Maglite 2 C Cell lights?

The Ml25LT Is 177lumen twist head on/off with 2hr run time
ML50 Is side switch 490lumen 15hr run time,med 113Lm (29hrs) and Eco mode 23Lm(112hrs)
Ml50XL same as the ML50 with matte color and grip texture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ug4HuyzemU
I own the Ml25LT and ML50 and use AA batteries In C-cell adapter sleeves, I already had a bunch of AA re-chargeable getting the adapters was just simpler.
 
Sambob,

What is your take on the two C cell lights? What do you use them for? I have wanted a C cell light for my truck, and for emergencies as since C cell lights are not common, batteries would be easy to get.

And, I was, like you thinking of running Eneloops with the C cell adapter.

Thanks again,

RL
 
ML 25 is a 2c (and 3c) minimag for all practical purposes. The 019 model is 192 lumens with a low option now where it runs at about 70% for like 10x the run time. It's made to throw light so the 213 lumens shines farther than many lights with a lot more lumen output.

The ML 50 is also available in a 3c option too. It features available programs but from the factory has a hi/me/lo where the low is about 30 lumens for a couple hundred hours. Electronic switch instead of the mechanical type but a slight twist of the tailcap cuts the parasitic drain. Instead of infinite adjusting head it goes from a flood light to a spot light in about 3/4 of a turn. It has a wide output with a bright spill versus the classic Maglite throwey type output. The head is about 45 mm instead of the 50+mm head on the classic Maglite.


The LX is a hard annodized version with a more of a hand grenade grip instead of the classic Mag diamond pattern. As far as I know the operation is like the ML50 L otherwise.

The newer Maglites are not loaded with the latest, greatest goodies and tints. But the blue hint is gone and they're pretty nice lights.

Edit: corrected lumens of the ML25 using the correct number indicated in post #9 by xxo. End edit.
 
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Sambob,

What is your take on the two C cell lights? What do you use them for? I have wanted a C cell light for my truck, and for emergencies as since C cell lights are not common, batteries would be easy to get.

And, I was, like you thinking of running Eneloops with the C cell adapter.

Thanks again,

RL

I started with the Ml25 and ran It like your thinking Eneloops In c cell adapters and kept It In my center console for 2 yrs checked the batteries about every 6mo no problem, and then the ML50 came out and I upgraded I liked the option of high,low and Eco brightness levels and run time's, the ML25 will get relegated to home and general use I've found It to be a reliable handy light It can also be used In candle mode like the mini mags I don't think you can do that with the ML50.
 
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Correct sam, they do not do candle mode. Ok, so imagine it does. You place a 600+ lumen light in front of you on a table in candle mode. Good Gosh man!! You'll see spots for days.

When Mrs. Fixer and I lost power in a snow storm late last year we stuck an ML300 on a counter top in medium mode on it's tailcap and the ceiling bounce lit the dining room enough for her to croche' by and I read by. Our bathroom was lit the same way by an ML50 on eco mode. When WalMart cleared out some USA packaged ML lights I bought a few for using throughout our home.

My little whisper quiet, gasoline sipping Honda camping generator is dedicated to run a small window unit ac or electric room heater so we use flashlights and jar candles for lighting at those times.

I use a pair of eneloops in a 2 cell ML25 too. It's so light you'd think you forgotten to put batteries in. I like to use the tailcap for the on/off switch while the beam stays dialed like I like it.
 
Yup, the 2C ML25 is much like a fat Mini Mag LED – it's a twisty and can do the candle mode thing, but I find it is too bright to look at directly. Inside I just ceiling bounce it. The ML25's have some of the most useful beam patterns of any lights I am aware of – a huge spill just bright enough for most up close tasks and to keep you from stumbling around when walking at night without having to keep constantly scanning around with the light and the tight hot spot is great for distance. The original 2C ML25 was a single mode light rated at 177 lumens, there is a newer version out now that is rated at 192 lumens and has a low mode that seems to be around 25% on mine (I haven't found the official spec on this). These are a great bargain at under $20 at the wall of mart.

The ML50 has a bigger/ higher lumen xml series emitter and a slightly bigger reflector along with a multi-mode electronic side switch. The side switch makes the ML50 a good bit longer than the ML25. The ML50 can be easily programed to 1 of 4 "function sets" or groups of 3 modes (High/Low/Eco is the default but I keep mine programmed in mode 3 for Momentary/High/Eco). I find the eco mode is great for up close/indoors and really provides a ton of run time. Despite the higher lumens and larger reflector, the 2C ML50 is not quite as throwy as the ML25, but it's close.

Overall my 2C ML25 and ML50LX are 2 of my favorite lights. The 2C form factor is great, though I don't actually use C cell alkaline batteries. I run mostly AA Eneloops (or Ultimate Lithium Energizers when stored in a vehicle) and protected 18650's in adapters – I like the light weight of these cells and that there's no worries with leaks.

j23Fn0Y.jpg
 
I'm looking for a light for the car, been hemming and hawing over a lithium light but don't want to be worried if it gets knocked around or left in a cold/hot car.

ML50L/X looks like it might be a contender. Love my eneloops but never ran them in a C light. What type of run times are you getting with them vs. straight C's? I've also thought about NiMh C cells but experiences seem to be mixed.
 
I'm looking for a light for the car, been hemming and hawing over a lithium light but don't want to be worried if it gets knocked around or left in a cold/hot car.

