Posted: 7/11/2007 6:31:49 AM EDT
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I'm looking to convert my D-Cell and AA-Cell Maglites to LED bulbs for longer battery life in the event of SHTF. What brands/models do you guys recommend? I bought one kit from Dick's and it was an absolute piece of sh!t. It was for the AA models. The flood/focus feature did not work anymore & the bulbs were *weak*. Any help is appreciated. |
I bought several of the Nite Ize replacements and two of the five have stopped working. I would not recommend Nite Ize. |
| I don't remember the name now, but I bought an LED head for a AA Maglite for around $10 at Homo Depot about two years ago. It replaces the standard bulb with a small "cup" that holds three LED bulbs and some small circuitry. It's last almost two years now, no problems. It does not allow the beam to be focused - more of a flood light. MUCH brighter though, and batteries last a long time. I use it in the Maglite I carry everyday, pretty much for interior use when power goes out, the car breaks down, etc. It's not suited for spotlighting or long-range lighting. Get a G2 for that. |
This is the NiteIze AA conversion. I have 2, and they work well. I think it's just the larger cell NiteIze lamps that aren't that great. |
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Here is a review with pictures for the mini-mag model californiapreparedness.net/index.php?topic=16.0 So while at walmart last weekend, I saw this LED upgrade for the AA Mini-Maglite on sale for $3.99. So I bought it. It lights up better and is supposed to extend battery life by 4 times. Here are some pictures of the light. I'll report back later on how it is holding up. The product   Factory light  LED upgrade 
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It says the board is off limits or missing. 
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Cree AA Upgrade |
Major big plus 1. I have upgraded a number of Mags. Here's my take. The four LED is about twice as bright as the standard bulb and four times the battery life. The factory 3 Watt LED is twice the light of the four LED and twice the battery life of the standard. The Cree blows all of them clean away, almost as bright as a Shurefire and twice the battery light of the standard. Tj |
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Cree* upgrade for C- and D-cell Maglites *Technically, a Seoul Semicondustor upgrade (same LED, manufactured under license from Cree)... |
I got one a while back for my 3D cell unit and it was a BIG improvement. I have used it several times for a couple hours each and its still on the same batteries. Linky for review of the upgrade... Linky for review on un-modified 3D maglite Your talking a 2x-3x battery life increase and 50% increase of output after just 5 hours of use. |
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The LED replacement bulb from Mag industries is pretty good, I've got two 2C and one 4D and am happy with them. Supposedly if run nonstop their temps build up and a failsafe circuit kicks them down to a lower level, but I haven't experienced it yet, I have a fluorescent lantern for that sort of duty. The "aftermarket" lighting industry has some really powerful LED upgrades, and the rate of innovation is increasing. You can also get machined aluminum reflectors, with either smooth or stippled surfaces, and pyrex glass lenses; you can go just as overboard with flashlights as with guns. Somewhere I've seen a crenellated bezel, may have been a custom job. http://www.zbattery.com/tle-6k2.html http://www.light-edge.com/products.asp?section=Mag%20Reflectors&cat=42 http://www.flashlightlens.com/ and tons of information here; http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ |
THIS is what you want. Skip the Nite Ize junk. The Cree LEDs are in an entirely different league of light output compared to standard LEDs. If I could find the correct drop in replacements, I would covert all my Surefires to CREE LEDs as well. I bought the above linked Cree replacement for my Mini-Mag, and it's fantastic. I also bought the Mag-brand LED upgrade for my 2 D-cell Mag light, and am happy with that as well. It seems to be the same technology as the Cree LEDs (not sure if it's the same brand, but similar construction and output). |
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Got great results with the MAG 3W LED upgrade for my 4 D-cell "Light of Justice": hella bright, better battery life (not that I've had to replace them yet), and factory-approved goodness make it worth teh money IMHO. Bought the Nite-eyez (sp) AA upgrade with the three LEDs & tail-cap switch; I'm pleased with that, too. The beam can't be focused afterwards, but the flood is much brighter than the old "tight spot" was anyway. I just tighten the bezel down, open it up just enough to turn it on, and then work the the tail cap switch. I do dig the fact that it is smaller than the new MAG AA LED's. -WhyTanFox P.S. Off-topic, but my every-day carry is now the tiny, $15 CR32 Cree light that was posted here a while back -- which, by the way, makes a pretty handy bore light in my AR :-) |