Maglite replacement
Discussion
Elderly said:
I'm probably going for the P7.2 (£36.00)
I did like the idea of the Lenser P14.2 (£42.00) as it uses AA cells
and is less of a loseable size, BUT, one review said that re-chargeable batteries are not recommended for it ...... or is that b
ks?
I've got the T7.2 - you won't be disappointed IMO.I did like the idea of the Lenser P14.2 (£42.00) as it uses AA cells
and is less of a loseable size, BUT, one review said that re-chargeable batteries are not recommended for it ...... or is that b
ks?As to batteries, I've got a stash of Duracells at home so haven't looked at rechargeables yet.
Jonny_ said:
The many and varied "unknown" Chinese brands may not be the best thing to recommend to someone who just wants one decent, reliable torch.
The quality can vary from batch to batch and you have next to no after sales support should the thing go wrong. I've had some bargains from China (Akorays, MarsFires, TrustFires, etc) but also some that have let me down.
More expensive but less potentially troublesome are UK based retailers (such as flashaholics.co.uk) which sell reputable branded lights, such as Nitecore, Fenix, Eagletac, Olight, Zebralight. You're probably looking more like £40 to £50 for something bigger and meatier than a pocket torch, but the upside is you get a warranty and avoid the hassle of postage from the Far East and the handling charge if it's subject to import VAT.
It's more if you want to over pay for something or not. You are correct some budget lights are rubbish. But some are very good. I offered the benefit of my experience. I own approx 70 LED lights including Fenix, FourSevens etc. The quality can vary from batch to batch and you have next to no after sales support should the thing go wrong. I've had some bargains from China (Akorays, MarsFires, TrustFires, etc) but also some that have let me down.
More expensive but less potentially troublesome are UK based retailers (such as flashaholics.co.uk) which sell reputable branded lights, such as Nitecore, Fenix, Eagletac, Olight, Zebralight. You're probably looking more like £40 to £50 for something bigger and meatier than a pocket torch, but the upside is you get a warranty and avoid the hassle of postage from the Far East and the handling charge if it's subject to import VAT.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 24th August 23:31
PF62 said:
Easternlight said:
You really don't need to be lugging D cell sized monsters about, a good 2 AA torch is much better.
D cell sized monsters work better as a metal club than a 2 AA torch though (I thought that was the only reason that Maglites existed).leglessAlex said:
Back on topic, I'm not sure how many lights from the likes of Fenix and Nitecore will fulfill the OPs requirements for AA batteries. I was under the impression more are made for CR123a and 18650 size batteries? That was my reasoning for suggesting the Led Lenser P6.2 anyway. I think the Fenix LD22 is similar to that as well.
There must be other AA torches out there, but 300 is probably more aware of them than most. My (limited) knowledge is restricted to the 'main' UK brands.
There are a lot of good premium and budget 1AA torches. Many will also run on a li-ion 14500 battery. 1AA is very pocket friendly but limited runtime and mostly limited output. Even the top end Zebralights can't put out the high likens for very long. These small lights however are all floody and will be of limited use out across the fields. A big Maglite can focus the beam tightly and still be very useful for longer distance use. Even if they make less lumens. There must be other AA torches out there, but 300 is probably more aware of them than most. My (limited) knowledge is restricted to the 'main' UK brands.
2AA lights are a bit niche, there really aren't that many budget ones. These lights are still small and floody.
There has been a trend over the past couple of years for coke can sized 4xAA lights. These are more throwy and better performance. But they are pricey and don't perform as well as a single 18650 light. But maybe one of these would suit the op better if they want to look to spend £50+ on a torch.
Led Lensers are fine if you like the zoom beam. But you'll loose current regulation. You can get the P7.2 from here for about £20
https://m.fasttech.com/products/0/10003915/1675300...
Before you chuck the Maglite it is possible to take out the bulb and switch so you are just left with the tube, then using something like a broom handle you can bash the batteries out.
Steps are as follows;
1) Unscrew lens cover
2) Remove bulb
3) Take rubber on/off switch cover off
4) Undo allen head screw in centre of switch
5) Press switch down as if you were turning the torch on
6) Looking down the torch body from the bulb end you can see a large circlip which stops the switch from sliding forwards, using a small flat blade screwdriver remove the circlip and the switch mechanism will slide out revealing the stuck batteries.
7) Bash away!!
8) Clean up inside of tube with some emery cloth
As they say in the Haynes manual, to assemble reverse the steps and the torch is ready to go again.
Steps are as follows;
1) Unscrew lens cover
2) Remove bulb
3) Take rubber on/off switch cover off
4) Undo allen head screw in centre of switch
5) Press switch down as if you were turning the torch on
6) Looking down the torch body from the bulb end you can see a large circlip which stops the switch from sliding forwards, using a small flat blade screwdriver remove the circlip and the switch mechanism will slide out revealing the stuck batteries.
7) Bash away!!
8) Clean up inside of tube with some emery cloth
As they say in the Haynes manual, to assemble reverse the steps and the torch is ready to go again.
Elderly said:
I'm probably going for the P7.2 (£36.00)
I did like the idea of the Lenser P14.2 (£42.00) as it uses AA cells
and is less of a loseable size, BUT, one review said that re-chargeable batteries are not recommended for it ...... or is that bks?
