Looks like Maglite finally realized how lacking their flashlights were and decided to step their game up.
ML300XL 625 Lumens:
http://maglite.com/shop/maglite-3-cell-d-led-3rd-gen-flashlight-599.html#.VTKE-eDD8v4
MAG-TAC handheld 320 lumens:
http://maglite.com/shop/flashlights/tactical-flashlights/mag-tac-2-cell-cr123-led-flashlight-crowned-bezel.html#.VTKGU-DD8v4
Anybody here tried one of these out yet? They look interesting.
Gee whiz, I hope the street prices are more reasonable. The ML300 might be fine for the home and car, you could use it for a small noggin whacker in a pinch.
I thought the price seemed pretty reasonable for what it is. I just wish manufacturers would slow down with these multifunction lights that are controlled by toggling through with the switch. If they have to do that limiting it to a high and low function would be preferable. The ability to adjust the beam focus is something I really liked about the old mag lights and its nice to see they kept this. I bought a Streamlight Ultastinger in 2006 when they were kind of the brightest flashlight in their style and eventually put an LED bulb in it. While its really bright and a lot more rugged than the incandescent, it’s all throw. The beam is so narrow that it kind of sucks on traffic stops for lighting up the interior. This actually has me interested. I wonder how you set which activity function its on.
OP, your thread title had me . . . :lol:
Both can be had for less than 60$:
My 2C maglite has a Malkoff device in it and it is phenomenal so I don’t really need a new maglite but these do have me interested. Especially the little MAG-TAC one.
Let’s face it, Surefire and Streamlight along with all the others have been kicking their ass for years it’s about time they decided to join the LED party.
I’m digging the looks of the ml300xl
Cool! I’ve always been partial to Maglite’s 3 Cell D-Size Battery series of Flashlights. I have a couple modified ones bought back in the days on CPF. Now I can simply get one of these to try and see.
I still have plenty of Maglites left over from the days before Surefire and Streamlight. The light I have for my wife’s nightstand is their 2-Cell C light due to the diameter and her small hands. I replaced the old incandescent bulb with an LED engine and all is well. I still have Minis, 2-Cell D’s, 3-Cell D’s setting around collecting dust as I have moved on to about a dozen different Surefire and Streamlight handhelds and weapon lights.
This thread reminded me of some cool pics from back in the day . . .
SAS Troopers kick’n it Olde School!
I’d love a 5 or 6 cell light with that kind of output. Not only would you be able to temporarily blind an attacker but also give them a concussion!
If you haven’t already done so I highly recommend you check out Malkoff devices for your regular maglites and Terralux for your mini mags.
Malkoff:
http://www.malkoffdevices.com/drop-in-mod/dropin-for-maglite-streamlight/c-cell-to-fit-mag-lite
Those are both way better than anything Nightize has to offer.
I knew there were some modern LED engines for the older Maglites from my time over on the CPF boards.
It’s just for the price it’s hard to beat deals like these for extra throw away lights to stash about in drawers/glove boxes/etc.
Any idea what sort of switch they had rigged on those? Were they just turn it on and leave it? Was always curious.
So my interest is kind of peaked by the current crop of D cell maglights. It doesn’t seem like there are lithium D cells available like I would want in a light that might sit for a while. Am I wrong about this or is there some good alternative?
That’s nice that they decided to update. But why on earth would they NOT make it re-chargeable? The last thing I want to do is haul around D cell batteries for when it dies. I’ll keep my Streamlight SL20L. Stick a fork in Maglite, they are done. Time and technology passed them by.
They have the [b][u]Maglite MagCharger LED Rechargeable System[/u][/b] that’s $$$. Here’s their at a glance on it:
I’ve never seen any pics from that era with wires for remote switches. I believe they would simple activate the on/off button prior to entry and would remain on. The first remote switches for the Mini Maglite I can recall didn’t come about until the 90’s and made by Tacstar.
Nearly $100 more expensive than a Streamlight SL20L that comes with AC and DC charger. Again, stick a fork in Maglite, they are done.
In its high mode the maglight claims nearly 300 more lumens and twice the run time so I can see why they ask a little more for it. Take this for what it’s worth but from what I’ve seen maglights are very tough. I personally have carried my own Streamlight Ultra Stinger and it’s worked great for me and never let me down in 9 years as a police officer, but when it comes to the lights that sit out and are used by everyone most of the ultra stingers don’t work anymore and most of the maglights do. Now that they’re upping their brightness I don’t think you could say they’re done, especially considering how popular the maglight name is with their target audience.
The Ultra Stingers are far more fragile than the SL20. I used one for two weeks until it flew out of my flashlight ring in a foot chase and the head separated from the battery tube. Streamlight fixed it free of charge, but it’s relegated to house use. My SL20 looks like t-total shit and still works fine. I work with guys who have 20 year old Streamlights that still work fine. So comparing the SL20 and Maglite(which are equals) is six of one half dozen of another. Other than Maglite not keeping up with the times in any way shape or form. Streamlight has cornered the LE market for so long that anyone breaking into it will be next to impossible.