UPDATE: The third upgrade option has also sold out. Here is a fourth option, amzn.to/3TusdzO. I don't know how long it will still be in stock, as the video keeps getting more views. Thank you for watching, and happy upgrading! Thank you for the feedback; prices can vary depending on the location and availability. This video has become really popular, and unfortunately, the cheaper kit ( amzn.to/3IVdpp1 ) I used has sold out. Hopefully, they will get some more stock in, and I'll update the description if the original becomes available again. This dual kit meets the price point if you consider getting two packs ( amzn.to/4a8ASiB ). It is only an option if you would like two. Thanks for commenting and watching! Disclosure: This comment includes an Amazon affiliate link, which means if you click on it and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my channel and allows me to continue making content for you. I appreciate your support!
@bigkahuna6277, this video has gotten really popular, and unfortunately, the cheaper kit I used has sold out. Hopefully, they will get some more stock in, and I'll update the description if the original becomes available again. Thanks for commenting and watching!
I have owned my mini maglite for about 20 years or so . New batteries ceertainly boost the light , but the upgrade seems to be a good idea . I had forgotten about the torch mode , thank you .
My Mini Maglite Story: When I was with the military we once had a 48 hrs exercise that included a night orientation march. At that time, I had the Mini Maglite with a head strap and the red color filter mounted in front of the lens. I used it only for the navigating stops along the way to read the map and compass. Doing this hands free was a real big thing at that time. Of cause we had some simulated encounters along the way and once my squad and I made it back to camp, I realized my headband with the Mini Maglite was missing. The whole Platoon was back at the camp already and were enjoying the campfire before nighttime. I remembered a part of our trail led us through some bushes and I imagined I had lost the Maglite somewhere there. I asked our Sergeant for permission to leave and search for my flashlight. Of cause he would call me nuts for searching a single Mini Maglite along an eight kilometer trail at night through bushes and woodland. Still, he allowed me to leave for half an hour with one of my companions. We went straight to the spot I remembered. On our way there, the moon lit up and on arrival I could see my Mini Maglite hanging right around head high in one of the branches. It felt to me as if this special flashlight was just wanting to stay with me. And so it does until today. Okay, it is not my EDC flashlight any more, but it also got an LED upgrade and I still use it at work.
Wow, that's quite a story! It's funny how certain objects can become a part of our lives in unexpected ways. Thanks for sharing your Mini Maglite adventure with us!
These were the OG stagehand flashlights. I remember once, inspecting the rigging up in the grid… 96 feet above the deck… when I dropped my mini mag! Like a pachinko machine, it seemed to hit EVERY pipe on the way down before it slammed onto the stage below. The guy I was working with picked it up. The first thing I said (actually, the second thing, after “SORRY!”) was… “well?”. He gave it a twist and it fired right up… respect!
Thanks for sharing your story! It's amazing how durable Maglite flashlights are. I'm Mr. Butterfingers and am always dropping mine too. I have had bad luck with drops burning out the bulbs, but the LEDs have fixed that problem.
I never dropped mine from the grid, but I had it in my pocket for so long that about half the anodizing wore off, leaving bare aluminum. I probably had that Maglite in my pocket for a decade. I wonder if I can find it and do the lampectomy to make it more useful.
Yes, carried a Mag working as a stagehand as well and I liked the fact that you had to twist to turn on and off, no accidental light during a performance!
The few times I worked on stage we carried ours on lanyards so we wouldn’t accidentally sweep the stage with light and startle someone in the audience. Carried one for several decades with many fond memories. Now I am a Streamlight fan and love the extra lumens.
My best/worst memories of any Maglite was cleaning up the mess when the batteries leaked and corroded themselves into the housing. Good times mostly thanks to Duracell. I was an early adopter to LEDs in the Maglites I used at work, they were durable but not terribly bright. I even went so far as to purchase the NiCad rechargeable version that was stupid bright for the time but run time was awful and battery memory was a thing. Thankfully, LEDs and batteries have come a long way since the 90’s.
Thanks for sharing your Maglite experiences! It's always interesting to hear about the evolution of technology. I've moved all of my car electronics to Energizer Lithium batteries to avoid the leakage. Duracell are the worst offenders in my experience as well. Thanks for watching.
the original 2-AA mini-mag holds a special place in my heart, that was the official bar/club soundguy's light of choice for the longest time. you carried that, a sharpie, an original leatherman multi-tool and a roll of gaff tape and you were ready for anything i have probably half a dozen of the old-school versions, all upgraded with LED bulbs and push-button endcaps. i make a point of getting different colored ones, taking them apart and mixing the parts up so they're all a hodgepodge of different colors
Memories? Oh, my! I have several... like a lot... of mini mag corpses about. I ran small cinemas for years. I was an Environmental Health Tech. Over the years I've been involved in the behind-the-scenes of all sorts of things from concerts and theater, to amusement parks, to decorating malls for holidays in the middle of the night. Maglites have always been there. Really, this is exciting! I'm gonna dig around and find a bunch of them and bring them back to life. Thanks! Just what I need! Another project! ;)
Thank you for sharing your incredible journey with us! It's wonderful to hear how Maglites have been a part of your life in so many different scenarios. Best of luck with your new project!
Since I was a kid in the 60s I've had a series of pen torches, none of which would ever last more than six months. Then, about forty years ago, a guy at work showed me this new, expensive, torch he had bought, so I got one too - and my Maglite is still working perfectly, - although I did fit an LED bulb around fifteen years ago. It's one of the few things I've owned where you can see it's quality just by handling it.
Have a few of these still around and just used one today because it was the closest flashlight to me. Very dim. Then I came across your video, said hello yes, clicked on the second link and ordered two and love the bonus that they come with an upgraded rail switch as well! These will now make for great in the car flashlights!
I'm retired LEO and I carried a Mini Maglite on my belt for years. Had to use it many times when the bulb in my larger flashlight broke or the batteries died. I still have it and it still works. I'm going to check the links you provided and try to find an LED upgrade. Thanks for the info.
That's awesome that your Mini Maglite served you well during your time as a LEO! Have fun upgrading your light and breathing new life into it. My dad was a LEO and had great stories about using his D Cell Maglite in service. Thanks for watching.
Same here, used one as a keychain/kubotan. I also have an original Surefire 6P. I carried those along with the rechargeable light in the car and needed all 3 on more than one occasion.
I had several of these over the years. At the end, the factory bulbs got to where they didn't last very long, and the LED conversions that were available at the time were pretty dim. After the useless modern batteries we have leaked and filled my last Mag with corrosion, I started using the FREE flashlights I got from Har- ber Fra-8 and was very happy and sad at the same time. Happy to have a nice useable compact pocket-sized flashlight on one hand, and sad that I had to get such an affordable reliable something made overseas when we have some of the finest R&D and manufacturing in the world right here. I'm old enough to remember having the old 2 D cell flashlights that would work great then they wouldn't in the next second. Sucks to be out in the woods or out fishing in the dark, and have to shake the hooey out of it to maybe possibly hopefully make the flashlight put out enough light to get you back to camp or whatever. Today's flashlights have all that older stuff beat all to hail.😂 Oh well. . . .
they were a very huge help and difference maker when i was in the Marines.. everyone had these when they came out! huge upgrade from the bulky heavy D bat ones we had to carry and use.. LED these days is also a big changer too..i had no idea they had upgrade options ..nice to know..great video. thanx
I still have my maglite. It too was also blue. I did the same thing with the bulb but I also changed the end cap to a push button switch. It made it convenient to turn on. No more using two hands to twist the head to turn on, only for adjusting the beam.
WOW what a great upgrade. I have had a few Mini Mags in my life but one in particular that went everywhere with me when I was in the Corp. I was a helicopter structural mechanic and my Mini Mag traveled all over the world with me. It has literally been sitting in a drawer in its homemade belt sheath I made for it for 35 years. I was able to find the same LED on Ebay for $15, which yeah it's expensive but 1000% worth it, thanks again for doing this video, great to bring a piece of gear that helped guide me through some difficult times.
That's awesome! It's great to hear that the upgrade brought back some good memories. Keep shining bright with your Mini Mag and thanks for your service!
The mini maglite was the best in the ‘90’s. I was blown away by the early LED upgrade I had in 2009 or so. The one you’re using makes me want to go find an old mini maglite to upgrade. Though these days I rarely use a handheld, generally I prefer a headtorch.
We had the huge 6 D Cell Maglite back in the day. Crazy you can get the same power in a keychain flashlight now. I am loving my upgraded mini mag. Brightness is amazing, and the battery life has been even better than I thought. I got over 8 hours on the last pair of NiMH AA's.
I did something (over25 yrs. ago) that was really appreciated by my Battalion Chief and he gave me a red one with Austin Fire Dept. printed down the side. Of course everybody called it my suck-ass light, but I still have it...and I can now upgrade it to led. Thanks!
That's such a special gift from your Battalion Chief! It's great that you still have it after all these years. I hope the upgrade brings it back to life for you. Thanks for sharing!
I was in charge of security for 10 years at a local golf/resort/conference center. My flash lite of choice was the Mini Maglite. It served me well and I had no complaints.
