Bring your old maglite into the 20th century

[Siglvr]

Don't toss that old beast. Unbelievable. I just woke up and learned that they mfg add-on LEDs that will turn your tired old Maglite into a raging beast. High power, low battery drain, high drag (put that in for you operator types) state of the art flashlight. I went looking for my old one and think I sadly may have given it to Goodwill. For $11 bucks you can upgrade it. You have a brighter light and the longevity of batterys that we use to dream about. This post is for the old dinosaurs who don't know this, evidently they've been available for quite some time. Wish I'd known. Clearly I must be living in a cave. The only caution is that there have been several iterations/models of Maglites, make sure you get the correct version for you as some will not work on certain models and some do.

Bulb only replacements:
http://www.amazon.com/LED-UPgrade-B...qid=1460738732&ref_=sr_1_fkmr0_1&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Terra also makes one for @ 16-$18 and it's said to be less desirable than the less expensive Nitetube version which I linked.


They make them for Surefire if you have one on your weapon. $6 bucks and you get a stunning 650 lumens. http://www.amazon.com/Surefire-Flas...qid=1460738961&sr=8-4&keywords=led+conversion

Lastly, full on drop in kits are also available if you want to blind the neighbors. You simply unscrew the end of the Maglite and put on the replacement conversion kit. Fusionlite, Malkoff, Terralux and make them. The Fusionlite costs much less, at $26 bucks.

http://www.thefusionlite.com/fusion-36magli361.html

http://www.amazon.com/Terralux-TLE-...39065&sr=8-10&keywords=maglite+led+conversion

By the way, regarding the thread title, I know what century it really is...was just playing on my own ignorance of which it appears there are many Hope this can be of some assistance to some of you.

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[Member 34319]

The real maglite upgrade!

http://www.preppersdiscount.com/store/c17/SOLVENT_TRAP_KITS.html

 

[Member 5605]

I have LED bulbs in mine.

Goes from a yellow/orange light to a white/blue color.

 

[Jamie6.5]

Thanks Bill!
From another member of the "Old Folks" club.

 

[Timbertodd]

Have 3 maglites and will be looking into the led bulbs. Thanks for the heads up and site links!

 

[2A2Dend]

Just thought to add some friendly suggestion.

Consider Maglites in this manner.
Maglight = Older vehicles have Halogen headlights. Bright, but not so, really.
LED Flashlight = Newer vehicles (most). Brighter, higher output, more throw

After playing with Maglight flashlights over the years, and putting in the LED upgrades, don't waste your money.
Buy a nice LED handheld.

 

[orygun]

I have a Maglite LED conversion in a AA mini. It's an improvement for sure, but for not a lot more money I have several Streamlight AAA flashlights that out perform the Maglite conversion. However, the thought of upgrading output and increasing battery life in something already owned is very appealing.
I have a couple of D cell Maglites that I would like to have LED conversions in.

Speaking to the Dinosaurs, remember when Maglite was about the only game in town?

 

[Doc In UPlace]

As an aside, the somewhat tired phrase is "high speed, LOW drag" not high drag, so much, unless we talking Seattle's Capitol Hill, maybe then.
I have a colleague that has some LED upgrade for his 6-D cell that is insanely bright. If you'd like I can ask him what it is. (?)

 

[CamoDeafie]

http://edcfeatures.blogspot.com/2007/01/do-it-yourself-roar-of-pelican-rop.html for those who wants a spotlight level of brightness with a 2D cell Maglite... this upgrade is seriously bright.... unfortunately it also eats batteries like no other... 1000 Lumens from this. Of course, it requires replacing the plastic lens and reflector with metal units, and some soldering, a new carrier that has 6 AA slots for the high end rechargeable batteries (2700Ma is what they use) ...
That's for those who want stupid bright Incandescent lights as opposed to a cheap LED one lol

 

[Stomper]

As an aside, the somewhat tired phrase is "high speed, LOW drag" not high drag, so much, unless we talking Seattle's Capitol Hill, maybe then.
I have a colleague that has some LED upgrade for his 6-D cell that is insanely bright. If you'd like I can ask him what it is. (?)

Ayup... as quoted above, ALWAYS high speed and low drag... NEVER high drag... LOL. Us "operator types" knew what you meant though, turbo!

 

[orygun]

I have a colleague that has some LED upgrade for his 6-D cell that is insanely bright. If you'd like I can ask him what it is. (?)

I have 2 and 3 D cell and yes, I would like to know what your friend uses.

 

[Kruel J]

I EDC an 850 lumen Streamlight ProTac HL. My nightstand light is a 500 lumen Strion HL. My wife and father both have a 260 lumen Strion LED (gifts from me) and My Glock wears a Streamlight TLR-3. All but the TLR-3 are rechargeable lights. And my EDC can use CR 123 lithium or 18650 in a pinch.

My old Maglites are long gone. Tried an LED upgrade kit, but it was no comparison to my current line-up.

 

[Member 5605]

I'm sure I'm not the ONLY ONE who has a maglight for its bulk as well as light output.

 

[Kruel J]

It can be used as a self defense weapon in a pinch.

 

[IronMonster]

Way back maybe 10 years ago I bought a three LED conversion for a 5 D cell mag light, I think the conversion head was around $130 and put out like 200 lumens. A few weeks ago I bought an $8 Cree flashlight that uses three AAA batteries that puts out 800 lumens and three or four of them would fit inside the old mag light.

Pretty soon at the rate of change flashlights have shown in the last decade you will have a 10,000 lumen light that runs off a hearing aid battery that cost $1, shipping included

 

[Kruel J]

Way back maybe 10 years ago I bought a three LED conversion for a 5 D cell mag light, I think the conversion head was around $130 and put out like 200 lumens. A few weeks ago I bought an $8 Cree flashlight that uses three AAA batteries that puts out 800 lumens and three or four of them would fit inside the old mag light.

Pretty soon at the rate of change flashlights have shown in the last decade you will have a 10,000 lumen light that runs off a hearing aid battery that cost $1, shipping included

Maybe not quite that fast, but you're on the right track. Technology has gone from only available to the elite few to literally cheaper than dirt.

 

[Papercidal]

I have the mag light branded led bulb upgrade (I don't know if they still sell it) in a few of mine. They are pretty bright and the batteries last forever (I have one under the back seat of my truck that still works on batteries that I put in it in 2005) they don't work as well as the slick little tac lights that I carry around but when the goofy little lithium batteries in the modern wonders are dead when I need them those old mag lights still work.

 

[teflon6string]

Was LEO for 5 years last century when the all metal 4-cell Maglite was the only show in town. With either hand, it was automatic to hold it "upside down" near my shoulder. Happily, never needed to use it for anything other than a light.

Decades later, I keep one handy in each vehicle. Funny... can't honestly say right now if the batteries are still good or not. Time to buy fresh ones.

Yeah, I'm definitely interested in the LED upgrade.

 

[Timbertodd]

It can be used as a self defense weapon in a pinch.

They can also be used to drive tent stakes when a big rock is not available.

 

[Martini_Up]

I'm with IronMonster.

I've bought some really nice flashlights the past year at Costco for under 20 bucks.... and the rubber button cover isn't falling off those