I went back to the CPF thread re: Mag's 2x CR123a light. Robin24k mentioned that with the exception of the MC, Mag plans to bring out updated version of old favorites. The AAA Minimag is supposed to have the same dimensions as the original! No elongated head like the bigger 2x AA. Here's a link to the flyers on his website.
It's kind of bittersweet for me because I think this is really the beginning of the end for the incandescent lineup, save for maybe the MC. Even it is to be more-or-less usurped as Mag's big 'lux and lumens' (bright 'n throwy) light by the new 2D Pro. What are your judgements and/or thoughts?
I also don't think Mag will ever try to compete in the budget high lumen market. They will continue to try to appeal to the broad range of police, fire, military and everyday buyers, that they have appealed to for many years. They seem to be trying (with the LED line), to get the public used to the higher prices, in order to try and save the company, by touting more power and longer life.
It's good to see that they are doing something to try and stay alive and I do think that incans are going to go bye bye for good.
I have been buying one $15 2D a month and putting them away, till they are gone for good. I would expect production of the incans will stop in order for Maglite to force the LEDs out there. If there are no incans left, then people will more readily accept the higher priced LED Maglites. At least that's one way for marketing to look at it.
Once there are only $30 and $40 2D LED Maglites out there, I will stop modding for good. Those LED Mags are Way too expensive for a host at that price. If I had to mod $30 Maglites, by the time I put a reflector, lens, XM-L, heat sink and driver in them, they would be way too expensive to be worth buying, even with cosmetic mods. Too bad, but everything comes to an end sooner or later.
Hill-I hope not, but I fear it might turn out that way. For $20 I could snag a Worm (Al), one of the best keychain lights out there for the dough. I think I'd fork over $18 if I could count on walking out of a local store with an LED Soli in-hand.
Old, I know exactly the feeling you're talking about. Checking out the flashlight aisle in walmart the other day, I noticed the 2D LEDs have twice the shelf space they had this time last year, at the expense of their incan brethren (shelf space is 50-50 now). It is evident they're still moving a ton of the incan units, but I attribute it to the upcoming camping season.
It'd be a shame if/when you have to give up modding Mags. If manufacturers start producing better-looking lights in the near future (doubtful) they couldn't even come close to emulating your kind of work (e.g. that gorgeous 3D of Foy's). You're right, nothing good can last...so I say, smoke 'em if ya got 'em.