Great video.. I LOVED my mini mag. That thing saw hundreds of late night, 4X4, mud packed, tire changing on a mountain top in a storm adventures with me. I had the original incandescent bulb, but despite all the abuse, I never had a problem. In fact it was nigh 4 years before I had to use the spare. I don't think it ever went through more than 3 original style bulbs. Never did buy the upgrade for it. It finally actually got lost......😢I was so sad.
I still have one or 2. I used to camp and kayak every weekend about May through November. The screwing off the lens and having essentially a batter powered candle was wonderful 🎉 . The Nite Ize cam out with a head band that had a stretchy sleeve that would hold the mini mag. I still keep one in my truck to this date. I. am quite nostalgic 😊
Ah yes, Maglite. I remember when the shelf space devoted to Maglites was 20' long at stores. Now there is hardly any. I still have a few different sizes. I have a mini Mag that has a led conversion from atleast a decade ago. Always wanted the 6 D cell version. And who remembers the joy of dealing with batteries that welded themselves inside the flashlite!?
I have the 6 x D Size. Back in the early 90s I told my wife it was the only thing I wanted for Christmas. I owned an Inn that consisted of 3 separate sections so it gave some security if someone drove in at 2:00am. I would light them up and see what happened next! It weighed a ton but it was fun.
I put an LED bulb in my 4D cell Maglite, what a transformation wow ! It doesn’t flood as much as it used to it’s more spot beam but it’s awesome, I was hesitant to spend £14 on an LED bulb but it’s been one of my fave Amazon purchases. Might just do the same with my mini maglight.
More than 10 years ago I replaced the bulb by a similar led. It is still my edc torch today and I really use it daily, so reliable since the switch, battery life improved as well. Two AA rechargeable batteries in it, and you're good for hours.
My mini mag (also blue) was my favorite backup for caving behind my Petzl headlamp. The first LED upgrade i gave it was more blue-ish than bright, so I replaced it with another light. I may now revisit my old friend with this upgrade. Thanks!
Yeah, so cool that you tube is listening to everything I say in the "privacy"of my home, was just mentioning to my wife about wanting to do this upgrade to my minimag and boom, here you are popping up on my feed. Happens just about every day now.
It's always surprising, even creepy, how targeted the ads can get, right? I'm glad you made it here and I hope the video helps you do the upgrade. I promise I'm not a secret listening device.
Brought a nearly new Mini Maglite to Europe in the mid-80's. Took it out to help the tour guide light up a deep shaft in the grotto of St. Peter's catacombs. He was amazed about American ingenuity and design of such a light.
I had one in army green, with the lanyard, coloured lenses, anti roll cap and belt pouch, that was all available as a add on kit and I got it as a christmas present as a young teen. Loved that torch. No idea where it is now, must have lost it over 2 decades ago.
i just got a mini Maglight in some of my dads things given to me by my stepmom a week ago. he passed away 20 years ago, and his light still works. but man does it need the upgrade, lol. I'm not sure if i wan to or not, but i will be considering it. this video seemed like it was a sign.
I found a 2 D cell Maglite in some free stuff on FB marketplace and was able to upgrade the bulb to an LED bulb and the bulb I got has both low and high settings, I love that Maglite and it's my go to light now
I'm an OG too and STILL have my old maglite which I "think" took 4 or possibly 6 x D batteries. It stopped working about 20 years ago but I held on to it simply because, as you say, it was aircraft aluminium and while there are smaller, better and cheaper solutions available today (I've discovered the wonders of Nitecore 😁), I'm pretty sure that it'll be a pretty cheap fix / upgrade and ... being the sentimental fool I am, I'll have a maglite that's about 25 years old. The world has become very "consumable" but to me it makes more sense to just maintain and upgrade existing gear and give it a new lease of life rather than just add to the ever-growing piles of waste.
I agree. My grandparents were just starting their family when the great depression happened. My grandfather taught me how to treat things well, fix and reuse. In our world of abundance, those lessons haven't been learned. Thanks for watching and good luck getting your OG Maglite in working order again.
I love these damn things. Over the years I’ve probably bought 15, and they are all somewhere, probably still work perfectly fine. I just happen to misplace them. Sure would like to find my red full size Maglight too
Wow! This made me go down to the basement and grab my Mini Maglite AAA. It's purple and I used it very heavily when I was a technician at the phone company. I got this flashlight as a token gift for having 5 years there. Unfortunately with it sitting on my workbench under fluorescent light for so many years bleached its vibrant purple. I can still see the rich vibrant purple it used to be hiding on the body beneath the lens segment, and inside the battery cap. Edit: I just now remember I got both a two-AAA and two-AA one, each purple. I'm not sure where the bigger one went, but I am now remembering _that_ was the one I used at the phone company. It was brighter and more practical at the time, and fit nicely in my tool belt. I will use your link to get the LED retrofit!
Thank you for sharing your journey with your purple Mini Maglite AAA. It's heartwarming to hear how my video sparked those memories. I hope the LED retrofit brings new life to your trusty flashlight!
1:10 *I INVENTED THE SPARE BULB STORAGE. I got my first MAGlite SO many years ago. Around 1982 or so I realized that there was enough room to carry a spare bulb in the tail cap. In those years, the tail cap was solid. So I went to my machine shop and milled out the cap. When I needed a new switch, I sent it in to MAG for repair - lifetime warranty. And I wrote a letter explaining my solution. THEY NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED my improvement, but started making products that way. I wish I’d kept a copy of my letter and pictures of my work.*
Thank you so much I did not realize there was an upgrade. Have been shot at night during my job years ago would have enjoyed the brighter light. Will dig up my antique lights and replace them.
I'll be damn, found one in the truck last weekend and damn near throw it in the trash but it worked, so I kept it. Thanks to you time for an upgrade to an old classic. Thanks!
This video made me go and find my old grey mini. I put a couple of new AAAs in it, and it still works! Very poorly though, I seem to remember having replaced the bulb with a cheap no-name one long ago. The rear end of the torch aluminium case ("flashlight aluminum case", for those so inclined) is chewed up as a memento of all the times I held it in my mouth during my time as a conscript in the artillery 30 years ago...
When I started as an appliance service tech and installer in 1994 I got my first one and that’s all I used until the small leds started to get big. I had a few of them either from loosing them or I got tired of smacking them in my hand when they started to act up.
I got my first mini mag in the USAF as a crew chief. It was great for doing a preflight on the KC-135 aircraft at night. I still have it 30 years later, but it no longer functions for some reason.
Thank you for your service. I hope you get your light fixed like new and you are able to re-live some of those nighttime preflight inspections. Thanks for commenting and watching!
Mini Maglite memories - stumbling across countless campsites drunk in the dark in the 1990s, with only my trusty Maglite to ensure I got back to the right tent... With an LED upgrade, I now use it as a bicycle front light.
Playing Army in the 80s, I had several. They were more useful than the angle heads. I bought them with the accessory pack of colored filters. Upgraded to LEDs later. Unfortunately all but one managed to succumb to leaking batteries. Lithium batteries seem to minimize that problem. This is still a great, inexpensive light to get for kids.
Leaking batteries have killed many flashlights. I stay away from Duracell as they seem to leak the most. Lithium or the new Li-Ion USB-C rechargeable AAs are the way to go.
That's awesome to hear! It's amazing to see how long-lasting and reliable the lights are and now can have a new life. Thanks for the support and watching.
Have several of these. Best little tool ever. Quality was better back in the early days of production. My favorite accessory is the leather belt holster. Much better than the nylon they come with.
I use a mini mag when I hunt. Even though the rule book doesn't say anything about using a flashlight to find your way OUT of the woods any more I still use it. I put in the LED light bulb a long time ago and it made it a heck of a lot brighter to find my way out of the woods.
I need to find mine now and do this! I bought a special red lens for it 15 years ago while overseas, but it was almost not bright enough, even indoors.
Awesome. I have a few mag lights I need to upgrade. 4 mini mags right away, and the big ones that hold 2, 3, 4 and 5 D Cell batteries. Glad the price for the bulbs came down to 10 bucks a pop. They were closer to the price of a new mag light a few years ago.
I've got literally _dozens_ of these _so-called_ mini tactical lights. None of them measure up to my _MagLites._ I've the full run from D-cells 2-6 and 2 AA-cell in several colors (mostly because the were marked for one reason or another) but my absolute favorite, my *GOTO* is the 3 AA-cell Mini. That is what I carry when I'm working and it is apart of all of my SHTF gear. Med trauma bags have 1 AA-cell. That is the only exception in my working kits. MagLite has never failed me. My my critical application was using a 5 D-cell LED to bring in a _Mercy Air Flight_ to a crash site in the Desert. It was a clear night in the Eastern desert of SoCal. The told us over HAM radio that the flight would come out of Laughlin NV. We fixed a bearing and I pointed my light in that direction. When they got close, I turned it into a torch. The pilot told us, through the HAM operator, that he picked up the light right after getting airborne. It was a professional dirt bike racer prepping for Baja. Wheel Taco'd; forkes planted; driver launched and the ground was unforgiving. Took his support team over an hour to find him and about that again to locate us, luckily for them we had a HAM radio. They told us it wa 5 1/2 hours from impact to surgery.
