Maglite Solitaire - Incandescent - Do you still use them?

[gurdygurds]

My Solitaire love affair revival is still in full swing. Can’t get enough of this thing. Anyone know what kind of runtime to expect out of this thing on a lithium primary??

 

[iamlucky13]

I wonder if it might have shorter runtime than the standard alkaline rating due to the better voltage under of load of the lithium primaries.

Anybody have a good suggestion for smoothing out the beam on an incandescent Solitaire a little bit without making it too floody? I tried Scotch Magic tape, since I don't have any DC-Fix on hand, and it was too much, even when on the tightest focus.

 

[gurdygurds]

I sand the lens.

I wonder if it might have shorter runtime than the standard alkaline rating due to the better voltage under of load of the lithium primaries.

Anybody have a good suggestion for smoothing out the beam on an incandescent Solitaire a little bit without making it too floody? I tried Scotch Magic tape, since I don't have any DC-Fix on hand, and it was too much, even when on the tightest focus.

 

[bykfixer]

Sand the bulb globe a bit.

(Fenix E01 trick)

Glad to see the solitaire getting some love again.

 

[iamlucky13]

I guess I'll try sanding the bulb as my first option, since that is more easily reversible, and I have a spare. Thanks.

For that matter, maybe I should get another couple of spares so I can continue to use this light if I so desire in the distant future.

 

[snakebite]

true.
i have a few untouched special editions ratholed in their original packages(minus the alkaleaks).
all the ones in service have ebay hi cri led and 10440 li in them.

"Flashaholic" and "stock Solitaire" don't go together in the same sentence. The notably smaller Klarus MiX5, with uses the even-smaller AAAA battery size, is five times brighter..

 

[gurdygurds]

literally cannot believe that I never thought to sand the bulb. Probably way more effective than sanding the lens. GRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Sand the bulb globe a bit.

(Fenix E01 trick)

Glad to see the solitaire getting some love again.

 

[iamlucky13]

literally cannot believe that I never thought to sand the bulb. Probably way more effective than sanding the lens. GRRRRRRRRRRRRR

My instinct is strongly not to do this, but I trust bykfixer, and on further thought, there's a big difference between concerns about the integrity of the bulb of a 500W halogen worklamp that you don't even want to get skin oil on less it cause a hotspot that shatters the bulb, versus a 2 lumen flashlight.

 

[JohnMcD348]

I've always kind of liked the old style Solitaire lights. I have both and keep the Incandescent models on my key rings. I don't always like a bright light when I'm out at night and if I need brighter, I have other options. Sometimes you just need enough light to see the key hole or look at something close without lighting up the entire area and completely ruining your night vision.

 

[greenpondmike]

My incan solitaire is special because I didn't buy it. I found it out in my yard where a thief dropped it. Great light if you want to see without being seen. I used it on my jobsite at the abandoned mine and with fresh batteries it did well. It even shined off a green road sign off in the distance where I enter the property. It shines up into the high trees off in the distance. It is a useful light.

 

[InvisibleFrodo]

Sand the bulb globe a bit.

I wish I would have seen this back when I had access to a bead blaster at work.

 

[bykfixer]

And for my next trick, watch me drive this nail with a jackhammer……

 

[greenpondmike]

And for my next trick, watch me drive this nail with a jackhammer……

Lol

 

[gurdygurds]

Ordered another one of these little guys today. I miss having one as my bedside table light for reading and late night trips to the bathroom. A classic little light.

 

[thermal guy]

I have one I use almost religiously on a daily basis. I have a lid on my toolbox that needs to be wedged to stay open. It’s the perfect length 😁😁

 

[bykfixer]

I keep an incan and a Spectrum warm version on my night stand. Both are very handy at times.

 

[ampdude]

Funny this thread came up again. I pulled several new old stock out of their packages the other day because the alkalines that came in the package all leaked. Must have been a bad batch of AAA batteries, because my 2AAA Minimags were all the same way. I think they were all marked 2027 and had all gone to hell already being stored at room temperature.

 

[gurdygurds]

Well got my new Solitaire today and was quickly reminded of why I love sandpaper so much. Man this beam is ringy. First I popped the bulb out and gave that a good sanding as Bykfixer or someone had mentioned earlier in this thread. Still ringy. Put the bulb back in and screwed on the head and sanded the lens real good. Now it has a respectably smooth beam. These are like E01s in my opinion as far as having to work a little bit to get the beam to where you like it. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, it has taken its rightful place on my bedside table. Always at the ready to show me the way to the restroom and to make sure I don't step on the dog's head while en route. I love these things. Long live the Solitaire incan.

 

[jarobi]

I have and occasionally use a MM with a Lambda Lights SMJLed. Lithium battery only.

 

[Monocrom]

Even when new the inca. Solitaire was at best, a barely decent keychain light.

Honestly haven't used one in decades. Though did gift the latest version of the Solitaire to an ASMR-tist friend of mine. First day it arrived, she used it and loves it! So, the form-factor is excellent.