Multitool.org Forum
Non Tool Forum => Flashlight Forum => Topic started by: gerleatherberman on September 18, 2017, 08:29:46 PM
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I have three different edc main trios.
My main medium duty EDC trio consists of a LM Wave, a USA Kershaw knife, and a 2xAAA LED 111 Lumen maglite(in a fully closed belt sheath from maglite).
My heavy duty edc trio(when I know I am going out to pick up furniture for the store I work in) is a LM Surge, the same Kerhaw USA knife, and 2xAA LED 272 Lumen maglite(carried in the sheath it came in on the belt).
On my days off, I carry much less in weight and capabilities. A Victorinox Spirit, a Wenger Camo knife, and a 1xAAA LED 47 Lumen maglite(carried in my watch pocket).
Note: these pics are of the main items, but I carry a lot more stuff when I'm at work or working on the house/shop.
I have used maglites for eons. I carried the first incandescent 2xAAA model they made for years. It even has some of the original etching that shows it was a promotional for the 1988 Olympics (i got at a yard sale in the early 2000s). Still kinda works too. :)
Their new LED lights have been an awesome upgrade to my edc gear.
I am not a tactical kind of guy, so I like the smooth aluminium casing and twist on/off. They are a little too bright for me, so it is good that I can twist the head out a bit and the light dims nicely.
I am OCD and own three of each style maglites. Just like I have to own two of the same MT before I use one on my EDC normally. Haha
Maglites are not the best flashlight. Just the best for me. I own about one hundres lights, and I keep going back to the good ole' American made maglites.:)
Anymore maglite fans out there?
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My most used/needed light mode setting is firefly/moonlight, so a AAA Mag wouldn't work for me. :-\
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My most used/needed light mode setting is firefly/moonlight, so a AAA Mag wouldn't work for me. :-\
I am not even sure if I have seen a flashlight with those settings. Is a firefly setting kind of like a slow low-beam fade?
Most of mine have one, two, or three intensity settings. Some have strobe and a few have a laser pointer built in. But, all I need for work 99.9% of the time is an adjustable beam. When I go camping I take a medium duty 500 Lumen Streamlight with several settings, including a strobe function. It has a few lenses to adjust the color output as well. Sometimes I use a military type MX-991 flashlight with an LED conversion out in the woods walking around at night(low power and keeps my night vision fairly acute). It is the most waterproof flashlight I have.
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I currently own 9 Maglites. I keep a Mini Maglite in my backpack, several larger models around the house, and usually have a Solitaire in my pocket or belt sheath.
I no longer own a car, but I'd keep one in there if I did.
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Awarded. :tu:
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My most used/needed light mode setting is firefly/moonlight, so a AAA Mag wouldn't work for me. :-\
I am not even sure if I have seen a flashlight with those settings. Is a firefly setting kind of like a slow low-beam fade?
Most of mine have one, two, or three intensity settings. Some have strobe and a few have a laser pointer built in. But, all I need for work 99.9% of the time is an adjustable beam. When I go camping I take a medium duty 500 Lumen Streamlight with several settings, including a strobe function. It has a few lenses to adjust the color output as well. Sometimes I use a military type Fuller flashlight with an LED conversion out in the woods walking around at night(low power and keeps my night vision fairly acute). It is the most waterproof flashlight I have.
Nope, firefly(or moonlight, you'll find distinctions between the terms on dedicated flashlight forums, but this is not a dedicated flashlight forum) is the name for very dim modes, in the Ti3's case, 0.05 Lumens, very useful for doing stuff in the middle of the night without disturbing other people while preserving your night vision. :tu:
It's my favorite mode.
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I currently own 9 Maglites. I keep a Mini Maglite in my backpack, several larger models around the house, and usually have a Solitaire in my pocket or belt sheath.
I no longer own a car, but I'd keep one in there if I did.
You can't have enough flashlights. Especially Maglites! :cheers:Awarded. :tu:
Thank you, sir!
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I have a few maglites, love the reliability.
