Will I turn into a Maglite fan once again?

[vicv]

Well when I bought a bunch of 5 cell and 6 cell bulbs from a mag distributor(old stock) I screwed my math up and over paid by $5. They were insistent I stop by to retrieve my $5. Instead I gave them an additional $20 and bought a 3c mag incan. So there's another 3c I have. Along with a 3d, a 3c ML50LX, an xl200, and a 2c ML25it on the way.
I think the new one is going to get a fancy reflector, glass lens, and some 21700s along with a brighter bulb. I'm wanting around 350-400L

 

[xxo]

Sounds like you are on your way to becoming a Mag fan again.

 

[vicv]

So I got some AA to C adaptors in the mail. Had to modify them as they were two short to hold nimh cells. But nothing a drill press and a step bit will not solve quickly.
So I tested my ML50LX 3 cell on three different chemistries.
On frest C alkaline cells (Duracell pro cells) I got 1.6A on high and it quickly started falling.
On 3x nihm AA (white Amazon basics 2000mah made in china cells) I got 1.8A pretty steady.
On 3x l91( expired in 2020 but measured 1.8v) also gave 1.6A but held firm at that draw.
I had previously had a set of rayovac C cells when new hit 1.8A but after less than an hour of use of mostly low and eco with only short bursts of high, they're already at .8A draw on high.
This light is pretty hard on alkalines and you will only ever get the 700L high on the first minute or so on fresh cells. You'll never see that output again until you give it fresh batteries.
I've gotta wonder though. Even at 1.8A I have to doubt this light will actually hit 700L. That would require about 1000 emitter lumens. That's not going to happen on 1.8A. Don't get me wrong this light is plenty bright, but I can't see it being much more than 500L going by the current draw.

 

[hsa]

Just wondering if you are using a clamp meter to check draw.

 

[vicv]

No. A fluke 179 and I'm putting the meter in series.

 

[xxo]

So I got some AA to C adaptors in the mail. Had to modify them as they were two short to hold nimh cells. But nothing a drill press and a step bit will not solve quickly.
So I tested my ML50LX 3 cell on three different chemistries.
On frest C alkaline cells (Duracell pro cells) I got 1.6A on high and it quickly started falling.
On 3x nihm AA (white Amazon basics 2000mah made in china cells) I got 1.8A pretty steady.
On 3x l91( expired in 2020 but measured 1.8v) also gave 1.6A but held firm at that draw.
I had previously had a set of rayovac C cells when new hit 1.8A but after less than an hour of use of mostly low and eco with only short bursts of high, they're already at .8A draw on high.
This light is pretty hard on alkalines and you will only ever get the 700L high on the first minute or so on fresh cells. You'll never see that output again until you give it fresh batteries.
I've gotta wonder though. Even at 1.8A I have to doubt this light will actually hit 700L. That would require about 1000 emitter lumens. That's not going to happen on 1.8A. Don't get me wrong this light is plenty bright, but I can't see it being much more than 500L going by the current draw.

Don't know about the new 700 lumen ML50's but my old 600 lumen ML50L seems to have the advertised lumens, the best as I can tell comparing with other lights.

The Amp draw on high is not sustainable for alkalines, which is why good NiMH or protected Li-ion cells are the way to go - plus they are rechargeable and generally don't leak.

 

[fuyume]

Energizer bought rayovac. Duracell was bought by a couple of old koot billionaires, known for running companies into the ground to squeeze whatever profit out of them that they can.

That probably explains why I can no longer get the Rayovac CR123As I used to buy at Wallyworld.

 

[bykfixer]

I see Energizer 123's at Wal Mart, Home Depot and Lowes now. Still plenty of Rayovac alkalines tho.

 

[xxo]

duracell and enegizer/rayovac have been closing plants in the USA and consolidating production of alkaline cells.

 

[bykfixer]

Maglite has Marvel series 3 lights out now. MARVEL25 gets you 25% off.

There are now 2 marvel themed ML25's.

