MiniMagLed - Mark II

[ringzero]

It came in a clam pack so I don't think walmart will be too inclined to take it back as it's not resaleable anymore. I suppose I'm just used to other high powered LED lights, so this seems not as good in comparison. It's definately not 60 lumen in high, as in ceiling bounce it's not as bright as my other light that's known to be 60, probably 40 or so on high. As for focus, mine can be focused into spot, but cannot be defocused for close up work like incan version.

I might go fishing later today if the wind dies down, I'll try it out.

I'll trade ya.  Mine has a reddish/pinkish tint.

Hehe, with canadapost we might as well buy a new one for cost of postage.

Man, I feel kind of bad about recommending this light and then two of you guys buy them and get bad ones.  Maybe Mag is sending its factory seconds off to Canada.

This isn't a light I'd recommend anyone to mail order, because the variability of the product seems high.  Mag maybe needs to tighten up its manufacturing process a little.

I still think it can be a good buy if you pick one up in a Big Box store near home, then try it out and exchange it if you get one with bad tint, misalinged reflector, etc.

I picked up another at Lowes last week and it's very close in output and tint to my first example.  Flood to spot focus works well on both of my examples.

Again, this light isn't for white wall hunters who want a perfect beam.

It's not a light I'd choose for outdoor activities because there are so many superior alternatives for not a whole lot more money.

I do think it'd serve most people well as a toolbox, general utility beater, or automotive light that can be purchased locally for a very reasonable price.

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[american lockpicker]

I can't wait to get the new one. Is it brighter than the first one?

[ringzero]

I can't wait to get the new one. Is it brighter than the first one?

It's definitely brighter than my first generation 2AA MMLED, which is about 40 lumens on fresh cells IIRC.

The first gen 3AA MMLED is around 55 lumens on fresh cells, IIRC but I no longer have one around to compare.

The 3AA is probably about the same output as the 2nd gen 2AA, working from memory.

Again, the 2nd gen 2AA lights don't offer tremendous output, being maybe 60 lumens (guesstimated by comparing to my other lights.)

They are more efficient than the 1st gen lights in terms of longer runtime.

They have a low setting which is useful for closeup work inside enclosures, computer cases, etc.

They have strobe and SOS settings which could be useful for emergencies, which is why I think they'd make good automotive lights.

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[Teofilo]

Terralux has an LED upgrade for 2AAA.

Where can I find this 2AAA upgrade, AL?

[jzmtl]

Man, I feel kind of bad about recommending this light and then two of you guys buy them and get bad ones.  Maybe Mag is sending its factory seconds off to Canada.

This isn't a light I'd recommend anyone to mail order, because the variability of the product seems high.  Mag maybe needs to tighten up its manufacturing process a little.

No worries, it's the nature of LED product, mag obviously doesn't want to pay for premium color bin, so they probably just said give us whatever you got.

[american lockpicker]

Terralux has an LED upgrade for 2AAA.

Where can I find this 2AAA upgrade, AL?

Bright guy carries it. http://www.brightguy.com/products/Universal_LED_Lighting_Kit_(TLE-20).php

[Gareth]

Lighthound have them as well:  http://www.lighthound.com/Terralux-TLE-20-Universal-LED-Lighting-Kit_p_2149.html

Here are my thoughts on it from another thread;

Well I got the TLE-20 and I am reasonably happy with it.  It certainly is an improvement over the old bulb.  It looks like it is kicking out light somewhere between the low (11 lumen's) and the medium (30 lumen's) on my L0D Q4, so lets say about the 15-20 lumen's mark (that is a pure guess though).  The colour has a very nice slightly warm white feel to it without any hit of blue that I can see, and that may be it's best feature.   If you want to bring back an old friend (as I wanted to) then this is fine, but I wouldn't suggest you go buy a 2AAA mini-maglite and the TLE-20 just to end up with this torch.   
 

[jzmtl]

I've been using it around the house, and it doesn't seem so blue anymore unless I compare with another light side by side. Then again I was using a princeton tec tec40 around the house before so that altered my color perception.

[Black Rose]

Man, I feel kind of bad about recommending this light and then two of you guys buy them and get bad ones.  Maybe Mag is sending its factory seconds off to Canada.

It's the old Lux lottery in a new package.

I only paid $19 for the revised minimag, so I really can't complain.  When not white wall hunting it works fine.

[jzmtl]

Correction to my first assessment, the output of rebel minimag is probably around 50 or so lumens.

[jzmtl]

Just want to mention, the module between 2AA and 2D rebel mag is fully interchangeable. I swapped a 2D module into my 2AA and like it much better. Higher output and one mode, with diffuser film it's perfect as around house light. However you need rechargeable for this setup, the 2D module draws 1 amp from battery and alkaline won't last under that much pressure.

