Rediscovering Mag Lights

[Cosmoline]

I grew up in the 80's using flashlights that were enormous, ran off D cells and didn't last long or throw much of a beam. Perhaps because of this, I've pretty much ruled out the big honking D-cell mag lights from my personal light collection. I've got tactical lights, compact LED's, halogen blasters, special headlamps, and such. They're great for carrying around. But I realized that the little high-tech lights have a big disadvantage at home--they're too small to find at 3AM! I repeatedly could not find my tactical light that I knew was somewhere next to my bed.

The solution? A big old Mag Light. Very inexpensive and made in the USA. Also quite solid, too big to miss at 3AM with no glasses, and a weapon in itself. I even found a number of tactical stances for the beasts in Mas Ayoob Stressfire text from the 1980's. I wouldn't want to tote it far, but for home defense use it has much to recommend it as an augment to more modern weapon lights or on its own. The beam thrown by the big guys is also nothing to sneeze at. It isn't as focally intense as a tactical light, but it covers a wider swath.

 

[bubba15301]

there is one right beside my bed

 

[ryanrichmond]

The large LED Mags really throw some light. They're good for blinding or bludgeoning

 

[Fred Fuller]

A reminder- there is every reason to assume that a C or D cell Maglite or the equivalent might well be considered a lethal weapon by the authorities if it is in fact used to deliver blows to the head. Make sure deadly force is indeed legitimate if that is the case... or learn other targets to strike.

Here, there is a 3 D cell Maglite with an LED bulb tucked away at both the front door and the back door. And my wife carries a 3 C cell model in her car. We find them quite useful as excellent flashlights, and the possibility of their serving as a defensive weapon is not lost on either of us.

lpl

 

[Al Thompson]

Anybody know of a good upgrade to the output (lumens) for a MagLite? I'm OK with the reduction in battery life, but it would be nice to have a MagLite as bright or brighter than my Surefire..

 

[Jeff White]

Al,
Have you looked into the rechargeable model? It is significantly bright then the model that takes standard batteries. I carried one in my squad car. Also standard issue for Illinois State Police.

Wasn't there a guy on here selling upgraded maglights a year or so ago?

Jeff

 

[rodregier]

Upgrade:

http://www.amazon.com/TerraLUX-TLE-6EXB-MiniStar5-Replacement-MagLites/dp/B001I9TI4Q/ref=dp_cp_ob_hi_title_0

TerraLUX MiniStar5 140 Lumens Extreme LED Replacement Bulb for 2-3 C&D Cell MagLites has a white LED light that never burns out. It has an extended battery life that lasts 3 times longer than incandescent bulbs and has ultra focus for long distances which makes it brighter than the original incandescent bulbs.

$20.

 

[hank327]

My 2 D cell Maglite I bought back in the early 80's still does duty as my bedside emergency light for exactly the same reasons Cosmo mentioned above.

 

[owlhoot]

Here is one who was glad to say goodbye to the Maglight. I have at least a half dozen of them mouldering away in the garage. They have all been replaced with the vastly superior, more versitile, small, lithium gee-whiz lights. I have no trouble finding them, and I have no intention of using a light for a club.

 

[LopezEL]

Check out blackbearflashlights.com

He uses mag lights as a host but upgrades them to provide a much brighter beam. He is also a member of this forum. Great guy to talk to and do business with. I have his bear cub flashlight and the VERY bright borealis. I highly recommend his products.

 

[Jeff F]

Wasn't there a guy on here selling upgraded maglights a year or so ago?

Was this the guy?
http://www.blackbearflashlights.com/

My buddy bought one. Very bright light, also kind of pricey.

 

[Cosmoline]

Here's another observation--more isn't always better. There's something to be said for LESS light. The lumen ratings on the little tactical lights keep going up and up, to the point that you could fry egg on the the things. It goes back to my 3AM rule. When my eyes are tired and adjusted to darkness, switching on some ultra-powerful lithium beast won't just dazzle whoever is in the beam, it will dazzle me from reflections on interior surfaces, snow and such. I actually did some testing of this on the snow in the dark. The tactical lights throw a ton of light back at me, causing me to squint. The standard mag light throws a much gentler beam. The clarity is more than enough, and the beam is broad, but there isn't that same blinding flash.

 

[rodregier]

Some of the tactical lights have a settable intensity level. They also remember the last setting, so you can choose a "default" matched to your circumstances.

 

[2WheelsGood]

A reminder- there is every reason to assume that a C or D cell Maglite or the equivalent might well be considered a lethal weapon by the authorities if it is in fact used to deliver blows to the head.

Very true. Detroiters will remember the very famous Malice Green case in which two cops were convicted of killing him via blows from their MagLites. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malice_Green

 

[ChCx2744]

The Maglights that have LED bulbs nowadays throw a very VERY powerful beam, it's very blinding! I like them! I keep one close to my bed

 

[pacpiper]

I still have a 3-cell D, and two 2-cell D Mags and love em. Sure I got 20+ mini LED's floating around too but the Mags sit by my front and beack door respectively.

Light isn't going to win any max lumen contest but for a good, go to flashlight, I'm glad I still have them

 

[rscalzo]

I have had several in my years working the street and most all of them had problems with the switch or light head. The old style bulbs would break if dropped on a hard surface, especially if lite at the time. I still have a few around the house if the power goes out. But dragging one around...no thanks. Too much mass to carry. Will it hurt if smacked with one?? Hell yes.

 

[RatDrall]

I used to carry expensive surefire lights, until a bulb burned out when I was somewhere and needed my light. Maglights are bright enough, tough as nails, and have a spare bulb in the end cap.

I have an AA that I found from 12 years ago. It still works, with the super old batteries even, after rolling around the floor of a car, freezing in the winter and baking all summer, for so long.

 

[RX-178]

I have a C-cell... something. I forgot the details.

It USED to be attached to the short forend rail on the original Sub2K forend, mounted with a 30mm ring. That was before Kel-tec started offering a metal railed forend.

You know, I don't think I've used the maglite since then. It's in a plastic bin with a bunch of other flashlights that I can't even remember where/how/when I acquired.

 

[jerkface11]

If you want a big bright light there's always THE TORCH. http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/The_Torch-74-41.html 4100 lumens!! It can roast marshmallows!!! I bet it would make the paint peal if you used it in the house.

 

[2WheelsGood]

If you want a big bright light there's always THE TORCH. http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/The_Torch-74-41.html 4100 lumens!! It can roast marshmallows!!! I bet it would make the paint peal if you used it in the house.

You better hope that roasting marshmallows takes less than 5 minutes since that's how long the battery lasts... literally.

 

[xcgates]

At that rate, you will go through 24k battery changes per bulb.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I love my Mag-lites and they have done the job for over 25 years and I continue to use them. I am going to upgrade and buy a LED one soon.

 

[jerkface11]

You better hope that roasting marshmallows takes less than 5 minutes since that's how long the battery lasts... literally.

LOL at least it's rechargeable.

 

[Varob]

Each time I go to the Wholesale Club, I have to resist the urge to buy one.