Why the dislike for Maglites?

[dhouseng]

Sorry if I missed something, but please give me an example. I repeat that I believe that many lights are more efficient than the Maglites, which is obvious.

How about the eagletac M2XC4? 40 lumens for 55 hours.

 

[raco]

Just a few posts above yours, I calculated the effective runtime of a Quark 123^2T. I showed that it runs, even in the worst case, as long as the Maglite and as bright for a much smaller package.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=3487461&postcount=94

Thank you. Is this this light you're talking about? The website says:

Moonlight: 0.2 lumens for 30 days, (1ma)
Low: 4 lumens for 5 days (10ma)
Medium: 22 lumens for 20 hours (50ma)
High: 85 lumens for 4.5 hours (250ma)
Max: 230 lumens for 1.8 hours (990ma)
Strobe: 230 lumens for 3 hours
Beacon: 0-230 lumens pulse for 23 hours

A 4D Maglite has 100% more runtime for the same output (even though I still have huge doubts about the fact is gives only 22 lumens, but let's say it's true) but still, I admit that considering the size, this is impressive. This light is probably much more efficient than a 4D. But I won't buy it because my 4D does the job and because I don't want to use cr123a batteries. I had a 2xAA (NiMH) light that exploded once, I don't want to see that again. As someone said on CPF, the risk of explosion with cr123a is probably around 1 chance out of a few thousands (he calculated 1 out of 3600 if I remember correctly), so unless you really need it, it is, in my opinion, a bad choice (considering risks vs benefits). I'm considering buying a 1xL91 light like the Fenix LD10, for when I need a small light.

 

[raco]

How about the eagletac M2XC4? 40 lumens for 55 hours.

Thank you for the idea, but I want to avoid li-ion batteries.

 

[morelightnow]

I do not want to be "Trollin" or to be "Trolled" but I completely disagree with this post. The D cell and for that matter lithium LiMnNi Rechargeable 26650 cells are my favorite form factor.

That's exactly what I'm trying to make all my lights use. A123 may not have the most capacity but I like its long life cycle. I rarely use my lights on the max setting for very long because i don't need that much light so capacity has never been an issue yet.

...On topic
I personally don't like maglites because they lack in quality. The beam is terrible and it comes with a plastic lens. I have a strong dislike against anything low quality and maglites are no exception but growing up in a town of 20k means I didn't know anything better existed until the internet came around. I certainly never bought those eveready lights at the wal-mart checkout counters and now that I know of surefire and dereelight and others I only buy maglites to modify. If I could afford a lathe that would not be the case.

 

[alpg88]

A Quark MiNi AA costs the same as a D-cell Maglite.

so ??

 

[ryaxnb]

I'd like to make a case for maglites. Sure, theyre not the best flashlight, but they're very cheap, focus on driving down costs, made in the USA and quite durable.
Take the MiniMag Rebel 2AA. Lasts about 3 hours in regulation on alkalines, then another 2 or 3 more at reasonable brightness. You guys may not like alkalines, and even i have 6 123A batteries on hand and 4AA Lithium cells, but the average consumer is going to use alkalines and besides they are VERY cheap, in store you can get em for $.50 a battery or less.
If you can name a $20 flashlight thats durable like a maglite, runs for 5 hours of good light output on alkalines, has 45 lumens of brightness for several hours ( on alkalines), and is small and tiny like a miniMag 2AA, id love to see it. Personally, I think the MiniMag 2AA fills a niche, the "cheap long-runtime 2AA flashlight". Most 2AA flashlights comparable in runtimes on alkalines (e.g. the Fenix LD20 R4 will last longer on certain modes) are going to be more expensive.
And of the lights you can find in a retail store for $20, i think the MiniMag 2AA is going to be your best bet, if i had online as an option id look elsewhere, but with retail, your quite limited and Mags are durable, they last a long time, and they are cheap.
Mag also makes some other neat products, like the XL100 which lasts well over 5 hours on alkalines, has infinite modes and is probably the cheapest well-built infinite mode flashlight available at as low as $35-40.
And the Mag 3D Rebel, say what you will about D cells but they are a good size for medium-brightness lights that you expect to last a while. The mag 3D cell light is a great light to store in a cupboard or a refrigerator, knowing that if the power goes out for days, itll last 10 or so hours at least at a brightness of about 30-70 lumens.