I have been carrying the Stinger for over 20 years. It goes to work with me every day and is the incandescent. I have replaced the light twice because of dropping two of them overboard. This one I have now is about 15 years old. I finally learned not to drop them overboard. Most of the anodize and knurl is warn off and I have rebuilt it twice. New battery, lens, bulb base and switch. I considered upgrading to LED for more battery life but when I used other LED lights they are too bright and shadow out what I am trying to see. I use it for service work. Not camping or any kind of distance (usually). I also don't have much problem with the bulbs. Over the years I may have replaced 5 of them. I buy only Stream Light replacement parts.
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Stinger. It's inspiring to hear about its longevity and your dedication to it. They do make voltage regulated LED bulbs for the C/D lights that limit the output to a specific lumen limit, which greatly increases the battery run time.
Not only in the UK. It's a torch in the entire English speaking world, including us who were taught English as a second language (in school, not by US media). North America is the exception.
I upgraded my 3 D cell to LED. I guess I’ll be doing my mini next. Maybe my 1 AAA micro also if I can find one. As a kid growing up in the 80s, I have fond memories of getting my first Mag in a stocking at Christmas.
Thank you for sharing your childhood memory with us. It's amazing how certain things can bring back such fond recollections. Good luck with your upgrades. Thanks for watching. Here is a link to the AAA Maglite LED Upgrade ( amzn.to/3TYoE6z ). Disclosure: This comment includes an Amazon affiliate link, which means if you click on it and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my channel and allows me to continue making content for you. I appreciate your support!
I upgraded my maglite some years ago with the best led replacement Amazon had. Much more expensive too. That flashlight worked great for a couple of years but then the light started flickering. I took it apart and put it back together, replaced the batteries and it still constantly flickers. Sometimes, instead of paying a lot to upgrade, in the long run it pays to just buy a newer maglite.
We used to duct tape an Alice clip to the mini mags and hang it on our LBE suspenders in the army. Way better than that clunky angle head D cell light we were issued.
I also did a LED upgrade on a full size maglight which was a big improvement. On the mini, I use lithium batteries which last much longer and don't have the leakage issue
I DID NOT KNOW YOU COULD GET AN LED BULB ASSEMBLY FOR THESE, I HAVE 2 OR 3 AROUND THE HOUSE, CARS ETC. THANKS SO MUCH FOR GREAT VIDEO AND EVEN TIPS ON HOW TO INSTALL AND LINK ON YOUR SITE, AGAIN GREAT VIDEO ON UPGRADE YET ALONE VIDEO AND AUDIO FIRST CLASS
MagLite are still my fave & I have a couple of LED versions so they're plenty bright & lumens ain't the whole deal, as my 12 inch version "only" has around 170 but when I was fishing with the fellas at night they were very impressed with it! What makes these lights so good is the lens/cree.
I upgraded my mini maglite with a niteize or something LED years ago. It’s just as bright as some of these new LED lights that are flooding the market.
A wonderful suggestion. I have the large and small MagLites. Without checking first, I would assume that one can buy an LED replacement for the large flashlight as well.
Yes, here is one option ( amzn.to/3vAN1gY ), but look around as you can get them in different brightnesses based on your needs. Have fun with your upgrades and thanks for watching! Disclosure: This comment includes an Amazon affiliate link, which means if you click on it and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my channel and allows me to continue making content for you. I appreciate your support!
Been wearing one of these at work for about 10 years now. Switched to LED version about 6 years ago. Luckily my work provides me with an 'unlimited' supply of AA's
Nearly dropped over a cliff had it not been for my mini. I always had them while elk hunting in rugged country. I was traveling fast in fading twilight to rendezvous with my 2 boys 12 & 13, & came across some large green windfalls 30 to 60 inch that a mountain twister had tangled up near a high ridge. It was easier to go under & between because of the limbs but they still tangled with my fleece coat & pack. I was sweating & mad because of the hindrance & at one point struggling but unable to move any further. I had this thought of why don’t you turn on your light to find your way out of this tangle, I was also mad because the stupid light wouldn’t focus, it was only then that it focused on the rocks 30 feet below my feet which weren’t even touching anything I was just hanging from the branches. I also had this dumb thought at the time, I’m mad because of these branches but they are the only things saving me from falling on the rocks below.
Yes both my 12 yr old & I harvested elk in the last 10 minutes of our hunt (due to last light that day). We had to return home the next morning. I might add that I never leave camp without 2 lights because of a flashlight failure the year before. I had the elder son with me but he was cold & wet due to bad weather, so I left him in camp then walked in 2 to 3 miles where I spotted 5 elk at 1st light from a ragged rock ridge. Before I could get the long shot the fog rolled up & hid them. I went down there later climbed a tree with a good view of the brushy hillside & waited till 5:30 when the bull got up & spotted him. Took awhile locating him in the sea of tall brush (350 yds) then worked on him using the new flashlight after dark, it failed before I was half done. Since I’m stubborn & stupid I finished skinning etc to cool him before I left. I knew my son would fear for me, so I walked out in the dark using the stars to help navigate. Walked to my tent between 1 & 2 AM. Never again !
When you’ve spent as much time in the back country you’re bound to have some unique experiences. Those mini mags sure did the job until the Petzel LEDs came out. My norm has been to walk in & out in the dark & use a light very sparingly to not alert game or other hunters of my presence. Most of us are afraid of the dark but don’t want to admit it. I’ve learned to only use a light less than 10% of the time while actively hunting.
It’s wild to me that they’re not offering stuff like this out of the box. Maglite has such a strong legacy, but if they don’t keep up I don’t know how they’ll continue to compete.
Those LED bulb upgrades for a Maglite are great, but they don't last long, depending how many times you twist the head to turn the light on and off. When you twist the head to turn off the light, the bulb reflector pushes down on the LED bulb adapter and twists the wires that are inserted into the Maglite bulb holder. Eventually the wires break inside the LED adapter. Niteize makes a LED bulb upgrade for AA and AAA Maglites that come with a push button switch the replaces the battery cap. The switch is used instead of twisting the end of the light to turn it on and off. The C and D cell Maglites use a switch on the side of the flashlight that doesn't have these problems. LED upgrade bulbs are available for the bigger flashlights that last practically forever.
The 6x D cell maglite was always good for confidence at night - carrying round a nice heavy aircraft grade aluminium baton which couldn't be deemed as a weapon 'cos it was clearly a torch/flashlight
*There are MANY LED replacements available. Do your research. My EDC §§ for the last 45 years that I can remember is a MAG 2-AA cell. The black anodized case is SO worn it’s almost completely silver colored. I use Eveready Ultimate Lithiums and use the light **_many_** times EVERY DAY. It’s hard to remember when it needs new batteries, it seems like only about once a year!* §§ I wear it on my belt with my Leatherman Wave+. The MAG and Leatherman are the best tools in the world.
That's awesome that you've kept it for so long! Upgrading the bulb will breathe some new life into it and is a fun and easy project. Good luck, and thanks for watching.
One of my jobs in the Air Force always had me peeking into odd dark spaces. I kept a Mini Maglite on my belt all that time. (Along with the original Leatherman tool.) I've upgraded a couple Minis with LEDs, as well as some 2 and 3 D-cell lights. Gives them all a new lease on life, with the old time vibe.
Sounds like the flight suit designers really thought of everything, including the crotch pocket! 🤣 Thank you for your service. I image it was pretty dangerous loading all of the ordinances.
@@jaadow77 yep, didn't really have need to carry knife (C-5), had a stainless U.S. knife but it wasn't switchblade and it went in helmet bag (we didn't have helmets), with my checklists, calculators, batteries...you name it. If needed to cut straps I carried a retractable carpenters razor knife. Our missions/tasking never really had a need for it, unless it was an oh shit time to ditch cargo...which thankfully never happened either.
There have been LED inserts for Mini Maglites for decades. For that matter, Maglites with LEDs have been available for about as long. Even if I find an LED insert for my 3-cell Maglite, I don't know that I would bother--unless I needed a flashlight that could be used as a weapon, I'd stick with my Nebo lights..._very_ bright and has various useful features (and relatively cheap!). I stumbled across one at a locksmith--their Big Larry (the first COB LED I ever saw), with a 18650 rechargeable battery. I have to find a new battery, but it turns out they've updated the design...to using a pair of AAs, and adding a small LED to one end. The Big Larry just has the strip of COB LEDs along one side toward one end. Incredibly bright, adjustable brightness, white light, red light, and flashing red light. Strong magnet in the base and big clip that has a hole in it to hang it from a nailhead or screw...ideal for road trips. Oh, because you're worse than a day late and a dollar short, you go on my "do not recommend" list. It's because you're suggesting that people waste money on upgrading out of date flashlights, instead of simply buying a modern design. Yeah, Maglites were top dog for decades, but that's ancient history, son. It's time to move on.
I have one of those Larry lights, beware of the “rubberized”/tacky/“gription” coating on the plastic; it gets sticky and gross after a few years and you’ll be cursing the thing while trying to strip it off using lacquer thinner. Yes, maglites are heavy and clunky, they’re kind of the equivalent of your 1950s stoves (and restaurant ranges): built like battleships. It all depends on what you’re looking for.
Nice video. I had the same issue with battery leakage. The mag lite seal is so tight that you have to remember to open the back every few months to let the acid gas escape, otherwise it’s ruined. I got several LED mini lites from Harbor Freight for free with purchases and they seem to last. I have two bigger mag lites , C and D cell types. Have to see if there is an upgrade for them.
