Is this LED flashlight upgrade worth the $20?

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Rubycon

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
17,768
485
126
Originally posted by: Flatscan

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Really embarrasses the ARC LSH-P (~23 lumens) that cost $160 in 2003!
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Was it that much? I don't remember the exact dates, specs, and prices, but I have 2 T-flux Lux-III sandwiches (MadMax+ and BadBoy 750) from 2003. The FireFly 2 body is a compact package, but it has sub-optimal optics and wasn't available until later.
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Yes of course however comparing emitters of today to ones of 2003 is like comparing a C2D to a 2.4GHz P4. ;)

Yes the ARC's were that much. Even the AAA ones that they sell now are overpriced IMO.

I do have a Novatac EDC-P120 reserved though. :D
 
adairusmc

adairusmc

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2006
7,095
78
91
I do have a question about my surefire's for anyone who knows -

Normally I use the surefire or pentagon branded 123A batteries, but I ran out today and saw wal-mart had 123 photo batteries for it (although much more expensive). Can those energizer or duracell 123 batteries be used with no issue? I noticed that they did not say 123A just 123. Just curious.
 
Nebor

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
Originally posted by: adairusmc
I do have a question about my surefire's for anyone who knows -

Normally I use the surefire or pentagon branded 123A batteries, but I ran out today and saw wal-mart had 123 photo batteries for it (although much more expensive). Can those energizer or duracell 123 batteries be used with no issue? I noticed that they did not say 123A just 123. Just curious.
Click to expand...

Yes, 123 and 123As are compatible.

But 123s are much easier to come by in SHTF situations. ;)
 
adairusmc

adairusmc

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2006
7,095
78
91
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: adairusmc
I do have a question about my surefire's for anyone who knows -

Normally I use the surefire or pentagon branded 123A batteries, but I ran out today and saw wal-mart had 123 photo batteries for it (although much more expensive). Can those energizer or duracell 123 batteries be used with no issue? I noticed that they did not say 123A just 123. Just curious.
Click to expand...

Yes, 123 and 123As are compatible.

But 123s are much easier to come by in SHTF situations. ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks.

I use my surefire's a lot for work, and I used up my last two 123a's today. Just curious if I could use the more expensive energizer ones as a backup.

I am gonna order a 30 or so pentagon 123a's though. I like paying less than two dollars a piece a lot better than $10.00 for a 2 of the name brand ones at wally world.
 
A

aceO07

Diamond Member
Nov 6, 2000
4,491
0
76
Originally posted by: Rubycon
Originally posted by: Flatscan

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Really embarrasses the ARC LSH-P (~23 lumens) that cost $160 in 2003!
Click to expand...
Was it that much? I don't remember the exact dates, specs, and prices, but I have 2 T-flux Lux-III sandwiches (MadMax+ and BadBoy 750) from 2003. The FireFly 2 body is a compact package, but it has sub-optimal optics and wasn't available until later.
Click to expand...

Yes of course however comparing emitters of today to ones of 2003 is like comparing a C2D to a 2.4GHz P4. ;)

Yes the ARC's were that much. Even the AAA ones that they sell now are overpriced IMO.

I do have a Novatac EDC-P120 reserved though. :D
Click to expand...

It's amazing how much the EDC 120 brightness and runtime improves over the EDC 60. I saw the runtime graph a few days ago. 120Lumens for 40 minutes AND then 60lumens for 65 minutes and it keepins going..

EDC-120 runtime graph

It was only a couple of years ago that it was a struggle to really get 60 lumens out for 30-40minutes.
 
mugs

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: adairusmc
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: adairusmc
I do have a question about my surefire's for anyone who knows -

Normally I use the surefire or pentagon branded 123A batteries, but I ran out today and saw wal-mart had 123 photo batteries for it (although much more expensive). Can those energizer or duracell 123 batteries be used with no issue? I noticed that they did not say 123A just 123. Just curious.
Click to expand...

Yes, 123 and 123As are compatible.

But 123s are much easier to come by in SHTF situations. ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks.

I use my surefire's a lot for work, and I used up my last two 123a's today. Just curious if I could use the more expensive energizer ones as a backup.

I am gonna order a 30 or so pentagon 123a's though. I like paying less than two dollars a piece a lot better than $10.00 for a 2 of the name brand ones at wally world.
Click to expand...

I usually use Battery Station's store brand CR123As.
http://www.batterystation.com/cr123a.htm

They have special pricing for members of Candlepowerforums.

They scored pretty well in the 123 battery shootout: http://www.candlepowerforums.c...showthread.php?t=67078

When you combine the price and performance, they're a great value.
 
