Most of us probably have a Maglite of some sort sitting around the house. Known for their superior build quality and durability, Maglite is considered to be the everyday premium flashlight. We will be taking a look at Maglite’s LED line of flashlights featuring the latest Luxeon Rebel LED.
Form Factors
The LED Maglite is available in several form factors and with two kinds of LEDs, and the type of LED is something that should be given some thought as there is a significant difference.
LED
Older lights are frequently still seen on the shelf, so the kind of LED should be noted. The current LED Maglites use the Cree XP-E LED, and previous generation LED Maglites use the Philips Lumileds Luxeon Rebel or Luxeon III LED. The Cree XP-E is brighter and more energy efficient than both Luxeon LEDs, however, older models are often mixed with new stock on retail shelves.
Maglite 2C Black Torch with a variable focus beam –traditional incandescent bulb – not LED. Serial Number C25722653 stamped on the side - works fine – spare bulb held in the tail cap.
The Luxeon III (left) is larger than the Luxeon Rebel (right). The Cree XP-E is mounted similar to the Luxeon Rebel, and the main difference is the square base of the XP-E. The only way to differentiate between the models is to look down the business end of the light through the clear plastic packaging.
- The Maglite still works, it takes two C-Cell batteries, and it even has it's spare lightbulb in the cap completely untouched. But I want to know specifically how old it might be, since she says she doesn't remember buying it, and that my Grandpa actually took it from an old job he used to work at years ago.
- I have access to a machine shop and have been wanting to make my own oil filter suppressor adapter. Acknowledging that I would have to put a serial number on it and get the tax stamp, etc. Is there any reason I couldn't similarly machine an adapter to screw a mag lite suppressor on the same.
- Maglite (also spelled Mag-Lite, stylized as MAG-LITE) is a brand of flashlight manufactured in the United States by Mag Instrument, Inc. Located in Ontario, California, and founded by Anthony Maglica.It was introduced in 1979. Constructed principally of anodized 6061 aluminum, they have a variable-focus beam.Maglites are produced in several colors such as black, silver, blue, red, green.
With the D-cell lights, the serial number also indicates the type of LED inside. If the serial number begins with DLXXXXXXXXX, it is either Cree XP-E or Luxeon Rebel. If the serial number begins with DXXXXXXXXXX, it is the Luxeon III. Also, if the packaging mentions interchangeability with incandescent bulbs, then it is the Luxeon III.
Sizes
Here’s the breakdown of the sizes that are available based on LED type:
| Luxeon III | Luxeon Rebel | Cree XP-E |
| 2 AA | 2 AA | 2 AA |
| 3 AA | ||
| 2 D | 2 D | 2 D |
| 3 D | 3 D | 3 D |
| 4 D |
The 2AA light is an exception and is actually available in three different form factors. There are two types of the 2AA with the Luxeon Rebel – one with the flat tail cap (old), and one with the lanyard tail cap (current), similar to the regular 2AA Mini Maglite. The lanyard tail cap is preferable to the flat tail cap due to increased reliability, as well as compatibility with regular Mini Maglite tail caps (making aftermarket accessories such as “clickie” switches usable).
A common question is 2D or 3D? The gist of that decision is personal preference. The 3D is a hefty light, but it has, by far, the longest runtime. The 2D is more compact, but runtime is shorter due to the need for voltage boost. The difference in brightness between the two is not very significant, so considerations should fall on runtime and size.
Pricing & Ordering
Compared to other premium flashlights, Maglites have one major advantage – local availability. At the time of writing, regular price for the 2AA is usually around $20.
Frys and Lowe’s also sell the lights online, but after reading the previous section, you will know that ordering online is not a good idea. I was able to pick up several 2AA lights for about $10 each, at Lowe’s and Home Depot during the year-end holiday sale.
The 2D and 3D models are a little more expensive, at around $30 for either. If you are a Costco member or know someone who is, Costco has a 2AA and 3D twin-pack that is a great deal for $29.99. Again, prices vary by time and location, so this should only be interpreted as an estimate.
