Maglite LED?

I haven't bought a MagLite since I discovered SureFire. I still see no need for a MagLite for me, as there are smaller and far brighter lights then any MagLite. But, that is just me. If you like them, that is wonderful. They are just not for me.
 
jzmtl said:
I just ordered a malkoff drop in for my 3d mag, suppose to have 240 lumens from emitter, I'll see how much brighter is it compare to my mag LED, or mag incan. :D
Click to expand...

Yes, that is one HECK of a drop-in. Very impressive.
Must...resist...temptation...

Of course, for a similar overall cost ($120), you could get this, which weighs 3.5lbs in the NiMh version, and pushes 600 lumens on high, or 290L on low:

http://pelican.com/lights_detail_specs.php?recordID=3850N

Or...sorry to stray off topic...and, this isn't incan...but...

You want light? Weight is allegedly 3.5lbs (seems a bit low), cost is about $150, and puts out 3,200 lumens: the Amondotech N30 HID:

http://www.monstermarketplace.com/Electronics/Landing990a1129.html

This is about 21.3 lumens/dollar, where the Malkoff, at 240 lumens and $75, is 3.2 lumens/dollar.
The HID is also rechargeable, and the cost of the Malkoff does not include the Maglite host, which would be $20 - $30 or so, so my figures are generous.


:D
 
Or for a nice Surefire size, the Rayovac 3 Watt, which compares well enough to a G2 I use it for a primary light.

The comparable 6 C cell incandescent Maglite is now a kid's light for walking the dog, and a better expedient nightstick. Large format D and C lights may have runtime (years?) with the LED's, but I have no anticipated need for that to justify lugging one around.
 
If you' re going to use the Mag 3 or 2 AA LED lites, you need to get the Enegizer 15 minute quick charge kit for use with rechargeable nickle metal hydrides. I use the 2500 mAh capacity and they run a looong time without any noticeable drop in brightness. The stock 2 AA LED is rated at 4.5 hours according to the manufacturer. The 3 AA model will run longer. For general purpose use without much bulk these LED Mags are a good choice. And their 3 watt rating is very bright. Bright enough to i.d. what' s on the road ahead of you about 10 away when commuting on a bicycle. If you are concerned about the non "moon mode" feature, you can carry a set of fresh batts on your person if your primarys go poof! But most of us would do good to carry a small keychain size light on our person as a backup. My Maglite Solitaire (1 AAA) with Super MJ LED drop in unit fits the bill real nice.

N.

www.dozierknives.com/forum
 
I'm in the market for a good flashlight around the size of the 2 AA mini maglite. I've noticed that maglite makes an led version of the mini maglite, and there are several after market upgrades that convert the mini maglite to led. What upgrades are available, and between the different upgrades and the version from maglite, what is the best?
 
pedalinbob said:
Yes, that is one HECK of a drop-in. Very impressive.
Must...resist...temptation...

Of course, for a similar overall cost ($120), you could get this, which weighs 3.5lbs in the NiMh version, and pushes 600 lumens on high, or 290L on low:

http://pelican.com/lights_detail_specs.php?recordID=3850N

Or...sorry to stray off topic...and, this isn't incan...but...

You want light? Weight is allegedly 3.5lbs (seems a bit low), cost is about $150, and puts out 3,200 lumens: the Amondotech N30 HID:

http://www.monstermarketplace.com/Electronics/Landing990a1129.html

This is about 21.3 lumens/dollar, where the Malkoff, at 240 lumens and $75, is 3.2 lumens/dollar.
The HID is also rechargeable, and the cost of the Malkoff does not include the Maglite host, which would be $20 - $30 or so, so my figures are generous.


:D
Click to expand...


I already have a mag w/ UCL, so that's one of the reasons I went with mag drop in. Besides, it slaughters the other two on runtime, 3200 lumen is no good when batteries are dead. :D
 
I personally LOVE the MagLED 2C. It has become my most used light, next to a Minimag with a simple Niteize-Dropin. I don't drink the "60Lumen is tactical!" and "only lithium!" kool-aid anymore...
Crees, Rebels, Luxeons, 1W, 3W, 5W, 7W and HID come and go - I still use the two Mags, plus a 6D and a Magcharger. I think that's all I'll ever need. The magcharger is almost overkill to me...
 
I've owned and used a 2AA LED MagLite for about 8 months now. I upgraded the crappy plastic lens to a glass one for a couple of bucks.

Uses common batteries, strong aluminum body, bomb-proof reliable cam/twist switch, nice white tint, American made (if that matters to you), decent runtime for the available technology used, and cheap!

I have far more expensive lights, but the LED Mag is the one that sits in the kitchen drawer and is used the most often (other than my Arc AAA Snow). Sure there are smaller and brighter lights out there, but once you quit chasing the "New Emitter Bin of the Month" you realize that Mags are good, solid tools. Adding relatively recent LED technology made them even better.
 
Doc: Yup, my wife loves the 2c model--has it sitting right next ot the couch where she sits.
It has a nice feel and balance.

Symphony: I couldn't agree more. I did post some fairly minor concerns, but the MagLED really is still an excellent light.
In all honesty, after using Mags for over 20 years, I haven't had a single failure (other than a few blown bulbs--the Minimags were notorious for weak and short-lived bulbs).
 
I have several of the new Maglite LED lights in AA, 2D and 3D. They are GREAT lights and have great throw with a white beam. I also have several Surefire LED lights. The Surefire lights are nice but for the price difference I really think Maglite hit a homerun with their new lights.
 
I'd like to add, spare parts cost almost nothing and are readily available, even in Germany. Mags are easy to repair by yourself. And if the LED-Dropin dies, you still have an incandescent spare bulb in the tailcap.

Try to repair a Surefire LED in a SHTF scenario by yourself, good luck! :)
 
mister_wilburn said:
Does anyone have experience with the 'new' Maglite LED combination? I was taking a look at them online and thinking about picking one up. How does the beam compare to my surefire? The 2D cell would be my pick, large enough to bang stuff and small enough for my assault pack.
Click to expand...

MagLites are really good value dor money - they are well built/tough for the money - use regular easily available batteries
- well.... at least for their incandecent lights.

Unfortunately LEDs have kind of left them a bit lagging - not by much -
but the differential is just not as large when comparing their incandecents - at least IMHO.

But draw your own conclusions -

MagLite 2C/2D 4D 3W LED drop-in Technical Review
a very comprehensive study - where it was revealed that the MagLED start off very bright (for a 3W Luxeon3) - but drops fairly quickly within minutes to a more steady state (which is still brighter than the incandecent equivalent) - this is due to (over) heating protection because there is virtually no heat-sinking.

Maglite Mag-LED: 2, 3, and 4 cell modules at FlashlightReviews
also found the same thing - and considers the 3-cell module/MagLED flashlight to be the sweet spot - look more carefully at the 2 cell version.

The MagLED flashlights are basically the regular incandecent ones with these LED drop-in modules (the lights even retain the spare incandecent bulb in the tailcap).

With the introduction of the Cree XE-R and Philips LumiLED's own Rebel series - the Luxeon LEDs (which the MagLEDs are based on) have kind of been left behind..... for example the Fenix L2D CE (link to review) on 2AA cells is going to be brighter and has different brightness levels/modes - but this is $56.50 compared to about $36 for the MagLED 2D at a local WalMart.....

But if one is not always looking for the latest hi-tech thing - the MagLED D size series still seem like a pretty good deal.

For more research look at the comparison chart for throw and overall output at FlashlightReviews.
The larger headed Mags (C and D cell) have always had very good throw, due to the large well designed reflectors.

--
Vincent
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