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I'm looking to replace my Mini MagLite with an LED flashlite. Of course I want something the same size, using AA batteries, and just as durable, but provides more light and longer burn time.

I want it the same size so I can put it in my clip on case with my leatherman (where my maglite lives now) and use it with my attach to anything thingy. I want it to be durable because I beat the heck out of them. And, I want it to be AA batteries because everything I have uses AA batteries and I don't want to have to carry any other batteries.

Anyone have anything that matches this description?

Daryl wrote: I want something the same size, using AA batteries, and just as durable, but provides more light and longer burn time.

It'll be tough to find something that produces more light with a longer burn time off the same set of AA batteries.

Of course you didn't say anything about price so drop the batteries and let's talk nuclear physics

...but seriously

The Mag light bulbs are pretty darn efficient for the amount of light produced. Is it an itty bitty halogen bulb? I don't remember, anyhow... I think the only thing close to beating it is zenon. However the bulb life of a zenon bulb isn't very long and they aren't cheap. Not to mention dangerously poisonous if the bulb shatters. Okay I'm straying from your LED quest. The Super LEDs are bright compared to older LEDs, they just don't beat the crisp light of a Mag.

Sorry, I know it's a sucky reply

Teva is right, the superbright LED's are good if you want light close up, long battery life and long bulb life. They don't put out near the candlepower of a halogen bulb though. I did see a small LED flashlight at a trade show but it would not be as bright as your minimag. Like much of life this is one of those places where you have to make choices.

The C.Crane Company sells ( what they call ) super bright multiple LED flashlights.

http://www.ccrane.com/ccexpedition.asp

Thanks for the info. I get frustrated with my MiniMag because it seems the only time I can get good light out of it is when the batteries are brand new, which means I replace the batteries a lot.

Daryl, I had the same problem, I replaced the bulb, and all seems to be working fine now. I've tried to find something that meets my needs the way a minimag does, and as of yet, have been unsuccessful. Nothing beats its durability.

I put a new bulb in it last night and it was much brighter on the same batteries, I thought that might be the problem after I posted. I like the MiniMag, but these things have been around for awhile now (mine personally is 8 years old), I was thinking maybe someone made something better by now.

Daryl wrote: I was thinking maybe someone made something better by now.

The better mousetrap? Well, until something drastic happens in the field of lightbulb technology - I think the Mini-Mag is about the best you can get. I've never seen anything better - equal maybe, but not better.

Maybe they'll introduce one with a titanium case - lighter, more durable - lot's more expensive....

I don't know... I was talking to one of the mechanics at work and he showed me a flashlight his brother made. He didn't know much about it, but it had two Ni-Cad camera batteries in series, a small chip that did something (amp?), a coil and it was LED. I'm going to try to get more info on it. It was actually smaller then my MiniMag.

Anyway, this little home made flashlight lit up the ceiling with a white spot in an already lighted hanger, an 80 foot high ceiling! No exagerating. Not sure about battery life though.