Yeah, but if it worked 20 years ago, then it still works now. Not as bright as modern torches, but bright enough to do a job. The world hasn't got any darker. All that has changed is our expectations, which now seem to be to see perfectly and clearly over long distances in the dark.
If the OP wants to use a maglite, then he should. maglites still work. Just because other torches are brighter and/or cheaper doesn't change that.
No doubt maglites work.
If you can get a light that's brighter, lighter, battery lasts longer, cheaper to run, has a better beam pattern all for the same money then it does sort of beg the question why bother with the old maglite.
Your spot on with only our expectations changing.
Thing is though i can struggle around under my car with a mini maglite, not really being able to see properly OR i can douse the entire area with a glow of light and make my life a LOT easier.
It's really a case of biting off your nose to spite your face.
I could buy say a Model T Ford to get to work and back.
But if i can buy a car for the same money that's more efficient, safer, faster, more comfortable and still fun to drive i'd have to be a bit mental not to move on as technology moves on.
I have maglites.
I have one of those massive 6 cell jobbies, several minimags and a couple of solitaires.
I've used them stock and i've used them upgraded.
As a rough example my SC600 dramatically brighter, batteries last longer, LED lasts longer than the bulbs, has a far better beam pattern, all this and it easily fits in my pocket.
If people want to continue using their maglites then that's entirely up to them, some people still drive model T's as well.
If i'm advising someone though i'll try and give the best advice i can from my own personal experiences.
In my experience my opinion is, it's a waste of money messing about with maglites in 2012.
I own a lot of Mags and I think it says a lot that only one of them is upgraded.
On my converted mag if the led goes, it has a bulb. What do led torches do when the led goes?
I get the advantage of Led torches, they last longer, and you can carry more of them because they tend to be smaller.
To be honest I am leaning towards a led headlamp, a candle/oil lantern, and my two mags as back up.
I've been using LED lights for a few years now.
I carry a LED light with me daily.
I've used LED lights extensively from mountain biking to free diving.
My TK35 has been dropped down a 100m cliff face, looked like it bounced on every rock on the way down, apart from a small dent there is hardly a scratch on it, and 1 year on it still works.
I'm tough and expect a lot from my torches but i still have yet to have a LED fail on me.
Of course anything can and will eventually fail, so i take a small backup torch with me.
Should also say i've gotten through 2 maglite bulbs in a 16 hour shift before now.
Granted the light was banged about a fair bit, but no less than i have down for 2 off years with my SC600 and that still works.
Should also add that it's not just the advent of LED technology that's moved things on, it's also battery chemistry and technology.
I have a a 7.2v 4300mAh NiMh pack of cells that weighs just over 400g.
One of my 7.4v 6000mAh LiPo packs weighs just over 300g.
The LiPo is capable of 50c bursts, with the NiMh you'd be lucky to see 10c.
The only thing holding LED torches back right now is heat dissipation.
Ok i understand not everyone wants a wall of light when they go out at night.
BUT my 2000+ lumen torches also have the ability to drop down to 20 lumens and lower if need be, and at 20 lumens my TK70 runs for 168 hours on 1 set of batteries, PLUS you have 2200 lumens available at the click of a switch if need be.
The only really negative even a fussy person could aim at LED's is the tint is not as natural as an incandescent, but we now have a good tint selection for many torch models in a range.
