Mag-Lite LED conversion?

[king nero]

I've got some old (D-cell powered) Mag-Lites (10+ years old) which I use regularly but I get laughed at by the surefire squad

Gotta say, I'm truely impressed by the quality of the surefire flashlights I've seen so far.

I've been told there are LED conversion kits for the Maglites, and, while googling, I've found a whole lot so I'm looking for recommendations.
Any particular things to look out for? Or shouldn't I be wasting money on a conversion kit, and get a surefire directly?

thanks!

 

[Southern6er]

I have a maglite 4C cell that I converted using the Maglite LED conversion setup. Nothing fancy and it works as designed. Brighter, whiter light.

I also have some of the smaller 'tactical' lights I got from Costco. They're about 300 lumens or so and run on 3 AAA's each (pack of 3 was under 20.00). Does the job to keep in each of the cars for work around underneath.

I like the Surefires for their design and compact size for security use, but that big maglite makes a great club.

Use what works best for you. Both have their uses!

 

[brownbagg]

lowes, it works pretty good,

 

[Cardboard Man]

I converted all my old Maglites to LED with this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001I9TI4Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I've been using them for more than 3 months now and they are a vast improvement over regular bulbs and the batteries last longer as well.

There may be better lights out there but for the price ($13) these are damn good, and since you already own a quality light to start with, it's a great way to get new life out of it. I have a friend with one of those $150 lights and compared side by side with mine, his is still better by a little bit, but not enough to warrant that price.

Edit: Forgot to add, there is a conversion for 2-3 cell lights, and a different one for 4-6 cell lights. Make sure you order the correct part number for your application.

 

[Regnar]

Maglites are great for what they are I wouldnt change a thing. If you want bright and wanna do some laughing pick up ones of these.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultraf...ed-flashlight-with-clip-1-18650-1-17670-36357

While your there pick up the rechargeable battery and charger for it. Then at the next surefire meeting start laughing at how much they paid for a flashlight.

Dont get me wrong I own Surefires and this flashlight. Surefire is for home security the Ultrafire is for working because I dont wanna cry in front of the guys when I drop my 120.00 flashlight on the ground.

By the way it no where near 900 lumens but it is just as bright as my Surefire.

 

[mooseracing]

For those of you that have replaced with LED's, does the beam throw out as far can concentrated ?

All my current LED's don't throw a long beam like my Maglite, so I have left that one alone.

 

[MoonRise]

Depends on exactly what you want to do and accomplish and how much time and money you want to spend to do so.

Quick, simple, easy, and not to expensive is just to get a Mag 'replacement' LED 'bulb'. Take out old incan bulb, replace with LED 'bulb', close flashlight. Done. Works OK. Not as much lumens/size as say a Surefire or other LED 'hotrod' flashlights, but works OK.

It's about the same as the linked TerraLUX 'bulb'. I think the MAG LED 'bulb' looks a little nicer, but haven't done any sort of side-by-side comparison.

Want smaller than a MAG and as much or more light output? Then you will have to buy a new/different flashlight.

Go surf through www.candlepowerforums.com for all sorts of flashlight 'stuff'. Tiny stuff, handmade stuff, stuff that is a handheld flashlight and can set a piece of paper on fire from a few inches away, etc, etc, etc.

 

[Rickenbackerman]

What Cardboard Man said. The terralux drop-in is the best bang for the buck.

 

[Cardboard Man]

For those of you that have replaced with LED's, does the beam throw out as far can concentrated ?

All my current LED's don't throw a long beam like my Maglite, so I have left that one alone.

That's the great part about converting a Maglite. It already has an excellent adjustable reflector, so you can throw out a very long narrow beam with the new LED. It was a really significant improvement for not much money.

 

[James E]

I used the Maglite LED conversion on a 3D cell unit. It works great. It puts out a really good, bright white beam. Lights up the animals in my backyard well.

I have a couple surefires and a Streamlight, as well as several Nebo LED flashlights (saw them on here, glad I did).