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My most used/needed light mode setting is firefly/moonlight, so a AAA Mag wouldn't work for me. :-\
I am not even sure if I have seen a flashlight with those settings. Is a firefly setting kind of like a slow low-beam fade?
Most of mine have one, two, or three intensity settings. Some have strobe and a few have a laser pointer built in. But, all I need for work 99.9% of the time is an adjustable beam. When I go camping I take a medium duty 500 Lumen Streamlight with several settings, including a strobe function. It has a few lenses to adjust the color output as well. Sometimes I use a military type Fuller flashlight with an LED conversion out in the woods walking around at night(low power and keeps my night vision fairly acute). It is the most waterproof flashlight I have.
Nope, firefly(or moonlight, you'll find distinctions between the terms on dedicated flashlight forums, but this is not a dedicated flashlight forum) is the name for very dim modes, in the Ti3's case, 0.05 Lumens, very useful for doing stuff in the middle of the night without disturbing other people while preserving your night vision. :tu:
It's my favorite mode.
Thank you, Pablo!
Well, I guess some of my antique flashlights have that mode(or state I should say. haha) then, when the batteries get low. :D
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I have a few maglites, love the reliability.
:tu:
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My most used/needed light mode setting is firefly/moonlight, so a AAA Mag wouldn't work for me. :-\
I am not even sure if I have seen a flashlight with those settings. Is a firefly setting kind of like a slow low-beam fade?
Most of mine have one, two, or three intensity settings. Some have strobe and a few have a laser pointer built in. But, all I need for work 99.9% of the time is an adjustable beam. When I go camping I take a medium duty 500 Lumen Streamlight with several settings, including a strobe function. It has a few lenses to adjust the color output as well. Sometimes I use a military type Fuller flashlight with an LED conversion out in the woods walking around at night(low power and keeps my night vision fairly acute). It is the most waterproof flashlight I have.
Nope, firefly(or moonlight, you'll find distinctions between the terms on dedicated flashlight forums, but this is not a dedicated flashlight forum) is the name for very dim modes, in the Ti3's case, 0.05 Lumens, very useful for doing stuff in the middle of the night without disturbing other people while preserving your night vision. :tu:
It's my favorite mode.
Thank you, Pablo!
Well, I guess some of my antique flashlights have that mode(or state I should say. haha) then, when the batteries get low. :D
And lots of modern cheapo lights are still like that. ::)
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That is true..unfortunately. :cheers:
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For, me a Solitaire is crammed into the Gerber sheath that tends to catch most of my EDC stuff, and a Mini kept for camping and around the house. I've used a Mini's butt cap as a hammer and it didn't mess it up.
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For, me a Solitaire is crammed into the Gerber sheath that tends to catch most of my EDC stuff, and a Mini kept for camping and around the house. I've used a Mini's butt cap as a hammer and it didn't mess it up.
:like:
I love the solitaire and minis. They seem to be pretty rock solid!
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More than 20 years ago I Used to carry a 3 D cell Mag Lite and old Mini MagLite for work, now I keep the 3D in my big old Blazer. Don't know where the mini went. then carried an original Steamlight and though that was so much smaller. Sold that and for the last 15 years I've been carrying a Surefire 60.
Maybe it's time to reassess. I like some of the Fenix and Olight offerings, but I see that Mini MagLights have come a long way as well. I'd like to keep buying made in USA, where quality and features are the same or better, so I may get the 272 lumen mini Mag Lite with multiple modes. Or maybe even the 100 lumen. Not decided yet.
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Seems like it's the LED technology that has allowed these giant numbers of lumens.
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Thanks for the reply Thundah!
The new offerings are incredibly low cost for the build quality and lumen output. I am not sure how they keep the costs so low being US made, but I love the LED maglites. The 2xAAA(111Lumen) I carry is phenomenal light/value/size IMO. And if the light is too bright, you can just twist the front out some and it gets dimmer. I have been carrying my new one for months now and use it everyday. Still using the same Duracell batteries it came with. The 2xAA(272Lumen) has made it into my tool bag, because it is a bit much with the weight of two MTs, a knife, a boxcutter, pocket level, measuring tape, and pen/marker is a tad bit too much for me personally. Non alkaline batteries can help with weight reduction as well.
