Need to Replace My Mag-Lite

[jyl]

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.

[chuckr]

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.

[flatbutt]

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=8cb4c2d937ab119b343ca6b245eab150&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=8cb4c2d937ab119b343ca6b245eab150&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLAs_N4_Lighting-and-Electrical_Other_All_Other&utm_term=4581527521793136&utm_content=Lighting-and-Electrical_Flashlights-and-Lanterns_All_All&gclid=8cb4c2d937ab119b343ca6b245eab150&gclsrc=3p.ds

[john70t]

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.

[herr_oberst]

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.

[Chocaholic]

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.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

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

[aschen]

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+flashlight&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

[Zeke]

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.

[aschen]

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+lithium&qid=1684769363&sprefix=dcell+lithium%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-10

[Roswell]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

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.

And this is an excellent suggestion...

[john70t]

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

[Shaun @ Tru6]

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

[jyl]

Originally Posted by Zeke

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.

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.

[pwd72s]

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&network=o&device=c&msclkid=0da22d790ed51724ad1a4912a4a8d5a7&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand%20-%20Fenix%20Lighting&utm_term=fenix%20lighting&utm_content=Fenix%20Lighting%20-%20SKAG

[MBAtarga]

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.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

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.

[rfuerst911sc]

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 ?

[Rusty Heap]

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

[TimT]

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..