Customer Reviews

MAGLITE M2A11H AA Mini Flashlight and Holster Combo Pack, Blue

5 star:		(139)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

All the mag lites share solid aluminum construction and rubber o-ring seals.

What sets the mini mag off from the other mag lites is its size (easy to hold with teeth while working under car, sink, etc) and one little known feature - "candle" mode. You adjust the beam focus by rotating the mini mag's head, but if you continue turning the head pops off; you are left with the handle and the exposed bulb, which is now throwing light in all directions - it is a "candle". Flip the head over, place it on the ground/table - it is now a "candle holder". Stick the candle into the candle holder. Instant candle for camping. (These directions are actually on the mini mag's packaging, but it wasn't until I had bought my third mini mag (one for car, kitchen, daypack) that I noticed. This is actually a great trick to show other mini mag owners... they also threw their packaging away without looking it. The larger mag lights don't have this feature.)

Two mini mags in the candle mode do a good job on a picnic table at night... so get two of them... they're cheap.

I'll admit, I love LED flashlights - the pure, white light, the extended battery life, the look on the faces of my friends when they point the flashlight into their eyes upon examination... so when I read that Mag had released an LED flashlight, I immediately went in pursuit of one, and I'm finding it to be a mixed bag.

From a build quality standpoint, Mag still makes a solid product. The barrel and head are made from aluminum, rubber washers are used for a water resistant seal, and they can take being dropped off a workbench. One thing I'm wondering why they left out, however, was a hook for a lanyard - the bottom cap of this flashlight is flat.

One of the main things the Mag has going for it over other LED flashlight designs however is that the beam can be focused - and this is due to the deeper reflector design and the shape of the LED. Focusing the beam does increase its intensity - a bit, but nothing like the old incandescent Mag lites - I found myself using it about halfway between just on and fully focused, as it proved the most practical.

Now though, for the disappointing part: I own a 1-watt Luxeon-based LED flashlight (that cost approximately the same as the Mag), and a 5-watt LED flashlight from SureFire (which cost... considerably more). The Luxeon LED puts out approximately 20 lumens, and the SureFire puts out a blinding 100 lumens, so at 3-watts, it would be safe to assume that this Mag Lite would be about halfway between the two, right? Wrong. The beam is about the same intensity as the 1-watt Luxeon (which is pretty bright by itself); ever so slightly brighter when completely focused, but then the Luxeon spreads its light more smoothly than the Mag. The Mag has slightly longer full-output battery life due to the fact that it uses AA batteries instead of AAA's, but if you already have a good Luxeon or other high-output LED flashlight, I'd certainly say try to get a demo of one of these before you buy one. Don't get me wrong, it's definately a cut above the $10 ones you see in the waiting lines at shopping centers, but I'm wondering if Mag getting into the LED market now is too little, too late?

I've owned 4 conventional (Krypton) bulb Maglites over the years and I've ran many, many sets of batteries through them, especially my 2 AA maglites. I'll just cut to the chase and say that they hit the ball out of the park with this LED version, it is fantastic. The following observations are with fresh batteries in all of the units:
- Brightness: The 2 AA LED version is significantly brighter than the 2 AA Krypton bulb version. In fact the 2 AA LED is nearly as bright as my 3D cell Krypton bulb maglite!
- Clarity: It's no secret that traditional bulb flashlights typically project uneven light patterns with super bright and super dark areas in the beam. I find this incredibly annoying and will have to play with the focus of the beam to find something usable. The LED version has this problem solved. The clarity and spread of the light is fantastic. I can flick it on to ANY setting and it's 10x better than the traditional (Krypton bulb) maglite in terms of clarity and beam focus. I can tell they worked a lot on this and they did a great job.
- Color: This is minor compared to the above, but the LED version puts out a cool white beam that is easy on the eye and it seems easier to pick up details. The conventional bulb version puts out a harsher more redish/ pink beam and after comparing the two back to back the LED version is much better.
- Battery life: Don't know yet. I hear the batteries should last longer and the circuitry keeps the light output up even as the batteries go down in charge. Time will tell.

