How many of you guys have old Mini-mag AAs laying around? Didn't you once love the damn things but now they have seen their day?

Well a couple weeks ago for nostalgia sake I went out and bought one of the new 3 Watt LEDs. A slightly larger light than the old tried and true Mini-mag, it has an amazing output about double and four times the battery life. OK, its a fair flashlight and probably one of the better ones out there for $25 but a tact light it isn't.

I'm reading about the Cree upgrades for Shurefires and low and behold they have one for the AA Mini-mag.

Terelux Cree Upgrade

OK what the hell, I just spent $25 on the new Mini-mag so why not upgrade one of my old ones sitting around so I buy one. The company claims 80-100 lumen out of this upgrade and twice the battery life of the old standard bulbs.

Damn what a light. Although due to squeezing in the electronics into that small spot you lose some focus ability, it still puts out an amazing flood beam. Its a good twice as bright as the new 3 Watt Mini-mag.

Hell yes, so for $3 I add the tail button which gives you temporary on with a good 1/4" play before you hit the click on.

I just turned the old Mini-mag once considered a tact light but now way out dated into a damn modern tact light again.

Nothing is more pleasing than taking something you once loved but now obsolete and bringing it not only up to speed but a superior light.

Disclaimer, beware you get the right upgrad and not the Nite Ize. Though Nite Ize makes a fine product neither its 3 Led or 1 Watt Teralux boasts a better light than the Mini Mag. The link about the Teralux Cree is definately a major improvment at least four times brighter.

Tj

TJ, thanks for the heads up, I think I will have to order one of these. I carry my mini-mag light on me all the time and currently have a $10 3 led bulb upgrade in it. battery life is good and light is decent, but brighter is always better.

Hows the tail button?

I picked up one for $5 locally and it was such a POS that I didnt keep it.

I have some mini mag lights here. I might have to try it out.

Though the picture shows a red button, mine actually arrived black which is better IMHO. The button is rubber and gives you instant momentary on like a tact light and has about a 1/4" play before you hit the click for constant on.

Hell even if you don't upgrade the light the button changes the ease of use so much it is well worth the $3.

As for the cree upgrade, it's simply amazing how much light it puts out. I don't think it reaches the promised 80-100 lumens but certainly is right up there with a Shurefire G2. Its mainly flood but will flood a totally dark forest out to about 30 yards with excellent visibility.

Tj

just ordered.

I also ordered a couple of the 2600mAh AA batteries. I have energizer 2500s and they last a LONG time, these are cheaper, but no name. We shall see.

I am switching all of my AA applications to 2600 mAh Nimh rechargeables from here:

High Output Nimh

These last twice as long in application than Alkalines and can be recharged up to a 1,000 times.

I started by buying one of their recharger kits, then came back and ordered the AA packs that come in the four pack plastic reusable containers. The second order is free shipping. I like the plastic four packs because besides being a great way to carry batteries, it allows you to know more easily which ones need recharging.

Tj

thats the brand I ordered

HOLY CRAP TJ!!!!

I had upgraded my Mini-mag light to a 3 bulb white LED set that I thought was worlds better than the regular bulb, and it is...

But then TJ you posted this link here and I just had to check it out.

Well, I ordered it on the 12th and it just arrived today, thats fast!!

In any case I could tell you how much better it is, but instead I will show you...

I went into the one room in my house with no windows, and took a picture of the door from about 6 feet back(as far as I could get from it - its a small room) I had the flash OFF for both pictures - please excue how blurry they are - its an old camera that doesnt do well in weird lighting conditions. I should also note, the pics are correct in difference, but the human eye can see a little brighter than the camera can so everything was a little bit brighter.

Here is the 3 bulb white LED bulb that I got from the hardware store for $10



and now here is the new upgraded bulb!




WOW!!!

while on the topic, what do you guys use to carry your mini-mag lights?

Ive got a leather belt holster right now, but the light can slide out if I am at the wrong angle. granted thats only if I am almost upside down....

what do you guys use?

Im tempted to try this out, but dunno how well it will hold, it seems that once the thing wears down it will drop the light and who knows when or where...

Thoughts?

This post has been edited by captainbarred: May 15th 2007 6:34 PM

Well if we are going to whip out our fuzzy pictures, here's mine.

This test was three lights, the new 3Watt MiniMag (that's not 3LED but a high output single), the Cree 80-100 lumen upgrade, and for a control the Shurefire 6p.



Left to right 3Watt minimag, Cree Upgrade, Shurefire 6p

Test condition was about 30 yards on a overcast moonless night shinning into the edge of a forest.

My conventional lights such as the standard Minimag or 1-2-3 LED lights, I couldn't even put in the test since they weren't bright enough to see the trees.

As you can see despite the Cree boast of 80-100 lumen, the Shurefire 6p still offers better visibility under these test conditions, however after doing a closed room test, I honestly believe it is only because the retrofit requires shorting the lense dome thus limiting focus.

Still if it costs $25 to buy a new 3Watt Minimag or $25 to upgrade an existing one. It's a no brainer.

Tj

I usually do not belt carry lights so the nylon cases that come with the Minimags work well enough for me. Sorry.

I will add there are a number of the Nite Ize products I would like to try especially the flexible fiber optic attachment, the nylon case with spare battery compartment, and magnetic clip for around the house.

Tj

You'r pic really drives the point home, the conversion for $25 is great when you dont want to spend the cash on the Surefire.

Ive been considering getting the Nite Ize fiber-optic as well for use with my rifles, but that was the brand tail thumb-cap I got before and it was total crap so I am hesitant to get any of their products.

I may order the clip and fiber-optic though just for kicks, if I do I will let you know what I think.

Well guys I wanted to come back to this thead for I found my third Mini-mag on my boat so put in my last conversion.

The last conversion is the Nite-Ize 3 LED. I totally concur with the Captain that this is a major improvement over the old yellow bulb, however the new factory 3 Watt LED blows it away, and the Cree 80 lunen conversion blows the 3 Watt LED away.

Tj