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

Honestly, I never meant to say that the best flashlight is made by Maglite, neither explicitly, nor by implication. I meant to say that regarding Maglites as ridiculous lights is unfair.

Is it unfair to say that a PC running a 386 processor is outdated when compared to modern technology? No, it's not. Rather, it's a simple statement of fact.

A high-end light and a low-end light are the same tool: a light. A high-end hammer and a low-end hammer are the same tool: a hammer.

Broadly speaking, yes, but not all hammers -- or flashlights -- are created equal. A poorly balanced hammer made with second rate materials is not as effective a tool as a properly balanced hammer made with hardened steel.

When I go camping and need a couple of hours of light every day during a week, then a Maglite may be the best light, because I don't have to carry it (I just put it on the ground in my tent), because it gives me enough light (it's not difficult to light a small tent), and because I can be 100% certain that I won't have to replace the batteries a single time. This remain true even if Cree just released a new LED that is 10% more efficient.

None of this changes the fact that Maglite technology is outdated and that you could get at least comparable benefits (and a much nicer beam) with a flashlight that can slip inconspicuously into your pants pocket (yep, no leaving it behind at the campsite because it's too bulky to carry with you. 🙂)

I want to echo what someone said earlier: if you ever got your hands on a decent modern flashlight, you'd never touch your beloved Maglite again.

 

[alpg88]

my local home depo sells 3d and 2aa rebels in one pack for 29.99

 

[ryaxnb]

Is it unfair to say that a PC running a 386 processor is outdated when compared to modern technology? No, it's not. Rather, it's a simple statement of fact.


Broadly speaking, yes, but not all hammers -- or flashlights -- are created equal. A poorly balanced hammer made with second rate materials is not as effective a tool as a properly balanced hammer made with hardened steel.


None of this changes the fact that Maglite technology is outdated and that you could get at least comparable benefits (and a much nicer beam) with a flashlight that can slip inconspicuously into your pants pocket.

I want to echo what someone said earlier: if you ever got your hands on a decent modern flashlight, you'd never touch your beloved Maglite again.

I throughouly disagree. Though i believe raco is being stubborn about not wanting to use lithium or NiMH batteries which are clearly superior chemistry (says my 1x123A light which is brighter than my 2xAA light 😛,) on alkalines and even on NiMHs, maglites have a place. they are incredibly cheap for a quality flashlight. They can be bought as good gifts because of the price and the alkaline thing (e.g. MiniMag rebel would make a great gift) and the UI is dead simple, with hi mode first so if your "grandma" cant figure out multi-mode, she doesnt have to.
All i can say is that although i would no longer consider a maglite my best flashlight by any means if i got a LD20 R4 or PD20 R4, i would consider it to still have a "place" in my collection; a place as a battery-sipper that runs well on alkalines and is a good secondary flashlight. I would also consider it for gifts more so than the PD20, which has difficult to figure out multimode setup and short runtime on the highest mode, meaning that multimode use is pretty much mandatory 🙁.

 

[raco]

Is it unfair to say that a PC running a 386 processor is outdated when compared to modern technology? No, it's not. Rather, it's a simple statement of fact.

I said "saying that Maglites are ridiculous is unfair". I didn't say "saying that Maglites are outdated is unfair". They are outdated, like I said (in this post). By the way, my computer is outdated but I won't run into a store to buy another one, and do it again every year for the sake of being up to date.

Broadly speaking, yes, but not all hammers -- or flashlights -- are created equal.

That's exactly why I was trying to tell you.

I want to echo what someone said earlier: if you ever got your hands on a decent modern flashlight, you'd never touch your beloved Maglite again.

