Mojoman Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 (edited) I found my old 2 D cell Maglite...a guest left this at a lodge I worked at 22 years ago and never came back for it...Anyway...I was wondering if its worth doing the LED upgrade or just spending another R700 odd on top of the R300 for the upgrade and just buy a new torch...I like the fact the Maglite has a bit of weight to it and aside from a few scracthes looks pretty good for its age!...I have a decent home torch but its quite small and wouldn't be much of a weapon if needed....Anyone done this upgrade? Edited October 15, 2020 by Mojoman
Long Wheel Base Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 Yes. We use maglites here at work, have done for many years. It gets issued to us in our toolbox so we keep the same one until we leave or it breaks. When I got mine 12 years ago it had the original old bulb. Then a few years back they started replacing everyone's bulbs with the LED mod. I was lucky to be one of the first. Battery life is amazing and it's a lot brighter. We obviously never paid for it from our own pockets so I can't say it's worth it or not. But the new LED hasn't skipped a beat and the torch is one of the most used tools in my box. Mojoman and Underachiever 2
Mojoman Posted October 15, 2020 Author Posted October 15, 2020 Yes. We use maglites here at work, have done for many years. It gets issued to us in our toolbox so we keep the same one until we leave or it breaks. When I got mine 12 years ago it had the original old bulb. Then a few years back they started replacing everyone's bulbs with the LED mod. I was lucky to be one of the first. Battery life is amazing and it's a lot brighter. We obviously never paid for it from our own pockets so I can't say it's worth it or not. But the new LED hasn't skipped a beat and the torch is one of the most used tools in my box.Cool, saves R700 odd if I do the upgrade, new torch is about R1000, the upgrade is R300...watched a few videos and it seems worth it.
The Ouzo Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 Cool, saves R700 odd if I do the upgrade, new torch is about R1000, the upgrade is R300...watched a few videos and it seems worth it. where you getting the LED upgrade from ? I've got a number of Maglites of various sizes and would love to do the upgrade an some of them.
Long Wheel Base Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 Cool, saves R700 odd if I do the upgrade, new torch is about R1000, the upgrade is R300...watched a few videos and it seems worth it. As someone who uses the torch A LOT at both day and night time for aircraft inspections I can say the LED is "light" years ahead of the old bulb. Even if you don't benefit that much from the actual light, you save loads on batteries. I was replacing batteries weekly, now they go months. Rocket-Boy and Underachiever 2
Mojoman Posted October 15, 2020 Author Posted October 15, 2020 where you getting the LED upgrade from ? I've got a number of Maglites of various sizes and would love to do the upgrade an some of them.Just seen them on Takealot...I'm going to 'town' (Roodepoort) tomorrow to a gun shop so I was going to see if they had any in stock... https://www.takealot.com/maglite-2-to-3-cell-dc-led-flashlights-cree-upgrade-module/PLID41687834?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8vLp-ZW27AIVUu3tCh0z-whGEAAYASAAEgLtBPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Long Wheel Base 1
Warthog Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 I also have a number of them in varying sizes - including the one which takes 4 of those big torch batteries (it's actually more like a knuppel than a torch...) Replaced all of the bulbs, but still they eat batteries, even when in storage... Any ideas?
The Ouzo Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 I also have a number of them in varying sizes - including the one which takes 4 of those big torch batteries (it's actually more like a knuppel than a torch...) Replaced all of the bulbs, but still they eat batteries, even when in storage... Any ideas?most likely the batteries themselves that are the problem.I'm finding lately, especially with D cell batteries that they just dont last as long as they used to.
Long Wheel Base Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 I also have a number of them in varying sizes - including the one which takes 4 of those big torch batteries (it's actually more like a knuppel than a torch...) Replaced all of the bulbs, but still they eat batteries, even when in storage... Any ideas?There is some fine print somewhere that says you should remove the batteries when not in use. Not sure if this is a to save batteries or save the torch if the batteries leak though?What batteries are you using? We did have a batch of batteries here at work that never lasted long even when not in use. But we have since changed brand anyway and the new brand is a lot better.
Long Wheel Base Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 most likely the batteries themselves that are the problem.I'm finding lately, especially with D cell batteries that they just dont last as long as they used to.Even AA and AAA. A lot of my kids toys use AA or AAA and I used to buy the bulk pack of duracell or energizer and they don't last. Now I go to the Chinese shop and buy an even bigger bulk pack and they die even quicker but they A LOT cheaper.
The Ouzo Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 Even AA and AAA. A lot of my kids toys use AA or AAA and I used to buy the bulk pack of duracell or energizer and they don't last. Now I go to the Chinese shop and buy an even bigger bulk pack and they die even quicker but they A LOT cheaper.oh I dont mind if they die in the kids toys, that just means silence. And daddy never seems to find time to go to the shops and buy new batteries. Long Wheel Base 1
T_Boss Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 My honest opinion is no, dont bother. Unless its for the nostalgia, the modern torches are better. The only reason to upgrade a maglight is if you also need to use it as a nightstick. Unlike Stanley Flasks, Hi-Lift Jacks, Maglights have been well and truly superceded. A maglight is like the film camera of the torch world
Mojoman Posted October 15, 2020 Author Posted October 15, 2020 Even AA and AAA. A lot of my kids toys use AA or AAA and I used to buy the bulk pack of duracell or energizer and they don't last. Now I go to the Chinese shop and buy an even bigger bulk pack and they die even quicker but they A LOT cheaper.I have a small portable radio that I leave on in the house for the dogs when I go out so at least they can enjoy 5FM if the power goes off (please don't call the SPCA....)....I use the normal black Everyready cells....I get about 5 weeks on this...I tried the Duracell batteries (waaaay expensive) and I got about 3 weeks....Stick with the cheapies! Long Wheel Base 1
Mojoman Posted October 15, 2020 Author Posted October 15, 2020 My honest opinion is no, dont bother. Unless its for the nostalgia, the modern torches are better. The only reason to upgrade a maglight is if you also need to use it as a nightstick. Unlike Stanley Flasks, Hi-Lift Jacks, Maglights have been well and truly superceded. A maglight is like the film camera of the torch worldSure...but I do Like the fact its heavy enough to give someone a headache with!
Long Wheel Base Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 My honest opinion is no, dont bother. Unless its for the nostalgia, the modern torches are better. The only reason to upgrade a maglight is if you also need to use it as a nightstick. Unlike Stanley Flasks, Hi-Lift Jacks, Maglights have been well and truly superceded. A maglight is like the film camera of the torch worldVery valid point. But for 300 bucks it's a good deal. You won't get a decent torch for 300 bucks these days.
Rocket-Boy Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 Have the newer maglites moved over to 18650 batteries?I personally wouldnt buy a torch if it doesnt use them these days.
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