I have a stockpile of the harbor freight(free with coupon) non alkaline batteries ready to use when the Duracells run out. :)
In short, it is worth giving the new led mags a try, because they really do offer a lot for an EDC light. The pro series led multi mode stuff is pretty good now. The early pro mags have a bad rep, but it seems mag has taken care of any issues with multi mode pro series.
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What you want is the Mini Maglite Pro+, most likely. That's my EDC light :tu:
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I have the larger D models in the house and cars. One weekend when I was bored I upgraded the Lumens with the Terralux, tactical bezels, and glassbreaker tail caps. Fun.
Coincidentally I decided to upgrade an AA freebie I got from Orkin years ago. Lumens is now 150 and I installed a scratch resistant lens. I’m waiting for the glass breaker bezel and tactical bezel. Again just for fun.
I grew up using Maglites so no other flashlight has felt “right” in my hand. Sadly I don’t edc one but maybe I’ll hive it a shot. You’ve inspired me!!
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I have a mod AA, I put a led in to up the lumens, but also put a defensive bezel on. Only problem was I cut the turns down, so it like starts to come apart after a few turns. So I’ve been wanting to get one of these for a while, well I snuck one in the cart, only problem is my other one with the bezel is packed, so after our move and I find it I’ll put it on this one..
JR
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Ok, so I picked up the 111 lumen 2xAAA, and a red 47 lumen Solitaire.
They are nice. I slid the Solitaire into the side pocket of my Leatherman Surge. The 111 lumen is nice too, although maybe a little thin for its length and I wouldn't mind if the head was also kindled, like on the Solitaire. I will try both of them later during the dog walk.
I tried to compare the brightness and beam to that of my Surefire 60, and then I realized, the batteries in the Surefire are many months old and it is not at its brightest. Will refill the batteries this week and compare again, at the local high school football field to check for distance of beam.
I bought the old triple D cell either in the very late 80's or early 90's. It still works, but the crystal is all scratched up, the bulb never seems to quite focus, and the anodized aluminum is all chipped and scratched up as well. I may do an LED upgrade and purchase a new crystal.
I was going to buy the 272 lumen 2xAA, however, it was $26 at home depot and did not offer multiple brightness settings, which I thought was an option on the 272 lumen...
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Ok, so I picked up the 111 lumen 2xAAA, and a red 47 lumen Solitaire.
They are nice. I slid the Solitaire into the side pocket of my Leatherman Surge. The 111 lumen is nice too, although maybe a little thin for its length and I wouldn't mind if the head was also kindled, like on the Solitaire. I will try both of them later during the dog walk.
I tried to compare the brightness and beam to that of my Surefire 60, and then I realized, the batteries in the Surefire are many months old and it is not at its brightest. Will refill the batteries this week and compare again, at the local high school football field to check for distance of beam.
I bought the old triple D cell either in the very late 80's or early 90's. It still works, but the crystal is all scratched up, the bulb never seems to quite focus, and the anodized aluminum is all chipped and scratched up as well. I may do an LED upgrade and purchase a new crystal.
I was going to buy the 272 lumen 2xAA, however, it was $26 at home depot and did not offer multiple brightness settings, which I thought was an option on the 272 lumen...
If you look at my earlier post you will see I recommended the Mini Maglite Pro+. This is a distinct model, the + indicates that it has more power as well as a low mode, as opposed to the non + version which has one setting and a bit less power.
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My old but never used non-LED Solitaire has been living in my left pocket for a week now, and every time I use it I wonder how I got along without light for so long :facepalm:
Any idea what the difference in battery life is incandescent vs LED?
Mine is not very bright, but it serves the purpose perfectly. If I can getr acceptable battery life, I see no point in upgrading.....
