Maglite coming out with Xenon bulbs

[Monsters_Inc]

The following was contained in an email reply sent to me from Maglite when I registered my latest purchase -

From: [Mag Instrument Web Site]
To: [Me]
Subject: Maglite.com Website Visit - Your Feedback - Control Number *****

<snip>
We will be introducing a Xenon lamp for our D & C cell lights shortly after the first of the year.

Don

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

It's true! It's TRUE!

I got mine at Home Depot (Only one of two I visited has the Xenons).

I have one in a 2C Mag (driven by two Rayovac Alkys) and one in a 3D (with Energizer Alkys) and after tweaking them to center up the beam I am quite pleased with them! There ain't NO WAY I would try driving them with 3Cs (against the 2cell) or 4Cs (against the 3cell) though.

 

[e=mc²]

Hey Playboy, do you have any SF lights or someother that you can reference these to in terms of brightness. Like, how much brighter than a std Mag of the same battery cfg. This would be great if they are as bright as the Brinkmann Legend LX or SF E2e. I know they will not be as "compact" as the Liths, but seriously, these small Lithium powered 2X123A lights just stomp all over my STANDARD mags. Can't wait to here how these Xenon Mags fair against lithium lights.....

Ed

 

[nihraguk]

hmm but what will the bulb life be? and how much do the new bulbs cost?

now what they need to introduce are textured reflectors

 

[Raven]

Would anyone besides me like to see an led version of the 6c )

Raven

 

[nihraguk]

wouldn't putting in a xenon bulb create heat problems for the plastic lens and reflector?

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Sorry Ed, I have no Surefire to compare it to.

It is not bright in the LX sense, nor is it in the same class as 4AA driving a KPR103. The hotspots are nearly there but the other lights FLOOD that brightly.

But given what the two Mags I mentioned had as original beams, it was time and money well spent. If I hit you in the eyes with the hotspot of the 2C I promise you wouldn't like it!

As to bulb life, I should think driving them at the intended strength should make them worth at least a dozen hours. I wouldn't know as I don't use any one light for more than minutes at a time.

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

Mag would do better to come out with a stipled reflector.

 

[Vikas Sontakke]

Radio Shack has been selling XPR series Xenon bulbs for a while. Is Maglite Xenon better than RS Xenon?

- Vikas

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Just a note. Before I left home I picked up my best three lights, LX, PT 40 with KPR103, and Rayovac Prodigy 4AA with Nimh and KPR103.

I tried the 2C against them on the cieling and wall. The Hotspot of the 2C is WAY brighter than the flood from any of those lights!

I think they are better bulbs than the RS bulbs because they are very compact with straight sides and a round top, no point. It allows for fewer rings and artifacts.

They are $3.47 at Home Depot.

 

[dwminer]

Oh great! Now I have to dig out all my old Maglite's and upgrade them. Probably have to replace about a dozen or so batteries.
Dave

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Caution Dave!

Do NOT try to drive Xenon bulbs with any more cells than they are designed for. Flashbulbs usually result!

 

[Monsters_Inc]

So I guess 2 years later we'll see these Mag-Xenon's arrive at our shores here in Aust.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Someone on here would likely grab a couple and mail them to you for about the cost of buying and shipping them.

Email me and we can discuss it.

 

[KartRacer31]

Are these new Mag bulbs made by Carley? They sure look like it.

 

[Ratso]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure these are Xenon Stars. They are a bit brighter than HPX or RS Xenon bulbs but I hear they have lousy beam focus.

 

[nihraguk]

oh damn...luckily there's a pretty established authorized maglite dealer in singapore, so it shouldn't take that long for the new bulbs to arrive. i wonder how much they cost though....cos whatever it cost in US dollars is multiplied 1.8 times over here.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

If I can get hold of my Sony MVCF90 someday, and if I can email some pics to someone who can post them here... I will dispell THAT rumor Ratso!

Seriously, my 2C and 3D Mags with Xenon Stars are quite tightly focused, and the beam on the 3D is quite smooth in the center sorta like my PT 40.

Hold judgement until you actually work with one.

One more thing. I have an Eveready Find Me light. I tried a 2 Cell Xenon Star in it. It was pretty bright, but so tightly focused as to be nearly worthless. It is a function of how compact the Xenons are. They really need a Mag or similar to shine.

 

[Ratso]

Joe, I saw the beam shot of it here: Carley Xenon vs. OEM bulb

Also, I have used one before (not in a Mag Lite) and noticed the lens end projects an awkward "beam".

However, I am not here to criticze anything. Just suggesting that you can try HPX or XPR bulbs for a cheaper alternative.

Really, This is a big improvement for Mag-Lite. After like 10 years or more without changing ANYTHING except for annodize colors on the Mini-Mag, now they are at least brighter for the size. What Mag really needs to do is introduce an Ultra Stinger style reflector so you get good beam and throw too. Also, maybe a Mag 2L that runs on SF123A lithiums.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Nevertheless, I intend to get my camera away from my buddy and take plenty of beam shots!

Then I will figure out how to get some on here.