The Malkoff Front Porch

[Schokokeks]

I'm in Southern Illinois, snow is not common but plenty of hot humid weather. I can't complain about 2026, it's been nice so far. Wife and I are all AA now so I think we are going to stick with that. Most of our lights do see some hot and cold weather in the vehicles so we stick with Energizer Lithium which last a long time for us. I could go buy a inexpensive imported light to try out these warmer LEDs but at this point in life it's all about being Made in the USA. Malkoff reminds me of Maglite, which in my mind were solid lights back in the day. It does look like this drop will be both 2700 & 3500.

I remember when my brother spent a few years in Southern Illinois. It was like 55*F and raining on Christmas. I thought that sounded sad (I love winter, cold, and snow), but it blew his mind that there'd be no more shoveling, haha. It took him a few years to acclimate back to having real winters, just in time for them to become super mild in terms of snow (the temps are fully schizo, and swing all over the place now it seems).

Yeah, the older I get, the more I find myself saying, "Nice things are nice."
Sure, I could save some money...or, I could get something nice, and just be happy.

Granted, I buy plenty of Chinese lights, but always circle back to Malkoff. I've never had a single issue with anything from Gene, and they just hold up so well.

Also, if you have some old 2D Maglites, grab one of the M31WLL modules if Kosen still has one, pair it with the Malkoff Maglite adapter, and it's a CRAZY long runtime emergency light for tornado season!

 

[jonc2]

Just got my 3500K 1-AA Kōsen flashlight in the mail. I did a quick, unscientific beamshot of it next to my Malkoff MDC 1-AA 4000K on my old but pristine iPhone 11. I'll know more later, might take a nightwalk and run around inside my home while the wife gives me strange looks.

Both have Energizer Lithiums in them but my 4000K on the left does not have a new battery in it.

 

[sledhead]

Be interested to hear how the .3 lumen and 8 lumen modes work for you. I’m pondering a 2700k

 

[ilikeguns40]

I’m also pending 2700k. .3 and 8 work awesome at night time. 8 is usually enough for general use. The mode spacing on the AA models is the reason it’s my favorite Malkoff

 

[jonc2]

Be interested to hear how the .3 lumen and 8 lumen modes work for you. I’m pondering a 2700k

For whatever reason we have been getting rain on a daily basis. That and the moon was out made it a little hard to judge the lights but hey...real world conditions. Two nights in a row Wife and I went walking on a paved asphalt trail. My wife had a 1AA Malkoff in the stock 4000K version. It was really hard to tell a big difference, both lights would spot the tiny frogs hatching out. I've said before that the 8 lumens is just enough light and that 8 will get something like 18+ hours of it. I think my wifes 4000K maybe reached out a bit more but battery levels were questionable in both.

I put a regular stainless steel bezel on my Kōsen and did notice something. First, the bezel sat just a little proud of the light. Second, you could clearly see the 3 lobes that are used to install it with the tool. It didn't look anything like my other 1-AAs. It bothered me enough that I put the aluminum bezel back on which looked fine compared to the stainless. I also tried the crenelated bezel on it, again it produced a goofy pattern from the teeth that my other Malkoffs didn't.

Not a deal breaker, it's perfectly fine with the aluminum bezel. I have stainless bezels on my neutrals, the black aluminum bezel lets me know it's the Kōsen.

l'm not sure I would like 2700K, it would look pretty funky to me but you never know.

 

[Schokokeks]

I'd wager the SST-20 was throwing a touch further, as the really small SST-20 tends to do so.

So, the bezel thing is interesting. I'd noticed the Kosen reflector is a bit LESS "orange peeled" than the one on my SST-20 (the "dimples" in my SST-20 are smaller and more plentiful). Now, these were bought years apart, so maybe that's the difference, but I do kind of wonder if the reflector is ever-so-different, either from being newer, or for using the 519A (I'm skeptical of this, as that would REALLY increase the cost and complexity of using different emitters). Then again, if I look REALLY CAREFULLY, it looks like my SST-20 light is every so slightly proud, while my Kosen is ever-so-slightly recessed, so maybe it's just all the general tolerances of the acrylic?

But overall, I concur with what has been said; the MDC AA has awesome mode spacing, and the 8 lumens work really well with the reflector to be a lot more useful than you'd imagine from "only 8 lumens." That's why I've HALF JOKED that I'd be okay with a two mode MDC AA; low low and low.

 

[RWT1405]

I'd wager the SST-20 was throwing a touch further, as the really small SST-20 tends to do so.

But overall, I concur with what has been said; the MDC AA has awesome mode spacing, and the 8 lumens work really well with the reflector to be a lot more useful than you'd imagine from "only 8 lumens." That's why I've HALF JOKED that I'd be okay with a two mode MDC AA; low low and low.

