Originally posted by Saaby:
Whathuh hmmm...I was under the impression that the Opalec conversion offered very good runtime!
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Glowstick,
The Opalec conversion will give you at least 8 straight hours of rock solid, undiminished brightness according to Brock's measurements
The advantage of "regulation" (a built-in circuit that keeps voltage steady as the batteries are used up) is that you will get a longer period of BRIGHT runtime at the expense of total runtime. This extra runtime afforded by unregulated lights will be quite dim and will gradually fade away.
The regulation circuit thus alters the depletion curve of the batteries, using the stored energy at a different rate and proportion. The difference between unregulated and regulated is a bright start and gradual dimming for unregulated as opposed to steady (or relatively steady depending on circuit design) brightness for a longer period followed by a more abrupt dimming for regulated.
Even without regulation, the use of rechargeable or lithium batteries will give you a depletion curve similar to a regulated circuit with the rechargeables producing more of this effect.
So if you stick with your Minimag AA you have several options:
1)An Opalec "drop-in" regulated LED module: Not as bright as your incandescent but much longer non-dimming burn.
2) Regular bulb (lamp) with lithium batteries: Brighter light with greater burn time. Lithium batteries are expensive.
3) Rechargeable batteries: Somewhat dimmer than alkalines or lithiums but longer bright run time.
4)Non standard bulb: The Nexstar bulb from Brinkmanns burns brighter than the standard bulb. Adding lithiums to this bulb gives you a mini mag on steroids, but the added cost of lithiums and the somewhat reduced runtime caused by the brighter bulb are factors to consider.
You might also consider a different flashlight altogether.
If you want a very small, more than adequately bright (for normal everyday use) flashlight with good runtime the two I would recommend both use 2 123 lithium batteries:
1) Surefire E2 with the new lower power MN02 bulb which will give approximately 2.5 hours burntime. It is brighter and shorter than the Mag AA, and comes in different versions with different features such as more, or less waterproof, regular or anti-roll (hexagonal) bezel, etc. It is not cheap, but is of the finest quality and has the famous supersmooth Surefire beam.
2) Underwater Kinetics 2L, a perennial favorite for many years, brighter and shorter though slightly thicker than the E2 and is a true divelight; absolutely waterproof. Although its beam is not as perfect as the E2's it will project further. The light is nearly indestructible and will run for 2:45-3 hours. It is about one third the price of the E2.
NOTE: I have not yet revceived my recently ordered MN02, so I haven't personally tested it in the E2, but there are several reviews posted on this board.
There are other small fairly bright lights such as the Princeton Tec Rage, but they are usually inferior to the E2/MN02 and UKE 2L in one characteristic or another (For example: the otherwise excellent Rage has an unfortunately short burntime)
Brightnorm
!) Thanks.
