Maglite LED upgrade bulb

[plinker]

Saw at home depot they had Maglite D-cell LED bulbs for 14$ marked down from 18$

Has anybody upgraded thier D-cell Maglite with one?
Kinda on the fence about it.

 

[HandyManny]

Yup I've slowly upgraded all my D cell maglites since they came out with thier factory brand LED in 2006. Am entirely impressed. They offer a brighter, whiter, smoother light beam. Light quality and enegry managment is also a world of difference from the old Krypton bulbs.

Basically it runs until just shortly before the batteries died, then it starts blinking a bit and quickly goes out. No more long slow fading to 25% orange dim light like the old incandesent bulbs.

Supposedly Maglite has just recently started offering Luxeon Rebel LEDs that are supposed to be even better than the maglite ones. My guess is that they are going to stop producing their curent factory LED and have the makers of Luxeon supply them in the new flashlights.

Don't get anything in bulbs from Nit-Ize. They offer a poor and weak LED light. Of course I've sure evenyone here will tell you that you have to pay $200 for a Surefire.

Maglites may be considered bulky by todays recent standards. They are nowhere near as bright as what a surefire provides for the size. Mags days as the dominant Police flashlight are largely overwith. All I'm going to say is that the maglite has always provided more than enough light for the vast majority of my needs in the dark. The new mag LED upgrade offers even better light than before and is still plenty of light for most of my needs. When I was an active pilot (long before LED flashlights) one of my 2 D cell maglites always provided enough light for preflight in the dark. For most shop situations I want a light that's not going to blind me when lighting up a confined area, if you get my drift. For most dark outdoor situations the new Mag LED offers more than enough useable light without making you go broke. That's all I'm saying. Battery life is also extended and better than most other LED lights out there. Upto 26 hours for the 2 D cell.

 

[Stuey]

I did a while back, and the retrofit D Maglite works as well as an off-the-shelf LED D Maglites.

To be honest, I think you should hold off. Rather than upgrade the bulb, I'd just buy a new flashlight. Maglites went on sale at Lowes and HD at around November, December last year.

Overall, I'm not too pleased with my LED D Maglites. Whereas the AA LED Maglites have redesigned lens/head units, the D Maglites do not - they're simply refit with an LED bulb.

For $15 though, you can't go wrong.

 

[HandyManny]

They should have just redesigned the D and C cell like they did with the new mini mag 2AA LED. You're exactly right, there is no difference in installing the maglite LED retrofit on an old D cell maglite compared to buying a brand new D cell maglite LED flashlight. Wide beam fucus still suffers the same black hole in the center. Tight beam however is much better than the old krypton.

The new mini-mag 2AA LED compared to the original 2AA mini maglite - the new LED is a world of difference in beam quality at all fucuses, and is much brighter to, about as bright as an old 2 D cell incandecent bulb flashlight. The new LED mini also tends to light up a much wider and broader area in all focus settings as well.

You may find these links helpful:

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/maglite_mag-led.htm

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/maglite_minimagled.htm

 

[nate379]

I have a Mag Light I put the LED bulb in (the actual MAG lite one) about 5 years ago and the same batteries are still in that light. It's in my Jeep and sees cold and hot temps too. Light is still working great.
Now if I could get the batteries in my SureFire to last that long that'd be nice!

 

[nelstomlinson]

If you have an old Maglight, by all means put the new LED bulb in it. It's brighter, and your batteries last longer.

As someone else said, the $14 price is probably a closeout to make room for the newer, slightly brighter version. If you are happy with your old light, you will be even happier with the $14 LED upgrade.

The Maglight LED bulbs are fatter than a standard flashlight bulb, so they won't fit in a standard flashlight.

The Maglight bulbs get dimmer as they get hotter, to keep them from frying themselves. This is good, except that the Maglights are the worst possible design for dissipating heat. So, your bulb starts out bright, and gradually winds up less bright after a little while. Of course, it's still brighter than the old incandescent bulb.

Don't buy a new Maglight. You can get better lights cheaper, and much better lights for more money. Here is one place that has the good stuff, and is really great on customer service: lighthound.com

 

[nate379]

My MagLite is about 10 years old and the MagLite LED fit in it fine It's a 3D model.

 

[JD6619A]

I got 2 of the new MAG LED lights, ones a mini mag and the other is a 2D LED one, I like both a lot, much better then the older krypton bulb ones. As for a 200 dollar flashlight no thanks got better things to spend my money on.