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The LED solitaire has about the same battery life, but stays bright throughout the battery drain. The incandescent bulbs tend to get dimmer and dimmer as the battery drains.
But, with that being said and you finding the old solitaire adequate, the old saying goes "If it ain't broke don't fix it". :cheers:
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If you look at my earlier post you will see I recommended the Mini Maglite Pro+. This is a distinct model, the + indicates that it has more power as well as a low mode, as opposed to the non + version which has one setting and a bit less power.
Ah, yes. That's the difference alright. Thanks WoodsDuck. They had no "pluses" at Home Depot, but it does appear that's what I want. Looks like I'm taking a trip to Amazon.
By the way, is it just me, or is there no $20-ish dollar, 100 to 200 lumen, with tail switch, multi mode offering from MagLite? Does Fenix and Olight have that market cornered because they can do it at cheaper labor. I saw the XL50, but it was considerably fatter and was $25 or $30. Is that about the size of an Olight I3e or is the olight more the size of the Solitaire?
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I was having a hard time justifying the purchase of another MiniMagLite when I have a perfectly good untouched vintage one. I could mod it to LED, if only I could bring myself to break open this package:
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Sixteen years old at best, and MagLite didn't start releasing LED models until eleven years ago.
Normally I would bust this wide open, oil the tool and upgrade the light to LED, but I have another OG Super Tool and have been using my Surefire, so this is just on its own shelf in the cabinet.
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Sixteen years old at best, and MagLite didn't start releasing LED models until eleven years ago.
Normally I would bust this wide open, oil the tool and upgrade the light to LED, but I have another OG Super Tool and have been using my Surefire, so this is just on its own shelf in the cabinet.
Very nice bundle!
I imagine you could find a generous MTo member who would help you to remove the temptation from your life :D
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Thank you again, WoodsDuck.
Generous MTo member, you say? Relieve me of such a temptation you say? I've not yet encountered such a person.
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I had a thought to give that bundle to friend who is a custodian/ maintenance and fix it man at a local elementary school. Really good guy. Gave me a giant 2" thick, 5 foot long laminated work bench top from the 70's that is heh-vee! Michigan Maple Block company. He has a LM Wingman that he has beaten to hell but doesn't want to part with it to send it in for repair. So I thought I would gift him this OG ST/ MagLite combo to return the favor. The thing is, he says he uses the scissors a lot, likes th spring loaded plyers head, and doesn't like the OG Super Tool locking system. So it resides on the shelf waiting for the day it can prove itself
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So I went ahead and just got the 272 lumen AA Pro model without the (+). Got it in grey. What a powerful light! I just can't find the Pro+ in any brick and mortar. Besides, I have the 47 lumen Solitaire, the 60 lumen Surefire, the 100 lumen AAA, and the really old 3 cell D. Who needs a second or third lower setting when I have all of those to choose from?
I also got a Nite Ize L.E.D. / tail switch upgrade. I installed only the tail switch and it didn't work. I don't know if it only works in conjunction with the LED it comes with, or if it just doesn't work with a light that is already more powerful.
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So I went ahead and just got the 272 lumen AA Pro model without the (+). Got it in grey. What a powerful light! I just can't find the Pro+ in any brick and mortar. Besides, I have the 47 lumen Solitaire, the 60 lumen Surefire, the 100 lumen AAA, and the really old 3 cell D. Who needs a second or third lower setting when I have all of those to choose from?
I also got a Nite Ize L.E.D. / tail switch upgrade. I installed only the tail switch and it didn't work. I don't know if it only works in conjunction with the LED it comes with, or if it just doesn't work with a light that is already more powerful.
Was the flashlight head screwed out(maglite on position) when you tried the niteize tail switch? I know you probably tried it, but if it were me, I would have forgotten to do that. :rofl:
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Right. Maybe I did fall for that little red herring at first, but I soon realized the error. Still nothing. I'll try again tomorrow. Maybe I'm still missing something. The Nite Ize bulb and head yields only about 30 lumen, so if this tail switch is dependent on including that head and bulb, I will abandon it.
