Preface
The MDC (Malkoff Daily Carry) Series was first released by Malkoff Devices, Inc. back in 2013 and has been fine-tuned over the years through several drivers & pocket clip iterations.
The Malkoff MDC HA 1AA (Malkoff Malkoff Daily Carry Hard Anodized 1AA) is one of the many models available in the MDC Series lineup.
Let’s check out the merits and demerits of this Malkoff MDC HA 1AA model.
Note: This review is based on the Cool White version, there is also a Neutral White version available.
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- Packaging is fairly minimalist with the signature “Malkoff” box and “ziplock” bag.
- The “ziplock” bag comes labelled with the model and type of flashlight purchased (MDC 1AA Cool).
- The threads and o-rings were mildly lubricated. Threads were rather smooth and clean (no gritty feeling).
- The threads are e-series compatible which makes this light compatible with all of the other e-series flashlight heads and bodies.
- Anodizing of the light is uniform without any missing specs.
- Black clip is not reversible and are held down firmly by 2 x Hex screws.
- The pocket clip has sufficient tension to ensure that the light will stay clipped to any material to prevent the light from falling out.
- The tail switch (McClicky) requires a slightly firm press to activate and is almost impossible to accidental activate in pocket due to the recessed tail.
- Utilises a reflector from McGizmo which has one of the best reflector-based beam profiles around.
- Fully potted electronics for hard usage and will withstand abuse from recoil (if attached as a weaponlight).
- No holster and/or lanyard are provided.
- The battery compartment’s negative terminal has a battery bumper that will absorb and shield the switch from being crushed, in the event of any severe impacts from the battery during drops/hard usage.
- Battery compartment holds the provided non-proprietary Sony AA Alkaline battery with sufficient room for a slightly thicker battery width. It can hold Sanyo/Panasonic AA Eneloops, Energiser Ultimate Lithium (L91) and (Energiser and Duracell) AA alkaline batteries without any fitment issues.
Box:
Side:
Box Contents:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Black HAIII Aluminium
- LED Options:
- Cree XP-G2 Cool White (6200K)
- Cree XP-G2 Neutral White (4000K)
- Battery Format (Voltage Range: 0.8V to 1.7V): 1 x AA (1.2V NiMH rechargeable/1.5V lithium primary batteries/1.5V alkaline [not recommended]) ONLY
- Cool White Output & Runtime (with 1 x AA NiMH 2000mAh battery):
- LowLow – (0.3 lumens / 8days 8h)
- Low – (9 lumens / 18h)
- High – (115 lumens / 1h)
- Neutral White Output & Runtime (with 1 x AA NiMH 2000mAh battery):
- LowLow – (0.3 lumens / 8days 8h)
- Low – (8 lumens / 18h)
- High – (90 lumens / 1h)
- Waterproofness: Rating not available
- Dimension: 114.3mm (length) x 25.4mm (head diameter)
- NO battery reverse polarity protection
- Made in USA. Some parts not domestically sourced.
- Accessories Included:
- 1*Sony AA Alkaline battery
- 1*Clip
- Optional accessories:
- MDC SS Bezel Ring – MSRP: $21.99
- MDC SS Crenelated Bezel Ring – MSRP: $26.99
- MDC Bezel Tool (for removing/replacing current Bezel Ring) – MSRP: $21.99
- Battery Bumper Kit – MSRP: $4.00
- MDC Lens Kit – MSRP: $4.00
- MSRP: $113.99
Note: Although Voltage Range is stated as 1V to 2V on the MDC HA 1AA head, it is best limited to within from 0.8V to 1.7V. Voltages greater than 1.7V may cause unstable operation of modes and more than 3.3V may damage this flashlight.
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is perfect for Every Day Carry (EDC) or Bug-Out Bag (BOB) light as it is extremely simple and straightforward to use.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the tail mechanical switch on the light, so momentary activation is possible.
Normal Operation
This flashlight uses an ON time mode memory of ~1 second:
- If the light is switched ON for more than 1 second, the next mode will revert back to LOWLOW.
- If the light is switched ON for less than 1 second, the next mode will advance based to the mode cycling (LOWLOW, LOW, HIGH ⇒ LOWLOW, LOW, HIGH) accordingly [e.g. if in LOW mode, the next mode will be HIGH].
From OFF (if the light is switched ON for more than 1 second previously):
- 1 * 1/2 Press – Direct access to LOWLOW.
- 1 Click – Direct access to LOWLOW.
- 2 * 1/2 Press (>~0.15 secs between each Press) – Direct access to LOW; Full Press to select LOW.
- 3 * 1/2 Press (>~0.15 secs between each Press) – Direct access to HIGH; Full Press to select HIGH.
- Multiple 1/2 Press (<~0.15 secs between each Press) – Light will stick in current mode and will not switch to the next mode.
From ON:
- 1 Click – Light will switch OFF.