For me, I'd say a (2) level of 3/15 lumens would be about perfect, for me

Again, for me

Under 1 lumen is basically useless, for me

Again, for me

 

[jonc2]

For me, I'd say a (2) level of 3/15 lumens would be about perfect, for me

Again, for me

Under 1 lumen is basically useless, for me

Again, for me

In some situations when working in a dark area, I'll leave it on the Low Low if I'm going to be using the light again. Easier to keep track of. An example would be setting up a tent, cooking on a picnic table or emergency car repairs.

3/15 would be great though!

 

[sledhead]

I’m hoping the .3 lumen would be great for midnight bathroom runs…. The 3 lumens on the V3 is a tad to bright for me.

 

[F89]

Thanks to JP, I was able to get a Wildcat 18650.
I’ve wanted one for a while but would have been a long time before I could consider purchasing one without finding a good deal.

Tried to get some decent beam shots but the rain messed with the focus on a fair few shots.

Anyway, here’s a few (none of which quite show what I intended to). Might have to try again another night.
4000K variety with filter removed.

 

[F89]

Got some more without rain.

 

[JP031716]

Looks good! Glad to see it used in such beautiful places.

 

[JP031716]

4000K variety with filter removed.

The 2° filter from the Hound Dog that I included produces just a tad more spill than just going full TIR throw. Not sure if you tried it yet but it does help to smooth out some of the artifacts from the TIR if those bother you at all.

 

[F89]

The 2° filter from the Hound Dog that I included produces just a tad more spill than just going full TIR throw. Not sure if you tried it yet but it does help to smooth out some of the artifacts from the TIR if those bother you at all.

Yes, I did try it. Thank you for including all the extra bits, by the way.
I only tried it inside and didn’t notice much difference compared to no filter. The beam is a bit funky with anything less than the heavy filter that’s intended for it but I have better options (with a much smaller head) for that amount of flood.

I suspect the lighter filter would make some difference outside where it’s able to stretch its legs a lot more. I actually went to put the lighter filter back in before I left but it slid off into oblivion amongst my mess somewhere and I didn’t have time to find it. Should turn up later I’d say.

Overall the Wildcat 18650 with no filter has a really useful outdoor beam. Adequate spill for walking and the beam works well on tight trails but also covers a large area in the open both by width and depth.

 

[md17]

Yes, I did try it. Thank you for including all the extra bits, by the way.
I only tried it inside and didn’t notice much difference compared to no filter. The beam is a bit funky with anything less than the heavy filter that’s intended for it but I have better options (with a much smaller head) for that amount of flood.

I suspect the lighter filter would make some difference outside where it’s able to stretch its legs a lot more. I actually went to put the lighter filter back in before I left but it slid off into oblivion amongst my mess somewhere and I didn’t have time to find it. Should turn up later I’d say.

Overall the Wildcat 18650 with no filter has a really useful outdoor beam. Adequate spill for walking and the beam works well on tight trails but also covers a large area in the open both by width and depth.

While I’d take an m91bw over a wildcat 18650 due to the versatility and power in a smaller size, the wildcat 18650 is a really unique beam with an awesome moderate low mode.

 

[ilikeguns40]

Malkoff/Kosen AA 1-2v 519a 2700k is a very nice light, especially around the house/middle of the night

 

[F89]

While I’d take an m91bw over a wildcat 18650 due to the versatility and power in a smaller size, the wildcat 18650 is a really unique beam with an awesome moderate low mode.

I’m guessing that the M91BW has around a quarter of the throw compared to a Wildcat 18650 minus filter.
I’ll be comparing in a couple of weeks or so; I’m expecting them to be quite different.

 

[Schokokeks]

Malkoff/Kosen AA 1-2v 519a 2700k is a very nice light, especially around the house/middle of the night
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Did you grab one of the M31WLL drop-ins?
How do you like that tint with the wonderful MDC AA mode spacing?

I have been resisting getting that one since I got a pair of M31's, haha
So, I've been living the single mode life in 2700k.

I'm kind of excited about winter time this year; it's going to be GORGEOUS.

 

[ilikeguns40]

Yeah I got the M31WLL 2700k as well. That’s paired with a 2xAA body. Very nice setup

Yeah the mode spacing with this 2700k is insanely good. Highly recommend getting one for sure, it’s one of my favorite lights

Been debating on the V3 2700k li-ion. 700 lumens of 2700k sounds great

 

[Schokokeks]

Yeah I got the M31WLL 2700k as well. That’s paired with a 2xAA body. Very nice setup

Yeah the mode spacing with this 2700k is insanely good. Highly recommend getting one for sure, it’s one of my favorite lights

Been debating on the V3 2700k li-ion. 700 lumens of 2700k sounds great

I think I like 2700K more than I expected. Initially, I was a bit sad when Nichia discontinued the 4500K 519A, but I'm finding the 2700K-4000K LEDs are actually very nice, too. 3500K was another surprising stand out. I like that it looks similar to the SST-20 at 4000K, but a bit less greenish - though, you know me, I do prefer a slight green tint to a rosier one.