MagLite upgraded to a Rebel!! (pics in post 34)

[elumen8]

Just a little heads-up for anybody looking to get a 2AA...they're on sale at Home Depot for $9.88.

Thanks Robin24k for the tip. I ran down to pick up three more 2AA for stocking stuffers.

On another note, someone mentioned switching the multi-mode 2AA pill with the 2D pill. I kinda like the idea of the multi-mode in the 2D. Does anyone know how large the difference in brightness between the two are, seeing as they both use the Rebel -090?

-JB

PS...I emailed maglite customer service about a leaky battery issue and among other things in their reply they said " We plan releasing both 2 and 3 cell C LED flashlights in the near future. You may start looking for our new product in all the local retail stores in late January or early February, 2010". I can't wait... I love the C cell form factor.

 

[Robin24k]

Just curious, which Home Depot did you go to? Hopefully you didn't go the one in 95129...a store employee (after being asked about having more stock by me and becoming away of the deal) and I took the last two good ones (with lanyard hole tailcap). There were four black ones without the lanyard hole left. Those are known for having some reliability issues.

 

[elumen8]

Just curious, which Home Depot did you go to? Hopefully you didn't go the one in 95129...a store employee (after being asked about having more stock by me and becoming away of the deal) and I took the last two good ones (with lanyard hole tailcap). There were four black ones without the lanyard hole left. Those are known for having some reliability issues.

I went to the HD at the new Plant shopping center at Curtner and Monterey. I almost went to that HD that you went to on Capitol. The employees at the location I was at didn't know anything about the saleprice, but it rung right upon the register. I got the last three grey with the lanyard holes. I have red, blue, silver, grey and black first version 2AA Rebels without the lanyard holes that haven't shown any reliabilty issues.

JB

 

[Swordforthelord]

Just curious, which Home Depot did you go to? Hopefully you didn't go the one in 95129...a store employee (after being asked about having more stock by me and becoming away of the deal) and I took the last two good ones (with lanyard hole tailcap). There were four black ones without the lanyard hole left. Those are known for having some reliability issues.

There's been 3 versions without the lanyard holes. The very first version was the single mode Lux III and it definitely had issues. Then I believe they released a modified version to correct this. Next they released the Multi Mode Rebel and finally they released the Rebel with the lanyard hole. 3 out of 4 of these did not have the lanyard hole but only the very first had problems.

 

[Rick Condon]

Okay, I've checked out the new Maglite 2D Rebel I picked up yesterday. Here's my 2 cents.

Pros
1 - Good for defense. Even though it isn't a 3D/4D bat, it's still solid enough to be a good attitude adjuster.
2 - LOTS of throw. You could probably reach the moon with this light sabre.
3 - Price. $17.49 is fair (50% off)
4 - Quality. No jagged metal edges. Good finish with no nicks.

Cons
1 - Lens was dusty as Hell. I guess Mag never heard of a clean room before.
2 - Too much throw for me. Some more spill would have been nice.
3 - Rings. Makes me sick to look at them. Still way better than the rings on my Mag 3C incan, but I think I'm just spoiled now from seeing better flashlights with no rings. Rings are simply an eyesore.
4 - The tail cap spring wasn't even attached. None in the store were. I could hear them rattling around. WTF is that? Were they in that much of a hurry to get them out the door?

My conclusion is that Mag is stepping up their game but they still have a way to go before they get my money. Back to the store it goes. Oh well.

 

[Robin24k]

4 - The tail cap spring wasn't even attached. None in the store were. I could hear them rattling around. WTF is that? Were they in that much of a hurry to get them out the door?

Mine came like that too. At the store, some were attached and some weren't. My best guess is shipping/handling dislodged them as they don't have any pressure on them to hold them in.

 

[Benson]

There's been 3 versions without the lanyard holes. The very first version was the single mode Lux III and it definitely had issues. Then I believe they released a modified version to correct this. Next they released the Multi Mode Rebel and finally they released the Rebel with the lanyard hole. 3 out of 4 of these did not have the lanyard hole but only the very first had problems.

I've also heard claims of reliability issues, seeming to be weak/intermittent contact somewhere, from early 2xAA Rebels, but it's not clear that this correlates 100% with the tailcap change. And I had a 2xAA Rebel from an early batch and had no trouble during the ~3 days I had it assembled. But the parts went into two lights, and the tailcap is not used in either of them, so no long-term experience.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

I had an early 3AA LUX light get screwed up but the head/reflector tames a Cree pretty well.

I have the 3AA Body around here somewhere. Maybe eget it cut down to 1AA and run a strion bulb on a 14500 or such.....

 

[PCC]

On another note, someone mentioned switching the multi-mode 2AA pill with the 2D pill. I kinda like the idea of the multi-mode in the 2D. Does anyone know how large the difference in brightness between the two are, seeing as they both use the Rebel -090?

