Mini Maglite...

fedaykincmndr

fedaykincmndr

Joined
Aug 3, 2004
Messages
971
I see a lot of folks use em; they're cheap, easy to feed, etc., but how useful are they? I've just never had the spine to try one in the field. I used to use a regular maglite but that was before I found all these fancy, uber-kool gadget lights. So, a sound-off if you please, who uses them and how effective do you find they are? All around; such as signaling, finding things, finding your way, etc.? Thanks in advance!
 
If you're talking about the 2-AA battery models, they worked great. Nice size, bright. Only problem was I couldn't feed it batteries fast enough so I quit using it. That is, until I converted it to an LED light. The spot/flood feature is gone but not having dead batteries all the time more than makes up for it.
 
I have several Mini-M*glights converted to LEDs. They work OK, much better than the standard bulb, but I would never buy another. All my M*glights are at least 15 years old. The technology is ancient and M*g does business in a way I don't care for. For outdoors use a headlamp works best for me though I sometimes carry a Gerber or a Fenix light.
 
At one time they were great toolbox lights, late 80s or early 90s. They went through batteries and bulbs. For outdoor stuff I carried a pelican light forget which one now. Currently my light on the belt is a Gerber Tri-Tac, easy on batteries and cost under 30 bucks.

The larger Mag-lites 3 D cell and bigger make great clubs
 
i agree with will62 , 3D or larger mag is a great self defense tool with a light on it, but old tech, i have a rechargeable stinger in all of my vehichles and the pelican work great ,i have a gerber LED for my PSK.
 
I dont know the one I have I love, built well and I use it almost ever day and haven't changed the battries for, 3 months.
 
I love the Mag with the LED converstion. Battries last lonnnnnnnng time. It also well build for me. About 2 months ago i got he MAG with the 3w led. I love that light small cheap and bright. Later i found that they make the 3w with 3AA that would be so much better. The basic 2AA mag with LEDs would be a great EDC light. Last long time easy to find battries and it take only 2 of them. I used one for many night hikes and some of the hikes were in the canyons. I never felt that its not enough of light. I also do Geocaching at night its just bright enough to find the caches and not get everyone else attention from a block away.

Sasha
 
I tried the conversion kits (to LED) and they work not too badly. But, I bought a factory made Mini Mag 2AA LED and they are great. Really bright light for the price. It's my EDC light when in the bush (with an Inova X1 back up). I've read that there have been problems with intermittent operation and I experienced it happening. I discussed this with a sales rep from a local outdoor store and she said that I needed to change batteries. I said, "How can that be? If I hit it, it comes on as bright as usual." Long story short - she was right. Must be due to some voltage regulator circuit or other.

Head lights are very practical, but I just don't like them.

Doc
 
I say get your self a LED headlight. They are very bright, hands free operation, battery last a long time, and there are reasonable priced. I bought my princeton tec for $25.00.
 
They work OK, but only OK. I hung on to the old stuff as long as I could, then I spotted a Dorcy (cheap I know) Super 1 watt luxeon light that is regulated. Target had them for $19.95 and still do I think. It made a believer out of me and the new LED technology. Smaller, brighter, more efficient, so in a word..........better.
 
i also purchased a headlamp, i think it was $12 at wally world (energizer brand), 2 white leds & 1 red led runs on 2 AA batteries and i really don't care for head lamp but i modified mine slightly, removing the straps and re attaching the head lamp to my Knife sheath since this brand is cheap/waterproof/and the LED setup can rotate or flip out for different angles of light , it works very well for piddling at night attached to my sheath and not shining in my buddies eyes while talking .
 
Longbow, have you ever tried any of the no name stuff they have at Target? They all look really ergonomic for pocket carry, LED, and they're about half the price of an INOVA. Anyone else have any experience with these? They come in the green and silver clampacks.

I have a couple of INOVAs (an X5 and one AA, X1 I think) and they're not very reliable as far as coming on and staying on.
 
I've owned a few Maglite products, specifically the Solitaire and the 2AA Mini. They're fine for what they are, but seriously, I think technology has passed them by. Their ability to focus the beam from a spot to a flood is cool, but I place more weight on reliability, and longer burn time, both with batteries, and bulb.

The other day I got a 21led flashlight from Amazon...for $7 plus s/h:

http://www.amazon.com/GIANT-Light-P...62-4788024?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1181591688&sr=8-2

This thing is bright--easily brighter than my Inova X5. I won't go so far to say that it's brighter than my SF G2, but, I will say that the burn time is longer, it's cheaper to feed (AAA batts.) and I won't need to worry about replacing bulbs.

Now there are some caveats--it may not be waterproof to 100 feet, etc., but for the cost, the item is practically in the "disposable" range. The same manufacturer sells 9 LED flashlights for $3 (!).

These are definitely worth a look.
 
Hey Guys..

Like everyone has said pretty much already,, either convert one to LED or buy the LED version..

They are pretty much useless with the incandesant bulb, the LED will last a Very long time..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
I have an AA Maglite with the LED bulb and a headstrap to use it hands free. This is my main light. When I'm not using it camping, I use it in my garage when working on vehicles or I store it on board my motorcycle in case of a break down.

I have a second one in the car that I have not yet converted to LED. Until then, it is basically an aluminum tube in which to store dead batteries!
 
fedaykincmndr said:
I have a couple of INOVAs (an X5 and one AA, X1 I think) and they're not very reliable as far as coming on and staying on.
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Are you talking about that push-button-rubber-switch-doohickey on the end? It barely works on my X1. I thought I just had a bad piece. I always have to twist the tailcap to use the light.
 
I've read from several people that use the Inova how great they are. The Dorcy lights have been very dependable for me. I did buy one of the keyring Inova lights and it works great.
 
fedaykincmndr said:
Longbow, have you ever tried any of the no name stuff they have at Target? They all look really ergonomic for pocket carry, LED, and they're about half the price of an INOVA. Anyone else have any experience with these? They come in the green and silver clampack.
Click to expand...

There is a line of lights that target sells, don't know the color of the clampacks, but they are supposed to be low line Inova lights and they sell for about half as much. I've only read this on another site and don't actually have any experience with them, but getting the name of the line and doing a bit of investigation might be worth the effort if they prove to be any good.
 
The AA Mini Mags are real nice, and when they are converted to LED, can be very reliable and the batteries have a very long service life. They also are compatible with both mag and my Surefire E2 filter set as well. Very low, but still useful output with filters. Pretty rugged light, and not expensive if lost.
 
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