Here is my 2¢. After reading this string, I stopped at WalMart and bought the MiniMag NiteEze three LED upgrade for $4 and change. It took all of three minutes to install. At Target, I saw a similar NiteEze upgrade kit that included the LED upgrade and Basic ON/OFF button for $8 and change. Then at REI, slow weekend, I saw the NiteEze “SMART SWITCH” cap for the MiniMag. It offers three-power setting, two blink speeds, 14.5 minute auto off, and a night light that blinks in the cap every few second so you can find the MiniMag in the dark, $10 for the Smart Cap only. I did not buy the smart cap yet, but probably will.
The light output of the NiteEze upgrade is good along with the 10 hour burn time, and for $4 and change worthwhile. The smart cap also looks worthwhile, but for $10 maybe not. The problem for me is the cost of a Mini Mag plus the various upgrades gets you close to the cost of a quality LED headlamp which I find far more useful I general. If MagLite had offered an upgrade similar to the NiteEze 5 or 6 years ago I’d be sold, but really think they missed the boat by waiting so long to offer a LED derivative. If I recall when the Tika LED headlamp came out 6 ago is cost me $40. My Princeton that I bought a few years later cost me $20.
Final answer, if you have any MiniMags lying around collecting dust the NiteEze three LED upgrade is an inexpensive upgrade that is worthwhile. The more expensive upgrade kits with the one of the two caps get you into the price of a brand new headlamp.
_________________________
To the last, I grapple with thee; From Hell's heart, I stab at thee; For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee.