Need to Replace My Mag-Lite
 

Neighbor is away, texted my wife last night saying their house alarm had been triggered. My wife went over with a flashlight to take a look. I went with her, bringing my trusty Mag-Lite aka club.

Nothing amiss, but turns out the Mag-Lite is not working well anymore. The D-cell closest to the switch had leaked and separated. I was able to get the bits of battery out, but the flashlight no longer illuminates. It is hard to get in there, though I haven’t given up.

If I need to replace the Mag-Lite, what do we like? Looking for something around the size and heft of a 2 or 3 D-cell Mag-Lite. Waterproof, bright, durable. Be nice if it lasts the rest of my life.

I had same issue with my Mag-lite, battery leakage and it was not that bright anymore.
I love my Streamlight ProTac HL 5x. Very well made . Bright. Pretty sure I could bust through a door with it if I had to.

I've been using NEBOs Big Daddy and am very happy with it. But it's only been two years.

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lighting-and-electrical/flashlights-and-lanterns/flashlights/3005277?x429=true&x429=true&gclid=8cb4c2d937ab119b 343ca6b245eab150&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=8cb4c2d937ab 119b343ca6b245eab150&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cp c&utm_campaign=PLAs_N4_Lighting-and-Electrical_Other_All_Other&utm_term=45815275217931 36&utm_content=Lighting-and-Electrical_Flashlights-and-Lanterns_All_All&gclid=8cb4c2d937ab119b343ca6b245e ab150&gclsrc=3p.ds

Spray w/WD40, clean out the gunk, scrape the spring contact surfaces. It might return to life if you have D-type batteries to use up. But the newer LEDs will be twice as bright and last twice as long.

My 4D cell Mag Lite got stolen out of my truck, along with my fire bottle.
The Mag Lite is inscribed "Noggin Nokker" on the end cap.
Reward if found.

I just keep an aluminum mini-bat there now instead of the 4D Mag Lite, but that StreamlightProTac is intriguing.

Rather than a large heavy mag-light with which to confront a burglar, I’d suggest one of many rechargeable LED tactical flashlights along with a 9mm on your belt.

^^^ This .... or a .45 ACP.

For a Mag-Lite to be a club .... yer way too close imo. My .45 would probably be in my hand. Or do like the popo ... tactical light mounted on the spoon .... aim both at the same time ;)

flashlights are a commodity these days. Most are rechargeable or use the a123 cells. There are still plenty of big and expensive ones but they tend to be novelities with huge and useless brightness.


Your garden variety better 18650 flashlight is probably more than you will ever need self defence aside. For example

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Tactical-Flashlight-Rechargeable-Water-Resistant/dp/B01KH2JP5G/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1VM4IFCUD9Y8N&keywords=cree+flashl ight&qid=1684768199&sprefix=cree+flashlight%2Caps% 2C113&sr=8-7

Having owned a bunch of tacticool flashlights over the years, I am set on ones that use drill batteries. I have 7 dewalt batteries for various tools, and the trigger style form factor is better for long term use IMHO. If you already are in a battery eco system, I think buying that brands flashlight has the most utility. Especially if you have milwalkee they have a lot of options

Clean the MagLite. They are classic. You can use rechargeable lithion batteries but I find D cells last a long time if not used. But yeah, you need a real powerful light as well. I gave my wife one that you can see for a mile and you don't want to look straight into it. That is a tactical advantage.

Sweeping the scene with gun mounted light is stupid lame. Going over there in the first place is questionable.

Hate alkaline powerd anything to depend on because of the corrosion issues are so common. Ruined so many good tools over the years with alkaline batteries.

If you can manage to get your maglight working again, you can load it with something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/Batteries-Rechargeable-Protection-Fuvaly-D-Batteries/dp/B07TJTQDYG/ref=sr_1_10?crid=124X9J7Z4FJIJ&keywords=dcell+lith ium&qid=1684769363&sprefix=dcell+lithium%2Caps%2C1 21&sr=8-10

And this is an excellent suggestion...

Bing AI search-
The world's most powerful flashlight is the Imalent MS18, with a maximum output of 100,000 lumens1234.
The second brightest flashlight in the world is the ACEBEAM X75, with a maximum output of 80,000 lumen

I have a lot of these, phenomenal amount of light from a small rechargeable package.

ULTRAFIRE WF-502B LED Tactical Flashlight 1000 Lumens

00% Authentic Samsung25R 3.7V Rechargeable 18650 Battery

I wasn’t clear on the timing. Neighbors got the alarm notification at 11 pm. We’re didn’t get their text and go over until about 5 am. I figured whoever set off the alarm would be gone, and it appears there was no entry at all.

Know any cops? Ask one what they use these days...That's how I bought a 4 cell Fenix light. But that was almost a decade ago. There's probably a new favorite by now.

https://www.fenixlighting.com/?campaignid=422201387&adgroupid=1334808300922276&n etwork=o&device=c&msclkid=0da22d790ed51724ad1a4912 a4a8d5a7&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campai gn=Brand%20-%20Fenix%20Lighting&utm_term=fenix%20lighting&utm_ content=Fenix%20Lighting%20-%20SKAG

What brand of battery did you have in the Mag lite?
I've had more than one electrical device replaced by the battery company after one or more cells leaked acid and ruined the contacts.

Eveready warranties their batteries:
https://www.eveready.com/faqs/eveready-super-heavy-duty

Duracell apparently does as well.

Duracell coppertop.

I would pull both ends of the flashlight off . Then mix up a baking powder solution . Either lay the flashlight " tube " in the solution or cup one end and pour it in .

Slosh it around for a few minutes and rinse . Put it in the sun or hit it with a heat gun . You could even fill with rice . Once dry hit it with some WD40 . Good chance it will work . Why not try and save it ?