[ringzero]

Just want to mention, the module between 2AA and 2D rebel mag is fully interchangeable. I swapped a 2D module into my 2AA and like it much better. Higher output and one mode, with diffuser film it's perfect as around house light. However you need rechargeable for this setup, the 2D module draws 1 amp from battery and alkaline won't last under that much pressure.

Thanks for the great tip, jzmtl.  Can you estimate the output in lumens for a MiniMagLED 2AA modded with the 2D Rebel module?

My MiniMagRebelLED 2AA has been getting fairly decent runtimes using NiMH cells.  I've used it a lot around the house and for walking up to the corner store each night and have no complaints with it so far.  Another one loaded with lithium cells stays in the car.

Another neat feature of the 2AA MMRebelLED is candle mode, which is also quite nice for close up stuff, like reading.

I've been intending to pick up a Mag 2D Rebel ever since I first read about them over on CPF, but every time I've been in lately the local Lowes has been out.

A 2D Mag modded with a High/Low/Strobe/SOS module from a 2AA sounds decent too.  Runtime on Low driven with 2D cells should be fantastic for blackout duty.  Also, I'd rather change levels with a momentary forward clicky than with a twisty head.

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[jzmtl]

Rough estimate it's about 80 lumen. The 2AA module takes 400 mA on high and 100 mA on low, will last days of contant on with D cell (about 15000mAh at 100mA draw).

[american lockpicker]

Rough estimate it's about 80 lumen. The 2AA module takes 400 mA on high and 100 mA on low, will last days of contant on with D cell (about 15000mAh at 100mA draw).

So does this mean its brighter than a Surefire 6p?

[ringzero]

Rough estimate it's about 80 lumen. The 2AA module takes 400 mA on high and 100 mA on low, will last days of contant on with D cell (about 15000mAh at 100mA draw).

Thanks jzmtl.

80 lumens is decent for a 2AA utility light.

Have you measured current draw with the 2D module?

I don't have a light meter, but I've done some tests by eyeball and runtime is fairly decent with 2500 mAH NiMH:
-4 hours bright output, looks fairly constant
-followed by 2 hours gradual decline to the equivalent of Low level output
-followed by 2 hours gradual decline to just a few lumens, at which point I stopped the test.

So, I'd estimate:
4+ hr to 50%
6+ hr to 25%
10+ hr to 5%

Not in the same league as Fenix for efficiency, but not too shabby for a $20 hardware store light!

I haven't done runtimes for Low level output yet, because it'd probably have to run for well over a full day.

For people wanting a decent toolbox, automotive, or utility light for use around the house this light fills the bill.

You can pick up a MiniMag 2AA Rebel LED, then add some NiMH cells complete with trickle charger for a total of less than $30!  After that initial $30 outlay, running the light is basically free.

This light is all that most people would need for around the house.  It'd be a huge step up from the plastic 2D incans most people rely on around the house.

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[jzmtl]

2D module power draw is around 1000 mA in either minimag or 2D mag.

So does this mean its brighter than a Surefire 6p?

I don't have a 6P so can't say for sure.

[ringzero]

2D module power draw is around 1000 mA in either minimag or 2D mag.

Thanks for that info.  Maybe 1.5 to 2 hours running 2500mAH NiMH cells?

I'm going to get another 2AA Rebel and a 2D Rebel and then swap the modules as you suggest.

Maybe I'll mail order from BrightGuy so I can pick a 2AA in a different color.  Then the higher output, single level 2AA will be colored and the stock version 2AA will be black, otherwise I'd probably get them mixed up.

Thanks again for the info on this mod, jzmtl - simple and quite useful.

I'm very happy to see Mag at least keeping its hand in the game with some viable offerings.  For a while there I was kinda worried Mag was just going to cede the whole LED flashlight market to the competition.

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[jzmtl]

I will test mine with energizer 2500 tonight, although the energizers aren't known for quality so their true capacity could be lower. Funny thing is the minimag offer better heatsinking than the 2D mag, since the module is contacting the body directly. The whole light gets warm while running, and the module is only warm to touch unlike my older 3D which gets quite hot.

[jzmtl]

2D module in 2AA host ran for 2:25 before dropping out of regulation on freshly charged energizer 2500, with no visible drop in brightness during regulation. This is consistant with 1 amp power draw, and I would say the regulation is pretty good.

[ringzero]

2D module in 2AA host ran for 2:25 before dropping out of regulation on freshly charged energizer 2500, with no visible drop in brightness during regulation. This is consistant with 1 amp power draw, and I would say the regulation is pretty good.

Great job jzmtl!

Good job coming up with an excellent mod.
Good job thoroughly testing it out.

That runtime is better than I hoped.  Running better quality 2500mAH NiMH cells than Energizer, it might make 3 hours.

Can't wait to build a few of these myself.

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