Maglite Torch CREE LED DIY Upgrade
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2014
- The CREE LED shown in the video is a 220 Lumen XLamp XP-G2 and came from this UK based ebay seller: ebay.to/35evHeq
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Went ahead and got a 6D with an LED recently. This channel is one of my favorite sources of procrastination activities ;-)
Hi Techman. After watching you video I purchased the Cree LED for the same torch as yours. After simple installation of the LED bulb, the transformation of the old Maglite is amazing. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience!!!
Maglite makes great products that last forever. I have had this same flashlight for 20+ years. I wasn't aware of this upgrade. Thanks for the video.
I recently found mine I've had for 20 years as well and gave it a full upgrade. It was a 2 cell D maglite but I've bought an extender tube to make it into a 4 cell and got a new 3-6 cell LED, then a crowned bezel to use as a lamp and finally a glass lens to replace the plastic. I love this thing.
where did you buy the cilinder to extend youre toy I appreciate
Video inspired me too. Ordered an LED bulb for my 30 year old 6D maglite.
This is awesome upgrade. My husband uses his maglite everyday. Thank you.
CREE LED torches are great, got two of them. For years since I was a kid I have wanted a bright torch and now they are easy to find =-)
Fantastic video, thanks. I bought one off ebay and it works a treat in both my 2D and 4D Maglites! Seems much brighter than in your video too, the LED has been upgraded to 300 to 350 lumens. A real transformation from the incandescent bulb and the batteries last for ages.
I was going to buy a new torch but no need to now, saves a great torch from the landfill.
Just bought one and this video popped up in my feed so I thought I’d comment. Excellent upgrade to my 4D Maglite which with the original bulb gives out a pretty feeble light by today’s standards. This LED bulb makes it a much more useable torch. Highly recommended.
I have converted several torches to Cree LED bulbs. My favourite is and old Duracell lantern with the flip down lens. I also converted two mag lights.
The Cree torch I use the most is a pocket one which takes a single AA battery.
Using rechargeable batteries in these torches is a must as the battery only last 1 hour.
3-6 D/C Cells... Looks like an awesome upgrade to my rechargeable MagLite. Haven't touched that thing in 15-20 years since the bulb went south... And let me say, that old Krypton bulb could actually start a fire if something flammable was in contact with the acrylic lens. I've seen the LED conversion for the MiniMagLite, didn't know they had the conversion for the "big boys." Glad I stumbled across this older video, it saves me from putting that big honkin' thing in the dustbin!
And yes, big MagLites are fantastic as a self-defense weapon.
Wow Thank you Techmoan.
After watching this video on the Cree replacement led upgrade for the mag light, i brought one straight away for my 5 cell mag light (Slightly larger than the 4 cell and better at beating burglars with) but wow with this LED upgrade i don’t have to bash the burglars any more, With the light emitted from my mag light now, i can just blind them,
result no more dents in me mag light, brill
Thanks again.
Info in video is worth knowing. LED torches are an improvement and I had not appreciated how easy it is to convert.
Still on the same 4 Duracell D batteries since I changed the bulb just after this video. Changing the world, one torch at a time :-)
I "Upgraded" some of my old Maglites some time back. After only a few hours use, all the lamps ended up now super-dim and much lower output than the original lamps! Beware of some brands of LED, mine were a complete waste of time and I went back to the halogen lamps tha Mag offered as upgrades in the past.
Ive used Led Lenser torch for about 4/5 years now and its awesome
I have an ancient 2D Maglite which I use nearly every day. It consumed many batteries until I installed one of these Cree LEDs, 24 January 2014, but using old batteries that were too weak then to run the stock filament bulb (cell expiry date 2012). So, that is sixteen days before Mr Techmoan published this video online. I know the date because I found the email about the eBay order. It is still working well now, 26 October 2018 on the same batteries.
Update, 27 February 2021: The batteries can still power the torch.
Perfectly entertaining video. As usual.
Very helpful!
Greetings from Ludbreg, Croatia
great, have been meaning to do this for ages with my D Cell maglite, cheers!
Great idea I have an old maglight that will now be getting a new bulb.
It was replaced as the under bed torch for belting people that break in with a combat torch that has a large heavy rings around the top and a rubber grip with a guard.... But it's lighter as it runs off a lithium ion battery.
