Hi there everyone!

I've got a Mini Maglite (2xAA) lying around that i'd like to upgrade with LEDs. I saw a few websites that offered what they call "drop-in" kits that you replace the original bulb and reflector with. Some of those were priced three or even four times the price of the Mini Maglite itself, but i've seen more reasonable prices (Nite Ize seems cheaper).

Most of these sites are in the United States... does anyone know if some canadian sites offer those upgrades?

LED brightness is not an issue; I am looking for a regulated circuit that works best with [color:"red"]NiMH [/color] batteries. Any hints?!

Thanks!

I have no idea if this one is any good, but the price looks okay.

LED Drop in

Pete

Here's a few reviews on replacement LED kits...

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews_index/reviews_index_ledbulbs.htm

Hi Bee

Looks like you've done some of the research yourself already and have narrowed it down.
The first thing I'd recommend is that you do some searches on candlepowerforums.com (CPF).
It's a great online community, similar to ETS in that there's a lot of knowledgable folks very willing to share what they know, and very civilized in th eway they treat each other.

I'm unfamiliar with the NiteIze upgrade, and the description I read on the NiteIze site doesn't say if it's regulated or not, but it is physically similar to the Opalec module, which I have owned in the past. The Opalec IS regulated - 10 hours of consistent light output.
That's what I liked about the Opalec, and it has an even, more floodlike beam than the standard bulb of a Minimag. However, you can't adust it to focus or widen the beam. The standard bulb and adjustable reflector will allow you to shoot a beam farther than the Opalec can.
One vendor that has both of these upgrades is Brightguy -- I have personally had good experiences with them as a vendor, for what it's worth.

Most LED replacements are a compromise - battery life vs. output vs. price. My personal favorite is the MJLED (however, it's unregulated) - you'll have to search on CPF to find links to it and where to buy them. They have been in short supply recently - hopefully more wil be available soon.

The light output of the MJLED is a bit more than the standard bulb produces, battery life is said to be 20+ hours on alkalines and 35 hours with lithium AAs, and the price is about $5 each, or about $10 to get a full kit with a reflector that has been drilled out (the LED is wider than the standard bulb).
However, it's very easy to drill out the reflector, and all that needs done for the LED is to trim the leads.

That said, there are several other sources on CPF for different versions of LED replacements, among them the "Sandwich Shoppe" and www.led-replacement.com.

Good luck
Dave

Hi!

This one looks decent, I think it's the Nite Ize... But the person is asking US $14.50 and... there's another $10.00 for shipping to Canada. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Purchasing off eBay is another option, but shipping to Canada (from the US) is problematic since the shipping amount often equals the price asked for the item.

Thanks for your help.

Hi DaveT,

Wow, thanks for your informative reply! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The MJLED looks very interesting indeed.. I found it off eBay, but again, like I was telling ParamedicPete, the cost of the item often equals the shipping amount to send things to Canada, which is why I am trying to find some Mini MagLite AA upgrades in Canada.

How difficult is the drilling process for that MJLED? Is it easily done (assuming you have done it?)

Thanks!

Bzzzzz... Bee!

Hi Bee - the drilling is very easy. I'm not particularly handy, and I was able to do it without breaking a sweat. There is a Web page that give the specs on the whole process. Basically, you remove the reflector, stuff it with paper towel or a soft cloth to help protect the reflective surface (it's very thin and fragile).
I was able to hold the reflector down on a flat surface with one hand, and use my electric drill in the other, and very slowly drill the hole wider. Some suggest using 2 or 3 smaller drill bits, working your way up to the final size (I think it's 1/4-inch) - I did it in one shot on the second reflector that I did.
The only other thing to do is trim the leads on the LED to a certain length - very simple.
Also, the MJLED works in a 2AAA Minimag - of course, with a shorter battery life.
As far as where to source it, I don't know of anyone in Canada carrying them. You could join CPF, then post a question if anyone has them, or you could go on that site's buy/sell/trade forum and and post as "WTB (Wanted to Buy): MJLED" and see if anyone in Canada has some extra to sell.
Finally, that eBay vendor listed as lighthound_com is a member of CPF and has, from all I've heard, a very good reputation as a good person to deal with - check his eBay rating, which I'm also told is high.
Good luck
Dave

The Nite Ize LED drop-in for the maglite is available from MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op), though it's not on their web site. I picked up two of these at my local MEC store for about $8 Canadian each.

Just a quick follow-up... I finally purchased a Nite-Ize combo upgrade kit off eBay to upgrade my 2xAA Mini Maglite.

Nite-Ize combo upgrade kit

I think it's so-so, the LEDs are not very powerful... I guess it's a worthwhile upgrade if you consider the longer battery life vs. the original krypton bulb. But besides that, nothing to be excited about. Wonder how much battery life I can get with NiMh batteries vs. regular alkalines with this kit... Hmmm...


Bee

I'm happy with my Opalec modules.