Thinking of Maglite

thejamppa

thejamppa

Joined
Aug 20, 2009
Messages
2,907
Hi all!

I've had few Maglite's (AA and Solitaire) but they were replaced by Fenix and Streamlight. However I am looking now a bit bigger Maglite 2D or 3D variant perhaps, since I keep loosing those smaller lights.

I am not really sure which Model I would buy and which would be good for home use and for cabin use. I was thinking something in the line of regular 2D or 3D maglite's as they're pretty cheap (and they got metallic green in color ^^ ) or then Maglite LED version.

Or are there something alternatives? My Budget would be under $70 and I do take recomendations of other brand flashlights. But Maglite is pretty solid brand. Made in U.S.A. good warranties, excellent availability in natively and good product history.

My requirements:
- Sturdy. Must survive rough handeling.
- Spill proof at least. I am not going to dive with this, but it would need to last in dense rain.
- good battery life time
- regular size batteries
- Big enough to not be lost under few blanks of paper or under mattress ( where I did found after 3 weeks one of my smaller flashlights )
- Solid feeling in the hand. (goes in sturdy too but still)
- Good warranties
- good building quality

I think Maglite cover's most of these. I am very n00b when it comes to flashlights. All help and recomendations are greatly appreciated.
 
I've had nothing but trouble out of those new Maglites. You twist the head to turn them on/off. The connection is faulty on the ones I've had and they flicker and stop a lot when in use. The type with a positive on and off button should be better, I'd think.
 
I loved my four D-cell Maglite when I was on the force, but I have to admit that it probably saw more use as a baton than as a flashlight. Now that I'm retired, I've been extremely happy with my little SureFire.
 
I've used Maglites (both big and small) for years and never had any real problems with them. It sounds like what you want in one of the D-Cell LED lights.

2xd-LED-250.gif


They come in 2, 3 and 4 cell models and a number of colors. All can be had for less than $50. A great flash when size and weight are not a factor (or you want a flash that can double as a big club!)
 
Yep, I have a 3-D cell mag-light that got converted to LED with one of the conversion kits. The LED seems to run forever on a set of batteries. Its a great flashlight for throwing in the vehicle or on a boat. Never seems to give me problems. The D-cell ones have the button on them, which I agree with the other posts, works much better then the ring on/off on the mini-mags.

Doesn't throw light as well as the fancy flashlights, but it is robust, relatively inexpensive and works forever when powered by them big batteries.
 
not sure about the price, but my next light will either be;

Fenix tk-40 (throw)or

Olight M30. (flood)

Fenix = 8AA

Olight = 3 or 4 cr123's, or 2 18650's.

Both are 600-700 lumens.

My one light at the moment is a fenix tk-12 and it kick's ass!

I just want the next level..........;)
 
Thanks a lot information. I need to do heavy googling. My Brother gave me link where this guy makes 1D Maglite mod's and customizes them. They look nice.
 
I've got a really old maglite that takes two double A batteries and quite honestly its overall the best flashlight I've ever owned. I like the Photon II mini but really the most durable tried and true light I have is that maglite and its the one I go to when I need a light quick or when we have a storm and the power goes out. Tough as nails too and so tough it could easily double as a pommel if you needed it to.

STR
 
I have a 2C cell Maglight, a 2D cell maglight, and 2 3D cell maglights all with maglight LED upgrades installed. Wonderfully sturdy, bright, long lasting lights. If anyone has an old incandescent bulbed maglight, go spend the $20 and breathe new life into it. It really changes the light. I carry an iTP C7T AT work, but my 2C cell LED Maglight (which I found and then upgraded) is on my bedside table.
 
Get a regular incandescent Maglite and put a Malkoff replacement LED bulb into it. Malkoffdevices.com
 
If you want to stick with the Mag-Lite, I would recommend either picking up a Nite-Ize drop-in with IQ tail cap switch, or simply getting one of the newer LED AA models with four modes. They're great starting lights and, while they aren't particularly bright nor throw very far, are still very functional.

As for your requirements, you can always pick up a Surefire G2 LED for that price, but that would require CR123A batteries. Perhaps one of those 4Sevens Quark flashlights would fit the bill. Haven't read anything but good about those so far.
 
For $70, buy a 4 cell "C" Maglite and a SureFire G2. The C cell Maglite is a little better in terms of weight, heft, and body diameter IMHO then the D-cell models; you trade a little battery life for better handling. The SureFire G2 at ~$35 is a great complement to the Maglite.
 
Sid Post said:
For $70, buy a 4 cell "C" Maglite and a SureFire G2. The C cell Maglite is a little better in terms of weight, heft, and body diameter IMHO then the D-cell models; you trade a little battery life for better handling. The SureFire G2 at ~$35 is a great complement to the Maglite.
Click to expand...

I use the 3D cell as the alternative is the 2D. C cell mags are not available. Mine has been going strong for 10 years now and with a Zenon bulb the beam can be very narrow and carry a very long way so that is a keeper. A thinner handle is desirable and I would like to get the 3C cell in LED if we ever get them here.

I have a G2 that really compliments the others.
 
3D with rechargable D batteries, a P7 or MC-E LED, heatsink and some very easy modding. In the end you have a 800+ lumen LED maglite that will run for a long time and cost about the same as any other high output light thats out their. If you don't like to mod thing though theirs always Malkoff.
 
I have a very tried and true 2D plain ol' Maglite that I take on trips where I might need a light or real self defense stuff is a no-no. It's cheap, nearly unbreakable, isn't club-like enough to raise any eyebrows yet I still wouldn't want to whacked with it.

I have a couple nicer lights, but this ol' chunk of aluminum was under $15 so no big loss if I lose it. For me, I don't need the upgrade. It's perfectly fine for checking out things that go wrong under the hood or whacking cantankerous pooches on the nose. Even a $20 mod turns this into a light I would hate to part with if I needed to.
 
I have a slew of the larger Maglites, 7 or 8 or so. Use them all the time.

Got my first one, a 4D cell, when I was 8 and I still have it and it's still working great.

Great bang for the buck.
 
I think I get 2D or 3D led Maglite from the eBay and then get a body for Custom Green 1D maglite in Candle Power forum, converted for Lithum batteries with custom body encarving.
 
I've had nothing but switch problems with Mag-Lights. I like Pelican lights.
 
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