Maglite Led Upgrade

[Woussko]

This isn't another LED flashlight. This is an upgrade for owners of Maglite brand C or D cell flashlights that hold 2, 3 or 4 cells. While I'm pretty sure this could be used in some non Maglite flashlights, I can't recommend doing so until I get a chance to try it out in several. It did make a very nice difference in my 2 D cell Maglite flashlight. Finally "Old Trusty" really shines bright. :)

http://maglite.com/LED_Mod.asp

Special note: "Old Trusty" is not a stock Maglite product. It was Woussko-ized into something special, but I never again am going through that mess over a darn flashlight. NO WAY

[Newman]

Here's some interesting reading...

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/maglite_mag-led.htm

[Woussko]

Looks like I should try a few tests of my own using a light meter. What I disagree on is the "big light drop" issue. I let mine run for 30 minutes non-stop and it was still nice and bright. Maybe there have been changes made for better cooling. I'll have to actually take measurements sometime. I also want to try letting it run non-stop until it does look dimmer and note the run time. What would be interesting is to find out once and for all which brand and type of alkaline D cells really do last the longest under this load. When I tried such a test using the Krypton gas filled bulbs that come standard, they burned out too quickly only to frustrate me. I could rig up a resistive load and Voltmeter and install D cells into a battery holder. I think I'll pass unless someone else wishes to buy everything needed.

[HVAC HAWK]

i got the led for a mini mag and it not as good as the regular bulb

[Woussko]

H H

Correct,,,They blew it there. The LED upgrade is for the C & D size flashlights where it seems (mine anyway) to work pretty well. Companies really need more in the field testing by regular people before going to market with new products.

[PhilG.]

Finally "Old Trusty" really shines bright. :)




I can't believe that anyone calls a MagLite "trusty".:D:D I have a drawer of them that don't work.:p They are just toys, however they do make a fair club! (but there are better clubs even)

Do yourself a favor and get a Pelican (http://pelican.com/home.php) or a Streamlight (http://www.streamlight.com/default.aspx) or a SureFire (http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/pgrfnbr/16/sesent/00) and you'll have a good, dependable light.

[Woussko]

"Old Trusty" is a highly modified MagLite 2 D cell flashlight. It works pretty well, but the efforts were sure not worth the price. Another pretty good basic flashlight is Bright Star. I give credit to Streamlight for all their work and fine products. I own several of their flashlights and also one of their LiteBox. All have been great.

I bet that Phil has the "Mini MagLite" such as the 2 AAA or 2 AA size. They are POC and POS junk for sure. Too much moola too.

Now I bet in the morning that I hear from the mean lawyers at Mag Instrument demand I never say another mean word about their products. If only all their hype were true.... What a product they would have then..... Does anyone remember the old origional all aluminum flashlights by Kel-Light <aka> Kelly Light? Streamlight when they used to make metal C & D cell flashlights just about copied them. I think but am not sure that Streamlight may have bought them up.

I look at my yellow & black Bright Star 2618HD and think that for the $$$ it's not bad at all.

[Newman]

I totally agree about the Mag Lights - they are way overrated.
I will only buy flashlights that use LED technology and have fully regulated circuitry. Incandescent bulbs are a thing of the past.

[PhilG.]

"Old Trusty" is a highly modified MagLite 2 D cell flashlight. It works pretty well, but the efforts were sure not worth the price. Another pretty good basic flashlight is Bright Star. I give credit to Streamlight for all their work and fine products. I own several of their flashlights and also one of their LiteBox. All have been great.

I bet that Phil has the "Mini MagLite" such as the 2 AAA or 2 AA size. They are POC and POS junk for sure. Too much moola too.

Now I bet in the morning that I hear from the mean lawyers at Mag Instrument demand I never say another mean word about their products. If only all their hype were true.... What a product they would have then..... Does anyone remember the old origional all aluminum flashlights by Kel-Light <aka> Kelly Light? Streamlight when they used to make metal C & D cell flashlights just about copied them. I think but am not sure that Streamlight may have bought them up.

I look at my yellow & black Bright Star 2618HD and think that for the $$$ it's not bad at all.