I love the Surfires but they get hot and the run time is absolutely terrible--plus the batteries are crazy expensive.

The Nebos that I have put out enough light that I think they're a much better value than the high-dollar lights.

 

[KenB]

I'm also a fan of the Terralux drop-in, although you do trade a lot of the flood capability for a bright spot light.


Ken

 

[BigAl62]

Use the Maglite conversion, most of the others are not very bright (I've tried a number of different types). They have for 2, 3 and 4 D cell lights. You'll be happy with the conversion, lots more light and longer battery life (as well as longer bulb life).

 

[Guzzi]

I'm very happy with this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EHL6O8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Made in USA too.

 

[Rickenbackerman]

I'm also a fan of the Terralux drop-in, although you do trade a lot of the flood capability for a bright spot light.


Ken

How so? I think it's brighter than stock and with less artifacts - just twist the head so it floods.

 

[5lima30]

Being a retired cop I can tell you there was a reason why the rechargeable 3 cell MagLite was an industry standard for more than 20 years. I've got a Sure-Fire LED (lithium) that was given to me and a Stinger LED rechargeable. Out of those two I prefer
the Stinger which is another VERY good flashlight IMHO. I still have my rechargeable 3 cell MagLite that I purchased 23 years ago and I just recently replaced the battery stick. That is the third battery stick in 23 years of hard use!

 

[2manytoyz]

Just moved to a new house, and starting setting up shop. Found a 3D cell Maglite I had almost forgotten about. Put a new set of batteries in it, works fine. But that regular bulb has to go!

Thanks for the link for the replacement LED. I had already planned on going this route, was looking for a recommendation. Next time I order from Amazon, I'll get one.

As far as SureFire lights, they're great, but pricey. I've bought a few of these instead: Nu-Flare 77R92L Ultrabright Luxeon LED Aluminum Flashlight, Gumetal, 210 Lumens. Has a Luxeon Rebel 90 LED, which is made in USA.

Excellent light for $33.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LYYO10/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

 

[rockchucker]

I like the conversion kits for the D-Cell made by Mag-Lite. The only thing is you lose the adjustable beam option. You don't really need it anymore and the Batteries last a billion years.

I have and use the Nite-Eyes for the smaller AA Mag-Lites. They work well and make the batteries last a billion years too.

Sure-Fire is my go to light now though. It sheds more light than my 5-Cell Mag with LED conversion and is about 1/10th of the weight and size. Yes you can get similar light out of cheaper Lithium LED's but the Sure-Fire will atek ANYTHING you can throw at it. Try some of the cheaper models then you will see the quality and craftsmanship of the Sure-Fire.

This is my "Everything" light...


http://www.surefire.com/E2DL

 

[azcactus]

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[bgarrett]

I learned that the LED maglite batteries last so long that the batteries go bad and leak out corrosion and I couldnt unscrew the end and couldnt get the batteries out, It ruined my light

 

[rlitman]

I had that same issue with a really old maglite which I then threw out.
I later learned that they have a lifetime warranty, and I could have sent it in for replacement.

 

[paullie]

not a retro fit, but i picked up a 3 cell led mag at lowes for $15 on black friday and it is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better and brighter than than old style, i couldn't believe how freakin bright and how far it could throw a beam and as always would make a fine club

 

[csp]

I like the conversion kits for the D-Cell made by Mag-Lite. The only thing is you lose the adjustable beam option.

I have a 3D and a 4D, both converted to LED and both have the adjustable beam. MagLite conversion bulbs were used in both.

 

[Larwyn]

I converted on of my 2-D cell mag lights to led. It's okay, but I actually prefer using the one with the old fashion bulb in it. Maybe I just have old fashioned eyes?

 

[Larwyn]

The beam on my converted light adjusts just the same as the non converted ones.

 

[ddawg16]

My main flashlight 'was' a 3 cell maglite converted with a 5 cell rechargable stick and LED. Far outlasted my Streamlight....and a lot cheaper....I just use my streamlight to charge the battery. f*&^ers that broke into my house 2 weeks ago stole it.....

With out a doubt...LED is the way to go. And less likely to break if you drop it....or hit someone with it....not that I have or would ever do something like that.

Stingers are good too....but too small for what I use them for.

Side note....I buy those LED flashlights at HF when they are giving them away.....they use 3 AAA batteries....Pretty much last for ever....have them stashed around the house.

 

[Norcal]

I converted my 4-cell Maglite to LED, the sad thing is that brand new LED flashlight was only a few dollars more, but I do like it.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

My 2-D LED Maglite had the batteries corrode and get stuck in the tube to where I could not get them out...so I put that LED bulb in my old faithful 6-D. It's awesome! Damn batteries should last forever.

FYI, I figured this was OK as the LED conversions I've seen usually said they were good for the 2 to 6 cell lights. If that LED can't take it, no loss.

 

[cruzn57]

I have a "Cree Skyray" ( 3800 lumen)
and a pelican , both killer lights, both rechargeable.
the cree is unreal! 3 -led's its like daylight!!!!!!

oh yea, and about half a dozen mag lites, I'll be upgrading them to see more use from them.

did I say the cree was mind blowing? LOL

 

[geologist]

LEDs have a prevalent viewing angle, and they're virtually useless outside of that zone. For example, viewing angle is one of the most confusing terms regarding LEDs. Most people assume that the viewing angle is the angle encompassed by the beam. In reality, viewing angle is related to brightness. The LED industry defines viewing angle as the full angle at which brightness is half of the brightness from dead center. More scientifically, if ø (angle theta) is the angle from off center (0°) where the LED's brightness is half, then 2ø is defined as the full viewing angle, as represented by Figure 1 below. The entire yellow portion represents a 70° viewing angle, while the orange portion represents a 90° viewing angle.

Figure 1: LED viewing angle

Figure 2 (below) illustrates how brightness is influenced by a viewing angle of 70°. An LED cluster with a brightness of 8,000 NIT viewed at 50° from off center will be just as bright as a LED cluster with a brightness of 2,000 NIT viewed head on. While a LED is not as bright when viewed at an angle beyond the stated viewing angle, there is still sufficient brightness to illuminate the surroundings, to an extent. Therefore, you can still see with an LED beyond the stated viewing angle. How much further? The answer is dependent on the LED display's brightness, ambient light and contrast conditions. The industry refers to this extended viable usability as the viewing angle. Please note, this is just a general representation and not factual for every LED display with 70° viewing angle. All values are estimates.

Figure 2: Example brightness based on a 70° viewing angle.

Now that you have a better understanding of viewing angle and its relationship with brightness, how does this information help? For one thing, you are now better prepared to compare LEDs from different manufactures.

Just remember this if you go to do it yourself:
• Viewing angle is the angle at which the LED's brightness is halved.

 

[M. Blue 240]

My last job I was issued a rechargable Maglite and was very happy with it. When I lost the job (and the light) I went and bought an LED Maglite. The lumens are a little lower, but the light is cleaner and the bulb won't burnout if I drop the light.

I also have a Streamlight DS LED HP (rechargable), Fenix TK15 and Surefire 6P (incandecent). The Streamlight and Fenix are now my go-to lights, but the Surefire and Maglite are always in the bag.

From left to right:
LED Maglite, Streamlight DS LED HP, Fenix TK15, Surefire 6P.
134 lumens, 200 lumens, 337 lumens, 65 lumens.

 

[flintsghost]

For those of you that have replaced with LED's, does the beam throw out as far can concentrated ?

All my current LED's don't throw a long beam like my Maglite, so I have left that one alone.

