MagLite upgraded to a Rebel!! (pics in post 34)

[BBnet3000]

new or old LEDs are a lot less important than the heat issue. i have no idea why they dont have an LED/reflector kit with a decent heatsink as part of it, it doesnt seem like it would be very difficult, theres a decent amount of space in the head and they could have some way for it to make contact with the body pretty easily.

 

[Nitroz]

new or old LEDs are a lot less important than the heat issue. i have no idea why they dont have an LED/reflector kit with a decent heatsink as part of it, it doesnt seem like it would be very difficult, theres a decent amount of space in the head and they could have some way for it to make contact with the body pretty easily.

I don't see them redoing something like this even though they should. Mag is such a large company, for them to retool and change this would be cost a fortune.

 

[likeguymontag]

I don't see them redoing something like this even though they should. Mag is such a large company, for them to retool and change this would be cost a fortune.

If they were to go to the expense of retooling to manufacture a superior product, surely they'd also change the packaging to indicate the improvement. Hell, lots of manufacturers put "New and Improved" on their packaging when they haven't changed a thing.

 

[Big_Ed]

Re: MagLite upgraded to a Rebel!!

I went to a different Lowe's and a Walmart. Both had them. This time I brought the camera, but had an awful time trying to get a decent picture through the frosty packaging. Below are some of the better ones that came out. I threw in a pic of the Lux 3 as seen through the packaging so you can clearly see it looks different. I did not open one up, but through the reflector it looks like it uses the same pill as before.

http://picasaweb.google.com/bsmoooth/RebelMag

Which ones are which? It's not clear to me. Thanks.

 

[Marduke]

Re: MagLite upgraded to a Rebel!!

Which ones are which? It's not clear to me. Thanks.

#3 is the Lux 3. The others are the Rebel 60

 

[Nitroz]

If they were to go to the expense of retooling to manufacture a superior product, surely they'd also change the packaging to indicate the improvement. Hell, lots of manufacturers put "New and Improved" on their packaging when they haven't changed a thing.

They might have that "Improved" stamped on the package now since they changed the LED. Still, it is only just a little improvement.:sigh:

 

[Nitroz]

Marduke,

Did they say that they have improved the light on the packaging?

 

[Marduke]

Marduke,

Did they say that they have improved the light on the packaging?

Not sure. If they did, it was not obvious. I'll be stopping at another Lowe's tomorrow (still looking for that headlamp), so I'll try to take a picture of the old and new package to compare. If successful, that will be up late Sunday night.

 

[defloyd77]

What if this isn't Mag's next step? It seems like a lot of manufacturers that were using Luxeon I or III changed to the Rebel 50 or 60, maybe Lumileds is either pushing/suggesting these Rebels instead of the Luxeons or offering better deals. I think this might be a small stepping stone before Mag's next move.

 

[Marduke]

I think this might be a small stepping stone before Mag's next move.

Well, we should know in another 2-4 years then...

 

[lightinsky]

Refuse to change with the times you get left behind. Mag needs to catch up to the Technology that's current if they don't they will no longer be on the Christmas wish list anylonger. Just my 2 cents.

 

[defloyd77]

Has production on the TFFC Rebels and K2s picked back up yet or are they still slow?

 

[Black Rose]

Re: MagLite upgraded to a Rebel!!

That is why I said that a Seoul would work best in a Mag due to it being close to the Philips emission pattern. Not to mention it puts out more light.

And if wasn't for those positive slugs on the Seouls, it would be an easier swap.

 

[Black Rose]

Next step: Cree P4s when everybody else will be using R5s (or whatever we'll have by then).

Bad analogy....people actually like Cree P4s

I prefer the Cree Q5 but continue to use my Cree P4 lights.

 

[tebore]

Maybe LumiLEDs is finally stopping/cutting production on Lux I/IIIs and thus have forced Mag and others to start using rebels and K2.

Nitroz your information is slightly off. The Rebel and K2 put out the same amount of heat if you drive them at the same level. Assuming the same bins and yes they do use the same binning structure. The Really old K2s are about the same efficiency as the best Lux 3 but with better heat handling and thus ability to be driven at 1.5Amps.