- 2 Clicks – Mode change (light cycles through LOWLOW, LOW, HIGH ⇒ LOWLOW, LOW, HIGH).
Form Factor
For flashlights that are intended to use on a daily basis (EDC)/tactical EDC or BOB and for possibly a long period of time, form factor is extremely important.
This light feels well balanced (not head/tail-heavy) and the body portion fits perfectly in a clenched medium sized hand, leaving the thumb to fall exactly onto the tail switch for easy activation.
There is no knurling on this light as it was designed mainly for pocket carry (makes it easier to slip in and out of pocket) and knurling tends to damage one’s pocket (i.e. not fabric-friendly) in the long run. That said, the ridges on the body with the included pocket clip still enables the light to be somewhat “grippy”, even with wet hands/gloves.
The pocket clip attachment protrudes out of the tail very slightly but the light can tail-stand without much issue.
E-Series Compatibility
What makes this Malkoff MDC HA 1AA Flashlight and any of the other flashlight from the MDC range for that matter, is its e-series compatibility. The E-series was probably first brought about by Surefire with their E-series flashlights (e.g. E1E, E2E, E1B and etc.).
Here are some photos to depict the E-Series compatibility.
Note: Despite the modularity due to the e-series compatibility, it is worth noting that the MDC HA 1AA’s head has a recommended voltage range from 0.8V to 1.7V only and anything above 3.3V would cause damage to the driver.
Ti VME Malkoff Valiant Concepts Head
McGizmo Haiku
McGizmo Mule
McGizmo SunDrop XR-U
McGizmo Makai
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the McGizmo light orange peel reflector. With the LED used, the beam is still sufficiently “throwy” for recognizing items in the up-close to near range distance.
The main beam has a rather distinct hotspot with some slight corona and a rather wide usable (almost circular) spill. It also helps that the LED is perfectly centred in this sample. There is no rings in the main beam when white wall hunting. However, there are 3 notches on the edge of the spill beam profile (due to the bezel ring) but is not visible in real world usage.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings (LOWLOW: 10sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, LOW: 1.6sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB and HIGH: 1/2sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB).
Some pictures have been adjusted slightly to depict as close as to what is seen in real life. The distance of the light from the door is 4.6m.
Control shot:
LOWLOW (0.3 lumens):
LOW (9 lumens):
HIGH (115 lumens):
Mode (Output) Spacing
Mode spacing appears to be progressively brighter to the eye and the modes are well spaced enough to be able to know which mode one is currently in. With that in mind, TLR tend to view mode spacing as battery life indicators (amount of runtime left) rather than the specific output (lumens).
The LOWLOW mode of 0.3 lumens is essentially called a moonlight mode and is perfect for night-adjusted eyes and midnight snack runs.
Some might prefer a higher LOW mode (9 lumens), but it is actually rather perfect for indoor and up-close usages, even in urban settings.
Tint & CRI
Malkoff Devices, Inc. stated that the tint (color temperature) is 6200K but did not disclose the CRI (Color Rendering Index) for the LED used in their light. For this light, a guesstimate would be in the 70CRI ballpark.
There are tint shifts throughout the beam profile. The hotspot is almost cool white whilst the corona possess a slight yellow-green tint; and the spill having a slight purple tint.
This is however, not as noticeable in real life.
Waterproofness
Even though there is no official rating for the light, we went ahead to test it like as though it was rated for IPX8.
The light was subjected to warm water submersion, followed by cold water submersion and left under room temperature running water tap whilst running on HIGH.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, switch or body was seen.
Lockout Capability
No electronic lockout but mechanical lockout is possible when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
A quarter turn (clockwise) of the head will enable mechanical LOCKOUT.
Scale Comparison (Ruler)
Summary
To sum up, we believe that the most important part of any review is if given the chance to purchase the same light for our own usage or to gift to our loved ones out from one’s pocket (wallet), would we still do it?
For this light, it is a definite YES, if the tint shift is not an issue for your usage.
The fully potted electronics (and its corresponding durability it provides), straightforward UI, solid clip & retention, McClicky switch, reflector from McGizmo, battery bumper to protect both the battery & switch during drops/hard usage and E-Series compatibility are all plus points for this flashlight.
That said, it would be nice if the light came with a SS bezel (black like the clip is) as standard to make the light even more durable than it already is.
Here are some of the other flashlight options that uses 1 AA battery.
From Left to Right: Provided Sony Alkaline AA battery, Streamlight ProTac 90, ReyLight Ti Lan V3, Fenix LD12 2017, ASP Guardian AA DF and Malkoff MDC HA 1AA.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light & battery were provided for by Malkoff Devices, Inc. for this review. No other compensation was provided.
Where to Buy Links
Disclaimer: The link to the MDC HA 1AA does not contain any affiliate or tracking links.
Malkoff MDC HA 1AA
Malkoff Devices: Click Here
Available Discount Coupon Codes
- Click HERE to view our complete list of discount Coupon Codes.