New Maglite Solitaire is in, first pics and pricing

enki_ck · **on:** October 11, 2012, 06:25:04 PM

I just saw the topic on BLF. The Classic 1xAAA keychain light finally got upgraded to a stock LED.

Here are some specs from http://www.led-resource.com/upcoming-led-products/

Maglite Solitaire LED

Output: 37 lumens
Intensity: 748 candela
Runtime: 1h 45min
Battery: 1 x AAA
Length: 3.2?
Diameter: 0.5?
Weight with Batteries: 0.8 oz.

Pics from the distributor. And links to the distributors site and BLF:

http://budgetlightforum.com/node/13922?destination=node%2F13922&fd23_name=34d08fd5543c3ecde8e0c99ed2_form

http://www.allspectrum.com/store/maglite-solitaire-led-presentation-box-aaa-black-p-8217.html

So who's gonna buy one? The price is ok but, you can get some more powerful flashlights for the money, like the Thrunite Ti for instance. Still, I'm drawn to it

Must be that old AAA addiction I "had".

Steinar · **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2012, 06:44:13 PM

I'll probably get one. Maglites aren't exactly bleeding edge, but I have a soft spot for them, because they're one of the few lights that has never let me down and I like the clean, simple design.

gunga · **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2012, 11:03:42 PM

I agree. Have a soft spot for em. This would have been great about 6 years ago!

dks · **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2012, 07:54:33 AM

Considering that the standard, small ones, start at around 30 Euros here they are generally seen as Gadgets for people who have too much money, rather than working torches. My Tank007 E09 has an output of 140Lm and 2 lower outputs too, for around 8 Euro shipped and is not really cutting edge. Dropped repeatedly on concrete floors

.

The output of the Maglite you posted is similar to the Fenix E05, so it is still prety decent.

I think there are some higher Lumen Maglites out too, by the way; around 250 Lm if I remember correctly. For US prices they may be worth buying.

I have a broken 2AA one that is not actually mine, but I have never bothererd sorting out.

Gareth · **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2012, 09:47:07 AM

Quote from: gunga on October 11, 2012, 11:03:42 PM

I agree. Have a soft spot for em. This would have been great about 6 years ago!

Hit the nail on the head I think.

I can see these doing well though, here in the UK the two brands you are most likely to see are Maglite and LED Lenser. This is going to take a bite out of Lenser's slice of the pie I believe. I am almost certain to pick one up at some point.

N_N_R · **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2012, 10:32:15 AM

What to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do

shouldn't, mustn't, can't, shouldn't, mustn't, can't.....

Who am I kidding,

parnass · **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2012, 05:00:56 PM

Maglites are sold in most USA stores which carry flashlights. There are brighter lights with more features, but most Americans won't see them in person or even know about them unless they search the Internet.

Still, Maglite LED flashlights are decent lights, well suited for non-flashaholics. It won't take much for this new 1AAA LED Solitaire to outperform the older Solitaire incan.

Gareth · **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2012, 05:34:25 PM

"Market penetration" that's the one huge advantage Maglite have over all the other torch manufacturers. Now they have a bigger LED range, I suspect we'll all see a lot more folks carrying them.

AHB · **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2012, 09:33:22 PM

Quote from: N_N_R on October 12, 2012, 10:32:15 AM

What to do, what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do

shouldn't, mustn't, can't, shouldn't, mustn't, can't.....

Who am I kidding,

Heinz Doofenshmirtz · **Reply #9 on:** October 13, 2012, 04:03:09 AM

Meh.

I gave up on Mags long, long ago.

jekostas · **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2012, 09:41:48 PM

I'd buy one. At 1/3 the output and 10x the runtime.

powernoodle · **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2012, 09:47:19 PM

They don't appear to be regulated, so for me something in the Fenix lineup that is regulated would be preferable. But the price of entry looks good. In AAA lights, I like low output, long runtime with regulation, and hours of moon mode after it drops out of regulation. (Fenix E01).

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2012, 10:02:20 PM

That really is a disapointing light

Gareth · **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2012, 11:00:37 PM

I understand that lots of people want a lower powered, longer running light. The problem is that we already have one: the Fenix E01. When Nitecore gave us the T0, everyone seemed to then just write it off as a "E01 wannabe".