Hey, I have 16 various MagLites that I had from the 70's on from the solitaire to the six D cell in a couple of colors that I had spread out in my various vehicles. They all suck - there's not a single one that will work unless they are sent in for warranty work. Even if I did so, I'd still end up with a POS.
In the early 1980's I discovered Pelican and have not looked back.

They got us all Streamlight Strions StreamLight Strion (http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=3) for our tool bags. And while I like the Streamlights just fine they are way too fragile. One drop from waist height and the switch won't stay on for continuous use. Then, they warrantied it but took 12 weeks to get back! Then within a couple of hours use after it got back it leapt (do you think I'd admit dropping it?) from my tool bag and same thing all over again.

So Pelican exclusively gets my money these days. I've dropped their lights from 6'-12' heights on concrete and they still operate flawlessly.

Although those Streamlight Lite Boxes are awesome. They rock. All the local utility trucks and the firemen use them. I've seen them on all night and at the end of the night they are still producing good usable light.

I'm also considering an Inova 24/7 (http://www.inovalight.com/site.html?247-ov) because it is such an unusual and versatile light.

[Woussko]

Dang, You really have had bum luck with Maglite unless it's personal which I doubt. My luck hasn't been near as bad, but for the money they (as per factory) leave loads to be desired. Pelican is an interesting line for sure. Have you seen this one by Streamlight. Maybe as a gift (They cost too much) you might like one to try out sometime.
http://streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=20

Their Strion isn't for people that are ruff on them. They are more what I call a "pocketbook" flashlight.

This one makes a good head basher and I'm sure has been used many times for just that. I like the idea of it being more of a window buster in an emergency, but people will be people.
http://streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=13

[PhilG.]

All those right angle lights are cool.

The Survivor (http://www.streamlight.com/product/class.aspx?cid=7), the Big Ed (http://pelican.com/lights_detail.php?recordID=3750), and the Responder (http://www.flashlight.com/products_detail.asp?cat=2) are awesome heavy duty lights. These types are usually used by the firemen and are made to be totally reliable - ie - no cheap switches.
But those are kind of high priced, but then they are more like a tool than a consumer light.

[Woussko]

Take a look at this sometime.

http://www.flashlight.com/lighthawk.asp There's both a video and a .PDF file. It looks like Streamlight has their work cut out catching up. Before I would put down that much $$$, I would like to find out how they do after a year of so of hard use out in the field.

http://www.flashlight.com/pdf/07800.pdf (The big bright one)

http://www.flashlight.com/pdf/07810.pdf (Lighter weight and gets the job done)

Normally when I think of Bright Star (The old timer of flashlights) this is what comes to mind and everyone can afford one of these. http://www.flashlight.com/pdf/1925.pdf - of if the $$$ is really tight, then maybe this one. http://www.flashlight.com/pdf/2618.pdf

And for anyone into electrical work, you really should have one of these in your tool collection. http://www.flashlight.com/pdf/2618CT.pdf

[PhilG.]

These guys (http://www.fultonindoh.com/flashlight.php) also make good (cheap) stuff. They make the military contract lights.

[HVAC HAWK]

now I'm not saying it is the best but i have a 3 d mag light that is 17 yrs old and it was a black one but now it is silver . i never had a problem other then the lens and i got new ones . it fell off roofs ,down stairs you name it . i have used it as a hammer to.
I'm sure there are better out there but if it ain't broke don't replace it .

the 2aa lights are good if you have the light on your belt for service work .

[Home Improvement Solution]

Have to say my Mag Lites have served me well. I have a 4D and a 5D. Both have performed flawlessly for years. In fact, I dropped the 4D off of a dock while fishing at night. It sank to the bottom (about 8 feet) and remained lit! I managed to "fish it out" (it was down there for at least 30 mins) with some fishing line and a speaker magnet from my nephews truck. It still works perfectly to this day! Had a Streamlight poly stinger that worked for a short time until the switch went out. It was a VERY bright light though while it worked. Still have my Streamlight Maxmillion spotlight after 5 years. I had to replace the bulb twice and the battery once. The battery was rather large so I rigged up my own with rechargeable lithium ion bats from an R/C car. Still working great! I have not seen the LED upgrade for my 5D cell Mag Lite though.

