Maglite
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Maglite (also spelled Mag-Lite) was introduced in 1979. It is a brand of flashlight manufactured by Mag Instrument, Inc. located in Ontario, California, and founded by Anthony Maglica. It is constructed principally of anodized 6061 aluminum, sometimes referred to as aircraft aluminum. Maglites are known for their variable-focus beam, water resistant pushbutton switch and durability.
Accessories manufactured by Mag Instrument Co. for the Maglite include belt holsters, light clamps, colored and glass lenses, attachable fiber optics extensions, higher-powered incandescent bulbs, and LED conversion modules.
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[edit] Sizes
A list of the sizes of Mag Instrument flashlights, and the years they were released:
- 1979: D and C Cell battery models are put on the market; targeted to the public safety and industrial sectors (the 7D, 5C, 6C & 7C 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 a rechargeable NiCad battery pack.
- 1984: 2 AA cell batteries (Mini Maglite) Maglite's first personal size flashlight
- 1987: 2 AAA cell batteries (Mini Maglite) A smaller version of the Mini Maglite, to be used in industrial, scientific and medical applications.
The small and compact 2xAAA MiniMaglite
- 1988: 1 AAA cell battery (Maglite Solitaire) Mag Instrument's key chain flashlight.
- 2006: C and D cell batteries (Maglite LED)
- 2006: 2 AA cell batteries (Mini Maglite LED)
- 2006: 3 AA cell batteries (Mini Maglite LED)
[edit] Variants
Maglites are often available in colors such as black, silver, blue, and red. They have also been available in a number of other colors, textures, and formats, including:
- Pink 2xAA Mini Maglite
- No-knurl Pink 2xAA Mini Maglite
- No-knurl Pewter 2xAA Mini Maglite
- NASCAR 2xAA Mini Maglite
- Patriotic 2xAA Mini Maglite (FlagLite)
- 2xAAA Mini Maglite for Military and Law Enforcement
- Jade Colored D-cell models
- Camouflage (2 AA and 3D Sizes)
[edit] Maglites as weapons
Maglites have been known to be used as mêlée weapons. On March 30, 2007, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that they would be switching to the Pelican 7060 LED[1] (a smaller, brighter flashlight), that cannot be used as batons in response to a highly publicized incident where an officer was accused of using excessive force against a suspect by using a Maglite.[2]
[edit] LED versions
For information about the use of LEDs in flashlights, see Flashlight and LED.
Maglite announced and began selling their first light-emitting diode (LED) lights in early 2006 but did not list the products until Early October. Third-party LED upgrade kits for a number of different models had existed previously for some time.
The current line of Maglites with factory-installed LEDs are equipped with a 3-watt Luxeon LED and power regulation circuitry. The MAG-LED has a head design which is tapered slightly more than its incandescent counterparts, in order to accommodate a focusing system adapted for the light distribution pattern of an LED. The D cell models include a "spare", flange krypton incandescent bulb in the tailcap, giving the user the option of switching to incandescent light if they so choose, or in the event the LED malfunctions.[3]
Please note that the newer LED version of the 2 cell AA Mini Maglite and the 3 cell AA Mini Maglite have a tailcap which is a different size than the tailcap of the classic incandescent Mini Maglite, also the size of the spring in the LED models varies from the spring size of those of the classic models and the LED Mini Maglites [do not have a lanyard/keyring hole].
[edit] Bulb upgrades
Maglite makes a Xenon bulb (MagNum Star) upgrade for Maglite C and D models, which costs about 4USD. The Xenon bulb is slightly brighter and lasts longer than the standard Krypton bulbs[4]. Also, LED upgrades are made by both Mag and third-party manufacturers.
[edit] Warranty and additional info
Maglites sold in USA & Japan carry a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, all Maglites sold throughout the rest of the world are covered by a 10 year warranty. Until recently all Maglites were required to be registered with Mag Instruments after purchase to ensure future warranty coverage. Current retail packages do not contain registration documentation as before. Prior to the release of the LED AA models, serial numbers were only stamped on C and D cell models, likely for law enforcement tracking purposes. The LED AA models recently released are also stamped with serial numbers. It's unclear whether the new serials are related to the lack of warranty documents in the packaging.
Maglite warranty registration is possible through the Maglite official website.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ [1], Pelican Products
- ^ New LAPD Flashlight Avoids Use As Weapon, KNBC-TV News, Mar. 30, 2007
- ^ Product Line > Mag Instrument, Inc. - Manufacturer of the Maglite Flashlight
- ^ http://www.maglite.com/lampspecs_dcell.asp
- ^ Register Your Maglite Flashlight > Mag Instrument, Inc. - Manufacturer of the Maglite Flashlight
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