I own a decent modern flashlight (ITP A6 Polestar). It is much more brighter and lighter than my Mag 4D.

 

[alpg88]

my mags start from 500lm, and go up to 6000lm.

 

[raco]

Though i believe raco is being obstinate about not wanting to use lithium or NiMH batteries which are clearly superior chemistry (says my 1x123A light which is brighter than my 2xAA light 😛,) on alkalines and even on NiMHs

I don't feel I need them enough to justify their use (and their risk of explosion). I can manage to have enough light without such batteries.

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

** removed at moderator's request **

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

maglites have a place.

I agree. In a trashcan right next to the junk mail.

(Calm down, I'm joking. 😀)

While I feel that Maglites are undeservedly disparaged around CPF, I don't see a need to pretend they're anything other than what they are: cheap (and cheaply made) mass market products that feature a lot of design compromises.

 

[carrot]

Thank you. Is this this light you're talking about? The website says:



A 4D Maglite has 100% more runtime for the same output (even though I still have huge doubts about the fact is gives only 22 lumens, but let's say it's true) but still, I admit that considering the size, this is impressive. This light is probably much more efficient than a 4D. But I won't buy it because my 4D does the job and because I don't want to use cr123a batteries. I had a 2xAA (NiMH) light that exploded once, I don't want to see that again. As someone said on CPF, the risk of explosion with cr123a is probably around 1 chance out of a few thousands (he calculated 1 out of 3600 if I remember correctly), so unless you really need it, it is, in my opinion, a bad choice (considering risks vs benefits). I'm considering buying a 1xL91 light like the Fenix LD10, for when I need a small light.

I calculated the actual estimated runtime of the Quark, which is better than the manufacturer's stated claims by 100%. See my proof for details

 

[raco]

Jeez, are you dense. I calculated the actual estimated runtime of the Quark, which is better than the manufacturer's stated claims by 100%. Read my damn proof.

Usually, manufacturers overestimate their runtime. It would be very surprising than the real runtime of the Quark is twice what the manufacturer says! If you had measured it then I'd trust what you say, but your way of calculating the runtime seems very theoretical.

 

[ryaxnb]

I don't feel I need them enough to justify their use (and their risk of explosion). I can manage to have enough light without such batteries.

A made-in-USA 1x123A battery has no risk of explosion. these are the same batteries pros are using in their $1000 SLRs without problems, and that Energizer is selling without warning labels. Dont worry, even if you connect 2 in series, so long as they are new-out-of-box from the same brand and are reliable cells (e.g. Rayovacs, Energizers, Duracell, Surefire, or BatteryStation USA) there is bascially no risk at all of exploding, far less than 1 in 3000. these batteries explosion chance is much much lower, almost imperceptible, so long as you use well-made batteries and dont put half-used 123As in your lights 🙂 :candle:

 

[ryaxnb]

*comment removed

Minimags have their place, but that does not mean other flashlights are not superior. Almost all fenix or nitecore lights outclass the mags, and of course a surefire will outdo a mag easily, but these lights cost much more. I was more comparing to the Romisens, ITPs, Ultrafires and SpiderFires of the world, with an eye towards "grandmas use". In that context, Minimag is not the best either, but its competitive and available widely.
Edit: hey, im enlightened now! wow, that was quick :-D

 

[raco]

A made-in-USA 1x123A battery has no risk of explosion.

I'll try to find an example of a made-in-USA 1x123A battery that exploded.

there is bascially no risk at all of exploding, far less than 1 in 3000. LOL, that would mean there was one explosion per 5 lights or so considering how many battery changes the lights go through, and thats baloney.

No, the calculation was based on the number of CPF members who had an explosion, compared to the total number of members.

 

[DM51]

Tempers appear to be fraying, and this thread is degenerating into impatience and rudeness. carrot, the.Mtn.Man and ryanxb... you need to edit your posts please, to remain within the bounds of what is acceptable.