I now plan to upgrade all my D Cell versions with the LED upgrade kit. I'm very pleased with this purchase. I've made some nasty reviews in the past, so this this positive review is saying something. :)

I have been using these same lights for 12 years now. The AA ones are waterproof to about 30 feet or so (the O-rings keep the seal airtight). I don't know if maglite supports that use though :) I use them not only as lights, but to prop doors open, hammer small nails. These things are TOUGH! Keep one in the car. One in the kitchen. One in the bedroom. One in the toolbox. One at work. Helpful Hints: Lightly grease the O rings with vaseline or other petroleum jelly occasionally (wipe off excess). This keeps the seals watertight, and makes the light work like new. take off head of flashlight, and examine the bulb (not lit!) - after a while they get burnt on the inside - replace occasionally to maintain maximum illumination! Replacement bulbs are CHEAP! Get some! I use these a LOT! Consider using NiMH rechargeable batteries.

I have owned a variety of high-end flashlights over the years and at one time worked as a Sheriff's Sergeant in a major metropolitan area. In that line of work a bright flashlight is a tool of the trade, and is carried at all times, even during the day.

A belt holder for a flashlight should keep the flashlight securely attached to the belt and allow the user to rapidly deploy and replace the flashlight with a minimum of fuss. It should allow the flashlight the freedom to swing and swivel to accommodate sitting in a vehicle and/or riding a snomobile, ATV or similar conveyance. This belt holder only accomplishes the first objective. While it does hold the flashlight securely, it tends to bind if one attempts to remove the flashlight without using a second hand to hold the ring perpendicular to the flashlight body and a second hand is required to hold the ring perpendicular to the flashlight body to return the flashlight to it's holstered position. The ring also has only limited freedom to allow the flashlight to swing forwards and backwards to clear obstacles and vehicle steats and saddles.

For casual use this product is OK. But for professional use, the product's single-axis swinging ring design detracts from it's usefullness. If you're serious about a flashlight holster, buy one of the all-leather products that has a ring that is soft and compliant and hold itself at 90 degrees to the belt ring. These can be obtained at a Police equipment supply.

This is the highest quality flashlight on earth.Not just this model but the entire product line.I think Mag Instruments has perfected the flashlight.You could spend your whole life buying and tossing cheapo flashlight's or buy a Maglite ONCE it's that simple.Dont blow your money on plastic junk Stick with Mag they really are the Mercedes Benz of flashlights.

I need a small flashlight for work and have gone through many, many AA sized flashlights. I just noticed these 2AA LED Maglites in the stores and decided to try one out.

I wasn't sure how bright it would be because besides the 3 Watt label, Mag doesn't really state the brightness of the light. When I got home I was pleasantly surprised. This light is at least 5 times brighter than a regular 2AA Maglite and it is also brighter than any other (including LED) flashlights I have used.

And what matters more, compared to the regular bulb Maglites, the beam on the LED light focuses perfectly to an even circle. No more dark areas.

The one thing I miss is the little hole in the endcap which can be used for lanyards or keyrings. Also the LED version is a tad bit longer than the bulb version, but for the huge performance gain, I'll gladly have a slightly larger flashlight.

I can't comment on the battery usage yet, as I haven't had to change batteries yet, a good sign... And I am so glad that I don't have to worry about the little bulbs burning out every so often anymore.

I can highly recommend this light, it's well worth the money if you need a good flashlight. I do wish that the other colors were available as shown on Mag's website. Amazon or any other local stores just seem to have the black version.

The first one I had was black, just like Model-T. Being dark and inside my dark overalls pocket, I forgot about it until it fell. It fell couple more times since. It is still working. It is a good size to go inside the tool box permanently. The size is also small enough to go inside where only your hand can reach. Sometimes in my line of work in seismic oil exploration I need to do come cabling, the Mini helps to get the connection right.

Bought a few more Mag lights since the first one, seeing as it is tough and rain proof. But when I travel it is the Mini that comes along instead of the Mag Solitaire because the AA size batteries is the most universally available battery you can find in most countries.

Torch (flashlight to you guys in US) is like penknives, tend to need it in an emergency. So one lives with the Leatherman, one in the car glove box, the old one still in the tool box.

Yeah, I have held the torch in my lips too in the past but now recommend a headband by Nite Ize to turn it into a headlamp. Another item worth considering if you go hiking a lot is the Nite Ize "Pock-its". This is a holster for Mini Mag Light and Leatherman, spare batteries.

I bought 2 of these flashlights, and both stopped working within 2 days of purchase. Why can't maglite use the rear push switch like so many others?

Hey, for all you people reading this out there! If your looking for a Mini Flashlight, then there's no better product then this! I give this product 5 stars because of it's quality, size, durability, and it's Lightweight! It's great for lighting up those dark spots where you cant see. Also a great present for kids!