In The Box
For the 2AA, included in the blister packaging are: Maglite LED 2AA flashlight, 2 x AA battery, and belt holster.
For the D-cell models, only the light is included.
Batteries
While the 2AA includes two alkaline batteries and the instructions specify that only alkaline batteries should be used, it is not recommended to use alkaline batteries. The reasoning behind this is that no matter the brand, alkaline batteries can and will leak! If the light is stored in extreme conditions, such as in the glove box of a car, the chances of leakage are much higher. Instead, lithium primaries or low self-discharge (LSD) NiMH rechargeable batteries are better alternatives.
Lithium primary batteries, such as Energizer Advanced or Ultimate Lithium, are more expensive, but last longer than alkaline, perform better in cold temperatures, do not leak, and are approximately 1/3 lighter than the average alkaline. The voltages of these batteries are also slightly higher, which leads to increased output compared to alkaline.
LSD NiMH rechargeables, such as the Sanyo Eneloop that popularized low self-discharge, are able to retain charge up to one year. One thing to note about LSD rechargeables is that Duracell Pre-Charged rechargeable batteries that have a white top on the positive end are re-packaged Eneloops, and these are preferred over the black top counterparts. If you’ve ever used rechargeable batteries, you’re probably aware of the extremely high self-discharge rate that could leave the battery half-empty in a short amount of time. LSD rechargeables are an investment that will definitely pay itself off if the light is used frequently.
For D-cell lights, options are more limited, and quality alkaline batteries are a good choice. Rechargeable LSD NiMH D-cells are quiet expensive and difficult to find, though AA to D adapters can be purchased online so that primary or LSD AA’s may be used. Some adapters offer the ability to hold 2 AA’s in parallel, which will greatly increase runtime. In addition, 2 AA’s will be lighter than a D-cell.
The Light
Head
The head features a plastic lens and a smooth reflector. The beam can be focused with a quick turn of the head, and the D-cell models feature continuous cam action so which direction the head is turned will not matter.
For the 2AA model, brightness will decrease beyond a half-turn due to increased distance between the LED and the reflector, but the head can be unscrewed all the way and the light converted into “candle mode”
Body
The entire light is type-II anodized aluminum inside and out. The anodizing helps prevent corrosion, and also electrically insulates the light. (Picture below shows lights with optional anti-roll ring accessory.)
The 2AA light sports a multi-mode switch with four modes: 100%, 25%, blink, and SOS. If the light is needed for an extended period of time, one set of batteries will last for more than a day on 25% mode.
The D-cell lights feature a three position on/off switch: momentary, on, and off.
Tail Cap
D-cell lights with the Luxeon III will have a spare incandescent bulb in the tail cap. For the Luxeon Rebel models, the tail cap is not very interesting and consists of only a spring.
Performance
If you’re an incandescent Maglite user, you will certainly be surprised with the output of the LED Maglite. LEDs give off a cool white color, do not generate as much heat, and are brighter. As with incandescent Maglites, the larger models can be used as a baton if needed, although using the head as the striking surface would not be best as the LED cannot be replaced like a bulb! Below are some beamshots of the lights in spot focus:
Below are ANSI technical specifications for most of the Maglite product line.
