Which Maglite

[Q12]

Hello all,
I am new here and don't know much about flashlights.I am leaving for camping trip in a few days and am wondering which size Maglite to get? I am looking for something that has good throw, is fairly bright, has good run time and I can do a simple(like drop in bulb and go) LED upgrade to in the future. Any help deciding what size and C or D battery would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[DiamondCut2_0]

Try this: http://flashlightreviews1.home.att.net/reviews/princetontec_tec40.htm . Have fun!

 

[Hoghead]

Welcome to CPF /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif

 

[eebowler]

Hello Q12. Good start! I would suggest the 3D mag as it is a very popular host for modders! You can buy LED bulbs to replace the incandescent later on or do a different type of mod using a heatsink and LED together... IF cost is not an issue, some flashaholics use CR123,3V lithium cells in the C cell flashlighs with different incandescent bulbs to get some blinding mods. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[zapper]

I would go with the 3C version as well. Decent runtime and very able to accept a mod in the future and still a nice weight for long carrying time.

 

[Quazar]

Zapper, nice sig line. I saw this once on a T-shirt, refering to girls on holiday.
Vidi, Veci, Veni. - I saw, I conquered, I Came.

 

[bwaites]

If it were me, I would get a 2C mag, put 3 123 cells in it and run a 5 or 6 cell Mag bulb.

I would also spend another buck and buy some Scotch satin Finish Gift Wrap tape and put it on the inside of the lens.

The complicating factor here is the 123 cells, if you can't find them cheap, then I would buy a 3D mag, put 4 C's in in and run a 3 cell lamp. I would do the same for the lens.

Bill

 

[SJACKAL]

I won't bring any maglites for camping, its Inova and CMG for me... for incandescent, a TL3 or similar, M3 if you are willing to spend.

 

[Phaserburn]

My suggestion is to get a 3C or 3D, and a white Everled to replace the stock bulb. The Everled will be as bright or brighter than the stock incan bulb, be far whiter in color(making it seem brighter still), and run without dimming for over 24 hours on 3 alk D cells. Let's see a stock Mag do that! This is a great starter mod into the world of leds. And for your camping trip, you won't need any spare batteries as you'll be able to run it for over 3 hours each night for over a week.

 

[greenLED]

Welcome! I like Mag's form factor (and not afraid to admit it here /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif), but for camping you're better off using a headlamp. They're lightweight, you have both hands to work with, and the newer versions have dual LED/incandescent options so you can use them for low or close-up tasks & long throw. My current favorite is the Black Diamond Gemini. Browse around flashlightreviews.com, you'll find some great lights (headlamps and other types) there to fuel your incipient addiction /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

BTW, get yourself a AA mini-mag and put a "sammie" in there! You won't look at a Maglite the same way after that /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Sammies are available from dat2zip's shoppe (click here for the site)

 

[pyro]

Get the magcharger!
This is a good light in the stock version,
but can be easily modded to a killer flashligt
if the output isn´t sufficent for Your needs.

 

[TrueBlue]

Use a cheap $1 flashlight. Then wait for Lambda to make a new run of ProMagnum super-regulated 3-watt Lux using 2D or 6AA. It is based on a Gag Lite 2D then...JUMP ON IT!

You won't be sorry.

 

[vtunderground]

Welcome!

Another vote for the 3C Maglite (assuming you're set on getting a Maglite). It works well with the Everled, and is a little bit easier to carry around than the 3D Maglite.

If you're not set on a Maglite, well, there's a whole world of cool flashlights out there. It's amazing how many are brighter than a Maglite, but much smaller and lighter. Better hide the credit cards now, before you get addicted.

 

[zapper]

I'm not afraid to admit I like the Mag form factor and basic cost. A really solid body and tough guts for less than $20 normally. Ofcourse the rest of the story is the beam, output and runtime are dismal compared to newer designed lights(LED). However, they are a great base for conversions and the 1st and easiest thing to do is replace the bulb with an EverLed.

 

[raggie33]

the sn2 mod is awesume for the 2 c mags.mr bulk did a post of how to do it

 

[flashlite]

I've heard that, as far as BRIGHTNESS goes, it doesn't make sense to put an LED replacement bulb in anything with more than two cells (alkalines). My understanding is that a three cell incan. will easily outshine a three cell LED but you won't sacrifice as much brightness with a two cell conversion. Of course, you'll get longer run times with three cells.

If you plan on converting to an LED bulb and you like the ease of the PR type bulb replacement, I would go with the 2C mag since it's a little more "pocketable" than the D cell mags. When I'm camping, I like to have the light with me at all times when it's dark, so weight and size is also an important consideration for me.

 

[elgarak]

Most white LEDs and the Luxeons run on 3.6V. With 1.5V per alkaline, you need 3 cells for direct drive (with a resistor for current limiting and voltage reduction, of course).

The Everled will run with pretty much anything, but the circuit works supposedly best in a 3 cell.

 

[flashlite]

[ QUOTE ]
elgarak said:
Most white LEDs and the Luxeons run on 3.6V. With 1.5V per alkaline, you need 3 cells for direct drive (with a resistor for current limiting and voltage reduction, of course).

The Everled will run with pretty much anything, but the circuit works supposedly best in a 3 cell.

[/ QUOTE ]

Doesn't the 2 cell Everled circuit boost voltage though?

My point is, a stock three cell mag is pretty bright. An Everled circuit might work better with three cells but I think you'd be giving up a whole lot of light by replacing the stock 4.5v incan. bulb with one.

As far as brightness goes, a two cell Everled might be the only true "upgrade" IMO. Also, once you convert to an LED, run times become so long that, all things considered, there might not be a whole lot of benefit to adding an extra cell.

 

[zapper]

You Really don't even need a resistor if you direct drive a good 3W or a 1W with a higher Vf. A 2C with EverLed seems to be the right choice based on the EverLed reviews but a limiting base for bigger mods down the road.

 

[fivemega]

Get 3D M*g and simply put a Carley 1122 in PR base using 3 NiMH batteries. It is brighter than any other 3 cell bulb.
In future you can modify it to:
3x3AA using 1185
3x4AA using 1154
2x(6xAA) using 1274
And....