Who is buying Maglites?

[IMA SOL MAN]

In 2024 I bought one ML50LX (2C version with the grenade textured body), and one 3C version of the same model. I wanted to have the ability to produce meaningful levels of illumination over reasonably long runtimes with any type of power cell. Up until then I had only one light that took C cells. My reasoning was, and remains, that in an emergency situation more people will rush to buy AA, AAA, and D cells, leaving C cells as relative orphans, and therefore more likely to be available. I also bought a pack of C cells from Costco as a kind of insurance policy against my local brick and mortar stores being stripped bare during whatever panic event that might occur.

I already have more than enough 2D Mags, some with Superbulbs, some with Malkoff adapters (my favorites), and some with regular Maglite stock emitters. And yes, I also have Mr. Malkoff's adapter for running the lights on an 18650 or 22700 cell.

That noted, I'm now reconsidering the 2AA and 2AAA lights, just because. 😁

Maglite now makes a spacer to use an 18650 cell in your 2 cell ML50LX, and they also sell 18650's for it. I have a 2 cell ML50LX sitting on the desk next to me right now with the Maglite spacer in it, with a SureFire 18650 in it. It will also work in the ML25LT.

Accessory- Battery Holder Sub Assembly- ML50/ML25 Rechargeable (2 cell

Battery Holder Assembly for ML50L/LX and ML25LT 2-Cell Flashlights ONLY COMPATIBLE WITH BOTH POWER BANK SYSTEMS

maglite.com

MAG CHARGER® POWERBANK AX64328

MAG CHARGER® POWERBANK (AX64328) The MagCharger® PowerBank™ is specifically designed as a companion to the following MAGLITE® products: MAG-TAC® Rechargeable, ML50L/LX 2 CELL and Compatible With ML25LT 2-CELL ML50L 2-CELL ML50LX 2-CELL MAG-TAC Rechargeable ** As an external charger ** ML25LT...

maglite.com

MAG CHARGER® POWERBANK AX64338

MAG CHARGER® POWERBANK (AX64338) The Mag Charger® PowerBank™ is specifically designed as a companion to the following MAGLITE® products: MAG-TAC® Rechargeable, ML50L/LX 2 CELL, and ML25 2 CELL; see Model: AX64328 for Battery Holder Assembly. **This model does NOT include the battery holder.**...

maglite.com

 

[rwolfenstein]

Hmm I recently got a coupon for maglite and picked up a more natural light mini mag and I also picked up a D cell maglite in the digital camoflauge. I also have a collection of mag chargers that I have obtained over the years. I dont think the question is, who is buying maglite, more like who isnt?

 

[mcbrat]

i pick them up at flea markets, and recently got a lot off eBay that belonged to a former cpf member. had modded D cell lights, and some C cell lights.

 

[swampgator]

The first (much cheaper) option has me intrigued, also because that Osram says it has a 50 hour rated life!?

Is it that you just need a bi-pin bulb? Is the sizing relatively standard?

Maybe I need to get one of those hilariously long Maglites to give me some more interesting voltage options...

Any hotwire should have an aluminum reflector and a glass lens.

You will need a bi-pin adapter to use the bulb. The most common bulbs will use a G-4 or a G-6.35 bulb. The higher voltage most likely will be 6.35.

With lithiums (14500s) and a 3 cell to D in series adapter you could get over 21 volts in a 2D host.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

Any hotwire should have an aluminum reflector and a glass lens.

You will need a bi-pin adapter to use the bulb. The most common bulbs will use a G-4 or a G-6.35 bulb. The higher voltage most likely will be 6.35.

With lithiums (14500s) and a 3 cell to D in series adapter you could get over 21 volts in a 2D host.

Will the Maglite bi-pin adapter that is sold with the MagnumStar bulbs work, or will it melt? Need a special high heat bi-pin adapter?

 

[swampgator]

Will the Maglite bi-pin adapter that is sold with the MagnumStar bulbs work, or will it melt? Need a special high heat bi-pin adapter?

Haven't tried it but I suspect the heat would melt it.
A Pelican 3854 High bulb would melt a the stock Mag reflector. And that was only a 24 watt bulb.

 

[Schokokeks]

Any hotwire should have an aluminum reflector and a glass lens.

You will need a bi-pin adapter to use the bulb. The most common bulbs will use a G-4 or a G-6.35 bulb. The higher voltage most likely will be 6.35.

With lithiums (14500s) and a 3 cell to D in series adapter you could get over 21 volts in a 2D host.

21V!? Holy fudge, this seems hilarious.


I mean, I'd be kind of willing to waste some money on the absolutely amazing, hilarity of running 21 volts. Heck, with one adapter, that's 10.5V, even (I do have a D-cell dummy from Malkoff).


Do you have a recommended bi-pin adapter?
Asking for a friend 😀 hahahaha

Will the Maglite bi-pin adapter that is sold with the MagnumStar bulbs work, or will it melt? Need a special high heat bi-pin adapter?

