a British debit card but need to have it shipped to another...[/QUOTE]


Drop them an email, they may be able to help you. John at Lighthound is one of the 'good guys'. The most reliable and helpful internet retailer I have ever encountered.
I seem to send him money so often I'm probably putting his children through college....

Simon
 

Ryan Woods

Nomad
May 20, 2005
333
0
Where my bergan is
haha!!
Even though it does seem a cheap site for Surefire's, cheaper than the official site IIRC...

Thanks for the tip. I will just borrow a mate's card who's comforms with the country of the package's detination.
 

demographic

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 15, 2005
4,762
786
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A mate has one of those Surefires, I have to say I am less then impressed by the button on the endcap thing, far too easy to accidentally knock on in a pocket IMO.
 

demographic

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 15, 2005
4,762
786
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All I saw was the button on the endcap, push for ON and push for OFF, I suppose you could turn one battery round but I didn't spot owt else :confused:

Anyway, I bought one of the nite eze (sp?) LED conversions from B&Q for my mini Maglite, seems pretty good as yet but I suppose a year or so will show up any defects better.
 

Ryan Woods

Nomad
May 20, 2005
333
0
Where my bergan is
mmm, I should work for Surefire ;)


I just had a brain wave... A tail awitsch that fits on a AAA mini mag will also fit on a solitaire right...?

Ill buy one of those on light hound as well, if only they would sell AAA maglight springs... :(

Hope the kit works out well, did you have to do any modification to yours for the BQ kit?
 

demographic

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 15, 2005
4,762
786
-------------
Ryan Woods said:
mmm, I should work for Surefire ;)


I just had a brain wave... A tail awitsch that fits on a AAA mini mag will also fit on a solitaire right...?

Ill buy one of those on light hound as well, if only they would sell AAA maglight springs... :(

Hope the kit works out well, did you have to do any modification to yours for the BQ kit?

The kit I bought just had three LEDs and a reflector so didn't affect the endcap at all, still turn the front to switch on like normal.

I prefer it that way.
 

PhilParry

Nomad
Sep 30, 2005
345
3
Milton Keynes, Bucks
demographic said:
The kit I bought just had three LEDs and a reflector so didn't affect the endcap at all, still turn the front to switch on like normal.

I prefer it that way.


Ditto. got mine from B&Q. Works fine and is really nice and bright! A nice example of how something can be effectively "recycled" into something really neat! :D

Phil
 

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