MagLites

[270man]

I appeciate the detailed treatise on hunting flashlights that Watchmaker has generated on this forum. He has done his homework and we can all benefit from his experiments.

My question is on general purpose flashlights for the camp. Over the years I've owned a a lot of these flashlights -- mostly 2xD-cell types. Some were name brand (like Coleman, Ray-O-Vac, etc.) and some were unknown brands. Most of them worked okay for their intended purpose but typical problems that eventually ended their lives were: switches that went bad, looseness in the bulb assembly and failure to properly make contact with battery terminals. Practically all of them had plastic housings.

Eventually, a friend of mine convinced me to buy MagLites and I now have a 3xD-cell, a 2xD-cell and a 2xC-cell with focusing beams. The first problem I noted was that the metal housings froze my hands in cold weather and were uncomfortable without gloves. I figured this was something I could endure for a "forever" flashlight that solved the problems I had experienced with previous lights.

Recently, my affection for MagLites has dropped considerably. My 3xD-cell went bad first and I found that the batteries had badly corroded and welded themselves to the metal housing. I've soaked, banged, drilled and tried some other things but this flashlight is gone. Now I've found that the same thing has happened to the 2xC-cell MagLite. Only the 2xD-cell is still in operation.

Anybody else out there have similar problems with MagLites? I use only Energizer or DuraCell alkaline batteries and the flashlights have always been stored in good environmental places (my home) except when I go camping. A lot of battery-powered tools recommend that batteries be removed when not in use, but I never did this with the old plastic flashlights and never had this problem.

270man

[watchmaker]

What you got are bad batteries (even if they are Duracell or Energizer) and is not a problem of the flashlights.

Duracell will replace ANY device ruined by the batteries (as they are not supposed to leak the acid that corrode the lights or the electronics equipments.

And the Energizers probably will do the same if you get in contact with customer service and send the damaged light (or camera or GPS) with the batteries still inside.

Pachmayer sell a self stick rubber covering for flashlights and tools that are used in the bitter cold (lots of Alaskan working outside have the handles of tools wrapped in this rubber covering, it is called pac skin.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/73359-5210-1099.html

I have used it for ages in the lights that are stored in my trunk.



Best regards
Watchmaker

[GoodOlBoy]

In lieu of pac skin if you want a quick fix go to any hardware store and look for the bucket of rubber coat that you use to dip tool handles in. Buy a cheap brush and paint a layer on. You can get a few thousand handles out of one bucket of this stuff.

I agree on the battery issue. I stick with duracell because they are the only thing that most of the dive light manufacturers recommend (they don't burst at preassure) and they usually have a danged fine warranty on them.

GoodOlBoy

[fabsroman]

I've had my mag lites for between 5 and 10 years, the exact length of time I don't know. I only use Energizer rechargeables in mine and haven't had any problems whatsoever other than having to replace a bulb or two in the flashlights.

[skeet]

I have used mag lites for many years. HAve only had i where the batteries leaked. My fault as it was one of my firefighting lights(2AA size) that I had on my helmet(after I retired). Forgot to take the batteries out and after a couple or 5 yrs they kinda died. The larger D size lights I put D ring end caps on and put lanyards on them. When duck hunting I would put one with a large lanyard over my shoulder so I could see the tangles etc of decoy lines when putting out the decoys in the dark. Great lights. One word of caution though. If using in a salt water environment rinse them down afterwards. Any aluminum lights will react badly to the salt in that water. Once had a friend drop one overboard in kinda salty waters in Chesapeake bay. We finally retrieved it after about 10 days. Still had no water in it and after replacing the batteries(it was on when it was dropped overboard)..it lit right up. The anodized finish took a bit of a beating though. We had to wait for a very low tide to find it

[LoneWolf]

I agree it being a battery problem. Had the same thing happen to my 3d cell several years ago. If you still have the light, you might try what worked for me.
Take one end off (either side), stand light vertical and fill it with Coke (the drink) . Let sit for 24 hours and repeat as necc.
It took me several days as I remember, and I rotated the end I poured the Coke down but it eventually loosened the gunk and I was able to knock the batteries out by tamping the open end down onto a piece of wood. This was at least 9 years ago, and that light is working great still.

[M.T. Pockets]

I've used mag lights for about 10 years. They may last longer than other brands, but I usually lose them or break them to pieces before their useful life is up anyway.

Now I use regular cheapo flashlights and keep a new mag light in my emergency pack.

Last fall I did change batteries in a mag light while leading my horse loaded with elk quarters and carrying an elk rack in the other hand in the dark down a hillside in grizzly country, one handed. Now I just keep that spare flashlight in an easy to find spot instead. I've got extra batteries & bulbs all right, I keep them in my extra flashlight that's ready to go.

[fabsroman]

MT,

How the heck do you end up breaking your Mag Lites? With batteries in my D cell light, I would swear I could use it as a hammer and it would still work. Of course, I haven't tried this yet. Honestly, I just think they are one of the more sturdy flashlights out there.

[BILLY D.]

The 3 cell jobs make excellent kabonkers to carry in a car. No nasty WEAPONS to explain to an Officer in case you get checked. I only carry it so I can see in the dark, and to find night crawlers so I can go fishing.

Bill

[watchmaker]

Originally posted by fabsroman
MT,

How the heck do you end up breaking your Mag Lites? With batteries in my D cell light, I would swear I could use it as a hammer and it would still work. Of course, I haven't tried this yet. Honestly, I just think they are one of the more sturdy flashlights out there.

The BOREALIS 1050 lumens (2 million candlepower) is made on the "host" of the maglite 3 D, it had been used as a hammer, trowed and shoot with a .22 in the Borealis torture test in this video.

http://blackbearflashlights.com/torture_test.htm

Watchmaker

[skoonz]

I use a Petzl Duo. No it's not bombproof but if I'm wearing mine when it takes a big enough hit then light will probably be about the least important thing for me.

[M.T. Pockets]

A couple have gotten wet and rusted inside before I noticed and could take good care of them. One is in the bottom of a lake after an ice fishing mishap. I've misplaced or lost one or two and one did get stepped on or drove over and was bent. I'm talking about the small ones that run on 2AA batteries.

Not the mag light's fault, just general abuse on my part, and this is over a span of quite a few years. I also use them a lot. I've also learned that loaning them out isn't good for them either.

All this trouble with flashlights and I still use the Coleman lantern that I bought in 1983.

[fabsroman]

That is what I love to hear. Things that last a long time. I'm still wearing a belt that I got back in the late 80's and am wondering what I am going to do when it finally breaks. Talk about being made well. I'm hoping to get 20 years out of my cars, and don't think I will have a problem getting 20+ years out of my Mag Lites.

[Dom]

The only maglite I use regularly is the mini-mag AA, in my coat hunting pocket for getting in and out to stands at night. The others I have are for spares, sitting in the truck pocket, etc, that rarely get used. Because of size and brighter light, I've gone to surefire, which also fits in my hunting pocket for white light when needed. I agree, not the mag's fault when batteries leak. Maybe I better check those I haven't opened up in years! Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[Dan Morris]

Originally posted by BILLY D.
The 3 cell jobs make excellent kabonkers to carry in a car. No nasty WEAPONS to explain to an Officer in case you get checked. I only carry it so I can see in the dark, and to find night crawlers so I can go fishing.

Bill

LOL, I've used these sense they came out....forerunner was KEL Light...still go one with a couple of tooth marks...(another life)
...all still work fine...worse batteries were the red issue RayOVac....any one remember those?????
Dan