So this morning I rang a reputable online torch seller to order either a P7.2 or a P14.2 I did like the idea of the Lenser P14.2 (£42.00) as it uses AA cells
and is less of a loseable size, BUT, one review said that re-chargeable batteries are not recommended for it ...... or is that b
ks?but the person at the other end of the phone told me that rechargeable batteries are not recommended for either of them
.eta @ pozi, I did try to dismantle the Maglite ( out of curiosity) but the big circlip seems far too rigid to shift without presumably some special tool.
Edited by Elderly on Tuesday 25th August 11:45
Elderly said:
Elderly said:
I'm probably going for the P7.2 (£36.00)
I did like the idea of the Lenser P14.2 (£42.00) as it uses AA cells
and is less of a loseable size, BUT, one review said that re-chargeable batteries are not recommended for it ...... or is that bks?
So this morning I rang a reputable online torch seller to order either a P7.2 or a P14.2 I did like the idea of the Lenser P14.2 (£42.00) as it uses AA cells
and is less of a loseable size, BUT, one review said that re-chargeable batteries are not recommended for it ...... or is that b
ks?but the person at the other end of the phone told me that rechargeable batteries are not recommended for either of them
.eta @ pozi, I did try to dismantle the Maglite ( out of curiosity) but the big circlip seems far too rigid to shift without presumably some special tool.
Edited by Elderly on Tuesday 25th August 11:45
Elderly said:
So this morning I rang a reputable online torch seller to order either a P7.2 or a P14.2
but the person at the other end of the phone told me that rechargeable batteries are not recommended for either of them.
eta @ pozi, I did try to dismantle the Maglite ( out of curiosity) but the big circlip seems far too rigid to shift without presumably some special tool.
If you want the P7.2 check the link I posted, might take 2-4 weeks delivery, but a lot cheaper.but the person at the other end of the phone told me that rechargeable batteries are not recommended for either of them
.eta @ pozi, I did try to dismantle the Maglite ( out of curiosity) but the big circlip seems far too rigid to shift without presumably some special tool.
Edited by Elderly on Tuesday 25th August 11:45
As for rechargeables. Yes you can, Led Lenser and even Mag are funny about it and have odd wording in some of their blurb, mostly because both companies have tie ins with alkaline battery suppliers. So they don't promote using other batteries.
But NiMh are perfectly fine to use and lots and lots of people do. Just remember to get Low Self Discharge ones.
Easternlight said:
Be warned good torches are not cheap but they are addictive 
So VERY right!My budget is creeping up, giving me greater choice and hence more indecision
300 - thanks for all your info and that link to the U.S. site; it's great value but for the sake of the saving, I'd rather deal with a UK retailer just in case of any problems.
I've found something that takes away all my "what battery do I start from" conundrums .......
http://www.uktoolcentre.co.uk/Shop/p~94857~HP7R-Re...
Sits back and waits for the PH collective to say that for that amount of money I could do better with a..............
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BOT8TJA?redi...
I have no views on it, but seems a good discount
I have no views on it, but seems a good discount
300bhp/ton said:
Yes you can, Led Lenser and even Mag are funny about it and have odd wording in some of their blurb, mostly because both companies have tie ins with alkaline battery suppliers. So they don't promote using other batteries.
But NiMh are perfectly fine to use and lots and lots of people do. Just remember to get Low Self Discharge ones.
Just to chuck in with this, I've got a Lenser T7 and an H7.2 and run both on rechargeables (Eneloops.) Both work fine.But NiMh are perfectly fine to use and lots and lots of people do. Just remember to get Low Self Discharge ones.
Li-ion powered torches seem to be becoming more and more common, and owning 6 torches that run off them (plus another 4 that I use regularly with that are AA/AAA powered) you seem to get a lot more bang for your buck. A decent charger like the Nitecore i2 (or i4) is about a tenner, the cells about £5-6 so it's not a huge additional expense.
There is oodles of choice out there though, even if you stick with NiMH.
But, at this stage in the thread it doesn't seem like you've actually said what you want from the torch. Is it for dog walking? Round the house use? Cross country hiking? Do you want lots of throw (i.e. the ability to light up things a long way away) or flood (a wide area close to you to be well lit) or some combination of the two?
Edited by tenohfive on Friday 28th August 17:40
I've just ordered a Fenix LD41 2015 model and some low self discharge batteries. It's the size I want, the AA batteries I can use in all sorts of other stuff and vice-versa, and as I've nothing to compare it to, I presume I'll be happy with it ........
In true PH style it was double my budget.
........In true PH style it was double my budget
.TheAngryDog said:
I've just read this. I have no idea what torches to buy (I want one for each car).
Confused!
If it's just to leave in the car for emergency use, then you'll want something that has no parasitic drain. I'd recommend a basic 2AA light with Energizer Lithium primaries in it. You could use Eneloop NiMh and they will hold a charge a long while, but Lithium primaries are probably a better bet.Confused!
The Maglite Mini Mag Pro and Pro+ are quite good for this. But over priced in the UK market.
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff