I’ve got an old Mini Maglite AA that has been sitting in the back of the drawer for a couple of years ever since I got my first LED light.
It seems a shame to forget about it altogether so I’ve decided give it a new lease of life with an LED upgrade.
I haven’t used a soldering iron in 20 years and have forgotten what little I knew of electronics so I’m just going to buy a LED dropin for it - but which one ???
There seem to be several available - is there a consensus among BLF members as to which is the best?
Oh - and same question for an old Maglite Solitare which has been keeping the Mini company at the back of the drawer.
I’d like to help out but never went this route. Nite-ize has withstood the test of time and is brighter than the stock Incan but still too dim for me. Maybe a UK member could mod them for you, a copper pipe cap is sufficient to make a drop in for the AA but the solitaire is a bit more complicated. I don’t think an led drop in is even made for the solitaire.
Have a look at The Torch Site- a UK seller of the great Terralux drop-in LED upgrades for AA mini Maglites and the C and D- cell versions. I have my Mini- Mag fitted with one of those and an ultra-clear glass lens- terrific! Especially on Eneloop batteries. They also have coloured LEDs if you’re into that. No connection apart from a satisfied customer.
One of my favourite torches is my 3D Maglite fitted with a terralux warm-tint LED and ultra-clear glass lens. Have fun!
I put the Niteize in my AA mini-mags and it does a fine job. Not as bright as the Terralux version, but less expensive and better run time. It’s about 30 lumens IIRC and for what the light was designed for (around the house, walking the dog, tossing into the car etc) it does fine.
As for the AAA solitare, take a look a look here:
This is BLF member ‘Old Lumens’. I’m in the process of doing this right now and actually have attached the star already. Just waiting for the TIR optic.
Thanks for all the info guys. I’ve decided to go with the TTS-2AA upgrade from the torch site as it’s the cheapest and from the pics below appears to have the best beam.
The Nite Ize looks to dim and I wouldn’t be happy with the rings from the TLE-5EX
When the drop in will come, please make some beam shoots, please. I’m curious to see if what have said (about comparing different drops) on TTS is true. Thank you
Maybe a UK member could mod them for you, a copper pipe cap is sufficient to make a drop in for the AA but the solitaire is a bit more complicated. I don’t think an led drop in is even made for the solitaire.
