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Reviewer's
Impressions:
The Opalec NewBeam modification for the MiniMag is very simple
to install and is very effective in turning a mediocre incandescent
flashlight into a long lasting and very handy LED light.
Now before you run out and buy this kit there are a couple
of things you need to know - not about this kit, the kit is
*great*, but about LED lights themselves if you are not familiar
with them. LED lights do not produce the "throw"
of incandescent lights. This means that they are not good
for spotlighting things which are a distance away. LED lights
are best used at distances of 0 - 50 feet. Think of it as
a tiny fluorescent lamp. LEDs produce a pleasant soft flood
of light in the direction they are pointed. They don't produce
a sharp focused beam for picking out a squirrel at the top
of a 30 foot tree. They will , however, produce light much
longer on a set of batteries than an incandescent bulb and
produce much "whiter" light, similar to how the
new GE Reveal lightbulbs produce whiter light than standard
lightbulbs.
As for this kit - what can I say? It's fantastic! Get one!
The MiniMag works exactly as it did before, except now you
have over 10 hours of battery life and the smooth flood-type
lighting you get from LEDs. Of course, the light output is
a bit dimmer than the incandescent, but you'll appreciate
the fact that there are no "holes" and "rings"
in the beam when you need to work in those close to medium-range
distances.
Runtime Test: Runtime appears to be just as advertised.
Runtime
completed with Duracell batteries. More information on runtime
plots is available HERE.
The modification is completely reversible as well. So if
you go camping and need to get the longer throw of an incandescent
light, you can keep your old reflector, bulb and bulb plate
in an old film container and have it switched back to the
old configuration in less than a minute. However, I'm willing
to bet you won't ever switch it back!
Also, if your MiniMag gets destroyed, but you are able to
retrieve it, just remove the LED kit and put it in your new
MiniMag. Unless the module or retaining ring are damaged it
will continue to work just fine!
Although this is a modification to an existing light and
not a light in itself, I've decided to rate the module as
if it was its own light. 5 Stars for innovation, solid design,
and making one of the most popular flashlights in the world
even better!
UPDATE June 2003: Making the best even better? Yes,
Opalec hasn't been idle. I've been informed that Opalec has
made some improvements to the circuit and is keeping up with
the white LED industry by incorporating the newer, brighter
LEDs in their module. A new module sent for review reveals
a slightly brigher beam overall with a slightly more bluish
tinge.
NOTE: There is a compatibility issue with older Maglights.
Please check this page to see if your current Minimag is compatible
before getting the module: http://www.opalec.com/support.html
Otherwise you may have to purchase a new Minimag after you
get the Opalec.
+ + + Pluses: Very easy to install, Modification is
reversable, Runs on standard AA batteries, Constant brightness
for 10 hours, Durable, Low voltage warning
- - - Minuses: Not a bright as the incandescent bulb
it replaces (but the batteries last much longer), Good for
close to medium range illumination tasks only (as is typical
with almost all LED lights), A little expensive for the average
consumer but reasonable for an LED light with a step-up circuit.
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