Mini Maglite

T.K.C. said:
Just about everything else is BRIGHTER than any Maglight.
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most everyone here concedes that fact...what matters is what you're gonna use the flashlight for...for most people the extra firepower for what they're gonna use it for isn't worth the extra cost...
 
banana-clip said:
Which LED upgrade did you use for your maglight?

I have a 2D and want to upgrade it , but don't know which LED module to use for it.
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I bought the MagLite brand LED upgrade for 2C/D and it's been working great. tried it in my mom's 3C Mag but it doesn't work so make sure to match the LED to the number of cells. a Google search for "maglite led upgrade" should return some good places to get them.

Lowes used to carry them, thats where I got mine 3 years ago. But the last few times I've been in there they don't have any.

Heber
 
banana-clip said:
Which LED upgrade did you use for your maglight?

I have a 2D and want to upgrade it , but don't know which LED module to use for it.
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Do a search for the TerraLux kit. I have a a couple of co-workers (private security) that swear by 'em.
 
Hey doug, thanks for the flashlight! Received it today, it's mint. I looked at the package and my girlfriend asked what i sent myself, your hand writing is IDENTICAL to mine. I questioned it too. I've been looking for those roll stopping things you put on the head, did it come with it? Well, thanks again!
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
Hey doug, thanks for the flashlight! Received it today, it's mint. I looked at the package and my girlfriend asked what i sent myself, your hand writing is IDENTICAL to mine. I questioned it too. I've been looking for those roll stopping things you put on the head, did it come with it? Well, thanks again!
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Haha...everyone complains that they can't read my terrible handwriting. Glad someone can. I had the anti-roll thing laying around, I figured it would come in handy. I think it came with a different Mini Mag, but I don't use it much. Enjoy! :thumbup:
 
Mini Maglites aren't really all that bad. I mean, there are so many companies offering upgrades as well as custom work that some of these are actually pretty nice. Terralux offers dropins to raise the lumen output to either 140 or 50, which is quite useful compared to the stock bulb.

Then there are the Nite-Ize offerings, which tend to be a bit dated, employing Luxeon I emitters. The runtime increases dramatically compared to stock though, and the IQ switch is kind of nice.

However, even with these choices, I'd probably just go with one of the newer MiniMag LEDs, since they recently upgraded to a Luxeon Rebel, which, while still being a little dated, is much better than the Luxeon IIIs used earlier. Brightness increases somewhat, runtime jumps up, and, in the case of the D Mags, it can throw much further.

What I like about the Mini Maglites is that they are so slim and easy to carry. The beam profile tends to be kind of wonky though. If I want a flood-to-throw light, I'd probably just pick up a Romisen RC-C6 and use an RC-N3 body tube to allow use of a 2xAA configuration. Runtime would increase dramatically, brightness isn't too bad, but it's definitely much more bulky than a MiniMag.
 
Maglite is a nostalgia thing with me too. I still have my mini mag from 1985 or so, not used in 15 yrs. 4/D cell under the bed and a new mini-LED that I like for the price, but Surefire stuff has long since taken over.
 
BlackKnight86 said:
See if you can find yourself one of these:

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/opalec_newbeam.htm

It really improved my minimag as a worklight. I don't think it'll ever be a good "throw" light, though.

By the way, Flashlight Reviews is a good site (albeit not updated anymore). Read their review on the mini mag.
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I bought two of those , one for my 2-AA and one for my 3-D. The AA has since stopped working for some reason , I've taken it apart but cannot figure out why it pooped.
The 3-D version I was so disappointed with it's not even funny. The throw is pretty non-existent and what light you get close up just isnt worth carrying something that heavy around for. Seriously my no name , single AAA puts it to shame , which in itself is a shame because I would like to get my 3D up to par so I can put it to use. After buying my new Maratac AAA though I doubt I will bother with trying to save my old buddy 3D..

Tostig
 
I have a 4D LED maglite and a mini mag led 3 AA light. They both rock. God knows when was the last time I changed the batteries. They work and last a long time. both cost me a total of $40. Cant beat it for the price of $20 each. If you spend more money thats another story. lol Go with the LED Versions. Its 2 diffrent worlds.
 
Tostig said:
I bought two of those , one for my 2-AA and one for my 3-D. The AA has since stopped working for some reason , I've taken it apart but cannot figure out why it pooped.
The 3-D version I was so disappointed with it's not even funny. The throw is pretty non-existent and what light you get close up just isnt worth carrying something that heavy around for. Seriously my no name , single AAA puts it to shame , which in itself is a shame because I would like to get my 3D up to par so I can put it to use. After buying my new Maratac AAA though I doubt I will bother with trying to save my old buddy 3D..

Tostig
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If you bought "one for my 3-D", then they weren't Opalec NewBeams. Sounds like you bought two upgrade bulbs from Nite-Ize...I don't doubt you were disappointed. I have had no issues at all with my Opalecs.
 
Bought the Nite-Ize LED upgrade and end switch for my AA mini-mag three years back. The end cap switch failed after three or four uses. I returned the switch and got a replacement, which also lasted three or four uses before failing. Threw the second switch in the garbage. I do like the LED upgrade kit, but one of the LEDs has failed in that.

IMO the mini-mag is a fairly solid light but the advantages of other lights/brands makes them a bit obsolete.

In regards to the OP, I decided to keep all my lights either AA or AAA because of the cost, runtime and availability issues with the CR123 batts.
 
Mini Mags aren't bad its just that there are so many better options out there. I have 4 or 5 D cell Mags around for the wife or kids to use in case of need. I have a few of the LED Mini Mags that i keep available for them to use also.

It keeps them from grabbing one of my Surefires or Pelicans. But my most recent flashlight that I have started to carry everywhere is the Maratac. The 9290-AA runs on a single AA battery and gives off an amazing amount of light and I don't care about using up the battery since it is a AA. I also have the AAA version that is about the size of my pinky finger.

These are relatively inexpensive and are brighter and more convenient than the Mini Mags. Just my opinion of course.
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
I compared the LED to the normal and besides for longer batteries theres no difference in brightness really, not worth the extra 10$.
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I have not compared the larger MagLites side by side, but in the AA versions the LED is much, much brighter. Personally, I will not be buying another flash that isn't an LED from now on.

FWIW, I don't understand all the hate for the MagLite. I've used them for years and consider them one of the best flashlights around. Sure, they might not be the most cutting edge lights these days, but they are solid, reliable and reasonably priced and do everything I ask of a light.
 
The mini-mag is a nice little light, but I'd opt for the LED version. I used to go through bulbs like crazy with the incandescent versions.
 
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