Hey Everyone

[BillyBeam]

I'm a newbie here. I never thought I would join a forum on flashlights, but I have always been a flashlight buff. I purchased the Maglite 3D 2AA combo today at Costco. They had both types in the same rack. I got the Model GX3457HX It looks like the newer LED, and no bulb change pic on the package
The othe ones hade the bulb change pic on package and the model # is Model GX3457HG
The 3D is pretty bright. Brighter than my HighBeam with the K2 Luxeon LED. I really don't care much for the multi function on the 2AA though. When you adjust and it goes out, it goes to the wimp mode.

 

[edc3]

Hey BillyBeam!

:welcome:

Prepare yourself for

 

[Larbo]

:welcome:

 

[alfreddajero]

If its a pain then you might want to keep that sucker in the car for flat tire duty in the dark.......and welcome to the brightest place on earth.

 

[Gunner12]

:welcome:

I hope you enjoy your stay!

 

[sabre7]

:welcome: Caution: this place can be a real pain in the wallet!!

 

[elumen8]

:welcome: Welcome aboard. Have fun with your lights. By the way, in time you'll find that wimp mode (low mode) to be very useful with night adjusted eyes.

JB

 

[deranged_coder]

:welcome:

I really don't care much for the multi function on the 2AA though. When you adjust and it goes out, it goes to the wimp mode.

Do not be so quick to dismiss lower levels of output. With dark adapted eyes, the lower levels will provide enough light while still allowing your eyes to remain dark adapted. And they allow for longer runtime as well, meaning you will not have to keep recharging batteries or buy new primary cells as often. Multi-mode lights are very practical in the sense that you can get the best of both worlds: high output (but lower runtime) and long runtime (at lower output).

 

[strinq]

:welcome:

You might be a supporter of low levels in the future.

 

[black kamagong]

:welcome: Caution: this place can be a real pain in the wallet!!

I agree!:welcome:

 

[gswitter]

Do not be so quick to dismiss lower levels of output. With dark adapted eyes, the lower levels will provide enough light while still allowing your eyes to remain dark adapted. And they allow for longer runtime as well, meaning you will not have to keep recharging batteries or buy new primary cells as often. Multi-mode lights are very practical in the sense that you can get the best of both worlds: high output (but lower runtime) and long runtime (at lower output).

Unfortunately, the new MiniMag LED's low is still too high for preserving dark-adjusted eyes. And, it comes on High first.

The "wimp mode" might be good for extending runtime, but that's about it.

 

[BillyBeam]

Hey thanks everyone for the nice welcome. I have been doing research to replace the bulb in my Mini mags and just ended up more confused. Thery all say they're the best. Maybe someone can direct me to the best AA upgrade. I want decent runtime and most Lumens, you know, the best balance.

 

[yalskey]

Hey thanks everyone for the nice welcome. I have been doing research to replace the bulb in my Mini mags and just ended up more confused. Thery all say they're the best. Maybe someone can direct me to the best AA upgrade. I want decent runtime and most Lumens, you know, the best balance.

Ahhhh BillyBeam... you have no idea what you are getting yourself into if you pursue this flashlight hobby... LOL

Let me help (contribute to your addiction) by providing your these links...

http://www.surefire.com

...and when you say that Surefire lights are obviously too expensive...

http://www.4sevens.com

(use discount code "CPF8" for 8% off)

have fun adding line items to your credit card statement.

EDIT: Almost forgot... since you mentioned upgrading your Maglite...

http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop/dropin-mod-dropin-lamp-assembly-for-maglite-c-1_25.html

 

[Gunner12]

Check this thread for Maglite drop-ins and mods. I'd suggest buying a dimmer long runtime drop-in for the minimag, and a decent 2 AA light in place of the minimag. Keep the minimag as a loaner light, and use the other light for youself.

 

[BillyBeam]

Thanks everyone. Kinda seems like Maglite has taken a back seat to most all other makers. Maybe because they waited too long to even come out with LED, they rode the incandescent dinasaur as long as they could.

 

[PCC]

Hey thanks everyone for the nice welcome. I have been doing research to replace the bulb in my Mini mags and just ended up more confused. Thery all say they're the best. Maybe someone can direct me to the best AA upgrade. I want decent runtime and most Lumens, you know, the best balance.

Well, I, too, have pondered what to do with an old Mini-MagLite that I currently carry as my EDC until my Quark MiNi AA shows up. I'm planning on getting a MadMax Lite or Max from The Sandwich Shoppe then using it to power a Cree XR-G R5 which should be good for about 90 lumens for the Mini and about 180 lumens for the Max but the Max will have about half the run time of the Mini. How much run time is a mystery at this point but the Quark MiNi AA runs at 90 lumens on high from one AA for about 1.2 hours using the same emitter at the same current. Two AAs should give you more than that. Figure about 2 hours? The Max will probably give you one hour but these are only guesses.

 

[Painful Chafe]

Thanks everyone. Kinda seems like Maglite has taken a back seat to most all other makers. Maybe because they waited too long to even come out with LED, they rode the incandescent dinasaur as long as they could.

Now you've gone and opened up another can of worms. I'm putting together a 900 lumens Mag 85 now. Do a search on it.:welcome:

 

[Hitthespot]

Hey thanks everyone for the nice welcome. I have been doing research to replace the bulb in my Mini mags and just ended up more confused. Thery all say they're the best. Maybe someone can direct me to the best AA upgrade. I want decent runtime and most Lumens, you know, the best balance.

Oh yea your in trouble. Five posts and your already asking about mods! :thumbsup:


:welcome:


Bill