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![]() Pic above shows rechargeable Mag model with alu contact multi-position rings,
Just then, with the introduction of the MAG-LED family they jumped back in the game again... The C and D cell The C and D Mag-Lites series were developed back in 1979 mainly for police use. But roughly the mid-late eighties mainstream police has switched to even brighter (about 5x as bright) rechargable lights. The largest maker here is still Streamlight, (Streamlight Stinger for example is firearms grade and quite expensive) second however is still Mag. The mini AA and AAA The two mini MAGs (AA and AAA series requiring - as the name suggest - two or three AA alkaline batteries) were also introduced in the 1980s. One past down-side was that ... I investigate the Mini Mag Lite and its relationship to LED here. Actually, LED upgrade started on with converting minis of course. Because the body of the mini (was and is) quite durable - arguably the most durable in the market - owners took to converting them with kits from 3rd parties. That is until recently. I investigate LED conversions and upgrades for all Mag lite flashlight classes on a separate page here. Mag Solitaire Many say that the MAG Solitaire series is possibly the only class where MAG is definitely no longer in the leading pack. Honestly, I didn't have a solitaire so I'd say if you are interested in one, then may be you should try it. As for me, I am waiting with bated breath to see if MAG will come out here with something whizbang. Xenon bulb class Another class where MAG is simply not present is the field of the very high output high-pressure xenon bulb models. These are the ones often labelled with the name "tactical." Tactical flashlights use very powerful camera grade lithium batteries. Here Pelican, Surefire and Streamlight are the clear market leaders. But this is a somewhat more pricey class. But in all fairness to MAG does sell conversion kits to xenon bulb, but only for the C and D cell series. The point to note about this bulbs that they are basic, NOT high pressure ones. To have an idea how these compare: A G2 or 6P Surefire is about as bright as a 6D cell Mag-Lite with a xenon bulb or a Streamlight Scorpion or Tl-2 that runs on 2 lithium cells. Rechargeable category The first dedicated rechargable flashlight came out in the late 1980s . It was the Magcharger. Before that you could have Streamlight and lesser known brand called Pro-Light - these two were the big guns in the rechargable class. But with the Magcharger Mag has been firmly on the rechargeable flashlight market ever since with the Mag Charger Rechargeable Flashlight System. I investigate this class and its ability to upgrade to LED on a separate page here. Summing up this flashback on the origins of the Mag lite flashlights: In general of course, it is good to know the origings and the features as they compared then and now to other brands. But for the home flashlight person wanting not too expensive and very durable MAGs are probably the best. They certainly are the most popular in the reliable category. And for the average person demanding quality, durability and reasonable prices Mag lite flashlight is pretty much top of the line - in class, in style and in feature. But the hegemony of the Mags is not unchallenged and is certainly not even across all classes. Durability, but more so resilience
is one strong point
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