Thanks for the kind words! Batteries have probably killed the most Maglites. You can try Lithium batteries which don't leak. As for the C/D Cell lights, there are upgrades for those as well. Here is one option ( amzn.to/3vAN1gY ) but look around as you can get them in different brightnesses based on your needs. Have fun with your upgrades and thanks for watching! Disclosure: This comment includes an Amazon affiliate link, which means if you click on it and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my channel and allows me to continue making content for you. I appreciate your support!
Back in the 80s I had two flashlights from a company called Tecna. The brightest one used 8 AA batteries. As I remember, it came with some sort of rare gas bulb, but you could get an even brighter xenon bulb for it. For the time, it was extremely bright for it’s size.
I still have my light however the reflective coating was destroyed by the off gassing of the alkaline batteries after they leaked. It was a very bright flashlight for its time and water resistant. Good luck finding a bulb for this light in todays age. I have a smaller light by the same company that runs on two AA batteries with the adapter or with two C cells. It came with a light module for use as a standard flashlight and I purchased the optional strobe module with its clear lens BUT they also offered an IR lens which I picked up as well. Works good as an IR marker strobe for use with my NVM.
I carried a mini mag lite in the USCG on my belt.I was an engineer operating Main propulsion engines on ships and boats.It served me well.A lot of the black is off the barrel,
I was actually not aware these retrofits were possible. I have a mini and a big giant multi-D-cell., and the gigantic ones can also be LED retrofitted, gonna have to do that just for fun. Not that I ever need a flashlight the length of my arm anymore.
Gee! I really miss my purple mini mag. It was compact easy to re batt. And re bulb. It's a crying shame they don't seem to be available in my area, or at least I haven't seen them on the walls any longer. Maybe they.will do a retro spective re issue. They were the perfect size.
If you're updating it's well worth adding a push button switch on the base after all you no longer need the spare bulb hidey hole. In the UK the original Maglite importer was also the importer of Victorinox SAKs. Somehow my Maglite got a dent n the barrel and I couldn't change the batteries. I called the company to see if they sold replacement barrels. No, they couldn't SELL me a new barrel, they'd send me one for FREE. Amazing, so I joked and said I wished you got the same service with SAKs because one of mine was damaged. What was the damage? One of the scales was chipped, the saw blade had snapped (I'm clumsy like that) and the spring was missing from the scissors. OK, send it to us and we'll ship it to Switzerland for repair. Gulp, how much was that going to cost - nope, that's free too! The Maglite barrel arrived two days later and when the SAK came home the scale and sawblade had been replaced, there was a new spring and toothpick, the small blade was new too and everything polished up and sharpened. Now that's Customer Service! Oh, since then I hand stitched a leather sleeve to protect the torch, keeps it warmer to the touch plus you can grip it in your teeth without damaging the enamel! Fun facts: US flashlight = UK torch US torch = UK candle mode!
I have had Maglites for decades. I upgraded my mini with the LED Maglite offered a while back. Not quite as bright as iT3 but close. I also added a Maglight tail switch. Not the best or the brightest out there but American made goodness for sure. I have their LED 2 cell. Batteries last a very long time.
I prefer a incandescent Mag-Lite, I've searched them out and own (3) Minis, (1) Micro, (1) 2-D cel and (1) 3 D cel. With fresh, quality batteries, I don't have any complaints. I mark the batteries w/Sharpie and replace every (3) years. I'm prone to Migraines, getting flashed by a LED Mag will trigger a Migraine headache which last for several days, no thanks.
That's awesome that you've got your Mag-Lite collection all sorted out! Thanks for sharing your battery marking tip - it's a smart idea! I dislike the strobe modes as well. I which I could turn it off all the time. Thanks for Watching.
I still have a few & always keep one in the amazing leather holsters they made for your tool belt. Its indestructible.People bust my balls about my antique flashlight😂& I do have some awesome LED lights but for my work that old school mini mag gives off the perfect amount of light.
My Maglite story..Bought two ML300L (four D Cell LED Maglites) direct from the company. Both used for walking dogs around the block. After seven months, one of them failed and Maglite would not honor their warranty. The company stated there was no way it was a defect on their part. Never again!
UPDATE: The third upgrade option has also sold out. Here is a fourth option, amzn.to/3TusdzO. I don't know how long it will still be in stock, as the video keeps getting more views. Thank you for watching, and happy upgrading!
Thank you for the feedback; prices can vary depending on the location and availability. This video has become really popular, and unfortunately, the cheaper kit ( amzn.to/3IVdpp1 ) I used has sold out. Hopefully, they will get some more stock in, and I'll update the description if the original becomes available again. This dual kit meets the price point if you consider getting two packs ( amzn.to/4a8ASiB ). It is only an option if you would like two. Thanks for commenting and watching!
Disclosure: This comment includes an Amazon affiliate link, which means if you click on it and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my channel and allows me to continue making content for you. I appreciate your support!
Now only available in the single upgrade for $18, seriously not worth it. But interesting ...Thanks
@bigkahuna6277, this video has gotten really popular, and unfortunately, the cheaper kit I used has sold out. Hopefully, they will get some more stock in, and I'll update the description if the original becomes available again. Thanks for commenting and watching!
I have owned my mini maglite for about 20 years or so . New batteries ceertainly boost the light , but the upgrade seems to be a good idea . I had forgotten about the torch mode , thank you .
I appreciate your kind words! Glad I could help you rediscover the torch mode of your mini maglite.
I love to see Maglite 6D cell flashlight modified into LED
My Mini Maglite Story:
When I was with the military we once had a 48 hrs exercise that included a night orientation march. At that time, I had the Mini Maglite with a head strap and the red color filter mounted in front of the lens. I used it only for the navigating stops along the way to read the map and compass. Doing this hands free was a real big thing at that time. Of cause we had some simulated encounters along the way and once my squad and I made it back to camp, I realized my headband with the Mini Maglite was missing. The whole Platoon was back at the camp already and were enjoying the campfire before nighttime. I remembered a part of our trail led us through some bushes and I imagined I had lost the Maglite somewhere there. I asked our Sergeant for permission to leave and search for my flashlight. Of cause he would call me nuts for searching a single Mini Maglite along an eight kilometer trail at night through bushes and woodland. Still, he allowed me to leave for half an hour with one of my companions. We went straight to the spot I remembered. On our way there, the moon lit up and on arrival I could see my Mini Maglite hanging right around head high in one of the branches. It felt to me as if this special flashlight was just wanting to stay with me. And so it does until today. Okay, it is not my EDC flashlight any more, but it also got an LED upgrade and I still use it at work.
Wow, that's quite a story! It's funny how certain objects can become a part of our lives in unexpected ways. Thanks for sharing your Mini Maglite adventure with us!
These were the OG stagehand flashlights. I remember once, inspecting the rigging up in the grid… 96 feet above the deck… when I dropped my mini mag! Like a pachinko machine, it seemed to hit EVERY pipe on the way down before it slammed onto the stage below. The guy I was working with picked it up. The first thing I said (actually, the second thing, after “SORRY!”) was… “well?”. He gave it a twist and it fired right up… respect!
Thanks for sharing your story! It's amazing how durable Maglite flashlights are. I'm Mr. Butterfingers and am always dropping mine too. I have had bad luck with drops burning out the bulbs, but the LEDs have fixed that problem.
I never dropped mine from the grid, but I had it in my pocket for so long that about half the anodizing wore off, leaving bare aluminum. I probably had that Maglite in my pocket for a decade. I wonder if I can find it and do the lampectomy to make it more useful.
A Maglite with a patina of memories and a touch of DIY surgery? Sounds like a unique project in the making!
Yes, carried a Mag working as a stagehand as well and I liked the fact that you had to twist to turn on and off, no accidental light during a performance!
The few times I worked on stage we carried ours on lanyards so we wouldn’t accidentally sweep the stage with light and startle someone in the audience. Carried one for several decades with many fond memories. Now I am a Streamlight fan and love the extra lumens.
My best/worst memories of any Maglite was cleaning up the mess when the batteries leaked and corroded themselves into the housing. Good times mostly thanks to Duracell.
I was an early adopter to LEDs in the Maglites I used at work, they were durable but not terribly bright. I even went so far as to purchase the NiCad rechargeable version that was stupid bright for the time but run time was awful and battery memory was a thing. Thankfully, LEDs and batteries have come a long way since the 90’s.
Thanks for sharing your Maglite experiences! It's always interesting to hear about the evolution of technology. I've moved all of my car electronics to Energizer Lithium batteries to avoid the leakage. Duracell are the worst offenders in my experience as well. Thanks for watching.
the original 2-AA mini-mag holds a special place in my heart, that was the official bar/club soundguy's light of choice for the longest time. you carried that, a sharpie, an original leatherman multi-tool and a roll of gaff tape and you were ready for anything
i have probably half a dozen of the old-school versions, all upgraded with LED bulbs and push-button endcaps. i make a point of getting different colored ones, taking them apart and mixing the parts up so they're all a hodgepodge of different colors
Thank you for sharing your special connection with the mini-mag! It's incredible how certain tools can hold so many memories.