Depends on the LED kit that you get for conversion and whether it is a group of LED's like the Nite EZ kits or a single high powered LED like the Terralux. I have both in Mini Mags and have found the Terralux to be superior. It also allows for continued use of the focusing feature on the beam at least in the mini mags. I have recently converted two of my rechargable streamlights to LED with Terralux conversion kits. I prefer LED's not because they are so much brighter which they are but for two other reasons. First the LED shouldn't be damaged if you drop the light whereas the bulb usually breaks the filament, especially if on. Second the charge on rechargables is uch longer and battery life is extended considerably. This is because if there is any power at all, the LED will light to some degree whereas a bulb requires a certain minimum power level to light so when the battery starts to go the LED will still give some, though usually dimished quality light as opposed to the bulb which gives none.

Surefires are good, but they aren't all LED's. Quite a few and notably the largest ones use bulbs. They are tough and Surefire stands behind them. My son did a tour in Afghanistan and he took a black Executive Defender that I had replaced the standard bulb head with an LED head. The glass on the lens of the LED got shattered from impact damage. It stayed in place and the light still worked, albeit with considerably less beam due to the large cracks. When he got home I sent it back to Surefire with their blessing and they replaced the lens and refinished the head for nothing. I have several surefires including weapons lights on firearms...all LED in my case. For many uses they can't be beat. For other uses, anything will do.

 

[SgtRauksauff]

I've got a 3-Cell Mag and a 4-Cell Mag (D-cells) and got the Mag-branded LED upgrade from Wal-Mart a few years back (It was like 18 bucks at the time). Since then, I don't think I've actually had to change the batteries yet, and the output has been phenomenal (compared to what it had been). The 4-cell went dead, and I haven't actually put new ones in, as the 3-cell works great with the LED in it. I'm going to check out the TerraLUX line and maybe get a "bulb" for my 4-cell, that would just be neat!

I've got several Mini-Mags too, that I just don't use as much anymore, that I think could benefit from an LED conversion.

--sarge

 

[TheManShopSD]

I found LED bulbs made by Dorcy for my 2 D cell maglites. They were only $6.50 each at Sears. They had both 2-3 cell and 4-6 cell bulbs. I purchased a 4-6 bulb aswell to put into one of those 4 D cell camping lanterns. I haven't used them much and I don't know the output but they are as bright or brighter than the old incandescent bulbs. I can keep track of my chocolate lab at night while she is running around our 1.3 acres before bedtime. The LEDs are great as 2 D cell batteries last forever with them installed. I'm pretty frugal so this LED upgrade was great!

 

[Sage55]

Why not just buy a new LED maglite, the amount you're going to pay to convert is just about the same price a new LED maglight...

 

[243]

I bought the Terralux drop-in from Battery Junction along with some Tenergy 10,000 Mah NiMh batteries and my old school 2-D Maglite is more useful than every.

 

[BSK]

I just converted my old school mag lite 4D to LED by buying a LED bulb for 8$ at sears. Works fine for me and light it bright!

 

[dringb]

My flashlight of choice is the surefire. I was originally issued one in Iraq. I admit that it is exceptionally expensive, and it eats batteries. The battery style is #123. The batteries are expensive and the light is expensive, but if you want to blind your opponent or look into a dark hole at noon, there is no better light.

 

[M. Stark]

I have watched alot of my buddies spend alot of coin on the next great light.

After lots of research, I carry two lights at work.
One is a standard rechargable MagLight. Take care of it and it'll throw alot of light quite a ways.
The other is also a rechargable MagLight with the big TerraLux 3 LED insert. This thing is stupid bright on hi and runs forever on low.
We have MagLites that have fallen down cement stairwells, fallen off car roofs, and been in too much water for too long. They just keep working. I can't say that for my old Stream Light Stinger.

Around the house, I use a AA LED MagLite and a D cell MagLight with no problems.

Just my opinion,
Stark

 

[musgofasta]

Just popped on the Terrelux upgrades for my older Maglites on all of your reviews. Thanks for helping me spend money!

 

[JordanFTW]

Some good info in here! I am going to try out one of these mag-light conversions.