The 2D Rebel MagLED pulls 1600mA from the batteries. The 2AA Mini-MagLED pulls 350mA. I just swapped the pills on my 2D and 2AA and the end results are very interesting. The 2D will now be a super long runtime light (2 D cells at 350mA on high or 80mA on low!) while the 2AA is nice and bright, now. I paired the higher amp draw pill with a Nite-Ize IQ tailcap switch and I now have a 5-mode Mini-MagLED. The MMLED is the newer one with the lanyard hole in the tailcap, not the one without the lanyard hole. Those use a different tailcap design that does not allow the use of incan MM tailcaps. If you get one of those you will need to have the battery tube modified, like I did at Modamag's house a few weeks ago, to get it to work.

Comparing the two lights now that I've swapped pills is an interesting study in reflector size and what it will do to the light output. The big 2D with its large reflector has a very nice, bright hotspot but the spill is not all that bright compared to what it was putting out with its original pill. The MMLED with the 2D pill has a hotspot that is not as bright as the 2D with MMLED pill but the spill is way brighter. Keep in mind that this combo is pulling 1600mA. This is my new helmet light for commuting by bicycle! Even dimmed down to low it produces a lot of light, a bit more than a stock Rebel MMLED does.

 

[elumen8]

The 2D Rebel MagLED pulls 1600mA from the batteries. The 2AA Mini-MagLED pulls 350mA.

Comparing the two lights now that I've swapped pills is an interesting study in reflector size and what it will do to the light output. The big 2D with its large reflector has a very nice, bright hotspot but the spill is not all that bright compared to what it was putting out with its original pill. The MMLED with the 2D pill has a hotspot that is not as bright as the 2D with MMLED pill but the spill is way brighter.

Thanks PCC, that's exactly the info I was looking for. I'm gonna give the swap a try just for fun.

Did you have any trouble installing the pills in the other hosts?

JB

 

[PCC]

Do you mean swapping between the two Rebel lights or in other flashlight hosts altogether?

The Rebel pills are identical from the outside so don't mix them up. They're marked but not in a logical way.

Just a correction: I just measured the current draw at the tailcap and the 2D with AA module pulls 450mA on high and 105mA on low. The MMLED with 2D module pulls 1600mA but with the Nite-Ize IQ now draws 1425mA on high, 750mA on medium, and 355mA on low. I can live with that. Now if only they didn't have that auto-shutoff feature after 15 minutes...

 

[Russ T. Nutt]

I'm sorry if this has already been posted. Where can I find the model #s for the various LED Maglites - AA & D cell. I can order Mag where I work, but they don't have a very good catalog - mostly listed just by model #. I want to be sure I am getting the Rebel lights, not the Lux III models.

Secondly, to members from th SE OHIO/WV area, What is a fair price for Mag LED lights in this area? I was at Wally World in Cambridge,OH last night, & they only had 1 2D LED Mag. I think it was the Rebel - didn't see anything on the packaging about bulb replacement. It was about $34.00, if I remember correctly. High, low, or about right?

TIA
Scott

 

[Robin24k]

You can't tell what LED it has from the model number. However, if they supplier is selling them at a decent rate, you shouldn't be getting old models. If you need model numbers, check out Mag's order form:

http://maglite.com/pdf/RetailOrderForm.pdf

Regular price for Mags are pretty high. Costco has the 2AA/3D LED two-pack for $24.99, and that is a VERY good price. The same with Home Depot's 2AA LED for $9.88.

$34 is about right for regular price, but I wouldn't spring on it for that amount of money.

 

[elumen8]

Do you mean swapping between the two Rebel lights or in other flashlight hosts altogether?

The Rebel pills are identical from the outside so don't mix them up. They're marked but not in a logical way.

Swapping between the two lights.

How did you remove the 2D pill. I'm having a heck of a time removing it from its housing.

The 2AA pill pops out fairly easily.

Thanks,
JB

edit: I was able to remove the 2D pill...I was just scared of breaking something. Its a fairly robust pill.

 

[PCC]

Good to hear that you got it apart. If you go to REI you can find the Nite-Ize IQ switch for $3.10 after tax! They're on sale or clearance right now. I cannot find them on their website anymore when they're normally $8 before tax. I bought two!

 

[Robin24k]

I've got a spare IQ switch that I'm not using if anybody is interested. It doesn't work with the stock 2AA, and I'm not using it in my incan 2AA anymore, so I might as well let it go!

 

[Lumencraft (Matt)]

Have any of you guys got one of these lights with no serial numbers? Mine is just blank no D or ##s or Pat. pend etc.

 

[Robin24k]

That doesn't seem normal...maybe your slipped by the engraving machine...

 

[Toohotruk]

Have any of you guys got one of these lights with no serial numbers? Mine is just blank no D or ##s or Pat. pend etc.

Sounds like it may be a rarity...post a couple of pics HERE.

 

[Burgess]

Very interesting !


Reminds me of a sheet of U.S. Postage Stamps, i spotted at a Garage Sale, years ago . . . .


old Air Mail stamps, they were -- only (get this) it had the damn airplane flying Upside-Down ! ! !




Glad to say that i didn't fall for that defective junk.


Nope.


Left 'em right there for some other unsuspecting doofus. 😛


Nobody's gonna' play me for a sucker.


No sirrreee. 😎
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