White Vinegar on a q-tip is good to clean battery terminals too.

I got one of these last year.... you wont be able to club someone with it... but its bright enough to " shoot your eye out" (Christmas Story)

It like an XL sized tube of chapstick..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1684795009.jpg

We have a local company that manufactures in Australia... "Knog". They make really cool bike lights, head lamps and flashlights. They don't make everything here but their stuff is well designed and just works.

However in your case I'd get something "Made in the US". Not cheap but like always you'll soon forget what you paid and enjoy years of trouble free use with excellent customer service.

(Broken record time :rolleyes:) The Chinese can make cool stuff but I refuse to support their economy.

https://www.knog.com

D battery flashlights were obsolete a decade ago.
Upgrade to LED.

Gee, my "cop light" uses D batteries, but it has a very bright LED bulb...

I like Olight warrior 3s. Preferred the feel of the side button on earlier versions but still like this and use every night when I take dogs out

https://www.olightstore.com/warrior-3s.html


Also have one of these

https://www.fenixlighting.com/products/fenix-uc35-v2-rechargeable-flashlight

Only issue with the Fenix is it won’t tail stand

I like strobe function on modern tactical lights. Good for blinding an attacking animal or person

I have a decades old d cell mag light hanging in the garage. Works but sucks compared to modern LED. If it wasn’t my dads I would send it to you but honestly, modern lights are way better

^^^ I finally tossed my old D cell Mag-Lite a couple of years ago.... after posting for guidance here ....

I have the Olight 3s too .... I like it :)!

Has it been 6 months already? Every 6 months there's a flashlight thread, and a knife thread, and I am always tempted to buy more...

But seriously, if the flashlight isn't getting much use, I'd skip the Alkalines and go with CR123s. Probably won't be as hefty but you know it'll work and not leak. That or leave the batteries out. Or get one of those with 18650s that also has the charger built in and leave it plugged in.

There are LED Upgrade kits for all classic Maglite's.

When investigating something outside, I use a small, but bright light. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1684803610.jpg
I have bigger ones in case I feel the need.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1684803672.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1684803672.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1684803672.jpg

I have the UC35 and can't say enough good things about it. Have let a few people use it and they cannot get over how bright and small it is. Definitely will get another when this one dies (hopefully never!)

++ Fenix. No, most don't bring the persuasion power of a multi-D maglight but they sure do light up the night. One of mine is USB-charged, the other uses an offboard charger that then doubles for a "power pack" for other USB toys.

I'd buy them again and probably not even look elsewhere. Seems to be good product at a fair price.

I have a problem with flashlights. I like them so much to the point that I had some custom made over the years. Mag light is great if you want to play baseball with it. Big and clumsy unless it is use to hit someone with it. I rather use a longer stick instead.

Most people associate a good light with throw. For general use, I like a med. throw beam with wide enough beam pattern that allow the user to see a wilder area (medium flood) and not just a 1.5' bright spot at 10' away. You need to have the entire room lit up not a corner. Lights with slight orange peel reflective lens will do that but the throw or distance suffers a bit. A good light to have is this. https://thrunite.com/bundle-sale-tt20-black-1-21700-battery/ It does everything well, good throw, enough flood, and plenty bright. Small, fit well in hand and it has a fail safe tail light switch(does tail stand too). I like tail switch because it doesn't matter how dark, the switch is always there unlike traditional side switch, i have to look or feel for it. I have the older model in every one of my vehicles including my office and tool box. GEt the USB rechargeable instead of ones that requires a charger. It is just simpler and easier.

This is also a great light that I use to see into my back yard. My coyote light. The throw is more then enough due to it brightness but the diameter of the hot spot is wider making it much easier to see a larger area. Oh, it is bright. The only draw back is the side switch and its a bit larger in diameter but shorter then the ones motioned above at 1.25". An earth worm can be seen within 50 yards.

Forgot the link: https://thrunite.com/bundle-sale-tt20-black-1-21700-battery/

Fenix also makes something similar but they are a few bucks more. Just as reliable too.

I have a Thrunite like just like it in my wife's van. I like the Thrunite because it has a magnate that will stick to the underside of a hood or similar. Comes in handy when needed.

If a larger light is needed, look into Streamlight. Same ones cops use. They are almost the same as a mag light but much brighter. I had one, but like the smaller lights so much more and the are much brighter.

https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-Stinger-Hpl-Smart-Charge/dp/B002VV7SFG/ref=psdc_2445457011_t4_B01CGVNFH0?th=1

You don't even need to buy another flashlight.
Just use one of the LED torches you have in the garage.

$5 does the trick
I also have the $29 one
https://www.harborfreight.com/lighting/flashlights.html

Honestly, almost any flashlight other than a maglight is going to be as good or more likely far better than your old maglight.

THere are the high cost brands like surefire and fenix.

Olight is making some great flashlights these days. And most of the newer models have a magnetic charger which is very cool.

https://www.olightstore.com/

And if you're thinking, but I cant beat someone with something small.

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I fixed the MagLite. Poured vinegar into the tube, waited a few days, rinsed and brushed out the gunk, dried it off. Still didn’t light, so folded up some aluminum foil between the battery and the flashlight contact, and it worked. Cleaned the threads, applied some antiseize, lubed the O-rings, cleaned the reflector and lens, and it’s good as new!

This MagLite has an LED bulb, so it’s fairly bright. Lasted for 20 years, hopefully good for 20 more.

Keep the Maglight as a weapon, but a new flash light and you will never use the mag light again.

^^^^ This .... and why I tossed mine. Luv my Olight, and the blinding feature of the strobe is better than a Mag club imo. Like the usb/magnetic charger too....

JYL, if you mag lite craps out on you again, let me know. I have one I can send ya.

I will, thanks!