Which flashlight is the better one? Better value?

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hate2work

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The choices....

Maglite 3 cell ( D batteries ), prepackaged with a mini-mag. The D batteries are not included, but the AAs for the mini-mag are ( alkaline Duracells ). Both come with standard bulbs. Cost is $19.95 at HD.

Maglite 3 cell ( D batteries ), prepackaged with a mini-mag. The D batteries are included ( alkaline Duracells ), as are the AA batteries for the mini-mag ( alkaline Duracells ). Both flashlights come with the LED bulbs. Cost is $29.95 at Costco.

Any input is welcome~
 
candlepowerforums.com

Think outside the box, many flashlights better than the mag for the same $.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
candlepowerforums.com

Think outside the box, many flashlights better than the mag for the same $.


Better than the mag? I've got a feeling that's like saying GC is better than Amsoil.

Anyway, thanks for that link, but I'm not a "flashoholic" LOL

I've used Maglites for many years and am happy with them. Made is the US and parts are readily available. I've just never owned an LED version before.
 
LED by FAR is better. Longer lasting, and the batteries will last much longer, too. I have one, a two cell version. Very bright, with lots of use, batteries don't seem even drained a little.
 
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Originally Posted By: eljefino
candlepowerforums.com

Think outside the box, many flashlights better than the mag for the same $.

o_0 I'd say that is crazy to have a forum dedicated to flashlights, but then I remember the site I am typing this on....

grin2.gif
 
Definately go for the LED's - I switched over to LEDs in my flashlights a couple of years ago and have never looked back.

Sure, it's 10 bucks more, but having the LEDs alone are worth that much - the extra batteries are just a bonus.


Rob
 
Do some searching and look for sites that did plots of brightness over the life of a battery. Mag didn't stay 'fully bright' as long as a bunch of other brands. Voltage regulation is key.
 
Originally Posted By: hate2work

The choices....

Maglite 3 cell ( D batteries ), prepackaged with a mini-mag. The D batteries are not included, but the AAs for the mini-mag are ( alkaline Duracells ). Both come with standard bulbs. Cost is $19.95 at HD.

Maglite 3 cell ( D batteries ), prepackaged with a mini-mag. The D batteries are included ( alkaline Duracells ), as are the AA batteries for the mini-mag ( alkaline Duracells ). Both flashlights come with the LED bulbs. Cost is $29.95 at Costco.

Any input is welcome~



LED Maglite is far superior in terms of light output and battery life.
 
I have the LED maglite, it is a Cree led (or was at the time) and it is not much brighter, but worth it for the battery life.

I would agree that there are better flashlights, but the Mag's dependability trump any extra light output I'd get elsewhere. I'm not going to pay extra to take a chance with something else.
 
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Costco is good deal. I have more flashlights than I know what to do with them, so take it from me. And stay away from cpf and/or dealextreme unless you do not mind your wallet leaking from weekly flashlight purchases :-) Don't get hooked.

- Vikas
 
I use my lights mostly for hunting and I want a light I can fix in the middle of nowhere in the dark so I stick mostly with the standard maglight, easy to change batts or bulb in the dark, I do carry a small 3 led single AA light as a backup because it will stay lit for hours if stranded somewhere.
Interesting about the led mags having a standard bulb for backup, I will have to check that out.
 
No one light fits all my needs, sometimes the small Dollar store LED is just fine, other times I need a Head light, others a Million candlepower rechargeable Halogen.
 
I have the 3 Cell LED and I LOVE it. I can land an airplane with it. Looks like a spot light in the sky and illuminates everything. I had it mounted on my console in the Xterra, gotta mount that sucker in the car somewhere now. Makes for a good anti-hijack weapon :).

0909091121a.jpg



Bought the mounts on Ebay for like $5 shipped.
 
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Thanks for all the info and opinions :)

According to Maglite, the LED 3 cell batteries will last more than 3 times as long as the 3 cell with standard bulbs. I've also read that the light is brighter and more uniform as well.

So far, the Costco version seems the best deal on price, that's prolly where I'll get it.
 
I like my Mag LED flashlights. I use the expensive drop-in conversions on all of them. I can't wait to get my Chevron Delo "jug" light I picked up off ebay. I'm wondering if I can convert this to LED light also?

Anyway, the one thing that I've noticed with Mag LED's is that when I use them when working on the car, it seems like I cannot get them to illuminate the work properly. It seems like there's a dark spot in the beam. I know it isn't there, but it bugs me just the same. I end up waving the light around all over the place trying to get a bright picture. Yes, I know about the focused beam feature.

Might be the wavelength of the emitted light or my half-blind, slanted eyes.
21.gif


I picked up a couple of Emerson-brand 9-LED AAA flashlights at Tuesday Morning. These things are pretty good for the price - $3.99. We'll have to see how long the button switch lasts. Now I usually buy 4-5 of them whenever I'm there and pass them out as gifts.
 
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You do know you can spin the light to adjust the black spot right? it goes narrow to wide band/ Spin it by the top of the flash light while its on and you will see it adjust(may take a some spins but keep going and you will notice it). Mine did it too because myself and others would mess with the adjustment on it.

the shaft goes into the flash light area, spin the big knob(not the top but the knob piece.
 
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Originally Posted By: Chris142
Definatly get the LED lights. The difference between the LED and regular bulbs is amazing.

PS. The LED lights do come with regular bulbs on the bottom for an emergency.


Just picked one up at Costco, but the darn thing didn't have the extra bulb in the end:( That feature might have been lost in the price/feature negotiations.

Love the light though, it's much better than the standard version, no black spot at all when it's focused right.
 
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