Why oh WHY are Mag Instuments SO SLOW?

[peterkin101]

I'm a Maglite fan for almost 25 years since I bought a Maglite MinMag AA back in 1990 (long gone sadly!). I've owned at various times the majority
of their products in that time from a Solitaire right up the MagCharger.

And I've been very happy with their products.

So can anybody on Earth tell me why oh why are they SO BLASTED SLOW in releasing products into the UK market?

I've been waiting for both the MagCharger LED and the MagTAC Rechargeable for months.

It might be the MagTAC version I'm referring to isn't on general release yet but the MagCharger LED certainly is and has been available
in the States for a good few months now.

As for the UK? a nice fat NOTHING!

The UK Distributor Burton-McCall have no blasted idea when or even if either of these torches will make it to the UK.

And once again their website is woefully inadequate, no idea of availability or even any spec as of yet.

How daft is that? A world class manufacturer who single handedly revolutionised torches as we know them, employs close to 1000 people and exports
all over the world yet seems to have forgotten their website and the UK completely.

I'm tired of being last and least here.

So my planned purchase of a MagCharger LED had gone elsewhere ie to LED Lenser in the form of an M17R. Which was totally avoidable.
I could have purchased an RL1019 via eBay but might well have had bother with any warranty and would have certainly needed to purchase a 240v adaptor.

Fustration and disappointnment all round I'm afraid.

 

[kj2]

Many manufacturers forget the EU-market. Those new Maglite products are available here, but at a price.. most people won't buy them.
Seeing a 2AA Mag led here for €40-50 and going in the US for $20 or less. Of course, shipping to the EU costs something, and taxes make those products even more expensive
but bottom line is, here in the EU we pay around twice (or more) the price of what it costs in the States. And therefor I think they aren't that quick in releasing new lights here.

 

[peterkin101]

Many manufacturers forget the EU-market. Those new Maglite products are available here, but at a price.. most people won't buy them.
Seeing a 2AA Mag led here for €40-50 and going in the US for $20 or less. Of course, shipping to the EU costs something, and taxes make those products even more expensive
but bottom line is, here in the EU we pay around twice (or more) the price of what it costs in the States. And therefor I think they aren't that quick in releasing new lights here.

There's a grain of truth in your statement. The LED version of the MagCharger isn't available full stop in the UK as things stand.

The only way of acquiring one would be to buy off an Internet trader in the States at say about £80, then pay another £35 for delivery(!), another £15 or so for the 240v AC adaptor and then possibly get stung for duty and VAT via HMRC. That roughly translates into about £170 ! No chance.

I plumped for a much more advanced LED Lenser M17R at just under £210. True it was £40 more but readily available, better spec and a warranty backed by the UK distributor which wouldn't be the case had I gone for the Maglite option.


Sad really but there you go.

 

[yellow]

.
both way too much for what they "offer",
but when your prime importance (in a light? :thinking is, that it is available in a shop around you, then surely no alternative

still I wonder on the emphasis ...

 

[peterkin101]

The MagCharger LED was simply too much hassle and didn't deserve a purchase on that score alone.

I think the LED Lenser M17R is pricey but promises to be superb if my previous purchase of an P14 is anything to go by.

And no it isn't available in any shop I've come across in the UK.

 

[mcnair55]

Many manufacturers forget the EU-market. Those new Maglite products are available here, but at a price.. most people won't buy them.
Seeing a 2AA Mag led here for €40-50 and going in the US for $20 or less. Of course, shipping to the EU costs something, and taxes make those products even more expensive
but bottom line is, here in the EU we pay around twice (or more) the price of what it costs in the States. And therefor I think they aren't that quick in releasing new lights here.

It is not a case of these manufacturers forgetting about the EU as our politicians keep telling us we are a huge market of almost 500 million customers but more the fact that the European importer(s) cannot agree trading terms or the monetary gain is just not worth the bother but after saying that Maglite are available in the UK but in truth they belong in a museum as there product is woefully behind the times and yes like you i bought my first in probably about mid 80,s.

As for the UK Led Lenser is the market leader and to many old enough any black decent torch is referred to still as "Maglite"

 

[kj2]

... and yes like you i bought my first in probably about mid 80,s.

I'm 21
They are behind yes, but don't I don't see why Maglite can't make a sprint, to get back in race. But I also wonder, why they haven't done that already :thinking:

 

[mcnair55]

I'm 21
They are behind yes, but don't I don't see why Maglite can't make a sprint, to get back in race. But I also wonder, why they haven't done that already :thinking:

They are American and enjoy there brand status and in the US&A there is a list of similar companies a mile long.If Joe Public still buy hundreds of thousands of them from Walmart or similar they are still in front.The hobby side of light buying is tiny to what Joe Public buy.

Many famous brand names are worth more than the actual companies themselves.If i go out to buy a vacuum cleaner i am after a new "Hoover" or nipping to the shop to buy some Coke (Coca Cola).

 

[peterkin101]

It is not a case of these manufacturers forgetting about the EU as our politicians keep telling us we are a huge market of almost 500 million customers but more the fact that the European importer(s) cannot agree trading terms or the monetary gain is just not worth the bother but after saying that Maglite are available in the UK but in truth they belong in a museum as there product is woefully behind the times and yes like you i bought my first in probably about mid 80,s.

As for the UK Led Lenser is the market leader and to many old enough any black decent torch is referred to still as "Maglite"

That of course depends on which Maglite.

