A Mag-Lite is very bright, but it still has a bulb. Aren't LED flashlights a better choice for survival use?
I do have a lot of mag-lites, works great. (Not that I have something against Mag-Lites) <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Given that LEDs are more durable with a longer runtime, yes, in a long-term survival situation, they are preferred. My BOB has an Infinity Ultra-G, which runs for a long time on one AA battery. But for a real blinding blast of light, you can't beat a Surefire.

well i prefer LED's. Leds are much more energy efficient and have a nicer beam.
This feature of LED also allows small lights like the Fenix L1P to produce loads of light in a very small packages running on just one AA battery.
Or extreamly long runtimes with a single AA battery, like the Al-91 which is advertised with 88 hours of run time on a single AA battery, using a 5mm Nichia Led. Still using the original battery in it...

Leds are claimed to be more durable, but i never managed to break a incandence light either with normal use...

Personally i think maglites are way over rated and priced. You can get much beter price / quality ratio's. www.flashlighreviews.com is a great site, where you can find loads of reviews.

Don't forget to have a look at headlights, they are very usefull.

Depends on what you are trying to see. I find that trying to find my deer stand in southeastern Oklahoma pine forest at 6:00 am is mighty difficult with a LED, like wise finding a blood trail after dark is equally as hard...it doesn't throw the light very far, very bright and you can't concentrate the beam. I find for that situation, the regular bulbs work better. However, post Tornado, in a urban setting I would want longer run times and the longevity that LED brings to the table...so I believe the both have their place in the survival situation. I EDC an Inova on my key chain and have used it many times..amazing how effective a single LED can be in a completely dark room.

I bought some of those LED conversions for the Mini-Mags that I keep for BOB's and house survival kits, but the hunting one will continue to be the standard bulb. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Agreed on all counts -- leds are smalled and more efficent --the micro light has found its way into most kits.

A waterproof headlamp is a great idea; a huge step forward is ease of use.

Teacher

PS of course you can get the conversion kit and put led's in your maglite...

I retro fitted my AA Maglite with the Nite-Ize L.E.D. package. This is after having several bulbs pop on me at the wrong moment. Gives me the build quality of the Maglite with a reliable light source. I also pack a Surefire C2 for "punch" situations. And one of several Petzl headlamps for handsfree situations.

I do not know what the shipping will be like but there are many led upgrades out there for the mag lights. I recently purchased this Mini Mag up grade but have not received it yet. From what I read it is well worth it.

I got the Nite-Ize LED upgrade for the Maglite and I find it is very weak.

The AA Maglite is too heavy for hiking or EDC... I highly suggest you look into the Fenix L0P or L1P if you want a decent flashlight.

I agree some of those more powerful LED mods for the Maglite might be fun, but unless you already have a AA Maglite lying around, I would not bother with Maglites at all.

I'm not overly impressed with the nite-ize conversion -- I got one from wal-mart over the weekend. it was quick enough to install and is fairly bright, [only a flood beam] non adjustable now -- can no longer go spot to flood, but won't have to worry about burned out bulbs. of course, I'm used to having the fenix l1p and l0p lights and they can't compare to the nite-ize, but they are 10 times as much [nite-ize only $4 at walmart]

The focus IS fixed, but I never had the regular bulbs, Mag or Rayovac, throw like this no matter what kind of battery was in there.