| Model | Bulb Type | Lumens | Runtime (High) | Runtime (Low) |
| Solitaire (1 AAA) | Krypton (Standard) | 2 | 3h 45m | – |
| XL50 (3 AAA) | LED (Luxeon Rebel) | 104 | 8h 45m | 36h |
| XL100 (3 AAA) | LED (Luxeon Rebel) | 83 | 5h 15m | 201h |
| XL200 (3 AAA) | LED (Cree XP-G) | 172 | 2h 30m | 218h |
| MAG-TAC (2 123A) | LED (Cree XP-G) | 250 | 4h 30m | TBD |
| 2 AAA | Krypton (Standard) | 9 | 2h 30m | – |
| 2 AA | Krypton (Standard) | 12 | 5h 15m | – |
| 2 AA | Xenon (Optional) | 14 | 5h 15m | – |
| 2 AA | LED (Luxeon Rebel) | 69 | 18h | 31h |
| 2 AA | LED (Cree XP-E) | 63 | 9h 30m | 24h |
| 2 AA Pro | LED (Cree XP-G) | TBD | TBD | – |
| 2 AA Pro Plus | LED (Cree XP-G) | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| ML100 (2 C) | LED (Cree XP-E) | 119 | 11h | 43h |
| ML100 (3 C) | LED (Cree XP-E) | 101 | 35h | 98h |
| ML125 (3 C or NiMH) | LED (Cree XP-G) | 186 | 8h 30m | 30h |
| 2 D | Krypton (Standard) | 19 | 10h | – |
| 2 D | LED (Luxeon Rebel) | 114 | 9h 15m | – |
| 2 D | LED (Cree XP-E) | 134 | TBD | – |
| 3 D | Krypton (Standard) | 45 | 10h | – |
| 3 D | LED (Luxeon Rebel) | 104 | 72h | – |
| 3 D | LED (Cree XP-E) | 131 | TBD | – |
| 4 D | Krypton (Standard) | 72 | 10h | – |
| 5 D | Krypton (Standard) | 113 | 11h | – |
| 6 D | Krypton (Standard) | 136 | 11h | – |
| MagCharger (NiMH) | Halogen (Standard) | 221 | 3h | – |
All of the LED Maglites are regulated, which means that as the batteries are depleted and voltage drops, more current is drawn from the batteries to offset the lower voltage, resulting in consistent brightness until the batteries are completely depleted.
Runtime
If you haven’t read our article about runtime graphs and the ANSI FL1 Standard, please click here.
Accessories and Upgrades
Maglite offers a decent variety of OEM accessories for their lights, ranging from belt holders to lamps to traffic wands. I purchased a D-cell and an AA accessory pack, which came with a rubber anti-roll ring that also protects the head and lens from scratches when set down head-first, as well as a set of red, blue, and clear lenses. The D-cell accessory pack also came with a pair of mounting brackets, which I found to be convenient for storing the light. The mounting brackets are quite firm and the light snaps in with a solid THUNK.
For those with incandescent Maglites, Maglite offers a 3W drop-in LED upgrade for the 2-cell, 3-cell, and 4-cell C or D lights, which uses the Luxeon III LED. This upgrade is being discontinued due to the older LED used, but there are aftermarket upgrades (including some with the Luxeon Rebel LED) available from manufacturers such as TerraLUX. For Mini Maglites, there are no OEM upgrades, but TerraLUX and Nite-Ize make 1W LED upgrades that will certainly improve the light’s usefulness.
Conclusion
These lights are certainly quite handy to have around! The size of the 2AA makes a great every-day carry (EDC) light, or could be handy to keep in glove boxes or emergency kits (with lithium batteries installed, of course). Whether you’re an avid outdoorsman or just wandering around the house late at night trying to find your bedroom, these lights are great value and will come in handy, ready for action, for years to come.
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More than just an LED version of the incandescent C-cell, the Maglite ML100 general purpose flashlight is the latest addition to the Maglite product line. Many features of the ML100 are shared with the higher performance ML125 rechargeable model, such as a more compact design, improved optics, and a choice of four user-selectable function sets. After multiple delays due to an upgraded LED and a revised user interface, we have finally received production models of the ML100 for evaluation.
Key Specifications
- Output: 137 lumens high, 34 lumens low
- Runtime (2-cell): 13h high, 48h low
- Runtime (3-cell): 37h high, 78h low
- Battery: 2 x C-cell or 3 x C-cell
- Length (2-cell): 9.1″
- Length (3-cell): 11.1″
- Diameter: 1.98″ bezel, 1.20″ body
- Weight with Batteries (2-cell): 15.2 oz.
- Weight with Batteries (3-cell): 18.4 oz.
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
- MSRP: $54.99-$58.99
- Actual Pricing: ~$45-$55
Pricing & Ordering
MSRP for the ML100 is $54.99 to $58.99, and the light is only available in black (contrary to the flyers we posted in 2011).