 

[HandyManny]

If you have an old Maglight, by all means put the new LED bulb in it. It's brighter, and your batteries last longer.

As someone else said, the $14 price is probably a closeout to make room for the newer, slightly brighter version. If you are happy with your old light, you will be even happier with the $14 LED upgrade.

The Maglight LED bulbs are fatter than a standard flashlight bulb, so they won't fit in a standard flashlight.

The Maglight bulbs get dimmer as they get hotter, to keep them from frying themselves. This is good, except that the Maglights are the worst possible design for dissipating heat. So, your bulb starts out bright, and gradually winds up less bright after a little while. Of course, it's still brighter than the old incandescent bulb.

Don't buy a new Maglight. You can get better lights cheaper, and much better lights for more money. Here is one place that has the good stuff, and is really great on customer service: lighthound.com

I agree with most of what you said. Except the part about the maglite LED bulbs being fatter. Not true at all. The bulb part of the LED module is actually much smaller than the krypton or xeon bulb, about 3/16th of an inch in diameter for the LED bulb itself. As far as saying don't buy a new maglite - well there's a few things to take into consideration before someone should swallow that. I agree that there are brighter and smaller flashlights out there in the $35 to $65 range these days, but none have the runtime or are as inexpensive to operate as the LED maglites. Sure you can get an ultra bright powerful tactical light in a small package, but it's going to cost you and the trade off willl be less runtime. As I said, there are time when I don't want to blind myself when lighting up a confined space like a closet or heating room. There are times I don't need to disturb or alarm the entire neighborhood simply because I'm outside with my flashlight checking on something.

In the $22 range I doubt you'll find an LED flashlight cheaper that compares to the new redesigned mini-maglite 2AA LED flashlight. My backyard is 40 X 50 yards in size. I can light up more than half of my entire backyard using my mini-maglite 2AA LED with enough light to clearly see everything within the wide beam. Bright enough to get my wife asking from inside the house what that bright light was in the backyard. Just try it some time on a new moon (moonless) night. That's all I'm saying.

I'll keep my $65 Streamlight Scorpion LED light with my home defense guns. But over all I agree with you JD6619A. I've got better things to spend $200+ on.

 

[plinker]

I bought a AA LED maglite last year when sears had them on sale for 15$
I wasnt totaly impressed with the tail cap not having a laynard hole though

Main reason for looking into the upgrade is battery life for the D-cells. The fact that you can still focus the light is good to know.

FWIW, I have had a few inexpensive flashlights, none seem to last/work as well as my Maglites.

I had gotten a multiple LED flashlight (Coast mfg I think) for Christmas two years ago lasted about a year.
My 3 D-cell Maglite I bought 6?+ years ago, is my go to light. I almost always carry a AA model.

 

[HandyManny]

I bought a AA LED maglite last year when sears had them on sale for 15$
I wasnt totaly impressed with the tail cap not having a laynard hole though

Main reason for looking into the upgrade is battery life for the D-cells. The fact that you can still focus the light is good to know.

FWIW, I have had a few inexpensive flashlights, none seem to last/work as well as my Maglites.

I had gotten a multiple LED flashlight (Coast mfg I think) for Christmas two years ago lasted about a year.
My 3 D-cell Maglite I bought 6?+ years ago, is my go to light. I almost always carry a AA model.

If it's battery longevity you want, that's actually one of the benefits of retrofitting the maglite factory LED module. These retofits aren't perfect, and won't turn your maglite into a Surefire, but they are an great improvement over the old technology. As with the regular bulbs you still have to match the correct number of battery cells to the bulb rated for or intended for that many batteries.

As far as reliability and "go-to" flashlights - I've had the same experience as you with the maglites I've owned. One of my oldest is a 3 D cell from 1984 has been used regularly since I bought it and still being used regularly today. Granted I've replaced the plastic lens twice with a final one being an aftermarket mineral glass lense, I've replaced the relector once, and the black annodized finish has worn to about 70% still remaining on the body. One of my newer 2 D cell maglites from about 2001 needed the rubber button switch cover replaced (a 2 second job) and was done by a local cop shop last summer. Not even my Streamlight Scorpion has proved as reliable as any of my maglites.