Memories? Oh, my! I have several... like a lot... of mini mag corpses about. I ran small cinemas for years. I was an Environmental Health Tech. Over the years I've been involved in the behind-the-scenes of all sorts of things from concerts and theater, to amusement parks, to decorating malls for holidays in the middle of the night. Maglites have always been there. Really, this is exciting! I'm gonna dig around and find a bunch of them and bring them back to life. Thanks! Just what I need! Another project! ;)
Thank you for sharing your incredible journey with us! It's wonderful to hear how Maglites have been a part of your life in so many different scenarios. Best of luck with your new project!
Since I was a kid in the 60s I've had a series of pen torches, none of which would ever last more than six months. Then, about forty years ago, a guy at work showed me this new, expensive, torch he had bought, so I got one too - and my Maglite is still working perfectly, - although I did fit an LED bulb around fifteen years ago. It's one of the few things I've owned where you can see it's quality just by handling it.
It's amazing how a quality product can last a lifetime! I hope it last another 40 years for you. Thanks for sharing and watching.
Have a few of these still around and just used one today because it was the closest flashlight to me. Very dim. Then I came across your video, said hello yes, clicked on the second link and ordered two and love the bonus that they come with an upgraded rail switch as well! These will now make for great in the car flashlights!
Thank you so much for your support and for trying out the upgrades I recommended! Please let me know how your upgrade goes. Thanks for watching.
I'm retired LEO and I carried a Mini Maglite on my belt for years. Had to use it many times when the bulb in my larger flashlight broke or the batteries died. I still have it and it still works. I'm going to check the links you provided and try to find an LED upgrade. Thanks for the info.
That's awesome that your Mini Maglite served you well during your time as a LEO! Have fun upgrading your light and breathing new life into it. My dad was a LEO and had great stories about using his D Cell Maglite in service. Thanks for watching.
Same here, used one as a keychain/kubotan. I also have an original Surefire 6P. I carried those along with the rechargeable light in the car and needed all 3 on more than one occasion.
Three flashlights? You must be really bright! Pun intended. 😉
I had several of these over the
years. At the end, the factory bulbs got to where they didn't
last very long, and the LED
conversions that were available at the time were pretty dim. After the useless modern batteries we have leaked and filled my last Mag
with corrosion, I started using
the FREE flashlights I got from
Har- ber Fra-8 and was very happy and sad at the same time. Happy to have a nice useable compact pocket-sized
flashlight on one hand, and
sad that I had to get such an affordable reliable something
made overseas when we have some of the finest R&D and manufacturing in the world right here. I'm old enough to
remember having the old
2 D cell flashlights that would
work great then they wouldn't
in the next second. Sucks to
be out in the woods or out fishing in the dark, and have to
shake the hooey out of it to maybe possibly hopefully make the flashlight put out enough light to get you back to
camp or whatever. Today's
flashlights have all that older stuff beat all to hail.😂
Oh well. . . .
I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and memories.
they were a very huge help and difference maker when i was in the Marines.. everyone had these when they came out! huge upgrade from the bulky heavy D bat ones we had to carry and use.. LED these days is also a big changer too..i had no idea they had upgrade options ..nice to know..great video. thanx
Thank you for sharing your experience! It means a lot that the video was helpful to you.
I still have my maglite. It too was also blue. I did the same thing with the bulb but I also changed the end cap to a push button switch. It made it convenient to turn on. No more using two hands to twist the head to turn on, only for adjusting the beam.
Nice upgrade on the Maglite! The push button switch is convenient. I need to get one for my light. Thanks for watching.
WOW what a great upgrade. I have had a few Mini Mags in my life but one in particular that went everywhere with me when I was in the Corp. I was a helicopter structural mechanic and my Mini Mag traveled all over the world with me. It has literally been sitting in a drawer in its homemade belt sheath I made for it for 35 years. I was able to find the same LED on Ebay for $15, which yeah it's expensive but 1000% worth it, thanks again for doing this video, great to bring a piece of gear that helped guide me through some difficult times.
That's awesome! It's great to hear that the upgrade brought back some good memories. Keep shining bright with your Mini Mag and thanks for your service!
The mini maglite was the best in the ‘90’s. I was blown away by the early LED upgrade I had in 2009 or so. The one you’re using makes me want to go find an old mini maglite to upgrade. Though these days I rarely use a handheld, generally I prefer a headtorch.
We had the huge 6 D Cell Maglite back in the day. Crazy you can get the same power in a keychain flashlight now. I am loving my upgraded mini mag. Brightness is amazing, and the battery life has been even better than I thought. I got over 8 hours on the last pair of NiMH AA's.
I did something (over25 yrs. ago) that was really appreciated by my Battalion Chief and he gave me a red one with Austin Fire Dept. printed down the side. Of course everybody called it my suck-ass light, but I still have it...and I can now upgrade it to led. Thanks!
That's such a special gift from your Battalion Chief! It's great that you still have it after all these years. I hope the upgrade brings it back to life for you. Thanks for sharing!
Lol..
I was in charge of security for 10 years at a local golf/resort/conference center. My flash lite of choice was the Mini Maglite. It served me well and I had no complaints.
Did you ever have to use your Mini Maglite to fend off any golfers trying to sneak in a late-night game?
Great video.. I LOVED my mini mag. That thing saw hundreds of late night, 4X4, mud packed, tire changing on a mountain top in a storm adventures with me. I had the original incandescent bulb, but despite all the abuse, I never had a problem. In fact it was nigh 4 years before I had to use the spare. I don't think it ever went through more than 3 original style bulbs. Never did buy the upgrade for it. It finally actually got lost......😢I was so sad.
Thank you for sharing your experience with your mini mag! It sounds like it was a reliable companion for your adventures.
I still have one or 2. I used to camp and kayak every weekend about May through November. The screwing off the lens and having essentially a batter powered candle was wonderful 🎉 . The Nite Ize cam out with a head band that had a stretchy sleeve that would hold the mini mag. I still keep one in my truck to this date. I. am quite nostalgic 😊
That's awesome! It's great to hold onto things that remind us of good times. Keep the nostalgia alive!
Ah yes, Maglite. I remember when the shelf space devoted to Maglites was 20' long at stores. Now there is hardly any. I still have a few different sizes. I have a mini Mag that has a led conversion from atleast a decade ago. Always wanted the 6 D cell version. And who remembers the joy of dealing with batteries that welded themselves inside the flashlite!?
Thanks for sharing your Maglite memories! How times have changed. At least an American made product is still a valid option.
I have the 6 x D Size. Back in the early 90s I told my wife it was the only thing I wanted for Christmas. I owned an Inn that consisted of 3 separate sections so it gave some security if someone drove in at 2:00am. I would light them up and see what happened next! It weighed a ton but it was fun.
That'd work as a club as well if needed.
I put an LED bulb in my 4D cell Maglite, what a transformation wow ! It doesn’t flood as much as it used to it’s more spot beam but it’s awesome, I was hesitant to spend £14 on an LED bulb but it’s been one of my fave Amazon purchases. Might just do the same with my mini maglight.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's great to hear that the upgrade was worth it.
More than 10 years ago I replaced the bulb by a similar led. It is still my edc torch today and I really use it daily, so reliable since the switch, battery life improved as well. Two AA rechargeable batteries in it, and you're good for hours.
That's amazing to hear! It's always great when a simple switch can make such a big difference in a daily tool. Thanks for watching!
I've always put a smear of silicone grease on all the threads works well.
Thanks for the tip and watching!
Vaseline on mine.
My mini mag (also blue) was my favorite backup for caving behind my Petzl headlamp. The first LED upgrade i gave it was more blue-ish than bright, so I replaced it with another light. I may now revisit my old friend with this upgrade. Thanks!
Nice to hear you're giving your mini mag a second chance with a new upgrade. Keep us posted on how it goes!
Yeah, so cool that you tube is listening to everything I say in the "privacy"of my home, was just mentioning to my wife about wanting to do this upgrade to my minimag and boom, here you are popping up on my feed. Happens just about every day now.
It's always surprising, even creepy, how targeted the ads can get, right? I'm glad you made it here and I hope the video helps you do the upgrade. I promise I'm not a secret listening device.
@@chestersedc Yes sir, I found your video to be helpful, and I don't blame you at all.
Brought a nearly new Mini Maglite to Europe in the mid-80's. Took it out to help the tour guide light up a deep shaft in the grotto of St. Peter's catacombs. He was amazed about American ingenuity and design of such a light.
Chester, Thank you ! I didn't even know this was possible!!!
Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching!
I have hade my maglites for at least 30 years and they still work great and i did up grade the bulbs to led
Wow, that's awesome! Upgrading to LED bulbs was a smart move. Maglites for the win!
I had one in army green, with the lanyard, coloured lenses, anti roll cap and belt pouch, that was all available as a add on kit and I got it as a christmas present as a young teen. Loved that torch.
No idea where it is now, must have lost it over 2 decades ago.
Maybe your torch is on a treasure hunt and will find its way back to you one day!
i just got a mini Maglight in some of my dads things given to me by my stepmom a week ago. he passed away 20 years ago, and his light still works. but man does it need the upgrade, lol. I'm not sure if i wan to or not, but i will be considering it. this video seemed like it was a sign.
