Maglite
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2013) |
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.[1][2] 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, purple, gold, and different finishes. Originally Maglite flashlights used krypton or xenon incandescent bulbs. Current models have LEDs, although the older models are still widely available.
Accessories include belt holsters, mounting brackets, colored and glass lenses, attachable fiber optics extensions to bend light output into a cramped space, higher-powered incandescent bulbs, and LED conversion modules. The Maglite was an improvement over the Kel-Lite, after which the Maglite was patterned.[3]
Timeline
[edit]A list of the sizes of Mag Instrument flashlights, and the years they were released:
- 1979: D and C battery models are put on the market; targeted to the public safety and industrial sectors (the 5C, 6C, 7C and 7D models are out of production)
- 1982: MagCharger: a larger more expensive model popular with public safety and emergency-services personnel. This light is much brighter than typical Maglites, and uses an incandescent Halogen bulb and a rechargeable NiCad or NiMH battery pack.
- 1984: Two AA cell batteries (Mini Maglite) Maglite's first personal size flashlight
- 1987: Two AAA cell batteries (Mini Maglite) A smaller version of the original Mini Maglite
- 1988: One AAA cell battery (Maglite Solitaire) Mag Instrument's key chain flashlight.
- 2006: Maglite LED Flashlight and Upgrade Module: 3-watt Luxeon III LED from Lumileds.[2]
- 2006: Mini Maglite LED 2AA.
- 2008: MagCharger: Upgraded Nickel/Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery pack increases charge time and second generation Halogen bulb increases light output.
- 2009: Next Generation Mag-LED Technology: Featuring a new Luxeon Rebel LED and extended battery life.
- 2010: Maglite XL100: offers a motion-controlled user interface using a built-in accelerometer
- 2010: Maglite XL50: This is a simpler version of the XL100, featuring three modes that can be activated with consecutive presses of the tailcap switch. The XL50 will have a lower retail price than the XL100.
- 2011: A variety of LED and rechargeable flashlights introduced. These include the ML100 and the rechargeable/C Cell LED ML125
- 2011: Maglite XL200: This is similar to the XL100 but offers higher lumen output.
- 2012: Mini Maglite AA Pro 215 Lumens and Mini Maglite AA Pro+ 245 Lumens.
- 2012: Maglite 2D pro 274 Lumens with a Cree XP-G rather than a Cree XP-E, increasing brightness while decreasing beam distance efficiency.
- 2012: Maglite Mag-Tac flashlight plain bezel, 310 Lumens, low mode at around 100 Lumens. First Maglite flashlight to use CR123A batteries. Tactical style designed with military input.
- 2012: Maglite Mag-Tac crowned bezel, 320 lumens. This model has no low mode for light output.
- 2012: The V4 was released with a newly developed electronic switch enabling a Multi Mode operation and a slightly more powerful bulb producing an output of 245 Lumens.
- 2012: In August, Maglite announced several new models including an LED version of the Solitaire, a Mini Maglite LED 2 AAA and a new version of the 2D LED termed the 2D LED Pro promising a beam in excess of 200 Lumens.
- 2013: Maglite released an LED version of the MagCharger. Features a 680 lumen output and spot-to-flood beam with a quarter turn of the head. Claimed 4 hours of battery life on a full charge at full power. Other specs are as the Incandescent Version.[4]
Models
[edit]| Model | Incandescent | LED | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marquis | Maglite Marquis 1-CELL AAA | The Marquis was the original name for the Solitaire. | |
| Mini Maglite | Mini Maglite LED 3-CELL AA | ||
| Maglite XL | Maglite LED XL100 | ||
| Maglite D | Maglite PRO LED 2-CELL D | ||
| Maglite 7-CELL D | Made from 1979–1982, they sold poorly due to their size and minimal increase in light output over the 6D. Today, they are rare and sought after by collectors. | ||
| Maglite C | Maglite 2-CELL C | Maglite ML100 LED 2-CELL C | |
| Maglite 3-CELL C | Maglite ML100 LED 3-CELL C | The ML100 LED 3-CELL C has the same lumen output as the ML100 LED 2-CELL C at 137 lumens, however, the run time is increased from 13 hours to 34 hours on high. | |
| Maglite 4-CELL C | |||
| Maglite 5-CELL C | |||
| Maglite 6-CELL C | |||
| Maglite 7-CELL C | Much like the 7D, the 7C is one of the rarest Maglite flashlights. | ||
| Rechargable | MagCharger - NiMH/Halogen | Maglite still sells the bi-pin halogen replacment lamp. |
| Model | Incandescent | LED | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solitaire | Maglite Solitaire 1-CELL AAA | Maglite LED Solitaire 1-CELL AAA | Incandescent version in production since 1988. |
| Mini Maglite | Mini Maglite 2-CELL AAA | Mini Maglite LED 2-CELL AAA | |
| Mini Maglite 2-CELL AA | Mini Maglite LED 2-CELL AA | Incandescent version in production since 1984. | |
