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Jun 13th REVIEW – AA Maglite Torch

ITEM: AA Mini-maglite

MANUFACTURER: Maglite

DESCRIPTION:
Standard Maglite AA model torch, with after market LED bulbs and tail switch.

PERSONAL ASSESSMENT:
We’re all familiar with the venerable Maglite AA. It’s practically an industry standard for us paramilitary and outdoor types. While Maglite AA is used in very crucial industries and for survival in the outdoors, it is not appropriate for usage in other areas. Potentially fatal industries like explosive atmospheres require approved ATEX torches to prevent a very dangerous incident. However, this Maglite AA can be utilized in many other areas and, as you will read from my review, is rated very high.

The standard model is a very useful package.
Decent brightness provided by an incandescent bulb, commonly available batteries around the world, no matter where you may find yourself.
The torch is a very simple, hard wearing, and weather proof design. In fact, one of my old patrol mates received an engraved one for his 18th birthday from his parents when he was posted to 5/7RAR. He promptly lost it on the next scrub trip (in a State Forest), apparently it sat there for 4 years, until some kind soul found it, tracked him down, and returned it. After a quick clean up of the leaking batteries, the damn torch still worked!! Proof of an outstanding design, and quality manufacturing process.

I noticed the trend for LED replacement bulbs for many torches on the market with some interest. Since I’m never an early adopter on new-fangled technology, I prefer to let some other poor bugger worry about teething problems, I was watching the trend mature a great deal first.

The replacement items I purchased from Battery Junction in Indooroopilly Shopping Mall when I was still in Bris-vegas. Made by Nite-Ize, the AA Mini Mag-lite LED & Tailcap Switch Combo Upgrade Kit (found here: http://www.batteryjunction.com/niaamimaledt.html) has proven itself well worth the small outlay in the last couple of years usage. Cost me about $40, could possibly be found for far less nowadays, it provides a replacement bulb unit with 3 LED bulbs and a clicky tail cap switch. The original twist action bezel is retained, allowing a safety device to prevent light ND’s with the switch.

The LED’s are a very efficient light source, I haven’t replaced the batteries in my maglite that I use almost nightly for a very long time. Far longer than the old incandescent bulb that would literally last me a chapter of the book I’d be reading out scrub.

PROS –
Cheap, easy to source upgrade for a common torch.
The LED bulb makes life a lot easier, by ensuring power consumption is greatly reduced.

CONS –
The clicky switch is somewhat “mushy” in its operation. Small issue though.

SUMMARY:

So far, both of my AA maglites that I’ve upgraded have proven to be much more useful. Apparently, Maglite themselves have jumped on this new-fangled trend and are offering models with LED bulbs as standard. But if you still have one of the older units, this is the way to go.