Someone on Candlepower forum was selling an LED setup for the six-cell maglites-It's been several years now,so I can't remember who I got it from-It works very well,though-bright as hell!
I had the same situation with my AA maglite. My situation was different. The flashlight never seemed to get cold-rather got hot. It stopped working one day, I pulled it apart and the batteries had corroded and leaked all inside the flashlight. Into the garbage it went. My 3 cell next to me has been in weather down to 0 with no swelling. I guess I dont' know much about batteries etc and have never heard of the cold issue. This thread caused me to pick up two new brackets to install in each car and on the wall.
OK... so it's not just me.. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> <o></o> I think it is because they are the KLR of flashlights; cheap, generally indestructible, good reputation for quality and durability, available everywhere and popular:<o></o> <o></o> They haven't really changed in a couple decades... not that that is always a bad thing, but this is <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">America</st1lace></st1:country-region> and generally things that don't change or at least keep up technologically tend to fall by the wayside... <o></o> <o></o> Just look at this product line... for a company that has had this much success, I'm surprised this is the extent of their offerings: http://www.maglite.com/productline.asp <o></o> Yup... 8 flashlights..... let me say that again..... 8 flashlights.... that's it... and all are basically of the same design... I'm 33 and I can't remember them being any different than they are today... <o></o> <o></o> It seems like they could have long ago started diversifying into the specialty sub markets like many of the premium manufacturers represented in the many other posts in this thread... I mean how many light makers are truly a household name like Maglite... shoot even my mom knows what a Maglite is... they must have a serious cash cow on their hands with the current line up.... but they don't have anything like the diversity of some of the other makers... <o></o> <o></o> <?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" oreferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><vath o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f"></vath><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype><v:shape id=_x0000_i1025 style="WIDTH: 27.75pt; HEIGHT: 11.25pt" alt="0" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/ne_nau.gif" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ASNAY~1.GSP\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape> <o></o> <o></o> I still like mine, so I guess it is fine that they haven't changed... (I still like some good bourbons that haven't been changed in a century or so...) but I can see why people that talk about such things would be a bit disappointed in Maglite's popularity... <o></o>
Yeah... I know.... But I was thinking that maybe someone is making an upgrade kit that is waaaaaay better than was is offered stock from Maglite for around the same money...
Interesting... do you have any experience with OEM rechargables??? If they are anything like my DeWalt 18V drills I'm gonna have no luck.... mostly because I would not be using it all the time.... With the DeWalts I usually have a dead battery after a short time of use because I am just a weekend user; they just don't hold a charge over a long period of time... so it is great they come with two batteries and charge pretty quickly... I could understand rechargables if you use flashlights heavily everyday in your work (I'm thinking mining, PM security, etc), but I would use a big flash light once a week maybe..
The problem with Nickle chemistry batteries is that they self discharge over time. The Nimh's do this worse than the Nicads. But they all loose capacity with disuse. I've made a habit of charging and discharging my Nimh and Nicad RC model batteries once a month if they are used or not. The Lithium rechargables, on the other hand, can sit for months with nearly a full charge in them and not suffer much capacity loss.
The Inova T4 uses lithium batteries. I mislaid one of mine for over 6 months, and when I finally found it, the charge was enough that the light ran for over an hour. I don't recall what the state of charge was when it was lost, but I still think that is outstanding. I'm in law enforcement and need a dependable light. I've been issued a couple of Streamlights, and they are just OK. Their customer support is outstanding, though. I just wish that I never had to need it.
Two things I'd like to see improved on the Maglite. Some kind of rubber over the metal where you hold it, cause even with decent gloves they are pretty cold to carry very long in sub-zero weather. The other thing would be a flat spot so they don't roll around so much when you set them down on a hard surface to work on something.
Not what I was getting at. The one in my post was an "all the time" utility flashlight meant for everyday carry in a size so small as to be unnoticeable and an output good enough for walking in the dark, yet with long battery life. That last one is what makes it so great. You virtually never have to worry about it being close to the end of battery life. Those lights you mention are nice, but they force you into "chasing battery mode" which I abhor. My suggestion was not a high speed, low drag, tacticool ninja light. Just one that belongs in the pocket next to the swiss army knife.
I also use a Princeton Tec Apex headlamp. It's a popular light in the caving crowd. It makes my old Photon Fusion look like it's not even on. I know one caver though who is using the Fenix headlamp.
I thought they were outlawed in GB??? You know... too dangerous to be trusted to the average person...
another vote for the Nitecore from 4sevens.com I tried to make myself buy a surefire for years- but always just choked on the price. Found the Nitecore stuff and have never looked back- HUGE power from a single rechargeable AA battery. Adjustable brightness, long life, compact size. What's not to like? Problem I always had with Maglights was that they're so heavy that if you drop it, the weight kills the bulb. Their LED versions may be better, but why tote around a monster like that when a single AA in a modern LED like the Nitecore can turn night into day? I use the Pelican stuff for night diving- and they hold up pretty well and throw a decent amount of light if you need an ABS body, rather than metal. The power of the Nitecore stuff is not be believed though- you won't be disappointed.
So for a 'full size' flashlight, I broke down and ordered an Olight M30 Triton... http://www.olightworld.com/product_show.asp?id=153 Ordered from Battery Junction: http://www.batteryjunction.com/olight-m30-triton.html 700 Lumens max out-put :eek1 ... sturdy design... I'll let you guys know what 700 lumens is like when it gets here.... I'm thinking it is going to be on the bright side... but there are different settings (120 lumens and 8 lumens)... The size is not nearly as large as a 3C Maglite... but I guess not too many manufacturers are making billyclub size flashlights anymore...
Ended up getting a drop in to put in the Maglite... just to have a spare flashlight to put in MrsBone's vehicle... http://www.batteryjunction.com/tle-6exb.html Maybe not as fancy as the Malkoff Devices one... but it is in stock....