So will be a toss up between the 2 bats with lights going under the bed
Neat idea, I might convert my little maglite in the car.
I had a similar idea some years back but on a larger scale. Basically my bicycle from the 1930's has lights of the same vintage, finding the bulbs was difficult and as I couldn't get the "lamp battery" Lucas proposed using I converted them to rechargeable AA batteries and LED bulbs, the original configuration can be returned at anytime (actually have original bulbs and they work) but it gives more light for a longer time and I have never looked back. I don't think I'll be upgrading the kerosene lamps any time soon though.
Thanks, I got my first one several years ago at Kmart. They have them in different sizes. Can't speak to bulb life but they are much brighter than regular bulbs, and batteries last longer too.
Wow! What a difference. Thanks for this.
Ordered for my 2D maglite. Thank you
My first ever Maglite is waiting for me at the post office. I just finished browsing Maglite videos, only to find this in my feed. That timing verges on creepy.
Excellent. I have a couple of D cell maglites. I have been meaning to upgrade them to LED. That cree LED seems to work nice. I think I will have to pick some of those up. Thanks for the video.
I also have upgraded some old Surefire tactical flashlights with new Cree led lights and they are a huge improvement. Total cost $6.59 USD per flashlight. Output 1000 lumens.
Where did you find bulbs for that price? Thanks!
Thanks for for the review, found this video after I bought it.
For once my off the spur purchase seems to be a good one 😂
Cheers,
Peter
i got a 2 D cell LED maglite at work a couple years ago, pretty bright, don't need it at work anymore, but i'd like the heft of a 5 cell bugger, more to THUMP with :)
When the bulb on my Mag Lite died, I replaced it with an LED. It was not a Cree, but it works well and is very bright. The battery lasts just this side of forever now!
I have been meaning to do this to my Maglite. I have the one that takes 5 D size batteries.
It's a monster of a thing.. Robbers better watch out ! This one will hurt..
Thanks for the video !
Techmoan you made a pretty good video review. I wish you would make a lot more flashlight reviews and comparisons. most on youtube are very lousy. you are already the best at reviewing various cameras and other electronics, so you might as well conquer the flashlight arena too.
Good video of the flashlights
Nice and easy upgrade. I'm also considering to upgrade mine to Lithium by 3d-printing an adapter to 13650.
I have 1600 and 1800 lumen torches now. Extremely bright and better than expected battery life plus they are rechargables.
lol I just got a double rayovak pack of lights from Walmart and used the bulbs in them for my led upgrade. even used a dremel to shave down the lens to replace a bad lens in one of my maglites. working pretty good so far using the 2d daily. the other I just got. my uncle was gonna toss, bad bulb. it was an old 3c model. led seems to be OK in it to with the voltage. if you all want a significant upgrade, modify a maglite to take a Cree drop in.
Another great vid. Cheers
Hi Matt - I just did this upgrade for my 3 "C" and 3 "D" cell Maglites and was very impressed by the range. I can noticeably illuminate a sign in a field 400 yds from my balcony. Of my 5 LED torches (2 ALDI, 1 LED Lenser, 2 converted Magllites) the converted Maglites are by far the most powerful. I think because of the superior reflector. Also the LEDs are perfectly centred which the incandescent bulbs weren't. My brother in law was so impressed he's asked me to upgrade both of his Maglites too. Many thanks for this excellent tip! I love the videos, keep 'em coming! All the best, Rob
Maglite more powerful REALLY? I have a 3d mag with a cree led upgrade. Yes its an improvement on the original bulb but it's not as good as a modern led torch. I have 1 as torches that are just as powerful. My newest light is a 3 C cell light from Aldi. It's a cree led light putting out 500 lumen. It's far better than the led Maglite. Will be doing a comparison video on my channel soon.
