 A whole lot of flashlight |
| Review Date: October 17, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Leon W. Blocker, Muscatine, Iowa United States |
I have the 2 cell AA LED Mini Maglite, and I love it. But let's clear up some misconceptions about what this little gem is and isn't. In the dark, this is a bright, capable flashlight that illuminates a wide area. Unlike Maglites you may be used to, the beam can't really be focused. Yes, if you point it towards the ground at your feet, you can see the beam converge. At five yards out, it doesn't really matter, it's an area light no matter what.
If you are looking for a solid area light that doesn't take up a lot of room and has long-lasting battery life - wait no more, this is your flashlight! Go buy it right now.
If you are looking for something to replace a SureFire or StreamLight, keep looking. This flashlight just isn't in the same league of brightness. Yes, it's rough and tough and for a small flashlight it is very bright for close tasks. If you are looking to light up chunks of real estate at night, then you are better off with a SureFire.
A couple of words of warning about this light compared to the "regular" halogen - it is a larger flashlight. In diameter it is the same, but in length it is about one inch longer. And since the LED is supposed to be indestructible, there is no spare in the cap.
I carry this on my belt with the included holster, though I pray to God Maglite wakes up and gives us a holster that LOCKS closed. Would it kill ya to give us six inches of nylon and velcro to hold the blessed thing in place, Maglite?
BOTTOM LINE : A solid, dependable light that is excellent for small areas or enclosed spaces. After all, it is a Maglite. Only six inches of fabric and velcro keeps this from being the best LED flashlight for any amount of money. |
Very bright AA flashlight at a brilliant price
|
| Review Date: March 31, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Bob, Big Bear, Ca United States |
I have a couple of the Mag LED flashlights (2&3 D Cell), but wanted something that would fit in the center console of my truck easily, and though it is a little larger than I expected it does a great job. Honestly it has to be the best bang for the buck out there. Made by a company that is known for it's high quality and near bullet proof products. These small flashlights are bright than our 2 d Mag-lights we've just replaced and I believe they batteries are rated at about the same lifetime expectancy.
At this price you have to but at least one. I'll probably be buying another for my wife's car, and will feel comfortable knowing that we have very bright reliable flashlights in both vehicles. |
SP2209HJ - The Next Generation
|
| Review Date: July 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Gail Rhea, |
I'm am very happy to report on the next generation of the 2 AA Mini Maglite LED flashlight. Mine is gray, model #SP2209HJ.
Where the older style of the Mini Maglite LED has a larger head than the incandescent version and no hole on the tail cap to attach a lanyard, with the next generation Mini Maglite LED, we see the return of the smaller head so the rubber rim for the face cap fits as well as the lenses of the accessories pack. The hole to attach a lanyard is back in the tail cap.
It measures 1/2" longer than the incandescent version.
The holster still doesn't have the Velcro flap and is a tighter fit than my Velcro-flapped holster, but then, that applies to the current incandescent Mini Maglite's holster, too. I guess Mag changed the design to save on production costs.
Although the corona isn't quite as bright or quite as white as the 80 lumens Duracell Daylite 2 AA LED flashlight that I bought at Walmart for $5 more at the same time, the hotspot is brighter and the overall diameter of the beam is broader than the Daylite's. I like the Mini Maglite LED much better, not only because the beam is broader, but also because it weighs less, is narrower and shorter, and doesn't have a push-button on the tail cap.
I'm VERY pleased with the Mini Maglite LED because it has settings for 100% power, 25% power, blink, and SOS that is definitely good for signaling for help whether by a lost hiker or a survivor of a natural disaster or other emergency situation. Just twist as usual to turn on, then twist off & on again to sequence to the other modes.
What that does to those who prefer one of the tail cap push button modifications, I don't know. I prefer to twist it and can do it easily with one hand.
At the 25% power level, designed for reading at night or saving the batteries during prolonged emergency use, instead of lasting for hours of continuous use as on the 100% setting, the package says that fresh batteries will last for days. I haven't tried to run down a pair of batteries through it to see how long they'll last, but it makes sense because any of the brighter LED flashlights go through batteries faster than those producing fewer lumens.
All in all, I think Mag did this version of the Mini Maglite LED right and hope they do as well when they upgrade the Solitaire to LED.
[Updated on 8/31/09 - I tested the battery life with a pair of fresh alkaline batteries at 100% power and a second pair of fresh alkaline batteries at 25% power.
Continuously on at 100% power, it dimmed and started flickering at 116 hours (4 days, 20 hours) until it went out at 117 hours.
Continuously on at 25% power, it started flickering at 192 hours (8 days) and went out sometime during the next 6.5 hours while I was asleep.] |
The Best One
|
| Review Date: September 21, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Dragon Speak, USA |
My favorite Maglite.
It has a brighter beam than the 2AA cell Maglite LED model, and also has a longer battery life.
Believe it or not, it is brighter than the 2D or 3D Maglite LED flashlights.
Everyone who has seen me using this 3AA Maglite LED has wanted one for their own use or has later given one as a gift.
And that speaks for itself. |
Very, very pleased.
|
| Review Date: December 28, 2006 |
| Reviewer: TheBassGuy, |
I've owned 4 conventional (Krypton) bulb Maglites over the years and I've ran many, many sets of batteries through them, especially my 2 AA maglites. I'll just cut to the chase and say that they hit the ball out of the park with this LED version, it is fantastic. The following observations are with fresh batteries in all of the units:
- Brightness: The 2 AA LED version is significantly brighter than the 2 AA Krypton bulb version. In fact the 2 AA LED is nearly as bright as my 3D cell Krypton bulb maglite!
- Clarity: It's no secret that traditional bulb flashlights typically project uneven light patterns with super bright and super dark areas in the beam. I find this incredibly annoying and will have to play with the focus of the beam to find something usable. The LED version has this problem solved. The clarity and spread of the light is fantastic. I can flick it on to ANY setting and it's 10x better than the traditional (Krypton bulb) maglite in terms of clarity and beam focus. I can tell they worked a lot on this and they did a great job.
- Color: This is minor compared to the above, but the LED version puts out a cool white beam that is easy on the eye and it seems easier to pick up details. The conventional bulb version puts out a harsher more redish/ pink beam and after comparing the two back to back the LED version is much better.
- Battery life: Don't know yet. I hear the batteries should last longer and the circuitry keeps the light output up even as the batteries go down in charge. Time will tell.
I now plan to upgrade all my D Cell versions with the LED upgrade kit. I'm very pleased with this purchase. I've made some nasty reviews in the past, so this this positive review is saying something. :)
|
|
No video reviews found for this product.