Wow, that's really cool! It's amazing how things can hold so much sentimental value. Upgrading it sounds like a fun project! Thanks for watching.
I found a 2 D cell Maglite in some free stuff on FB marketplace and was able to upgrade the bulb to an LED bulb and the bulb I got has both low and high settings, I love that Maglite and it's my go to light now
That's awesome! Upgrading to an LED bulb with low and high settings must make a huge difference in brightness and battery life! Thanks for watching.
I'm an OG too and STILL have my old maglite which I "think" took 4 or possibly 6 x D batteries. It stopped working about 20 years ago but I held on to it simply because, as you say, it was aircraft aluminium and while there are smaller, better and cheaper solutions available today (I've discovered the wonders of Nitecore 😁), I'm pretty sure that it'll be a pretty cheap fix / upgrade and ... being the sentimental fool I am, I'll have a maglite that's about 25 years old. The world has become very "consumable" but to me it makes more sense to just maintain and upgrade existing gear and give it a new lease of life rather than just add to the ever-growing piles of waste.
I agree. My grandparents were just starting their family when the great depression happened. My grandfather taught me how to treat things well, fix and reuse. In our world of abundance, those lessons haven't been learned. Thanks for watching and good luck getting your OG Maglite in working order again.
I love these damn things. Over the years I’ve probably bought 15, and they are all somewhere, probably still work perfectly fine. I just happen to misplace them. Sure would like to find my red full size Maglight too
Wow! This made me go down to the basement and grab my Mini Maglite AAA. It's purple and I used it very heavily when I was a technician at the phone company. I got this flashlight as a token gift for having 5 years there. Unfortunately with it sitting on my workbench under fluorescent light for so many years bleached its vibrant purple. I can still see the rich vibrant purple it used to be hiding on the body beneath the lens segment, and inside the battery cap.
Edit: I just now remember I got both a two-AAA and two-AA one, each purple. I'm not sure where the bigger one went, but I am now remembering _that_ was the one I used at the phone company. It was brighter and more practical at the time, and fit nicely in my tool belt. I will use your link to get the LED retrofit!
Thank you for sharing your journey with your purple Mini Maglite AAA. It's heartwarming to hear how my video sparked those memories. I hope the LED retrofit brings new life to your trusty flashlight!
1:10 *I INVENTED THE SPARE BULB STORAGE. I got my first MAGlite SO many years ago. Around 1982 or so I realized that there was enough room to carry a spare bulb in the tail cap. In those years, the tail cap was solid. So I went to my machine shop and milled out the cap. When I needed a new switch, I sent it in to MAG for repair - lifetime warranty. And I wrote a letter explaining my solution. THEY NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED my improvement, but started making products that way. I wish I’d kept a copy of my letter and pictures of my work.*
Wow, that's awesome! Your idea was way ahead of its time. It's a shame they didn't give you credit for it.
Thank you so much I did not realize there was an upgrade. Have been shot at night during my job years ago would have enjoyed the brighter light. Will dig up my antique lights and replace them.
Oh no, I hope you are okay. That sounds like you had a really bad night. Good luck with the upgrade and stay safe out there.
I'll be damn, found one in the truck last weekend and damn near throw it in the trash but it worked, so I kept it. Thanks to you time for an upgrade to an old classic. Thanks!
I appreciate your support and glad to hear you found something useful. Good luck upgrading your newly found light and bringing some new life to it!
This video made me go and find my old grey mini. I put a couple of new AAAs in it, and it still works! Very poorly though, I seem to remember having replaced the bulb with a cheap no-name one long ago. The rear end of the torch aluminium case ("flashlight aluminum case", for those so inclined) is chewed up as a memento of all the times I held it in my mouth during my time as a conscript in the artillery 30 years ago...
That's such a nostalgic story! It's amazing how objects can hold so many memories. Thanks for watching.
When I started as an appliance service tech and installer in 1994 I got my first one and that’s all I used until the small leds started to get big. I had a few of them either from loosing them or I got tired of smacking them in my hand when they started to act up.
Thank you for sharing your experience from back in the day! I remember having to smack our old D cell Maglite to get it to work. Thanks for watching.
Man we use to love them lights. Amazing how better they are nowadays. Great upgrade idea
Totally agree! The new lights are awesome, and it is nice to be able to modernize the mini Mag ? Thanks for the support!
This was my main flashlight for camping trips as a kid. I still have mine. I should upgrade the bulb.
Cool that you still have your old flashlight! Upgrading the bulb sounds like a fun project to enhance your camping gear. Happy camping!
I got my first mini mag in the USAF as a crew chief. It was great for doing a preflight on the KC-135 aircraft at night. I still have it 30 years later, but it no longer functions for some reason.
Thank you for your service. I hope you get your light fixed like new and you are able to re-live some of those nighttime preflight inspections. Thanks for commenting and watching!
Mini Maglite memories - stumbling across countless campsites drunk in the dark in the 1990s, with only my trusty Maglite to ensure I got back to the right tent... With an LED upgrade, I now use it as a bicycle front light.
Thanks for sharing your memories and how the Maglite has stayed with you through the years.
Playing Army in the 80s, I had several. They were more useful than the angle heads. I bought them with the accessory pack of colored filters. Upgraded to LEDs later. Unfortunately all but one managed to succumb to leaking batteries. Lithium batteries seem to minimize that problem. This is still a great, inexpensive light to get for kids.
Leaking batteries have killed many flashlights. I stay away from Duracell as they seem to leak the most. Lithium or the new Li-Ion USB-C rechargeable AAs are the way to go.
Still got mine - bought it from the a PX in North Germany back in 1987 or 88. Amazing bit of kit. Just ordered the LED bulb.
That's awesome to hear! It's amazing to see how long-lasting and reliable the lights are and now can have a new life. Thanks for the support and watching.
Have several of these. Best little tool ever. Quality was better back in the early days of production. My favorite accessory is the leather belt holster. Much better than the nylon they come with.
Thanks for sharing and watching!
I need to find my old Maglite and replace the bulb! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! Hope you find that Maglite and get it shining bright again! Thanks for watching.
I use a mini mag when I hunt. Even though the rule book doesn't say anything about using a flashlight to find your way OUT of the woods any more I still use it. I put in the LED light bulb a long time ago and it made it a heck of a lot brighter to find my way out of the woods.
That LED upgrade sounds like a game-changer for your mini mag! Thanks for sharing your hunting tip!
I need to find mine now and do this! I bought a special red lens for it 15 years ago while overseas, but it was almost not bright enough, even indoors.
That's awesome! It's never too late to rediscover and enjoy your special red lens.
This is great information. I used to upgrade all my Malice Green's with the krypton bulbs.
Thanks.
Awesome. I have a few mag lights I need to upgrade. 4 mini mags right away, and the big ones that hold 2, 3, 4 and 5 D Cell batteries. Glad the price for the bulbs came down to 10 bucks a pop. They were closer to the price of a new mag light a few years ago.
Nice! Upgrading those Maglites is going to make a world of difference.
I did this a few years ago. Yea, give that old light new life.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's amazing how a simple change can make a big difference.
while I didn't have the mini-maglite, I did upgrade my 1990's "2 or 3 C cell"
Your car's light is like a time traveler, moving from old car to new car, shedding light on the road ahead! Thanks for watching.
I've got literally _dozens_ of these _so-called_ mini tactical lights. None of them measure up to my _MagLites._ I've the full run from D-cells 2-6 and 2 AA-cell in several colors (mostly because the were marked for one reason or another) but my absolute favorite, my *GOTO* is the 3 AA-cell Mini. That is what I carry when I'm working and it is apart of all of my SHTF gear. Med trauma bags have 1 AA-cell. That is the only exception in my working kits. MagLite has never failed me.
My my critical application was using a 5 D-cell LED to bring in a _Mercy Air Flight_ to a crash site in the Desert. It was a clear night in the Eastern desert of SoCal. The told us over HAM radio that the flight would come out of Laughlin NV. We fixed a bearing and I pointed my light in that direction. When they got close, I turned it into a torch. The pilot told us, through the HAM operator, that he picked up the light right after getting airborne.
It was a professional dirt bike racer prepping for Baja. Wheel Taco'd; forkes planted; driver launched and the ground was unforgiving. Took his support team over an hour to find him and about that again to locate us, luckily for them we had a HAM radio. They told us it wa 5 1/2 hours from impact to surgery.
Thank you for sharing your experience with MagLites, they truly are a lifesaver!
I have been carrying the Stinger for over 20 years. It goes to work with me every day and is the incandescent. I have replaced the light twice because of dropping two of them overboard. This one I have now is about 15 years old. I finally learned not to drop them overboard. Most of the anodize and knurl is warn off and I have rebuilt it twice. New battery, lens, bulb base and switch. I considered upgrading to LED for more battery life but when I used other LED lights they are too bright and shadow out what I am trying to see. I use it for service work. Not camping or any kind of distance (usually). I also don't have much problem with the bulbs. Over the years I may have replaced 5 of them. I buy only Stream Light replacement parts.
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Stinger. It's inspiring to hear about its longevity and your dedication to it. They do make voltage regulated LED bulbs for the C/D lights that limit the output to a specific lumen limit, which greatly increases the battery run time.