I'm not trying to say that this light is perfect, not at all, only that it's just as well trying to be it's own light rather than directly trying to match up against other AAA lights.

jekostas · **Reply #14 on:** October 15, 2012, 04:43:26 AM

Quote from: Gareth on October 14, 2012, 11:00:37 PM

I understand that lots of people want a lower powered, longer running light. The problem is that we already have one: the Fenix E01. When Nitecore gave us the T0, everyone seemed to then just write it off as a "E01 wannabe".

I'm not trying to say that this light is perfect, not at all, only that it's just as well trying to be it's own light rather than directly trying to match up against other AAA lights.

This one already has competition in the Fenix E05.

jzmtl · **Reply #15 on:** October 15, 2012, 06:17:53 AM

Maglite has distribution down to every nook and cranny in North America, Fenix has, well I don't remember ever see it in stores. Besides the average people would stare at you like you are stupid if you mention regulation in a flashlight.

New_World · **Reply #16 on:** October 18, 2012, 09:59:48 PM

can you buy these yet?

enki_ck · **Reply #17 on:** October 18, 2012, 10:10:18 PM

Quote from: New_World on October 18, 2012, 09:59:48 PM

can you buy these yet?

I got the pics from the dealer who has them. Here's the link. http://www.allspectrum.com/store/maglite-solitaire-led-presentation-box-aaa-black-p-8217.html

I haven't used that seller so I don't know anything about them, but there are bound to be some more sellers out there by now.

Caress of Steel · **Reply #18 on:** October 19, 2012, 03:55:11 AM

I might be wrong, but I would think this new LED version would replace the incandescent version all together...the original incan. was pretty much useless. For the price I would buy the LED version...just because of its simplicity and size. I would imagine these would be available everywhere within the next few weeks with the holiday shopping season coming up.

John

ironraven · **Reply #19 on:** October 19, 2012, 05:35:33 AM

Well... I agree with the comments about this having been hot stuff 10 years ago. Warm 5 years ago. But not so much now. My Fenix E01 kinda steals this thing's lunch, and I've been carrying E01s for four years, maybe five, and it's nothing fancy by modern standards.

Gareth · **Reply #20 on:** October 19, 2012, 10:17:36 AM

I think the one thing this is going to do, that not many other AAA lights can, is give the flood-to-throw focus. 37 lumen in one tight spot can still feel pretty bright. I am not ready to write this one off until I have seen it in action.

parnass · **Reply #21 on:** October 19, 2012, 07:27:11 PM

A review has been posted here:

http://budgetlightforum.com/node/14182

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #22 on:** October 19, 2012, 08:04:08 PM

Very cool.

For those of you who aren't thrilled by this thing, just imagine that these will be sitting in aisle caps at Home Depot and the like, and folks will start buying them where they wouldn't have ever seen a Fenix.

I love the little 4Sevens light I have, but most folks would think I was NUTS paying over $20 for it. I think the under-20 pricepoint, and trusted name of Maglight will sell this thing. I think people will be frickin blown away by how bright it is, compared to their old Solitaire.

I picked up an LED minimag a while back as a work light. It's taken a few knocks, and is running fine. I personally like maglights.

I'd prefer it had a very low mode (comperable to the old Solitaire's 2 lumen) along with the brighter mode, but for what it is, I think it'll be good, and I'm happy to know that a good AAA LED light will be available at pretty much every hardware store and Walmart soon.

Is it the best out there? No. Is it a great improvement for the mass market? IMO, absolutely. Particularly when the price point comes down to the $10 range.

Pacu · **Reply #23 on:** October 20, 2012, 12:27:24 AM

the minimag aa got me thru scouts so i will always like good ole Mag-lite.

I also agree on mags being everywhere in the US. Everyone has one or two at home. It is the official light of the backwoods good ole boy. Cops here always carried the big 4-6 d cell versions to whoop some ass with. If cops carried them the must be good right?

I also agree the everyday person hasn't a clue about higher quality lights.