Nobody, including myself, will disagree that maglites 20 year life as the dominant police flashlight had largely came to an end by the late 1990's. Nobody, myself included, will disagree that the maglite is totally obsolete for tactical use, except to use as a makeshift club. But as a "go-to" flashlight for inspections, shop use, emergencies, aviation use, and outdoor use, to see in the dark with, they still hold 1st place in my book, especially since the introduction of the factory LED module 3 years ago.

 

[nelstomlinson]

I agree with most of what you said. Except the part about the maglite LED bulbs being fatter. Not true at all. The bulb part of the LED module is actually much smaller than the krypton or xeon bulb, about 3/16th of an inch in diameter for the LED bulb itself.

Sorry, I wasn't clear about that. You're right about the upper part being smaller than the original bulb. If you try to stick the Magled into any flashlight other than a Maglight, you will find that the base of the bulb is fatter than the standard PR base, and it probably won't fit in any flashlight except your Mag. I have yet to find a non-maglight flashlight that the Mag LED upgrade fits properly in.

As far as saying don't buy a new maglite - well there's a few things to take into consideration before someone should swallow that. I agree that there are brighter and smaller flashlights out there in the $35 to $65 range these days, but none have the runtime or are as inexpensive to operate as the LED maglites. Sure you can get an ultra bright powerful tactical light in a small package, but it's going to cost you and the trade off willl be less runtime. As I said, there are time when I don't want to blind myself when lighting up a confined space like a closet or heating room. There are times I don't need to disturb or alarm the entire neighborhood simply because I'm outside with my flashlight checking on something.

You don't have to get the fancy, tiny, expensive lights. My local ACE Hardware has Snapon brand D-cell LED flashlights for about $10 less than the Mag lights, and the design looks as if it should dissipate heat far better than the Mag. Similar size and brightness, lower cost, seems to be better design.

I wouldn't buy a big Mag light today. I have to admit that the big Mags are hard to beat for beating folks, and that's what I originally got mine for!

I have some 4D Mags that are over 20 years old, and they are as good as they ever were. Instead of the Mag LED upgrades, I put in these. I got them for about the current sale price of $20, and they are significantly brighter then the Mag LED, with similar battery life.

The little Mag LED lights, the 2AA size, aren't so bad, and if you can get them for around $20, they might be a good deal. Around here, they run closer to $30, and at that rate, I'll buy something else that's a bit brighter and gives better battery life.

 

[nelstomlinson]

As for a 200 dollar flashlight no thanks got better things to spend my money on.

Me too! There are some crazy expensive flashlights out there.

I did spend $32 total on a used Surefire G2 ( the plastic one) and an after-market LED upgrade for it. It costs more to run than the upgraded D-cell Maglight: about $1 per hour for the batteries. It's almost too bright to use inside. But it really lights up the woods, and it is small enough to keep in a pocket.

For about twice that $32, I could have had a similar, new, aluminum light of equal brightness.

 

[HandyManny]

True. I've heard good things about the Terralux LED upgardes, especially the part about heat dissipation. I've just never been able to find them locally. Just never got around to ordering one.

 

[CamarosRus]

Anybody have specific vendor links and low cost pricing for changing to LED bulbs ???

I have Old School 3D cell Maglites

 

[TOOL MASTER]

i have had maglights for years..but have been very disappointed with the led line....i now use energizer 1 w led flashlights...best bang for the buck....i found more recently on sale at target..bought all 7 they had...nice white light..not the blue bs....they have a 3w but i like the 1 w better

 

[Aklass]

I have a AA maglite led fail me.. just wouldn't turn on, and maglite wants me to mail it back to them =/ I think i read somewhere that the led is not warrantied

 

[Bolster]

The light enthusiasts stay away from MagLite and NiteIze upgrades. They go with TerraLUX. I have a TerraLux upgrade in a 3D and it is ridiculously bright. But it has that "flat" look to it that LED light gives you.

 

[jvitez]

I've got an old Mini-Maglite that's my hunting-backpack standby. I bought a 2 D-cell LED Maglite for an up north caribou hunting trip last fall: big, a bit heavy, BRIGHT, not bad focus, very low power use. Was a bit too bright when creeping outside the sleeping tent in the middle of the night to eliminate too much vodka/Gatorade (you make do when you're 2.5 hrs by float plane from civilization ). Overall, it's going to come with me on future hunting trips. Plus I keep it easily accessible at home.

Nobody, myself included, will disagree that the maglite is totally obsolete for tactical use, except to use as a makeshift club.