The Rebel 100 and K2 200 are both TFFC based and will deliver ~100lm at 350mA. Thus similar efficiency just different packaging. The natural move would have been to use the K2. However I suspectthat the larger package of the K2 probably had something to do with the choice for a rebel.

Rebel 060s are along the lines of top bin Lux 3 in effiency and aren't using the TFFC technology that the latest gen is using to get nearly 2x the efficiency.

Ok so whose's going to be the first to buy and dissect one of these babies.

 

[ace0001a]

To me, to subject of Mag making huge improvements or retooling their manufacturing is like

I think it's more plausible that Lumileds is cutting back on production of their Luxeon 3 LEDs, finally have ran out of back stock of them, cut Maglite a really really good deal on the Rebel 060 or all of the above. You can still look at this as an "improvement" no matter how slight it is. And besides, I hope Mag never retools and keeps making them the way they do because I love the idea of being able to mod them. There are so many aftermarket drop-ins and mod components for Maglites, that any and all flashaholics should take a stab at doing themselves...it's part of why this hobby is fun. For the average Joe Schmoe who buys Maglites at the big box stores, they probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the "old" LuxIII MagLED and the "new" Rebel060 ones anyways...so what Mag has done is good enough for the general public.

 

[defloyd77]

I'd like to add some personal observations;

1. In the non-flashaholic world, Mag is not in danger of being "left behind", heck most people see them as THE flashlight company and buy cheap ol' plastic incans unless they want to upgrade the the "superior" Mag.

2. Magleds don't seem to sell around here. Why? It's not the last gen technology that turns Joe Average off, it's their price. Putting in the latest and greatest might not help that much in sales to Mr. Average, especially if they decide to up the price or even leave it the same.

3. Gummy dome Seoul + Mag + Joe Average = one f'd up dome. I've seem far to many bulbs break when a headless Mag takes a fall when tailstanding. Not to mention they seem to be a magnet for dust and junk.

I think tossing in the 060 Rebel is a good step forward, it may not be brighter, but as others said it'll have a tighter beam, possibly better tint and then there's the lower VF. What effect will the lower VF have anyway? Brighter or longer running? Not to mention that it gives them the chance to experiment with the Rebel, seeing if they like it and if they do, maybe they'll decide to upgrade to the TFFC.

 

[Dark Laser]

Well, sry for my grammar mistakes first - I hope it isn't that bad

@defloyd77:

1. +1, I agree completely.
2. +1 again...but...perhaps you know about Mag's prices here in Germany - and most of Europe :sigh:. And I wonder when the "new" MagLeds will be available over here anyway
3. you are right again


But let's look on the positive side: Mag is really doing SOMEthing :twothumbs

Lower forward voltage means: less power needed, if the current stays the same and the LED has a lower Vf. (P=U*I)
Less power = more runtime.

 

[metlarules]

A few things to keep in mind about Maglite.

1) Mags are top notch fashlights to the average Joe. Hell, most non-flashoholics think are pricey. If they bought the latest and greatest emitter it would cost more.Which means they will have to pass it along to the consumer. I don't think the average person is willing to purchase a flashlight that cost more than $30.

2) Imagine how many leds that Maglite buys under contract at a time. They have to buy enough leds to keep up with the demand without interuptions in the production line. So any change WILL NOT be made till the current stock of leds are used up. Which leads me to believe that is what is happening now.

3) Mags are good lights for the average Joe. They are bright enough for general use. They are durable,and the runtime is damn good.

 

[Black Rose]

2. Magleds don't seem to sell around here. Why? It's not the last gen technology that turns Joe Average off, it's their price.

Very true. They cost even more outside the US, depending on the retailer.

I personally don't have a problem buying MagLEDs, but I won't pay full price for them.

3. Gummy dome Seoul + Mag + Joe Average = one f'd up dome. I've seem far to many bulbs break when a headless Mag takes a fall when tailstanding. Not to mention they seem to be a magnet for dust and junk.

Very good point about the gummy dome in candle mode.