So, you're just not happy with white light, eh? Have to have a little variety do we? Hmmmmmm? Well I've got your variety right here, pal! How about 7, yes count them, 7 different colors of TLE-5 for your MiniMag flashlight.

The TerraLUX TLE-5 (MiniSTAR2) is a MiniMag bulb replacement unit that utilizes a Luxeon I LED and regulator circuit to provide much better output than the standard incandescent bulb provided with the light.

This replacement bulb unit gives much brighter output than the standard incandescent bulb, is impervious to shock and impacts, and allows the MiniMag to operate the same as it did before the conversion. The conversion is 100% reversible (although I don't know why you would ever want to!)

These modules were received in bulk without the normal retail packaging. The normal packaging includes the replacement reflector needed to operate these units in a MiniMag.

Although only the colored modules were received, the supplier also sells the white version.

Body: The TLE-5 unit appears to be little more than a disk circuit board with a Luxeon I LED perched on top. Underneath are two pins for installation in the MiniMag bulb socket. Tucked under the board is the TerraLUX PowerPush regulator circuit that provides semi-regulated output for many hours of use from 2 AA alkaline batteries.

Bezel/Head: These units come with their own reflector in the package which replaces the mag reflector. Once you remove the old reflector and drop in the new one, and remove the old bulb and drop in the module in its place, you should be ready to go! If the module doesn't light when you install it, pull it out, turn it 180 degrees and reinstall. Reassemble the head of the light and start using your upgraded MiniMag.

Output: The white light produced by the LED is a high color temperature and produces good color rendition weighted toward the blue end of the spectrum. A slight purplish tint is detectable when compared against a near sunlight-white source, but this tinting is not noticeable during normal use.

   
Red, Red-Orange

   
Amber (appears less orange in reality), Green

   
Cyan, Blue

   
Royal Blue, White (not tested here) for reference

All beams at one meter at target center

Runtime Plot: This is the typical runtime for a WHITE module, which was not tested in this review, but was tested HERE.

Runtime completed with Duracell batteries. More information on runtime plots is available HERE.

The regulator circuit actually produces what is more accurately called "semi-regulated" output. Fully regulated output really is flat, unchanging output until the batteries become very depleted, at which point output drops rapidly. Semi-regulated output tends to provide good output that slowly diminishes until the batteries become very depleted, and then it drops rapidly to a very low level. Either way, at the end of the battery life the circuit usually continues to provide minimal light from the LED, giving the user enough light and time to find a new set of batteries.

Switch: The switch acts mostly as it did before. Twist the head to turn it on, keep twisting the head to change the focus, reverse the twist to turn it off. The beam is rather diffuse, so I don't know that it really is necessary to focus the light from a "spot" to "flood" pattern. I have found that as soon as the light comes on it is pretty well set at the optimum focus for most use.

Seals / Water Resistance: Same as a standard MiniMag. If it gets wet inside, just disassemble as much a possible without tools and let it dry before using again.

Ergonomics: Same as a standard MiniMag.

Batteries: Although the MiniMag body is designed for 2 AA cells, the modules are designed to run on either 1 or 2 alkaline cells (1.5 to 3.0 volts).

Accessories:

What I Liked: Tough/impact resistant, Semi-Regulated/long battery life, Bright, Easy install and reversible modification.

What I Didn't Like: Cannot really be focused into a tight spot. This is a common issue with LEDs in small reflectors.

Picky Little Things: The instructions warn against over-tightening the head of the light when you turn it off. Make sure the head is snug, and then stop.

Conclusions: A very nice upgrade for the Minimag which provides greater output, longer battery life, is shockproof (no more blown bulbs when you drop it!) and is easy to install. Great for special-purpose uses!

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