[cactusman]

Finally the folks at mag-lite have entered the LED world! I have a myriad of LED/Luxeon led flashlights from 1w to 5w.

BUT.. The new 3w AA mag-lite is excellent. I found it at Lowe's for $22.00
It has a focus-able beam. It will run for many hours on two AA batteries.

The new light though is slightly longer than the well known AA mag-lite.
I have a few of those too but added terralux 1w modules in them and I have not changed batteries in over a year! Yes I use them too!

The new 3w mag-lite does throw a nice white beam. As some of you know some LED lights, earlier produced luxeon leds, and imitations are known to throw anything from blue, purple or green hued light.
The 3w mag-lite is "white"

Cactus Man

[Woussko]

I went for the Maglite upgrade kits for 2 D and 4 D cell flashlight. They do make a nice slightly blue white light and a good shaped spot. As for battery life I have not yet tried any A-B tests. I got them mostly because of the big difference in light output and quality of light.

[Bob D.]

I can't believe that anyone calls a MagLite "trusty".:D:D I have a drawer of them that don't work.:p They are just toys, however they do make a fair club! (but there are better clubs even)

Do yourself a favor and get a Pelican (http://pelican.com/home.php) or a Streamlight (http://www.streamlight.com/default.aspx) or a SureFire (http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/pgrfnbr/16/sesent/00) and you'll have a good, dependable light.


I have carried a mini-MagLite at work for over 15 years (the same one), and it has not failed me. Yes, I have had bulbs burn out but never a problem with the workings of the light itself. It's been dropped down through two levels of grating to the lower elevation concrete floor and except for the bulb it works fine.

I have a 5D MagLite that I keep in the truck that I bought in 1981. I had to clean the battery compartment because I left the batteries in too long once but other than that it has been flawless. It stays in the truck all year long, heat, cold, whatever. I replaced the batteries once a year now (learned my lesson) and it keeps on ticking.

I also have a streamlight rechargeable that I keep in the other truck and it has been a great performer also.

[Frankiarmz]

I went for the Maglite upgrade kits for 2 D and 4 D cell flashlight. They do make a nice slightly blue white light and a good shaped spot. As for battery life I have not yet tried any A-B tests. I got them mostly because of the big difference in light output and quality of light.

I did the LED conversion on my 3 D cell Maglite and with rechargeable NIMH batteries it stayed well lit for just about 24 hours. Amazing! For the price the Maglite is a well made instrument. I also did the terralux 3watt upgrade on my AA mini mag and it is now a very powerful flashlight providing several hours of brilliant light. However anyone interested in a truly small and extremely powerful LED flashlight should check out the Olight T-20. 160 lumens, five levels of light output, runs on 123A 3 volt batteries. I got the rechargeable ones from Battery Junction.com.

[gfezz]

For any of you interested in battery testing and/or the finer points of flashlight technology,
visit www.candlepowerforums.com and take your time as there is information overload.

I made the mistake of going there years ago and now own dozens of flashlights,
most are custom built or DIY pocket flame throwers.

There is more info on battery technology and chemistries there than you will ever care to know.

Those who are addicted to shiny gadgets should approach with caution and sew your wallets shut!

Once a person realizes that flashlights are definately a tool, and an enhancement to one of your six senses, (remember it gets dark every night), it becomes apparent that the Maglite is just an entry level flashlight or a host for further modification.

During your next Home Depot visit, stop at the flashlight rack and check out the
Coast Led Lenser. This is a led with a focusing optic using 3AAA cells. The price will make
most of you choke but I use this daily and would not think of giving it up.

I never ever leave the house without 2 working light sources, one being a key chain light.

I mean, how much is it worth to be able to see when you need to?

[Woussko]

When you need a real blaster here is one to check out. This is one wild light. The video demo doesn't do it right. I got to try one for real at a fire equipment dealer lighting up a dark hallway. Next to the older LightBox this is like WOW.
http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=128

Warning: Keep wallet locked up in your car or truck. This is not cheap.