UPDATE July 2005: This adapter is now available in a High Dome Luxeon, which appears to have become the new standard configuration. See bottom of page for more information on the High Dome version.

Short Description:

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

The TerraLUX MiniSTAR2 unit appears to be a disk of aluminum with a circuit board and a side-emitting Luxeon Star 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 with 50% brightness attained after 7 hours of use from 2 AA alkaline batteries (per the graphs provided by TerraLUX.)

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!).

Detailed Information:

There are quite a few Minimag bulb replacement modules out on the market right now. It may take a little searching, but they number in the double digits. The TerraLUX MiniSTAR2 is the first one I have seen that not only uses a powerful Luxeon Star LED as a light source and a regulator to control output to the LED, but also installs just like a regular minimag bulb with no removal of the switching mechanism. A new, shorter, reflector is provided to permit this type of install. The current run of reflectors are standard Mag reflectors that have been machined down to fit properly, but TerraLUX is planning on providing their own after-market reflectors soon.

The MiniSTAR2 module appears to be a sturdy little thing, well constructed and engineered. Terralux has their own reflectors made for the MiniSTAR2 which replace 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.

The switch acts 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.

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. TerraLUX, as well as others, call this "Moon Mode".

A reputable third party ran a runtime test on the TerraLUX Ministar2 and found that the runtime to 50% brightness was just about 5 hours, not 7 as advertised. A rapid drop in output occured just after 5 hours per the test.

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

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 side emitting LEDs.

Other Things I Noticed: The LED does not remain centered in the reflector when you twist the head, but this really has no impact on output. Also, 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: Brilliant! 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. It really makes the stock bulb in the light look like a total joke, and is a very worthwhile upgrade in my opinion.

Quick Facts Table:

UPDATE July 2005: This adapter is now available in a High Dome Luxeon (see below). The result is a more traditional beam with a central hotspot and wide surround beam. I do not yet know if this new version will replace the previous version, above.

Runtime Plot:

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