Maglite bulb upgrade-----------------------

memtb said:
It’s ironic that this topic has come up. I was, just days ago, questioning this very thing. I have an old, 5- D cell Maglite ( left over from LEO day’s), that I would love to convert to led.
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OMCHamlin said:
TerraLUX by Lightstar Maglite Ultimate LED Conversion Kit, 1, 000 Lumens, White Light, 4 Hours Runtime - For 4-6 Cell D Mag-Lite Flashlights - MiniStar31M-EX - - Amazon.com

This one, which has three LEDs, is the only one I have found that is worth fooling with, but it's for 3-6 cell Maglites only.
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As I stated earlier, if you feel the need to have a club, upgrading the 5 cell Maglite makes perfect sense. In some places it's illegal to carry a club. It's legal everywhere to carry a flashlight. ;)

The 3 led kit you linked to costs $40 and then you need the flashlight which will run at least another $30.

This one only costs $29...
https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-...ocphy=9031794&hvtargid=pla-434530726259&psc=1
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...and is the size of my palm. I can carry it everyday without issue. It's got three different light outputs; 350 lumens, 40 lumens and strobe. It can be programmed so you don't get the strobe if you don't want it. 40 lumens is perfect for everyday use to find whatever you dropped or see inside your engine compartment or whatever. 350 is great for blinding the attacker that everyone seems to love so much. I don't like the strobe, but it could be valuable in certain situations.
 
If you want a large metal pipe that also emits some light, then upgrade your maglite.

Otherwise, get a new flashlight. Battery and light technology have made tremendous leaps recently. The sharpie sized light in my pocket has tremendous output, weighs next to nothing, lasts many hours, and is quickly recharged, ready to go again.

You can still keep your maglite around for social purposes.
 
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I have a 4-cell Maglite, and I too arrived at the conclusion that it didn't need an expensive upgrade to LED. That Maglite remains in my bedroom more as an emergency club than as a light source, although it is OK for that purpose also. If you don't need a club, a cheap LED flashlight, even those selling for a buck at Dollar Tree, will be more than good enough for almost all normal purposes. Several years ago I bought a plastic LED flashlight in the markdown area of Wal-Mart for around $4 which is a far better illuminator than any conventional flashlight I have ever owned - it is really bright and it also has an emergency red light flasher feature. But it is by no means a suitable blunt instrument. It might weigh eight ounces (it uses three AA cells that don't weigh much).

BTW, the LED lights they give away with a purchase at Harbor Freight come in very handy for use as worklights.
 
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I ordered a Streamlight today based on what you said.


Rastoff said:
As I stated earlier, if you feel the need to have a club, upgrading the 5 cell Maglite makes perfect sense. In some places it's illegal to carry a club. It's legal everywhere to carry a flashlight. ;)

The 3 led kit you linked to costs $40 and then you need the flashlight which will run at least another $30.

This one only costs $29... ...and is the size of my palm. I can carry it everyday without issue. It's got three different light outputs; 350 lumens, 40 lumens and strobe. It can be programmed so you don't get the strobe if you don't want it. 40 lumens is perfect for everyday use to find whatever you dropped or see inside your engine compartment or whatever. 350 is great for blinding the attacker that everyone seems to love so much. I don't like the strobe, but it could be valuable in certain situations.
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The Maglite branded LED upgrade works great when you can find them. Years ago I found them cheap at Big Lots and converted several flashlights.
 

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jsbethel said:
The Maglite branded LED upgrade works great when you can find them. Years ago I found them cheap at Big Lots and converted several flashlights.
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Those look just about like the Dorcy bulbs at Ace Hardware. Here's a couple of links

$6 upgrade for 2 cell flashlights https://www.acehardware.com/departm...s-and-lanterns/flashlight-light-bulbs/3766037

$5 upgrade for 3-4 cell flashlights https://www.acehardware.com/departm...s-and-lanterns/flashlight-light-bulbs/3766029

Try them out. For $5 or $6 you haven't got much to lose and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised
 
max said:
I ordered a Streamlight today based on what you said.
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I appreciate the confidence. If it's the one I linked to, you're gonna love it. I have mine set to the 3rd mode; low/high. I don't care for the strobe and I use the low power for most applications, but if I need bright it's just two taps to get it.
 
BC38 said:
Those look just about like the Dorcy bulbs at Ace Hardware. Here's a couple of links

$6 upgrade for 2 cell flashlights https://www.acehardware.com/departm...s-and-lanterns/flashlight-light-bulbs/3766037

$5 upgrade for 3-4 cell flashlights https://www.acehardware.com/departm...s-and-lanterns/flashlight-light-bulbs/3766029

Try them out. For $5 or $6 you haven't got much to lose and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised
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I'm going to Ace Hardware and check out these bulbs. Like you said I don't have much to lose. Thanks
 
Yes, the one you linked to. My wife wanted some pancake batter than she can only get online, so I hid the purchase with hers.

Rastoff said:
I appreciate the confidence. If it's the one I linked to, you're gonna love it. I have mine set to the 3rd mode; low/high. I don't care for the strobe and I use the low power for most applications, but if I need bright it's just two taps to get it.
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Like has been stated, you can get some powerful LED flashlights that are small and cheap. I've bought a few.

Previously, after buying a new LED 3-cell Maglite and being impressed I wanted to upgrade rather than reject my older 3-cell Maglite.

Unsure of what kind to get, I opted for this one off of Amazon:

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I9TI4Q/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/ame]

When I bought it a little over a year ago it was $16.99. Now it looks like it is up to $21.99. You'll just have to decide if you desire a hefty mini-club bedside flashlight, and if it is worth it to you. It was for me.
 
Ace Hardware didn't have the Dorcy upgrades so now I'm back to square 1. They had some Xenon bulbs but I'm not familiar with them.
 
Maddog 521 said:
Ace Hardware didn't have the Dorcy upgrades so now I'm back to square 1. They had some Xenon bulbs but I'm not familiar with them.
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Just remember all LED bulbs are not the same.

Those Dorcy bulbs at ACE are 30/40 lumens. The one I got off Amazon is 140 lumens.

You get what you pay for. A LED replacement for a standard bulb just gets you longer lasting battery life, not a brighter light.

If you want to blast a distance with brightness you need LUMENS! :):D
 
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Yes, I got the one you linked to. It just arrived and I am still playing with it.


Rastoff said:
I appreciate the confidence. If it's the one I linked to, you're gonna love it. I have mine set to the 3rd mode; low/high. I don't care for the strobe and I use the low power for most applications, but if I need bright it's just two taps to get it.
Click to expand...
 
There are just too many better and cheaper LED flashlights around today to even consider a Maglite - unless you need its kinetic energy properties. I love LED lighting. Most of the lightbulbs in my house are now LED (you can get LED bulbs for around a buck), and I have converted most of my fluorescent fixtures to use LED tubes. They use much less energy and last virtually forever. And ballasts are not needed.
 
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