0:50. *In the UK, it’s a “torch” no matter which direction(s) the light shines.*
That's an interesting cultural difference! Thanks for sharing.
Not only in the UK. It's a torch in the entire English speaking world, including us who were taught English as a second language (in school, not by US media). North America is the exception.
I upgraded my 3 D cell to LED. I guess I’ll be doing my mini next. Maybe my 1 AAA micro also if I can find one. As a kid growing up in the 80s, I have fond memories of getting my first Mag in a stocking at Christmas.
Thank you for sharing your childhood memory with us. It's amazing how certain things can bring back such fond recollections. Good luck with your upgrades. Thanks for watching.
Here is a link to the AAA Maglite LED Upgrade ( amzn.to/3TYoE6z ).
Disclosure: This comment includes an Amazon affiliate link, which means if you click on it and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my channel and allows me to continue making content for you. I appreciate your support!
@@chestersedc I’ll give it a try thanks.
I upgraded my maglite some years ago with the best led replacement Amazon had. Much more expensive too. That flashlight worked great for a couple of years but then the light started flickering. I took it apart and put it back together, replaced the batteries and it still constantly flickers. Sometimes, instead of paying a lot to upgrade, in the long run it pays to just buy a newer maglite.
Thank you for sharing your experience with the LED replacement. It's always good to hear firsthand accounts to help others make informed decisions.
We used to duct tape an Alice clip to the mini mags and hang it on our LBE suspenders in the army. Way better than that clunky angle head D cell light we were issued.
That sounds like a smart hack! Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective.
Dude, this video killed!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I also did a LED upgrade on a full size maglight which was a big improvement. On the mini, I use lithium batteries which last much longer and don't have the leakage issue
That's awesome! LED upgrades and using lithium batteries really enhance the performance of flashlights. Thanks for watching.
I DID NOT KNOW YOU COULD GET AN LED BULB ASSEMBLY FOR THESE, I HAVE 2 OR 3 AROUND THE HOUSE, CARS ETC. THANKS SO MUCH FOR GREAT VIDEO AND EVEN TIPS ON HOW TO INSTALL AND LINK ON YOUR SITE, AGAIN GREAT VIDEO ON UPGRADE YET ALONE VIDEO AND AUDIO FIRST CLASS
Your appreciation means a lot! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the video and found it useful.
MagLite are still my fave & I have a couple of LED versions so they're plenty bright & lumens ain't the whole deal, as my 12 inch version "only" has around 170 but when I was fishing with the fellas at night they were very impressed with it! What makes these lights so good is the lens/cree.
That's awesome to hear! MagLite is definitely a reliable brand for flashlights.
Actually I think I have the 14 or 16 inch version but yeah it's a great flashlight.
I upgraded my mini maglite with a niteize or something LED years ago. It’s just as bright as some of these new LED lights that are flooding the market.
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's nice to know that the classics still shine bright. Thanks for watching!
A wonderful suggestion. I have the large and small MagLites. Without checking first, I would assume that one can buy an LED replacement for the large flashlight as well.
Yes, here is one option ( amzn.to/3vAN1gY ), but look around as you can get them in different brightnesses based on your needs. Have fun with your upgrades and thanks for watching!
Disclosure: This comment includes an Amazon affiliate link, which means if you click on it and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my channel and allows me to continue making content for you. I appreciate your support!
The nite ize IQ switch is a great addition to the mini maglite. 5 modes. Also an auto off and the button has an LED to help find it in the dark.
That's awesome! It sounds like really useful features for the mini-Maglite. I'll check it out. Thanks.
Been wearing one of these at work for about 10 years now. Switched to LED version about 6 years ago. Luckily my work provides me with an 'unlimited' supply of AA's
That's awesome to hear! It must be convenient to have a steady supply of AA batteries for your LED version. Thanks for watching.
I have a few kicking around somewhere, didn’t know I could upgrade thanks for the video share
That's great to hear! I'm glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for watching.
Nearly dropped over a cliff had it not been for my mini. I always had them while elk hunting in rugged country. I was traveling fast in fading twilight to rendezvous with my 2 boys 12 & 13, & came across some large green windfalls 30 to 60 inch that a mountain twister had tangled up near a high ridge. It was easier to go under & between because of the limbs but they still tangled with my fleece coat & pack. I was sweating & mad because of the hindrance & at one point struggling but unable to move any further. I had this thought of why don’t you turn on your light to find your way out of this tangle, I was also mad because the stupid light wouldn’t focus, it was only then that it focused on the rocks 30 feet below my feet which weren’t even touching anything I was just hanging from the branches. I also had this dumb thought at the time, I’m mad because of these branches but they are the only things saving me from falling on the rocks below.
Wow, that must have been a terrifying experience. Glad you made it out safely. Did you end up tagging an elk? Thanks for watching!
Yes both my 12 yr old & I harvested elk in the last 10 minutes of our hunt (due to last light that day). We had to return home the next morning.
I might add that I never leave camp without 2 lights because of a flashlight failure the year before. I had the elder son with me but he was cold & wet due to bad weather, so I left him in camp then walked in 2 to 3 miles where I spotted 5 elk at 1st light from a ragged rock ridge. Before I could get the long shot the fog rolled up & hid them. I went down there later climbed a tree with a good view of the brushy hillside & waited till 5:30 when the bull got up & spotted him. Took awhile locating him in the sea of tall brush (350 yds) then worked on him using the new flashlight after dark, it failed before I was half done. Since I’m stubborn & stupid I finished skinning etc to cool him before I left. I knew my son would fear for me, so I walked out in the dark using the stars to help navigate. Walked to my tent between 1 & 2 AM. Never again !
Wow, what an adventurous hunting trip! You and your son must have some amazing stories to tell.
When you’ve spent as much time in the back country you’re bound to have some unique experiences.
Those mini mags sure did the job until the Petzel LEDs came out. My norm has been to walk in & out in the dark & use a light very sparingly to not alert game or other hunters of my presence. Most of us are afraid of the dark but don’t want to admit it. I’ve learned to only use a light less than 10% of the time while actively hunting.
It’s wild to me that they’re not offering stuff like this out of the box. Maglite has such a strong legacy, but if they don’t keep up I don’t know how they’ll continue to compete.
Maybe Maglite needs to shed some light on their product development team!
oh they are! there's a new mini maglite that's LED out of the box; they look similar to the classic but they're slightly different overall design
@@walterw2Good to hear. I looked into it a while back and didn’t see any led lights from maglite. I’ll have to take another look!
Great idea, my mini mag is just collecting dust in a drawer. I WILL buy this upgrade and use the mini mag again.
Get an end cap switch too! It’s worth it.
That's awesome to hear! It's always satisfying to find a way to repurpose things we already have. Thanks for watching.
Very good info, I love my old Maglites !
I appreciate your support and love for Maglites!
Those LED bulb upgrades for a Maglite are great, but they don't last long, depending how many times you twist the head to turn the light on and off. When you twist the head to turn off the light, the bulb reflector pushes down on the LED bulb adapter and twists the wires that are inserted into the Maglite bulb holder. Eventually the wires break inside the LED adapter. Niteize makes a LED bulb upgrade for AA and AAA Maglites that come with a push button switch the replaces the battery cap. The switch is used instead of twisting the end of the light to turn it on and off. The C and D cell Maglites use a switch on the side of the flashlight that doesn't have these problems. LED upgrade bulbs are available for the bigger flashlights that last practically forever.
Thanks for the tip. I have added the Nite Ize Two Pack Upgrade as an option in the description.
The 6x D cell maglite was always good for confidence at night - carrying round a nice heavy aircraft grade aluminium baton which couldn't be deemed as a weapon 'cos it was clearly a torch/flashlight
It's definitely a versatile tool for both light and peace of mind!
*There are MANY LED replacements available. Do your research. My EDC §§ for the last 45 years that I can remember is a MAG 2-AA cell. The black anodized case is SO worn it’s almost completely silver colored. I use Eveready Ultimate Lithiums and use the light **_many_** times EVERY DAY. It’s hard to remember when it needs new batteries, it seems like only about once a year!*
§§ I wear it on my belt with my Leatherman Wave+. The MAG and Leatherman are the best tools in the world.
Your MAG flashlight and Leatherman Wave+ must have some incredible stories to tell after all those years. They're like the dynamic duo of your EDC!
Great! I always use it in the cold mornings for fishing! Thanks for the tip
Awesome to hear it's working for you! Happy fishing!
Perhaps my best memory for using a mini Maglite was using in candlestick mode when the power would go out during winter storms.
I always used candle mode in my tent when I went camping as a kid. Thanks for sharing and watching!
I have the same light and color that is in your video. Thank you
Great minds think alike, right? Thanks for watching!
I still have my mini mag it's a green one I've wanting to upgrade the bulb for years
That's awesome that you've kept it for so long! Upgrading the bulb will breathe some new life into it and is a fun and easy project. Good luck, and thanks for watching.
Minimaglite reminds me of boys-scouting in Norwegian forests. The late 80´s early 90´s. Good times to be a kid.
Sounds like you had a blast in the Norwegian forests back in the day! Thanks for sharing your memories with us.
Always worth the upgrade 👍🏻I’ve got candles that out perform all my Maglites 🤣
Thank you for your support and for sharing your experience! Upgrades can make all the difference.