 

[swampgator]

Do you have a recommended bi-pin adapter?
Asking for a friend 😀 hahahaha

I wish I could find a source.
There's a thread from years back about making them using PR based but I've never tried it.

As for 21 volts, not very many bulbs in that area.

But using 4 14500s and 2 dummy spacers in a 2D would give you 14.4 volts which would overdrive a 12 volt bulb nicely.

Do a search on here for hotwires or overdrive and see what turns up.

 

[Schokokeks]

Now I'm sitting here, wondering if this Kaidomain Incandescent drop-in would work with the Malkoff adapter:

https://kaidomain.com/Flashlight-DIY-and-Tools/drop-in-module/Xenon-Bulb-Drop-in-Module/S024189-9V-Xenon-Bulb-Drop-in-Dia_-26_5mm

 

[parang]

I bought mine because I have rechargeable C and D batteries that otherwise wouldn't see much use. I like having a flashlight for every battery type. Just in case.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

Maglite back in the glory days:

 

[sbslider]

Expired alkalines will leak sooner or later. Even unexpired alkalines can leak. I would get the eneloops/adapter sleeves to keep in the 3D Mags - no leaks, lighter weight, very low self discharge and rechargeable. Keep the alkaline D's in their package and break them out if you have an extended power outage.

This is just a data point, I'm not an alkaline cell lover and I have seen plenty of them leak.

My wife has a 3D maglite. I'm not exactly sure when she got it, but it has 3 Duracells in it that have an expired date of Mar 2015. I test the light every 4 months or so and look at the cells to see if they have leaked. 10 years past the expire date, still cooking and no leaks.

I bought some Ace Hardware cells around the 2015 time frame to replace the duracell, figuring they wouldn't last. I still have 3 of those cells, with an install by date of 2025. No leaks.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

Yep, this guy gets it!

 

[NotRegulated]

I happened to buy some new Maglite LED's back in 2024 when I happened upon a 40% discount on their website. I ended up buying a new ML300L 4D cell and their ML50L 2C size with the 18650 adapter kit. This allows you to use 2 alkaline C cells or one 18650 battery to power the light. I was pleasantly surprised with the lights and their output. All have a high/medium/low or other programs to choose from.
Prior to that I had put some Malkoff LED adapters (my favorite also) for C/D Maglites in a couple of my older incandescent Maglites.
I was curious about how well the 4 D cell Mag ML300L would hold in regulation to my time tested Malkoff M91T in a 4D incandescent Mag. I put both lights standing up on a counter and left them running. Hours later I came back and was impressed to see both lights were still holding regulation. The Mag 300L is or appears brighter because of its well defined hotspot. The Maglite is listed by Maglite as 1002 lumens. The Malkoff M91T is listed by Malkoff as 800 lumens. The Malkoff M91T has a pre focused beam that is bright and nearly perfectly artifact free. Both lights were hot at the head and it appeared the Malkoff was hotter, but not by much.
I am impressed with the newest 3rd gen Maglite LED's. I like the ability to run an 18650 or 2C's in the ML50L. They are not the first lights I reach for but are lights that are familiar to most people and reliable enough to be used everyday. I think they have improved and upped their game for the price.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

This is just a data point, I'm not an alkaline cell lover and I have seen plenty of them leak.

My wife has a 3D maglite. I'm not exactly sure when she got it, but it has 3 Duracells in it that have an expired date of Mar 2015. I test the light every 4 months or so and look at the cells to see if they have leaked. 10 years past the expire date, still cooking and no leaks.

I bought some Ace Hardware cells around the 2015 time frame to replace the duracell, figuring they wouldn't last. I still have 3 of those cells, with an install by date of 2025. No leaks.

I have had the same type of experience, but I don't remember the brands. I think that this type of phenomena happens, or can happen, with any brand. I've even seen generic PRC-manufactured cells that came with a device that will last in storage without leaking. I don't know what determines whether a cell leaks or not. My thinking is that these cells are manufactured at such high speeds and volumes that it is impossible for 100% of them to be made at 100% of specifications. Best thing to do is remove any chance of leakage, and simply switch to a different battery chemistry right off.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

According to Wikipedia, Tony Maglica was born in 1930, so that would make him, 95? today? I doubt very much that he is running the company.

Anthony Maglica - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

Dated Feb. 21, 2024

 

[ABTOMAT]

That guy must be sponsored.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

That guy must be sponsored.

His video sounded like an infomercial to me. But, he did have some good points.

 

[Robocop]

I have always been a fan of Maglite as they were fantastic hosts for all kinds of mods when I first started here and they were fairly inexpensive. It did take them some time to come around to the LED craze however if it is not broken no need to fix it I say. I found a big sale a few months past and actually ordered several lights from the Mag website. I had to have the green Solitaire and the Camo AA just looked cool as well. I threw in a matte finish AA as well and a 2-AAA LED just for fun. These were not expensive and actually perform very well.