| Mini Maglite PRO LED 2-CELL AA | The PRO version of the Mini Maglite has more lumens and throw over the regular version. | ||
| Maglite XL | Maglite LED XL50 | ||
| Maglite LED XL200 | |||
| Maglite D | Maglite 2-CELL D | Maglite ML300L LED 2-CELL D | |
| Maglite ML300LX LED 2-CELL D | |||
| Maglite 3-CELL D | Maglite ML300L LED 3-CELL D | The 3D incandescent is the original Maglite. It is also the only Maglite still being sold with a KPR lamp. The rest of the incandescent models use the bi-pin xenon. | |
| Maglite ML300LX LED 3-CELL D | |||
| Maglite 4-CELL D | Maglite ML300L LED 4-CELL D | ||
| Maglite 5-CELL D | Maglite currently does not make an LED version of the 5D. | ||
| Maglite 6-CELL D | Maglite ML300L LED 6-CELL D | The ML300L 6D has a lower lumen output than the 3D and 4D LED models, but it has the highest run time at 71 hours on high. | |
| Maglite C | Maglite ML25IT 2-CELL C | Maglite ML25IT LED 2-CELL | All of the ML25IT models come with a twist-on head, rather than the traditional side switch. |
| Maglite ML50L LED 2-CELL C | |||
| Maglite ML50LX LED 2-CELL C | |||
| Maglite ML25IT 3-CELL C | Maglite ML25IT LED 3-CELL | ||
| Maglite ML50L LED 3-CELL C | |||
| Maglite ML50LX LED 3-CELL C | |||
| Rechargeable | Maglite ML150LR | Delivers up to 1,082 lumens. | |
| Maglite ML150LRX | Matte black version of the ML150LR. | ||
| Maglite ML150LRS | Smaller and lower output version of the ML150LR. Still delivers up to 819 lumens. | ||
| Maglite ML150LRSX | Matte black version of the ML150LRS. | ||
| Maglite MAG-TAC Plain | Delivers up to 671 lumens, but will only last 1 hour on high. On low mode, it will last up to 18 hours. | ||
| Maglite MAG-TAC Crowned | |||
| Maglite MAG-TAC | Maglite MAG-TAC LED 2-CELL CR123 Plain | ||
| Maglite MAG-TAC LED 2-CELL CR123 Crowned | Same as the "Plain" version, but replaces the low mode with strobe, and has a crowned bezel. | ||
| Maglite MAG-TAC 2 LED 2-CELL CR123 Plain | The MAG-TAC 2 has more lumens and throw over the regular MAG-TAC, and the body is designed for maximum grip for striking or holding with a firearm. Costs $40 more than original MAG-TAC. | ||
| Maglite MAG-TAC LED 2-CELL CR123 Crowned | Same as the "Plain" version, but replaces the low mode with strobe, and has a crowned bezel. Costs $40 more than original MAG-TAC. |
| Models | Light Color | Lumens |
|---|---|---|
| Solitaire | Warm White | 32 |
| Blue | 14 | |
| Green | 30 | |
| Mini AAA | Warm White | 68 |
| Blue | 31 | |
| Green | 78 | |
| Mini AA | Warm White | 57 |
| Blue | 27 | |
| Green | 45 | |
| XL50 | Warm White | 140 |
| Blue | 61 | |
| Green | 143 | |
| Red | 114 |
Law enforcement use
[edit]Maglite flashlights have been known to be used as a ready substitute for a baton. In 2004, the Los Angeles Police Commission moved to use smaller flashlights, with Alan Skobin, the commission vice-president, stating that "This policy makes clear flashlights are for illumination and discourages their use as an impact tool. And it ensures officer safety as well as protects the public."[5]
Police and security personnel often use full-size Maglite flashlights due to their durability, brightness, and weight, which can also make them suitable for use as improvised defensive tools.[citation needed]
On March 30, 2007, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that they would be switching to a smaller, lighter LED flashlight that cannot be used as a baton, in response to a highly publicized incident where an officer was accused of using excessive force against a suspect by using a Maglite.[6]
Gallery
[edit]-
Most Maglites have a spare bulb in the tailcap. LED lamps have a long life, and do not usually need to be replaced. Some LED Maglite models have a spare incandescent bulb. -
Closeup view of a 4D Maglite with the factory-installed Luxeon LED module. The inset shows the LED module with the reflector assembly removed. -
The 2xAA Mini Maglite in four colors -
Mini Maglite and belt holster
References
[edit]- ^ Nick Freeth. Made in America: from Levis to Barbie to Google MBI Publishing Company, 2005 ISBN 0-7603-2270-8, pp.180-181
- ^ a b "Maglite Event Timeline". Maglite. Archived from the original on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
- ^ William Lidwell, Gerry Manacsa Deconstructing Product Design: Exploring the Form, Function, Usability, Sustainability, and Commercial Success of 100 Amazing Products Rockport Publishers, 2009 ISBN 1-59253-345-0, pp.116-117
- ^ "Maglite MagCharger LED Flashlight System | Review". Flashlight University. 2013-11-12. Retrieved 2016-07-09.
- ^ Winton, Richard (December 15, 2004). "Police Panel Endorses Limits on Flashlights". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "LA police get flashlight that stuns, not strikes". The New Zealand Herald. 31 March 2007. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maglite.