One of my jobs in the Air Force always had me peeking into odd dark spaces. I kept a Mini Maglite on my belt all that time. (Along with the original Leatherman tool.) I've upgraded a couple Minis with LEDs, as well as some 2 and 3 D-cell lights. Gives them all a new lease on life, with the old time vibe.
Thank you for your service and for sharing your experiences!
As a loadmaster used it alot, flightsuit even had a pocket by the crotch that was perfect for it.
Sounds like the flight suit designers really thought of everything, including the crotch pocket! 🤣 Thank you for your service. I image it was pretty dangerous loading all of the ordinances.
@@straydawg461You kept a light there? We always kept the switchblade/shroud cutter (aka thigh knife) in that pocket.
@@jaadow77 yep, didn't really have need to carry knife (C-5), had a stainless U.S. knife but it wasn't switchblade and it went in helmet bag (we didn't have helmets), with my checklists, calculators, batteries...you name it. If needed to cut straps I carried a retractable carpenters razor knife. Our missions/tasking never really had a need for it, unless it was an oh shit time to ditch cargo...which thankfully never happened either.
dangit now I'm going to have to dig up my minimaglite....
great info. thank you!
Thank you for your kind words, glad you enjoyed the content! Good luck finding yours.
There have been LED inserts for Mini Maglites for decades. For that matter, Maglites with LEDs have been available for about as long. Even if I find an LED insert for my 3-cell Maglite, I don't know that I would bother--unless I needed a flashlight that could be used as a weapon, I'd stick with my Nebo lights..._very_ bright and has various useful features (and relatively cheap!). I stumbled across one at a locksmith--their Big Larry (the first COB LED I ever saw), with a 18650 rechargeable battery. I have to find a new battery, but it turns out they've updated the design...to using a pair of AAs, and adding a small LED to one end. The Big Larry just has the strip of COB LEDs along one side toward one end. Incredibly bright, adjustable brightness, white light, red light, and flashing red light. Strong magnet in the base and big clip that has a hole in it to hang it from a nailhead or screw...ideal for road trips.
Oh, because you're worse than a day late and a dollar short, you go on my "do not recommend" list. It's because you're suggesting that people waste money on upgrading out of date flashlights, instead of simply buying a modern design. Yeah, Maglites were top dog for decades, but that's ancient history, son. It's time to move on.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the flashlight options! It's always interesting to hear about different products and features.
I have one of those Larry lights, beware of the “rubberized”/tacky/“gription” coating on the plastic; it gets sticky and gross after a few years and you’ll be cursing the thing while trying to strip it off using lacquer thinner. Yes, maglites are heavy and clunky, they’re kind of the equivalent of your 1950s stoves (and restaurant ranges): built like battleships. It all depends on what you’re looking for.
Nice video. I had the same issue with battery leakage. The mag lite seal is so tight that you have to remember to open the back every few months to let the acid gas escape, otherwise it’s ruined. I got several LED mini lites from Harbor Freight for free with purchases and they seem to last. I have two bigger mag lites , C and D cell types. Have to see if there is an upgrade for them.
Thanks for the kind words! Batteries have probably killed the most Maglites. You can try Lithium batteries which don't leak. As for the C/D Cell lights, there are upgrades for those as well. Here is one option ( amzn.to/3vAN1gY ) but look around as you can get them in different brightnesses based on your needs. Have fun with your upgrades and thanks for watching!
Disclosure: This comment includes an Amazon affiliate link, which means if you click on it and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my channel and allows me to continue making content for you. I appreciate your support!
Back in the 80s I had two flashlights from a company called Tecna. The brightest one used 8 AA batteries. As I remember, it came with some sort of rare gas bulb, but you could get an even brighter xenon bulb for it. For the time, it was extremely bright for it’s size.
Wow, those flashlights sound like they were the real deal! Thanks for sharing that blast from the past!
I still have my light however the reflective coating was destroyed by the off gassing of the alkaline batteries after they leaked. It was a very bright flashlight for its time and water resistant. Good luck finding a bulb for this light in todays age. I have a smaller light by the same company that runs on two AA batteries with the adapter or with two C cells. It came with a light module for use as a standard flashlight and I purchased the optional strobe module with its clear lens BUT they also offered an IR lens which I picked up as well. Works good as an IR marker strobe for use with my NVM.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the flashlight. It's always interesting to hear about the durability of older products.
I still have the 4 AA version that is not as bright and at least one of the less bright original bulbs.
That's cool. I've never seen an AA with more than 2-cells. Hold on to that future collector's item.
Still using mine. For 20 years its been by my side along with my leatherman super tool.😂
That's amazing! It's great to have tools that stand the test of time. Thanks for watching.
Nite-ize was first company to create replacement LED bulb for mag lite for AA and D sizes.
I want to try one of the Nite-ize upgrade kits as they also come with a tail switch.
I carried a mini mag lite in the USCG on my belt.I was an engineer operating Main propulsion engines on ships and boats.It served me well.A lot of the black is off the barrel,
It's great to hear that the mini mag lite served you well during your time in the USCG! Thank you for your service.
@@chestersedc Thank you proud to have served!
I was actually not aware these retrofits were possible. I have a mini and a big giant multi-D-cell., and the gigantic ones can also be LED retrofitted, gonna have to do that just for fun. Not that I ever need a flashlight the length of my arm anymore.
That's cool! LED retrofits are a fun project. Enjoy upgrading your flashlights and thanks for watching!
Gee! I really miss my purple mini mag. It was compact easy to re batt. And re bulb. It's a crying shame they don't seem to be available in my area, or at least I haven't seen them on the walls any longer. Maybe they.will do a retro spective re issue. They were the perfect size.
Aw, that's a bummer! Hopefully you can start a successful search mission for a new purple mini mag! Thanks for watching.
If you're updating it's well worth adding a push button switch on the base after all you no longer need the spare bulb hidey hole.
In the UK the original Maglite importer was also the importer of Victorinox SAKs.
Somehow my Maglite got a dent n the barrel and I couldn't change the batteries. I called the company to see if they sold replacement barrels. No, they couldn't SELL me a new barrel, they'd send me one for FREE.
Amazing, so I joked and said I wished you got the same service with SAKs because one of mine was damaged.
What was the damage? One of the scales was chipped, the saw blade had snapped (I'm clumsy like that) and the spring was missing from the scissors.
OK, send it to us and we'll ship it to Switzerland for repair.
Gulp, how much was that going to cost - nope, that's free too!
The Maglite barrel arrived two days later and when the SAK came home the scale and sawblade had been replaced, there was a new spring and toothpick, the small blade was new too and everything polished up and sharpened.
Now that's Customer Service!
Oh, since then I hand stitched a leather sleeve to protect the torch, keeps it warmer to the touch plus you can grip it in your teeth without damaging the enamel!
Fun facts:
US flashlight = UK torch
US torch = UK candle mode!
That's some next-level service they provided! Thanks for the tips on the UK lingo.
I’ve had one for years.Carried it on my motorcycle for camping trips. They use to repair them for free.
That's awesome to hear! Sounds like it's been a reliable companion for your adventures.
You can also get a tail switch upgrade to bring it in line with modern torches too
I've got my eyes on the Nite Ize tail switch. Modern flashlights have such good tail switches now, I hope it can compare.
I have had Maglites for decades. I upgraded my mini with the LED Maglite offered a while back. Not quite as bright as iT3 but close. I also added a Maglight tail switch. Not the best or the brightest out there but American made goodness for sure. I have their LED 2 cell. Batteries last a very long time.
Your Maglite setup sounds solid! American-made quality really stands out, doesn't it?
@@chestersedc It sure does. Don't always need a supper blight light that can throw a half mile. The 2 and 3 D cells can be a great backup as well.
Very good video, thanks for the information
I'm glad you found the video helpful!
Carried one of those daily for many years.
It sounds like you had a serious case of "daily carry syndrome"! Thanks for watching.
thanks for the upload. i love the warm xeon output so I'd rather put that money away for a beater 18650/21700 torch :)
Agree. It's nice to have the option, and depending on your needs it might be the right choice. Thanks for watching.
I prefer a incandescent Mag-Lite, I've searched them out and own (3) Minis, (1) Micro, (1) 2-D cel and (1) 3 D cel. With fresh, quality batteries, I don't have any complaints. I mark the batteries w/Sharpie and replace every (3) years. I'm prone to Migraines, getting flashed by a LED Mag will trigger a Migraine headache which last for several days, no thanks.
That's awesome that you've got your Mag-Lite collection all sorted out! Thanks for sharing your battery marking tip - it's a smart idea! I dislike the strobe modes as well. I which I could turn it off all the time. Thanks for Watching.
I still have a few & always keep one in the amazing leather holsters they made for your tool belt. Its indestructible.People bust my balls about my antique flashlight😂& I do have some awesome LED lights but for my work that old school mini mag gives off the perfect amount of light.
That's awesome that you still use your old school mini mag flashlight! It's all about what works best for you. Thanks for watching.
My Maglite story..Bought two ML300L (four D Cell LED Maglites) direct from the company. Both used for walking dogs around the block. After seven months, one of them failed and Maglite would not honor their warranty. The company stated there was no way it was a defect on their part. Never again!
I’m sorry to hear about your bad experience. Thanks for watching.