Assuage my curiosity, I'm not in the business: can you define tactical use outside of using it as a club? I thought police flashlights were for illuminating dark areas and beating people who sprung up on them, hence the funny over-the-shoulder hold vs normal "golf club hold" use. Educate me please!

 

[v7guy]

I have two mag lights, one with the led and one without, the led one is obviously better.

 

[catfish]

the factory LED bulbs are pretty good , better than the clone LED replacement i put in

 

[Mavawreck]

Don't get me wrong, I like the LED but the other week when our power was out due to storm damage, it was a bit too bright as a stand alone light source. Not its intended purpose, but I used to be able to take the lenses off my old mag light and stand it up like a candle. The LED isn't as pleasant.

 

[SARG]

I will chime in on this one as I've spent lots of time and money on flashlights for the job over the last two decades .... maybe a bit longer.

Maglites are obsolete ....... sorry but it's true. I have probably a dozen of the various sizes and they are all sitting without batteries now.

Steamlites are not far behind. They are expensive and the output is marginal. I have many of those as well.

If you look at the picture below... the small LED light on the far right which is powered by one AA battery is at least three times brighter than the 5C Maglite on the left. No contest and it fits in a pocket. Rated at 350 lumens.

The other three lights are also LED but the middle light is a Surefire (expensive) which I converted with a LED R2 emitter for $10. .... and now it is twice as bright as it was.

The second from left is a 502B light with R2 emitter and ...same as the Surefire uses CR123 batteries.

With the exception of the Surefire ....the other small lights cost less than $15. each.

I buy them at the site below. I've made 17 orders from them over the last couple years and have had no problems. An order does take about five weeks to arrive but shipping is free. I have found that in the arena of flashlights the expression "You get what you pay for" .... Does not apply.

https://www.dealextreme.com/c/cree-lights-901

 

[fr0mastaj]

Too many detailed responses...didnt read them all - but I do have the LED upgrade in my D cell maglite...and I was/am unimpressed. My $30 Fenix E20 is 10x smaller and way brighter. So..needless to say, I never even use the maglite anymore.

 

[alexb2000]

This is by far the best flashlight for the money I've ever used. The beam is bright white and very powerful. Yes, I have two of the $200 Streamlights; but I wish I would have just bought 20 of these instead. I also like that these use AA batteries instead of some exotic battery.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OOZERY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Wakefield]

Will the tiny,superbright and superexpensive up to date flashlight run all night on one set of batteries like the D-cell Maglite LED model does?
I used to see the LED official conversion Mag bulbs on the web but have not seen them lately. Very pleased with the performance of one of them in an old D-cell Mag but it might be true that if the flashlight had a heat sink the brightness might be sustained higher. But wouldn't that just wear down the batteries fast?

 

[Wakefield]

I have a yellow plastic Streamlight LED model that holds 3 C cells,I think it is called "Polypro"and it is easier to carry on a long run than the Maglite 2D cell light but the Mag makes more light,throws much farther and I like it better unless I have to carry it for more than an hour or so. I think both will stay lit if you fall down while crossing a creek (during a night hike when the creek is flooded and you have to ford it) and they go under a foot of rushing water.

 

[GSteg]

Maglite in stock form is pretty crappy. The LED version is better, but still not bright enough for me. One thing great about Maglite is that they're very easy to work with. I made a heatsink and put various LED bulbs in it, one being the Seoul P7 bulb. It's rated for about 900 lumens at the bulb. It's definitely not meant to be a reading light, but works great for when I need to see in the woods.

 

[20-100]

I did install the led upgrade in my 3D Maglite more than one year ago... Great upgrade, brighter, light is not yellow anymore, batteries last almost forever.

$14 is a good price, go for it.

 

[plinker]

Since I installed the LED bulbs in my 2-d &3-d cell maglites I've only had to replace the batteries 4-5 times in each. IIRC, it would need new ones about every three or so months with the regular bulbs.

I would say the AA LED version has issues, mainly w/ the tailcap (in my experiance). The extra battery life is great though, but it does need to have a dummy cord loop like the regular ones.
I had the niteize ruin a AA mini mag once (battery leaked).


I'm going to pick up one of the new XL50's and try it out for a couple of things I've got in mind. I'd rather it have AA batteries though, but I'm seeing AAA's being used in more and more stuff. Seems kinda wasteful IMO, as you'll go through more batteries then with AA's (going by my train of thought).