Re: what\'s to hate about Mags?
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BlindedByTheLite said:
the only thing i really don't like about Maglites, is they're not sandproof, and the beam gets too dim/yellow too soon on the ones i've owned..
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Yes, this is exactly right. I disliked Maglites before I knew any of the other things that have only increased my dislike.
Here's the deal: grab a brand new mag off the store shelf, turn it on, and you will think, "This is a good value for the money. The fit and finish are good. It's aluminum. It's water proof. It focuses. etc." OK. Now put it on your kitchen counter top and let it get only occasional daily use. After only one or two battery changes TOPS, you will have a dim yellow beam annoying flashlight. This goes especially for mini-mags. I've owned three of these over the years, and I use them all the time at work. I have learned all the tricks. I don't touch the new bulb when I replace a bulb, and I wipe it with rubbing alcohol just to make sure. I've even cleaned the sockets where the bi-pins go in. And do you know what I've found EVERY TIME? After only a dozen or so hours of use NOTHING you do will bring it back to what it was when new. And I'm fanatical about taking care of my stuff. I love to perform routine maintenance.
Now, what happens to your average Joe or Jane? Their 2D or 3D mag sits around and when they go to use it it is dim as can be, but they don't notice because they have never experienced anything better. Over Christmas I visited my parents and at one point my Dad and I went outside to do something and he brought his 2D mag and I brought my Arc LSH-S, and the Arc was at least three times as bright. Perform the experiment. Do it. Visit a friend or relative and test out their maglites. 90 percent of them will be yellow and dim to a disconcerting degree, and it probably won't improve much with a battery change. I don't know whether it is resistance in the switch or lamp base or threads or just plain bad lamp designs or what, but the reasons to dislike maglite flashlights, separately considered from the company, are that they are heavy, bulky, scratch easily, have terrible beams, have dim beams, have yellow beams, and degrade quickly with time to the point where they can not be rejuevenated.
Just one man's experience here. Your mileage may vary.