Steves Outdoors NE Hi Steve, when I wrote that it was true. I think the converted Maglites are probably better than LED Maglites (I don't have any LED Maglites). I also think that my 3C maglite conversion is better than my 3D Maglite conversion. I have also recently bought an ALDI LED torch (and given them to my daughters for Christmas as protection for late-night walks home). I should reevaluate it now in the light of my new ALDI torch (literally!). I'm looking forward to your comparison. Do you have a light meter to make objective measurements? All the best, Rob
Hi Rob. The aldi torches are great for the price. But I've found a flaw with the one I have. There rated as IP65 for water proofing similar to lights needed for bathrooms and showers. I used mine outside when hosing down the back yard recently. When I looked at the torch I realised they operating the zoom when the torch is wet causes it to suck in water. I now have droplets of water on the inside of the lense and can't get it open to dry it out. The torch works fine but the beam is diffused unevenly. I will still be doing a video at some point soon. Don't have a meter so will rely on How bright they look.
I use to use a similar bulb upgrade but it soon failed due to overheating.
I upgraded to a Gene Malkoff unit and not only does it use the torch body as a heat sink (warm hands in winter) it is many times brighter.
In case you did not know you can now get C and D case bodies and insert rechargeable Double A's inside. Saves you money buying these huge D batteries. Check Amazon there around $6 for a pair of C cases.
I am now entering the cameraman-business, we've got 1KW lights there that in a full studio would cost €5000 to be on for a whole day, the LED's would cost like 20 bucks alltogether, shows how much "better" LED's are.
Of course they have their cons too, but overall they're a great improvement over traditional lights.
WOW!!! I bought my Maglite with the same housing, but it already was the LED model. I dont think it is as bright as this though
Here in America we call that a "flashlight" LOL! Torches have flames ;) But anyways on a serious note, those CREE leds are awesome! Super bright, use very little power at all, and if you're doing something more DIY or "hacker" you can also get lenses to fit over the LED to either make a wide beam, medium or narrow "spotlight" beam to suit your purpose. Or shapes too I think. Endless possibilities :D I think I'll get in my "lorry" now and get me some "fish and chips" and maybe a pint. :)
flashlight implies that it just flashes on and off, i.e. not giving a constant light ... so that's probably not a good description either ;)
IIGrayfoxII
Gasoline.
Check out Matt Smith's maglight drop-in upgrades.
5000 lumens for the 6d size version. You have to use lithium batteries but MAN what an upgrade. I currently have a Malkoff drop-in but not for long 😉
This Cree bulb fits all most any flash light also!!!
that you sir, as i never new i cold convert my maglight 3d to the new LED!so i think i'll get new life into this 25 year old flashlight of mine..
Excellent upgrade, should breath new life into my old 4D!
I keep wondering whether I should do this upgrade to my maglite. I suppose it's one of those upgrades to bear in mind when there's spare Amazon vouchers to spend, or when someone says "what do you want for Christmas".
It's worth noting that even the really really cheap and nasty LED torches (the ones for about two quid that contain a cluster of super-bright white LEDs) out perform a standard maglite torch.
I do like the baddie-clobbering feel of the Maglite though. About the only thing a modern LED torch would do to an intruder is blind them.
than you for the info,,,,,good job !
You can also increase the power by a factor 3 using a small trick threw an adapator
It is very good idea to convert the old flash light to modern and brighter one, so no need to get rid of the old one!
Cool torch
Update! Bought a cree bulb for my 4 cell maglight right after this video was made. I was getting through a set of Duracell batteries every 6 weeks or so at the time. After installing the bulb feb/march 2014, I am on my second set of cells and they are a long way off being used up. Best £12 I spent in a long time!
I havew the same UltraFire W878 and it is a beast of a flashlight.
I got the same led, goes by HRQP on Amazon. Very bright for a 1 watt led. Currently it resides in my 6D police Maglite.
Are you sure it's the same? The one in the video is a 3 watt.
JasonWW2000 Same company I believe. There's different wattage's.
I purchased a cree led for my Maglite a year or so back, the batteries were just about shot with the standard bulb. The new led one, however, with the old batteries is many times brighter. I'm still running them now, will it gradually dim to nothing or continue then abruptly cease? Many thanks for an excellent video, as I've come to expect.
I chucked my old maglites in the bin a couple of years ago, I wouldn't spend that kind of money upgrading the bulb, when I could get a better smaller and more powerful torch for less money
For $50 you can buy a Skyray XML 2000 lumen light! I have one and it is insanely bright! It is (almost) comparable to HID headlights! Others who have reviewed it say it is brighter than the 3x XML quality lights like the older version of the Nitecore TM11.