The old Incandescent Mini Maglite AA, Solitaire etc have their best days well and truly behind them now and I think are all being quietly switched over to LED's

Yet the MagTAC Rechargeable appears to be an absolute WORLD BEATER-revolutionary LiFePO4 battery technology, USB compatible charger, still using Mr Maglica's revolutionary and unique charging ring contact (as per the MagCharger), 400+ lumens brightness, sturdy construction. And the MagCharger LED is the most radical overhaul
the MagCharger has ever had. Now with a 680 lumen LED, still maintains the legendary quality previous models had and with a 4 1/2 hr run time. The glaring issue here is the old hat slow charging and NiMH battery technology. We need LiFePO4 rather than non LSD slow charge NiMH! Acceptable even 5 years ago but no more...

I'm still a fan of Maglite but they're also the most frustrating organisation I've ever bought products off. FAR too slow off the mark!

So LED Lenser got my cash this time but when the MagTAC Rechargeable eventually shows up here in the UK, I could still be tempted.

 

[kj2]

Did some searching on a Maglite-webshop here, and am still interested in a 2 or 3D led. Also that Mini Pro+ has my attention.

 

[mcnair55]

That of course depends on which Maglite.

The old Incandescent Mini Maglite AA, Solitaire etc have their best days well and truly behind them now and I think are all being quietly switched over to LED's

Yet the MagTAC Rechargeable appears to be an absolute WORLD BEATER-revolutionary LiFePO4 battery technology, USB compatible charger, still using Mr Maglica's revolutionary and unique charging ring contact (as per the MagCharger), 400+ lumens brightness, sturdy construction. And the MagCharger LED is the most radical overhaul
the MagCharger has ever had. Now with a 680 lumen LED, still maintains the legendary quality previous models had and with a 4 1/2 hr run time. The glaring issue here is the old hat slow charging and NiMH battery technology. We need LiFePO4 rather than non LSD slow charge NiMH! Acceptable even 5 years ago but no more...

I'm still a fan of Maglite but they're also the most frustrating organisation I've ever bought products off. FAR too slow off the mark!

So LED Lenser got my cash this time but when the MagTAC Rechargeable eventually shows up here in the UK, I could still be tempted.

Try writing an e letter to the importer asking when they intend import the lights into the UK.

Burton McCall.....[email protected]

 

[StarHalo]

Did some searching on a Maglite-webshop here, and am still interested in a 2 or 3D led. Also that Mini Pro+ has my attention.

The PRO series are the newest/most updated Mag products, in MiniMag and 2D formats, they represent a pretty significant leap over previous releases; a 220 lumen 2xAA for $20 at your local store is quite a deal..

 

[kj2]

Well it's around €40, so that's about $54, but still I'm watching it.

 

[peterkin101]

Try writing an e letter to the importer asking when they intend import the lights into the UK.

Burton McCall.....[email protected]

Whilst I appreciate your reply and the link for Burton-McCall you are talking about an importer whose staff don't know of a MagCharger LED existing let alone delivery
dates. As for a MagTAC Rechargeable..kind of sums up how much use they are...

 

[Unicorn]

I'm slightly diaaspointed in my Magcharger LED. I would not recommend paying the £170 or so for one. For it's size and whom it's marketed to, police, it should be closer to 1000 lumens, with a spot of around 55,000 or 60,000 candlepower instead of 680 and 43,000.

 

[mcnair55]

Whilst I appreciate your reply and the link for Burton-McCall you are talking about an importer whose staff don't know of a MagCharger LED existing let alone delivery
dates. As for a MagTAC Rechargeable..kind of sums up how much use they are...

Not very clever are they. I found the same with one of the UK vendors who are very popular with buyers on here, I made a phone enquiry regarding the new 2014 range and the response was clueless at best and I will not be using them again.

 

[peterkin101]

Not very clever are they. I found the same with one of the UK vendors who are very popular with buyers on here, I made a phone enquiry regarding the new 2014 range and the response was clueless at best and I will not be using them again.

That sort of experience does NOBODY any favours! I'm a big believer in the High St but its no good if the staff etc are uninformed and/or uninterested.

And Mag Instruments are not helping much either...sometimes I despair and I just want to defect to Fenix.

 

[peterkin101]

I'm slightly diaaspointed in my Magcharger LED. I would not recommend paying the £170 or so for one. For it's size and whom it's marketed to, police, it should be closer to 1000 lumens, with a spot of around 55,000 or 60,000 candlepower instead of 680 and 43,000.

$170 or £170?

If you paid £170 thats TOO much and even $170 is a bit pricey.

Its well worth £80-90 and just about worth £100 for a hardened Maglite fan like me.

 

[smokinbasser]

Maglites are IMO similar to Rolex or Rolls Royce in that if you take care of them they will serve you well for your needs. Yes there are much brighter lites available now but will they stand the test of time as well? I have two modded 2D cells small head mags sitting in my kitchen right now! Both have medium orange peel reflectors and both have AR Lens. One has a LED "bulb" and one has a hot wire bulb. oh and both are over ummm well lets say both could vote legally if given the right to vote and could collect social security benefits. OK maybe I am stretching the truth but they have seen many calendars replaced on the walls of quite a few of my homes!

 

[peterkin101]

Maglites are IMO similar to Rolex or Rolls Royce in that if you take care of them they will serve you well for your needs. Yes there are much brighter lites available now but will they stand the test of time as well? I have two modded 2D cells small head mags sitting in my kitchen right now! Both have medium orange peel reflectors and both have AR Lens. One has a LED "bulb" and one has a hot wire bulb. oh and both are over ummm well lets say both could vote legally if given the right to vote and could collect social security benefits. OK maybe I am stretching the truth but they have seen many calendars replaced on the walls of quite a few of my homes!

I had a Version 2 MagCharger for almost 18 years and only got rid of it because I had a berserk offer on a brand new Version 3. The V2 had suffered soakings, impact from about 3 metres onto solid paving stones and in that time only ever needed two replacement bulbs and a new NiCad pack. Maglite occupy a place in my heart and just wish their MagCharger LED was available in the UK.