Interesting how the LED AA is longer than the incandescent AA by about half an inch. Small price to pay for going from something like 14 lumens to 272.
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Right. Maybe I did fall for that little red herring at first, but I soon realized the error. Still nothing. I'll try again tomorrow. Maybe I'm still missing something. The Nite Ize bulb and head yields only about 30 lumen, so if this tail switch is dependent on including that head and bulb, I will abandon it.
Interesting how the LED AA is longer than the incandescent AA by about half an inch. Small price to pay for going from something like 14 lumens to 272.
Thank you for trying this. The tailswitch would be awesome on 272 lumens!
That particular model is the Maglite that got me back to using Mags again. A truly awesome flashlight.
Good luck on the tailswitch thundah. I am curious to know if it can be used, so I can put a fatter o-ring in the light head to save my beam setting and switch it on from the tail. I am ok with the twist on/off, but the tail switch would be like icing on the cake. :)
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Mornin fellas.
Just after 7am here and I can report that using just the tail switch of this NiteIze Innovation LED Upgrade Combo II for AA Mini MagLite (purchased at Home Depot) just does not work on the 272 lumen AA Min MagLite Pro. Again, the NiteIze set comes with a 30 lumen bulb and reflector dish and it may work in conjunction with that. I haven't swapped out the bulb and dish because I'm not willing to diminish the light source by some 240 down to a mere 30 lumens just to find out.
It may work for the old school Mini MagLite AA' s, I don't know. Maybe it has to do with the circuitry. The only old-school MiniMaglite I have is NOS NIP bundled with that OG Super Tool, and I can't bring myself to open it for this.
Woods, did you allude to knowing of an MTo member who might be interested in that ST MagLite set?
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Mornin fellas.
Just after 7am here and I can report that using just the tail switch of this NiteIze Innovation LED Upgrade Combo II for AA Mini MagLite (purchased at Home Depot) just does not work on the 272 lumen AA Min MagLite Pro. Again, the NiteIze set comes with a 30 lumen bulb and reflector dish and it may work in conjunction with that. I haven't swapped out the bulb and dish because I'm not willing to diminish the light source by some 240 down to a mere 30 lumens just to find out.
It may work for the old school Mini MagLite AA' s, I don't know. Maybe it has to do with the circuitry. The only old-school MiniMaglite I have is NOS NIP bundled with that OG Super Tool, and I can't bring myself to open it for this.
Woods, did you allude to knowing of an MTo member who might be interested in that ST MagLite set?
The Nite Ize upgrade you got only works for the old ones to upgrade. You will have to get a tail switch that is made for the new 272 lumen one. I got mine off Amazon, but for the life of me, I can't not remember who it was made by.
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Now I remember, it was made by Terralux.
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I have maybe a dozen of flashlights, from button cell to 18650. but if you look at my EDC, you will spot a simple Solitaire LED.
I only take the bulkier ones when I know I need more light as for daily just in case preparedness, I don't need 1000 lumens.
(https://i.imgur.com/2EOvuEB.jpg)
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Thanks for your efforts Thundah! And thank you for the info Ducttape!
I am guessing the niteize conversion Thundah used was a multi-mode tailswitch? That is all I can figure that would make it not connect the end pole of the battery to the light housing to work. There must be some kind of voltage regulator that doesn't work with the higher wattage 272 bulb.
Microbe,
The solitaire LED is a fantastic low weight low cost light and serves most people's needs for sure!
People went a better part of a hundred years with portable lamps that only had a few lumens(I own a 5D cell flashlight from the 1930s that puts out roughly 20lumens), so the solitaire is awesome.
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Ok, so I picked up the 111 lumen 2xAAA, and a red 47 lumen Solitaire.
They are nice. I slid the Solitaire into the side pocket of my Leatherman Surge. The 111 lumen is nice too, although maybe a little thin for its length and I wouldn't mind if the head was also kindled, like on the Solitaire. I will try both of them later during the dog walk.
