Maglite Flashlight Club

gerleatherberman · **on:** September 09, 2018, 08:40:14 AM

Hopefully there isn't already a Maglite club. Sorry if there is.

I have been a Maglite user since I was a teenager. Having carried a 1988 2xAAA Incandescent Maglite for fifteen years in my back pocket, I have a real soft spot for these simple torches. So, in this thread, lets see your Maglites(if you have any).

Here is my smallish assortment of humble American classic flashlights.
Left to right.
Grey Solitaire LED(1xAAA) - 47 lumen version.
Blue Solitaire LED(1xAAA) - 47 lumen version.
Gold(worn) Mini Incandescent(2xAAA) from 1988 Olympics - This is the one I carried for 15 years.
Gold Mini Incandescent(2xAAA) from 1988 Olympics - This one I found on eBay recently as a backup.
Red Mini Incandescent(2xAAA).
Grey Mini Incandescent(2xAAA).
Blue Mini LED(2xAAA) - 111 lumen version.
Black Mini Converted(Incandescent to LED 2xAA) with tail switch - 35 lumen.
Grey Mini LED(2xAA) - 272 lumen version.
Grey double C-cell Converted(Incandescent to LED) - 80 lumen.

More pics.

Neat fiber optic Maglite attachment.

greenbear · **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2018, 09:13:53 AM

Nice collection

I'm a big Maglite fan too, they get derided somewhat unfairly these days for being slightly older technology but give me a 2D cell basic on/off switch LED Maglite and I'm happy and day (night?) long.

I just love the shiny paint and solid feel of them.

Millhouse · **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2018, 10:03:44 PM

Although I no longer have any Maglites, this has got me reminiscing on what I use to have and use.

My first maglite was the 2 AAA, which I think I got about 1984. This served until the early 90's when I switched to the 2 AA, and then added a Solitaire to my key ring.

The 2 AA served until 2005 when I got my first Surefire.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2018, 10:53:34 PM

Quote from: greenbear on September 09, 2018, 09:13:53 AM

Nice collection

I'm a big Maglite fan too, they get derided somewhat unfairly these days for being slightly older technology but give me a 2D cell basic on/off switch LED Maglite and I'm happy and day (night?) long.

I just love the shiny paint and solid feel of them.

Thank you, greenbear!

Indeed, the simplistic design lends itself to a comfortable familiarity. On top of being quite user serviceable.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2018, 10:57:44 PM

Quote from: Millhouse on September 10, 2018, 10:03:44 PM

Although I no longer have any Maglites, this has got me reminiscing on what I use to have and use.

My first maglite was the 2 AAA, which I think I got about 1984. This served until the early 90's when I switched to the 2 AA, and then added a Solitaire to my key ring.

The 2 AA served until 2005 when I got my first Surefire.

I am always surprised at how well the 1980s Maglites held up. Not that the newer ones aren't well made, but they just don't seem to hold up as well. Maybe, because the thread tolerances aren't quite as tight and dust/moisture gets in. I have never had any issues with Maglites, but I do stack the deck with the ones I carry by installing thicker o-rings and conductive-protective grease on the lamp-assembly.

Millhouse · **Reply #5 on:** September 11, 2018, 12:42:06 AM

My Maglites held up very well. The 2 AA had been dropped numerous times, but carried on fuctioning flawlessly. I think one time the bulb broke when dropped, so the spare in the tailcap was invaluable.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2018, 01:07:56 AM

Indeed, having a spare bulb was great on the incandescent models.

I do like the LED Maglites though. They advertise them as "spot to flood", but for me, it is more like "bright to dim" when using mine.

Pacu · **Reply #7 on:** September 11, 2018, 03:26:17 AM

I'm in. I do love my Maglites. They served me great in Boy Scouts in the 80's and I've been a fan every since. Always watched Cops on tv and they had the ass whoopin 6 D cell shining on alleged crooks.

Here is my collection.

3 D cell, 2 D cell, a X50, a LED minimag, and several xenon bulb minimags. I have a solitaire somewhere around here.

20180910_202010

gerleatherberman · **Reply #8 on:** September 11, 2018, 05:19:46 AM

Quote from: Pacu on September 11, 2018, 03:26:17 AM

I'm in. I do love my Maglites. They served me great in Boy Scouts in the 80's and I've been a fan every since. Always watched Cops on tv and they had the ass whoopin 6 D cell shining on alleged crooks.

Here is my collection.

3 D cell, 2 D cell, a X50, a LED minimag, and several xenon bulb minimags. I have a solitaire somewhere around here.

I do wish I could find one of those old 5 or 6 D cell Mags for cheap, just to freak out my neighbors when I go outside at night.

Awesome Maglites, Pacu!

Thanks for sharing.

How do you like the X50? I've thought about getting one, but never convinced myself to step away from the standard Maglite form.

Pacu · **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2018, 07:03:06 AM

I like the x50. It uses aaa which are easy to find, has strobe, high and low setting in the end button. It does tend to roll when you set it down while working. Needs a pocket clip or lanyard.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2018, 08:42:03 AM

Thanks, Pacu!

I will be on the lookout for an X50 now. I like the idea of having a few settings from a tail switch on a Maglite.

Fast Bill · **Reply #11 on:** November 27, 2018, 01:21:30 PM

I'm in. I am keen to see what an LED Maglite performs like. My old black Solitaire gave up the ghost a while back. Great torches !

Nix · **Reply #12 on:** November 27, 2018, 04:55:33 PM

I'm in. I've used these for a long time. Love their durability and simplicity.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2018, 05:24:22 PM

Excellent Maglites, Fast Bill and Nix!

I've always liked how easy the older ones were to repair. My 1988 Maglite has all of it's original parts, although I've glued the reflector once and made a new -pin for the bulb retainer. The LED ugrade kits still let the torch be easy to keep going.
The new LED models are up in the in the air, but I've had good luck with then so far.

Poncho65 · **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2018, 05:49:24 PM

Need to get all mine together for a pic I suppose

I forgot about my X50

also not sure if I threw the old 2AA away after it died

need to see if I can swap parts back out and see if only the tail cap or LED drop 8n failed

Always keep an LED Solitaire close by in a backpack and I had a burgundy one when I was a kid that I loved a lot

I am sure it is long gone now but a do have a few of those as well

gerleatherberman · **Reply #15 on:** November 27, 2018, 06:00:05 PM

looking forward to seeing more Maglites, Poncho.

Oh, by the way, NEVER throw out Maglite parts.

The LED converted models just need a new kit. And I prefer, for in-house light needs, the 60Lm conversion from Niteize, because it is less harsh on the eyes than the new 211/222/277Lm(and whatever other ratings they have thrown out) models.

Poncho65 · **Reply #16 on:** November 28, 2018, 04:17:18 AM

Here is what I found

Don't know where the 2AA one is so it may be gone

I have 2 3D, 1 XL50, and 3 Solitaires (2 LED and 1 Incandescent)

Poncho65 · **Reply #17 on:** November 28, 2018, 04:19:27 AM

The XL50 is my favorite Mag

I bought this when they first came out and I have always love it

The only thing about these is that they don't focus their beam when you twist them

But the shape of it is just like a bigger Solitaire and that I do really

Poncho65 · **Reply #18 on:** November 28, 2018, 04:21:26 AM

Both of the 3D ones have had an LED upgrade but I couldn't tell you what the brand was and both of them are different

I took a pic of them but I don't really know if it helps much

One is more Cree like and the other is Cree as well I think

but more bulb like

Poncho65 · **Reply #19 on:** November 28, 2018, 04:23:20 AM

Here is the 3 Solitaires and 1 more pic of the XL50

There was another light that was very similar in size to the XL50 but I can't remember the name of it

Does anyone remember

Poncho65 · **Reply #20 on:** November 28, 2018, 04:30:34 AM

Found it

it is the XL100 and it came out before the XL50, had 5 modes vs. the 3 modes of the 50 and it could also be focused by twisting (great now I think I need one of those

) and in my search also saw an XL200

thinking it has 5 modes and may have more lumens but I will have to research a bit more

EDIT with more info

XL50=200LM
XL100=103LM
XL200=230LM

Thinking the lumens is why I chose the XL50 over the 100 at the time

gerleatherberman · **Reply #21 on:** November 28, 2018, 04:49:07 AM

Nice Maglite assortment, Poncho!

Poncho65 · **Reply #22 on:** November 28, 2018, 04:58:38 AM

Thanks GLBM

just looking at a few different XL50s on the bay and noticed that some of them have 139LM (mine being an older one it may be that

) Great now I need a new one of those as well

Also some of the XL200 only have 179 lumens

I guess they have improved on their LED over the last few years

MadPlumbarian · **Reply #23 on:** November 28, 2018, 05:00:32 AM

I got two like new double A’s just sitting in a tote, and a double triple A in a mug full of pens, but one of my fav is the newer led double A, my other is an oldschool double A, I took the bulb and replaced it with a very bright upgrade led, then took the bezel off and put a very sharp defensive one on, kinda cool if you ask me, unfortunately the size isn’t the same on the new led ones or else this new one would be NICE!
JR