In The Box
Included in the blister packaging are: Maglite ML100 LED Flashlight, 2 x C-cell alkaline batteries (or 3 x C-cell for the 3-cell model), and user manual.
Batteries
The ML100 operates on C-cell batteries, which makes the light less bulky and easier to grip than wider D-cell lights. However, the C-cell form factor is not very popular, so alternatives such as battery adapters for AA’s are available (which we used for our NiMH runtime test). Using these adapters not only creates commonality with AA batteries, but also further reduces weight.
The Light
Head
The head features a plastic window and a shallow smooth reflector. Unlike previous models, focusing is continuous action, so the head cannot be removed.
Body
Knurling along the flashlight body gives the ML100 better grip, and the light is type-II anodized aluminum inside and out.
The head mounted switch is an electronic switch similar to that of the XL-series lights.
Tail Cap
A band of knurling is found on the tail cap, and that’s about it for the exterior.
Threads are anodized, allowing lock-out with a quarter turn of the tailcap.
Modes
Five modes, which are arranged into four function sets, are available for the user to choose from.
Full Power
100% brightness at 137 lumens.
Power Save
25% brightness at 34 lumens.
Strobe
The 12Hz strobe feature is designed for disorienting or getting somebody’s attention.
SOS
SOS is the International Morse Code Distress Signal, which is three short flashes, three long flashes, and three short flashes.
Momentary
If momentary is enabled, the switch must be pressed twice for Full Power. While this is not true momentary operation since Full Power cannot be activated from momentary, it’s a clever workaround of the electronic switch.
Function Sets
To change the function set, start with the tailcap slightly unscrewed so that the light does not turn on when the switch is pressed. Press and hold the switch while screwing on the tailcap, and once the tailcap is screwed on all the way, the light will start flashing. The number of flashes corresponds to a function set’s number, which are cycled. Releasing the switch selects the function set.
Function Set 1 (Default)
Full Power, Power Save, Strobe.
Function Set 2
Full Power, Power Save, SOS.
Function Set 3
Momentary, Full Power, Power Save.
Function Set 4
Momentary, Full Power, Strobe.
Performance
One of the upgrades that the ML100 received during its redesign was the more efficient Cree XP-E LED, increasing light output to 137 lumens. Since the XP-E LED has a smaller chip size than the XP-G used in the ML125, the ML100 has a more intense beam that will travel a longer distance.
The redesigned focusing assembly of the ML-series allows fine-tuning of the ML100’s beam pattern, if desired. Lights are aligned at the factory and both of our ML100’s had well-focused beams, so we didn’t find this necessary. Although focusing is smoother, there are still some rings and holes when the ML100 is unfocused.
Maglite Serial Number Search Tool
We measured standby power drain of 47.2 µA (or 0.0472 mA) on the 2-cell ML100, and 59.8 µA (or 0.0598 mA) on the 3-cell ML100. Since C-cell batteries have more capacity than the AAA’s used in the XL-series, this is less of a concern, but we would recommend locking out the tail cap if the light will not be used for an extended period of time.
Runtime
If you haven’t read our article about runtime graphs and the ANSI FL1 Standard, please click here.
Power-save regulation is also used on the ML100, which reduces output to approximately 50% after 12 minutes of runtime.
Maglite Serial Number Search
If the ML100 is operated with a 90% duty cycle (13.5 minutes on, 1.5 minutes off), maximum output is maintained for a shorter amount of time and the runtime graph resembles that of a flashlight without an automatic energy-saving step down.
Accessories
Maglite C-cell mounting brackets and belt rings are compatible with the ML100, but since many mid-sized rechargeable flashlights have similar body diameters, open-bottom holsters (such as the Pelican 7078 below) designed for those lights can also be used.
Conclusion
Not only is the ML100 an improved LED flashlight, but also a major step in the right direction for Maglite. Previous generations of Maglite’s MAG-LED technology, including the original LED drop-in replacements and even the current LED D-cell lights, had problems with heat dissipation and irregular beam patterns because they were originally designed for incandescent bulbs. However, neither is a concern anymore with the new ML-series, and the Maglite ML100 offers a lot of features and performance for the $50 price point.
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