Techmoan, how about an update to this video, this time with a Lithium conversion? This would save SO MANY flashlights!
Nice video. Do you know approx how long more the battery cells will last?
... Still waiting for the lightsaber upgrade ;)
iAlien YES. the ultimate flashlight has arrived, its a light, baseball bat, and laser sword all in one.
Incredible! I want to upgrade my legendary #Maglite. #Maglite upgraded with Cree Led is better than #Duracell 1000.
Maglite makes LED flashlights I recommend you one.
i have one just trying convert to smd led. difficulty to put there heatsink, and guts (battery, led driver and charger) inside torch .
Got one of those sized maglite and yes I also use LED torches but will definately be checking out this upgrade. As its a real shame that such a well engineered pretty and touchy feely piece of tech works so poorly
These upgrades would only be worth doing if the kits were cheaper. You can buy a very nice torch for £14 these days that would blow the Maglite out of the water. I can see a use for them if you have a particular affection for a torch or if as you touch upon, you half expect to use it as a club to beat a rotter over the head with.
+Ray Jim I use 18650 rechargeable batteries for the most part and as long as I stay off full power which is up to 1600 lumens on some of them I rarely have to recharge them.
+presterjohn71 i'm American so I'm not used to the term rotter, although I understand its use, I couldn't help but think of The Walking Dead and how I've never seen the term rotter used to describe a zombie, which would actually be kind of perfect.
I have a number of older MAG flash lights using the 3 and 4 D cell types. I replaced the older incandescent Krypton type lamps with the newer 3Watt LED type. This made a huge difference.
At one meter I measured 6000 lumins versus 800 lumins with the older type lamps. With the LED type light I found very little difference between the 3 D cell type and the 4 D cell type. At 4.5 Volts up to 9 Volts the LED puts out the same lumins.
I tested the LED light with 3 Volts, and I found at the lower voltage there was some loss of lumins, but the light output was very acceptable for strength.
With the older incandescent lamp type the voltage was more critical. With the older type of light there was a fair difference between the 3 or 4 battery type flash light.
These new LED MAG type replacement lights will work very well in most regular flash lights compared to the original type light. They are fairly expensive, but worth the cost. The LED replacement costs an average of $15 to $18 US each.
What voltage LED would I need for a 5D cell maglite? I've seen 4-12v and 6-24v versions, both of which fit the 7.5V range of the 5D cells.
Hope you are not affected by the flooding mate...Stay well
It's fine where I am (up north).
I bought the 6 D Cell Maglite,I then got the replacement Lens Glass and the Cree Upgrade after that,it is now one ass kicking torch,in beam mode the beam will light up a target at least 700 yards away,I picked up a rabbit that was in a field across the valley,he was surprised,as I was,one thing with the Cree Upgrade, DO NOT shine this torch in someones eye`s when fitted as it will cause damage to the eye.
please review ultra short throw projectors
This is Updated Maglight 👍
+poddy1957 Glad it worked out for you. Another maglite saved from the drawer.
David Chambers Hi, no, the same seller (Rapid2you) on eBay has a different ebay listing for this bulb that works with 2 battery cell D/C Maglites.
Regards.
Years ago (20-25(?)) I replaced my Maglite standard bulbs with halogen bulbs. The first one I tried it in was the two cell D unit. I'd say the spot had an easy 150+ yard reach. I haven't tried any LEDs in them though. I might because the batteries will last longer with the LED I would suspect.
Every time I hear CREE, I expect it to be followed up with Jaffa.
Haha many people wont get this lol
Goa'uld eyeLED upgrade.
What's the name of the small led torch you showed as an example?
just what i need
Sold!
Nice, And techmoan hes the best!
My opinion but the halogen bulb fades from sit to flood where the LED is a sheer line of lightness and darkness. I feel that the halogen is easier on your eyes and you can adjust better to it
Have you thought about LED interior lighting?
I replaced most of my interior bulbs with LEDs a couple of years ago.
Lithium ion cell next a bit of messing but worth it I hope lol
Compare the power consumption of both.
6 years on, is that still the best led bulb replacement? I have the same model MAG lite
After apparently 6 years of use, the cree led is working fine on my 4 cell, very economical on batteries and stays bright until batteries fail. Best? No idea but I'm very impressed.
My dad has one of those big ones
Hello,
I wanted some advice on a problem I have with dvds that were made from VHS material transferred to dvd but I cannot view anything now on any device.😬😢
hi.where can i buy such led diode..please help ..

do you have any more kitchen tech coming i like those. also house things too
Every couple of days I look for an interesting new kitchen gadget to review...I haven't found anything. If anything affordable does eventually come out I will try to make a video about it.
Sweet, thanks for commenting back and being on the look out =) I still enjoy your videos after all these years.
Hmmm, seems expensive when you can buy very cheap torches on Ebay! I bought a 2100 lumens (well that's what it said) torch for about a fiver and its pretty damned bright! I'm most impressed with cree technology and have them for my bike, head-torches and torches! Batteries last ages and they are so small and portable!
Depends on your needs, if you already have the torch then a tenner for a nice little upgrade like this is worth it to me.
You retain the build of the Mag but gain more output, whats not to like.
Also the cheap torches on ebay claim 2100 Lumen but really its more like 1000 on a good day....(read the spec on the cree leds and you will see)
Techmoan Nice 3D Maglite. I've done the same thing for my 4D Maglite, makes it quite a bit better, those old bulbs are horrible. Another upgrade made for Maglites is this one - thefusionlite.com/fusion-36magli361.html
It apparently makes it into a 900 Lumen torch which is nice, and it's just a drop in, like the Cree one. So you don't have to mod anything, just remove the reflector and old bulb, and drop it in. I'll buy it soon. There's a seller on eBay selling them too somewhere.
0:35 how much did you pay for that flashlight? Hope you didn't spend 60 bucks as its one of those OEM flashlights which you can buy for 3 dollars on aliexpress
What is that thing on the background 2:01
creepy little alien at 2:02 !
. . . Bilbo Baggins had a garden.
does this work with the newer mags?
Yes, replacers the new Xenon bi-pin bulbs.
The MT-G2 should be a nice BIN. But they're quite expensive. If you want shear power, get a XM-L2 U3 though; a nice UltraFire C8 or so. Very nice and affordable indeed. But you have to drive it as well! So get some 18650's (brand ones with protected circuitry and charge 'em with a Nitecore/Jetbeam or Sysmax intellicharger)!
It will change your life forever, lol. xD
You sound like James May from Top Gear
yes, there's a small factory somewhere making clones ;)
ArchibaldCuntiblast No there isn't. They just sound the same. don't be such a liar
You need to check out the tn31 by thrunite it leaves the led lenser and hid standing... ands for a cool torch forum check.out candlepowerforum
Did a similar conversion on my 20+ year old 3d mag. Big improvement but modern led torches are far better. Wondering if there's a mod for the reflector and lens to get rid of that nasty black hole maglites are known for
Yes, there are glass lens, but i don't think you can grt reflectors for it, i've got a 5 d cell maglite and its amazing the litle amount of light it outputs for its size.
The newest generation maglites that are 500+ lumen are quite a bit different from the old. They have a new reflector shape to better match the new LED bulbs.
+JasonWW2000 thats cool, but nowadays i think a lithium battery is perfect to power a flashlight, i love my convoy s2+ , just takes 1 battery and outputs 1000 lumens, its insane for a flashlight thats only 13cm long and 2.5 wide, i love it
+Themoigt I'm all for rechargeable batteries. Even though I like the new maglites, they state you have to run alkaline batteries only. I've already got NiMH D cells and a charger so I might get a new maglite and see if it works. I need something that can double as a club and tactical lights are just too small.
+JasonWW2000 do you know about 18650 cells? They are a lithium cell that has 3.7 volts. 2 of them will do about 7.4 volts wich ia exactly the same as the maglite 5 cell needs. Last month i made a cardboard adaptor wich is the size of 5 cells and i stick 2 18650 in it so i can use my maglite with 2 18650, now it will last longer, its fraccion of the weight and i can recharge it, cool
omg i just git a couple of these for free because they don't use them any more ....im totally doing this XD
Things are useless unless you want a club. Sad for those of us who have a bunch of them. Looking hard into finding this upgrade. The newer little shit aa units outperform them by 50%... but you cant crush a skull with a peanut stik.
what is the other light at 0:31
It's a UltraFire W878. You can buy them from DealExtreme