ML50L/X looks like it might be a contender. Love my eneloops but never ran them in a C light. What type of run times are you getting with them vs. straight C's? I've also thought about NiMh C cells but experiences seem to be mixed.



I got over 2 hrs of run time on AA Eneloops on high and over 25 hrs in eco mode in the 2C ML50LX, though I would recommend Energizer L91's for a light kept in vehicle for their better performance in extreme temperatures.
 
Wow, was expecting less honestly but that's good to know. Thanks!
 
OP you cannot really go wrong with these new XML2 Mags. I have all the flavors of the L and LX new XML2 Mags. Thes are the greatest full size Mags they have ever made. Now as for a simple 2 C cell version I would spend the extra 7-8 bucks and get the "up armored" ML50LX version. The LX variants of these new XML2 Mags have far better anodizing and a very useful grenade grip machined into the lights body. They are tougher to scratch up etc. than the normal L variants.

You can find the up armored LX versions of these new Mags on Bri*ght G*y. C o m. The LX versions of these amazing new Mags really do not cost much more than the standard L series Mags.

Best part is that these amazing new XML2 Mags are designed to run on regular alkaline batteries that you can get anywhere.
 
xxo - the 18650 in your picture with the adapter, is this Lithium Ion or LiPo? I think it is Li-Ion (?).

I think in another thread about the ML25 2C I saw a comment (yours?) about running that light on 18650 and I tried it tonight and it worked perfectly. I didn't try it in my ML50L 2C since I hadn't seen this thread yet.

I guess if you confirm you do use a Li-Ion on the ML50L 2C, I can try too. The one I have has a nice tint and didn't want to risk it (burning the electronics) without seeing some info. I had a black ML50LX, but gave it away as it had a very purple tint to it :^( compared to the one I have that has a nice tint. I hope to get another ML50LX in the future again.

Thanks for any clarification on using a 18650 with the ML50LX. I'm assuming the electronics are the same for the standard L also.

Yup, the 2C ML25 is much like a fat Mini Mag LED – it's a twisty and can do the candle mode thing, but I find it is too bright to look at directly. Inside I just ceiling bounce it. The ML25's have some of the most useful beam patterns of any lights I am aware of – a huge spill just bright enough for most up close tasks and to keep you from stumbling around when walking at night without having to keep constantly scanning around with the light and the tight hot spot is great for distance. The original 2C ML25 was a single mode light rated at 177 lumens, there is a newer version out now that is rated at 192 lumens and has a low mode that seems to be around 25% on mine (I haven't found the official spec on this). These are a great bargain at under $20 at the wall of mart.

The ML50 has a bigger/ higher lumen xml series emitter and a slightly bigger reflector along with a multi-mode electronic side switch. The side switch makes the ML50 a good bit longer than the ML25. The ML50 can be easily programed to 1 of 4 "function sets" or groups of 3 modes (High/Low/Eco is the default but I keep mine programmed in mode 3 for Momentary/High/Eco). I find the eco mode is great for up close/indoors and really provides a ton of run time. Despite the higher lumens and larger reflector, the 2C ML50 is not quite as throwy as the ML25, but it's close.

Overall my 2C ML25 and ML50LX are 2 of my favorite lights. The 2C form factor is great, though I don't actually use C cell alkaline batteries. I run mostly AA Eneloops (or Ultimate Lithium Energizers when stored in a vehicle) and protected 18650's in adapters – I like the light weight of these cells and that there's no worries with leaks.

j23Fn0Y.jpg
 
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Yup, it is a Li-ion cell, I normally use protected cells, but the one in the pic is a unprotected cheapo westinghouse cell.


As to how safe it is to run a single Li-ion in a 2 cell ML50 or ML25, all I can say for sure that they work in mine with no problems. I can't guarantee that it safe in all 2C Mags, but I haven't heard of anyone blowing one running a single Li-ion cell, though there have been a few people that have blown them trying to run two Li-ions in series. You also need to be careful not to put the cell in backwards as reversing the polarity will blow the light for sure (which us why I use built in mechanical reverse polarity protection in my adapters).
 
Thanks xxo! Going to try a 18650 in my ML50L tonight.

Regarding the Westinghouse batteries, I picked some up from WM a few years back, but 18500 LiPos, and they have worked well for some Surefire 9V incans I run. I can run them on freshly charged 18500x2 LiPo without fear of blowing them with 18500x2 Li-Ion or 18650x2 Li-Ion. Not much runtime due to capacity, but for around the house, it's cool.

Thanks again for the confirmation (on your 2C mags) with 18650 :thumbsup:
 
Instead of using 18650, you can use 21700 with 5000mAh
All it needs enlarged inside holder hole.


Like this?


vyYIpnd.jpg



I printed this 21700 to 2C adapter a while back - works great! 5000 mAh 21700's are real powerhouses, they have a good bit more Watt hrs than two 5500 mAh Soshine NiMH C cells, in fact they even have slightly more Watt hrs than 3!.
 
Thanks xxo! Going to try a 18650 in my ML50L tonight.

Regarding the Westinghouse batteries, I picked some up from WM a few years back, but 18500 LiPos, and they have worked well for some Surefire 9V incans I run. I can run them on freshly charged 18500x2 LiPo without fear of blowing them with 18500x2 Li-Ion or 18650x2 Li-Ion. Not much runtime due to capacity, but for around the house, it's cool.

Thanks again for the confirmation (on your 2C mags) with 18650 :thumbsup:

Cool!

Please let us know how it works out for you.
 
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