 

[Lawman VII XIV]

I had my fair share of Mini-Mags and then some, but otherwise was never a fan. They were OK and got the job done. For years my daily work light was a Streamlight, probably the very first iteration, and besides the short run time, was so much better than the 5xD monster that we were issued. I always carried a charged spare battery in my patrol box. Later I got a second Streamlight and just switched the two out when one ran low.

So not to long ago Amazon had a sale on 2D Maglites for $15 each, free shipping. On a WhatTheHeckWhim I got two. They turned out to be very nice lights. Decently made, very nice beam (depending on where you sent the Zoom) and acceptable spill and throw to keep one around the house and in the car.

Had I known I'd like that particular light so much, I'd have grabbed a couple more. Even with some Olights and a couple of other LED rechargables, it's always handy to have lights that can use off the shelf convenience store batteries, be it an AA, AAA, or whatever light. The 2D Maglites were a pleasant surprise.

 

[vicv]

I had my fair share of Mini-Mags and then some, but otherwise was never a fan. They were OK and got the job done. For years my daily work light was a Streamlight, probably the very first iteration, and besides the short run time, was so much better than the 5xD monster that we were issued. I always carried a charged spare battery in my patrol box. Later I got a second Streamlight and just switched the two out when one ran low.

So not to long ago Amazon had a sale on 2D Maglites for $15 each, free shipping. On a WhatTheHeckWhim I got two. They turned out to be very nice lights. Decently made, very nice beam (depending on where you sent the Zoom) and acceptable spill and throw to keep one around the house and in the car.

Had I known I'd like that particular light so much, I'd have grabbed a couple more. Even with some Olights and a couple of other LED rechargables, it's always handy to have lights that can use off the shelf convenience store batteries, be it an AA, AAA, or whatever light. The 2D Maglites were a pleasant surprise.

Is this an incandescent or an LED?

 

[Lawman VII XIV]

They're LEDs, which was the only reason I considered Maglites again. Well 2xD/LED/$15. The 5xD monster was incan, and the Streamlights, LED of course.

 

[eff]

The Mini Maglite 2xAA Pro and Pro+ versions are also a good alternative : Led, 200+ or 300+ lumens, decent runtimes with rechargeable AAs.

 

[3_gun]

Never stopped being a MagLite fan, just stopped buying new ones. Most of the ones I have have cost $1. Really no one wants 2/3 C/D cell MagLites so you can buy them at garage/estate sales for one dollar. Leave no MagLite behind is my motto. MiniMags can be had for $.50 .. yes fifty cents. I've got 11 working AA, C & D cell lights so far & won't stop when they're just 100 pennies or less

 

[bykfixer]

I did not know the 2D ML300LX had a tan option.
Welp, I ordered one so it'll arrive in a few days. That and a midnight blue 2D bipin that I'll probably convert to a PR base type and use a Brinkmann krypton bulb in it.

 

[xxo]

I did not know the 2D ML300LX had a tan option.
Welp, I ordered one so it'll arrive in a few days. That and a midnight blue 2D bipin that I'll probably convert to a PR base type and use a Brinkmann krypton bulb in it.

Those desert tan LX's look way cool! Kinda rare too. You don't see too many midnight blue D Mags anymore either.

 

[bykfixer]

To me the coyote tan one looked even better in real life. So did the midnight blue.


The side by side production blue versus the midnight blue

The ML300LX coyote tan is a 500+ version versus the sub 500 lumen gray one next to it in the top photo.
I'm still amazed at the beam from a 27 lumen Maglite as well

 

[xxo]

Sweet! is there a low serial number on the desert tan ML300LX?

 

[bykfixer]

#00009507

Thing is the 487 26kcd gray one appears brighter than the tan 524 33kcd one in a distance competition.
I could see the individual branches of a pine tree better with the gray one at around 500 feet or so.

The midnight blue 2D xenon was 38,xxx,xxx

Edit: 9307 not 9507 and 37,xxx,xxx not 38,xxx,xxx.