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, waterproof pushbutton switch and durability.
Accessories for the Maglite include belt holsters, vehicle clamps, colored and glass lenses, attachable fiber optics extensions, higher-powered incandescent bulbs, and LED modules. They are available from Mag Instrument, Inc. and numerous third-party vendors.
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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.
- 1988: 1 AAA cell battery (Maglite Solitaire) Mag Instrument's key chain flashlight, ideal for pockets and purses.
- 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 availabe in a number of other colors, textures, and formats, including:
- pink AA Minimag
- the no-knurl pink AA
- the no-knurl pewter AA
- NASCAR models
- patriotic sets
- 2xAAA for military and law enforcement
- Jade colored D-cell models
- camouflage
[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.
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" 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]
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 for some time previous.
[edit] Bulb upgrades
Maglite makes a Xenon bulb (bi-pin socket) upgrade for Maglite C and D models, which costs about 4USD. The Xenon bulb is slightly whiter than the standard Krypton bulbs. 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.[4]