I tried to compare the brightness and beam to that of my Surefire 60, and then I realized, the batteries in the Surefire are many months old and it is not at its brightest. Will refill the batteries this week and compare again, at the local high school football field to check for distance of beam.
I bought the old triple D cell either in the very late 80's or early 90's. It still works, but the crystal is all scratched up, the bulb never seems to quite focus, and the anodized aluminum is all chipped and scratched up as well. I may do an LED upgrade and purchase a new crystal.
I was going to buy the 272 lumen 2xAA, however, it was $26 at home depot and did not offer multiple brightness settings, which I thought was an option on the 272 lumen...
The Lowe’s in my area has the 272 lumens on sale for $18. Maybe give that a shot.
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$18? Wow! Get two! :like:
I bought two at $25each and don't regret it one bit!
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I know right!! I did get one as I needed one to stash for the garage. Amazon does have the pro + for 281 lumens. But I like the simple 1 mode and for what I need 200+ lumens is an overkill.
I actually found the whole lumen thing confusing. Some sites advertise a different lumen than the pics, and the Maglite homepage doesn’t even list the pro plus 281 lumen. Also the runtime for both pro and pro plus at different lumens is the same 2.5 hrs. But I guess the 9 lumen difference doesn’t really make that big of a drain.
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I know right!! I did get one as I needed one to stash for the garage. Amazon does have the pro + for 281 lumens. But I like the simple 1 mode and for what I need 200+ lumens is an overkill.
I actually found the whole lumen thing confusing. Some sites advertise a different lumen than the pics, and the Maglite homepage doesn’t even list the pro plus 281 lumen. Also the runtime for both pro and pro plus at different lumens is the same 2.5 hrs. But I guess the 9 lumen difference doesn’t really make that big of a drain.
I have noticed the inconsistencies on the Lumens you mentioned. Not sure what is up with that. Maybe Maglite has multiple diode vendors with varying outputs per production run. Who knows, but congrats on getting one of the new LED mags!
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Mornin fellas.
Just after 7am here and I can report that using just the tail switch of this NiteIze Innovation LED Upgrade Combo II for AA Mini MagLite (purchased at Home Depot) just does not work on the 272 lumen AA Min MagLite Pro. Again, the NiteIze set comes with a 30 lumen bulb and reflector dish and it may work in conjunction with that. I haven't swapped out the bulb and dish because I'm not willing to diminish the light source by some 240 down to a mere 30 lumens just to find out.
It may work for the old school Mini MagLite AA' s, I don't know. Maybe it has to do with the circuitry. The only old-school MiniMaglite I have is NOS NIP bundled with that OG Super Tool, and I can't bring myself to open it for this.
Woods, did you allude to knowing of an MTo member who might be interested in that ST MagLite set?
Hey Thundah!
I was in Home Depot yesterday and picked up a similar niteize 30lumen upgrade kit for one of my first Mags I ever owned instead of buying a pack of new bulbs.
Before I installed the kit on my old mini, I screwed the tail switch on my 272lumen LED Pro Mini. It works. :think:
The kit I have may be different, so I am not sure if that means anything though. I just wanted to post about it in case it might help you with your Mini Mag.
Here are pics of the LED pro with the tail switch attached and pics of my old 1990s mini equipped with the kit (what a difference!).
Note: my niteize tail switch is ONLY on/off. No multiple setting, so I didn't see any reason it wouldn't work. I plan on picking another kit up for a tail switch on the LED this weekend.
Hope this helps Thundah!
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Thank you, Gerleather,
Maybe I just got one that happened to fall on the floor or was made Monday morning or Friday afternoon...
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Yes sir! Anytime! :cheers:
Anything I can do to help, please let me know! I don't have much to do when I get off work aside from playing with MTs, knives and flashlights. :rofl:
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B & H Video is selling 6 D LED Maglites with free olight flashlight. Free shipping. Same price as Amazon. Heads up.