Nite Ize MagLite upgrades

Submitted by Alan

Nite Ize (niteize.com) makes at least one push-button tailcap for AA Maglites, along with 1-watt LED upgrades.

REI carries a combo of the "IQ switch" and LED (item 760026) for $20:

They also have a simple switch and LED combo (item 737322) for $9 and the plain IQ switch for $8 (item 743038).

Note that the IQ switch might not be suitable for military use; it includes a low-power blinking LED in the replacement tailcap. I didn't see a non-illuminated alternative on their website.

ED -- Alan, Thanks for the info.  Items # 737322 and 743038 from the REI catalog appear to be Nite Ize products, and given the numerous products Nite Ize offers, I'd seriously recommend skipping the middleman and going straight to them for your maglite upgrades.

Check out Nite Ize here

Comments

[Eight4]

I picked up one of the tailcap and triple led sets at a gunshow a while back. The light produced is significantly "whiter" as is to be expected. It should be noted that because of the change in geometry of the reflector you lose the ability to adjust from beam to spot, you are stuck with spot only. I don't have any problems with the tailcap switch, the button does protrude a bit but has never caused me an accidental on ... of course if my life depended on it I might be a bit more picky about that.

[rj]

I've had good luck with their headbands for holding AA & AAA mags. Even though it is velcro, I've had mine for several years and not had it wear out. The nicest thing is that the dot stays where you are looking which is really the only place you need it.

[Gomez Addams]

By the time you've paid for a Minimag ($10) plus a GOOD upgrade (~$20, there are several to choose from, and some of them suck) you've just about paid for a Streamlight Luxeon Jr.

The Streamlight is roughly the same form factor, has a really good lifetime warranty, is brighter than any of the MagLite upgrades I've seen tested (Candlepower Forums or the now-defunct Flashlight Reviews) and is just better built overall. It can be had for $30 - $40. The main difference is that the Streamlight doesn't have adjustable focus. I was pretty leery of that, having used Minimags for literally decades, but I soon found that the nice flat beam profile (a medium-wide spot or narrow flood, take your pick of wording) with side spill works very well for me. YMMV.

[Michael]

I can say that the IQ Switch is a good idea and works well on a fresh set of batteries. If stored for any amount of time the brightness diminishes greatly. The blinking red light puts a big drain on the batteries.

IMHO go for the pushbutton switch and not the IQ Switch until the manufacture comes out with a fix.

[tom]

The upgrade for the mini mag light is well worth it if you have a old one lying around the house and want to make it more user friendly, and give it more battery life. Otherwise spend the money and get a stream light stinger which has rechargeable batteries and way more light for only a modest increase in size.

[tom]

The upgrade for the mini mag light is well worth it if you have a old one lying around the house and want to make it more user friendly, and give it more battery life. Otherwise spend the money and get a stream light stinger which has rechargeable batteries and way more light for only a modest increase in size.

[Bruce Lancaster]

Couple of things about this kit...the simple on-off one, not the IQ with all those blinking modes. The Maglite's original screw-type switch is still there, and serves as a safe off when the light is stored away. With it in "on" position, the pushbutton controls the action. Main benefits are MUCH easier one handed use and the ability to use the button as an intermittent switch, a feature I consider essential. Beam is not adjustable anymore, BUT does come on immediately with no annoying dark spot.