M

merlocka

Platinum Member
Nov 24, 1999
2,832
0
0
Skip the Mag LED modules, they are a flawed design with poor heatsinking and their output diminishes quickly when in use.

Try a TerraLux from Batteryjuncion.com for $25. The 3D-6D module is pretty solid. There is a "B" version (boost) for 2 cell models, but I've hears some quality complaints on this version.

However, as many of the people here state, there are an amazing amount of options in flashlights these days. From Mag85 or ROP kits down to the cheap AA China pocket torches running CREE XR-E's, you really can't go wrong.


 
I

Itchrelief

Golden Member
Dec 20, 2005
1,398
0
71
Originally posted by: merlocka
Skip the Mag LED modules, they are a flawed design with poor heatsinking and their output diminishes quickly when in use.

Try a TerraLux from Batteryjuncion.com for $25. The 3D-6D module is pretty solid. There is a "B" version (boost) for 2 cell models, but I've hears some quality complaints on this version.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that the heatsinking problem was inherent to the design of the mag body itself and not the drop-in led modules.

So isn't the Terralux just going to cook itself w/o any sort of improvement to the heatsink or a dimming feature like the mag?
 
M

merlocka

Platinum Member
Nov 24, 1999
2,832
0
0
Originally posted by: Itchrelief
Originally posted by: merlocka
Skip the Mag LED modules, they are a flawed design with poor heatsinking and their output diminishes quickly when in use.

Try a TerraLux from Batteryjuncion.com for $25. The 3D-6D module is pretty solid. There is a "B" version (boost) for 2 cell models, but I've hears some quality complaints on this version.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that the heatsinking problem was inherent to the design of the mag body itself and not the drop-in led modules.

So isn't the Terralux just going to cook itself w/o any sort of improvement to the heatsink or a dimming feature like the mag?
Click to expand...

Well, the Mags bodies are certainly a non-ideal design from a host perspective, in terms of heat dissipation. However, their are solutions which make the best out of what's there. From the extremely low output of the NiteEyez (and hence no heat problems! :) ) to Gene Malkoff's nicely crafted slugs, there are designs to mitigate the heat limitations.

Based on what I've read, and the lights I've messed with, the TL is a good tradeoff in design. It may sacrifice longevity of the emitter (that remains to be seen, but mine is still running strong), but it seems to be a better performing option. And for the crafty, there seem to be some mods that can be done to the TL module for even better performance.

And, I suppose my negative tone on the Mag module is primarily due to my disappointment that all Mag did was to deal with the same limitations that they originally designed, rather than updating the housing/socket for better performance in their LED products.
 
OS

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
i bought the 2D mag LED for $25 today and yeah the bulb is not really worth $20 retail in terms of brightness.

anyways, i threw the bulb in some beater 2D body so i can smash it up when i work on my car and still get good battery life.
 
Rubycon

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
17,768
485
126
Originally posted by: merlocka

Looking forward to these also, although I'm not so sure they have toppled the CREE just yet.
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The Rebel seems to be better. Text

Both are quite good. I have a P1DCE and its tint and output are dazzling.
 
M

merlocka

Platinum Member
Nov 24, 1999
2,832
0
0
Originally posted by: Rubycon
Originally posted by: merlocka

Looking forward to these also, although I'm not so sure they have toppled the CREE just yet.
Click to expand...

The Rebel seems to be better. Text

Both are quite good. I have a P1DCE and its tint and output are dazzling.
Click to expand...

initial results do look good on tint, I'm not going to buy any new bodies until I see some more results. I already spend too much on hotwires this month. I hope DX has a rebel 6p drop-in soon, I'll buy that if its good.
 
S

Suspicious-Teach8788

Lifer
Feb 19, 2001
20,155
23
81
I like my Fenix L2T. 2AA flashlights for the win. Considering I already have like 12 or so AAs cycling around in my house it's very convenient to throw another one in the rechargeable pile.
 
aphex

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
Moderator
Jul 19, 2001
38,572
2
91
Anyone know if the Maglite upgrades can be found any cheaper than $20?
 
0roo0roo

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
maglites aren't worth upgrading.

even coleman is selling cree lights now. maglite still sliding by with their obsolete led.
 
sao123

sao123

Lifer
May 27, 2002
12,650
203
106
Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Originally posted by: adairusmc
You could always save the 20 bucks and get a real flashlight - a surefire.

A surefire 6p will be about the same size as a mini-mag light, but will put out more light than a 4 D-Cell maglight.
Click to expand...

Yes. If I were spending $20 to upgrade to LED, I'd just go for a xenon
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