Maglite Mini Maglite AAA Torch

this is the third maglite i have had to buy because they are so good everyone wants one and mine have been known to grow legs,but i now have one in a very nice shade of purple and no one that i work with has one in this colour.
as far as the torch go's this is one of those things that you have to own they are simply the best of there kid hard to damage easy to look after so if you want a torch that will work in any condition this is the one to go for.

I got given this twin AAA torch and like all my Maglites it's never failed (I've had it around 15 years now). Bulb replacement is a bit fraught finding the right one (each Maglite has a different voltage and the wrong bulb will go phut in the wrong torch). However the bulbs last fairly well [a few years] although they tend to get broken in exposed 'candle' mode by the kids (you unscrew the lens/focus bit and reveal the bare bulb - the torch sits in the removed bit as a holder and hey presto a glaring candle-light glow that won't light up anything other than the bulb itself. Candle mode is fun/cute rather than functional, particularly with this lower power Maglite. There's always a spare bulb provided, stored in the battery cap. The two AAA batteries last a short while, considerably less than the standard twin AA Maglite - and typically unbiquitus AA batteries are often far cheaper than AAA ones to buy. And that's the main problem with this Maglite, it's more expensive to run, produces a noticably weaker light beam and isn't a great deal smaller in size and weight as the twin AA version. This twin AAA is a bit big for the handbag and the twin AA is small enough for the pocket, drawer and car glove compartment. The twin AA is also a lot easier to find when rummaging about as well (and comes in just as many nice colours - red and black are my male favourites with gun metal grey a close second. For ladies handbags and key rings I'd recommend the bijou single AAA Maglite instead, that even comes in pink - but this is only any good for lighting up a small area close to the torch, e.g. the car door lock. For the rest of us the twin AA Maglite is by far the most practical version, even though it is a bit larger/heavier for the trouser/jacket pocket.

With batteries, this twin AAA version weighs in at about 55g to the twin AA's 110g, and it's 13cm long x 1.3cm/1.8cm wide compared to the AA's 14.5cm x 1.8/2.5cm width (yes it is a lot thinner and lighter). The twin AA Maglites beam is in a different league though and you could use it to walk the dog, whereas you'd be pushed to see the ground properly with this twin AAA version - although it's fine for fossocking about in the garage, lighting up the front door keyhole or as an inspection lamp. We have four Maglites (single AAA, twin AAA and two twin AA versions) and other plastic/cheap metal copies have come, failed and gone, but these four Maglites work as well now as when they new. More importantly the electrical off/on contact works perfectly and the batteries stay as fresh as new, stored unused in the torch (many cheap torches seem to drain batteries during storage, probably due to poor quality switches). OK the batteries aren't rechargeable, you need Duracell/Energiser quality alkaline ones, and use will produce a lot spent ones over the torches life-time (although Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries produce nastier disposal problems) and batteries aren't cheap (although the AA versions are often on special offer for large packs). However a Maglite torch might well last a life-time before it's final trip to recycling Nirvana - you'll probably lose it before it fails, and if you only use it occasionally the batteries will last. So other than the gripes above, another excellent reliable well-built torch from the Maglite range, and if you need a lower power [twin AAA] torch of this exact size and weight, a great buy.

I didn't like my maglite. The lumen strength was average and the battery usage was average. The bulbs do go and you have to replace them which I found fiddley and I bought some bulbs once which did not fit so wasted my money. Another time the prong broke on the bulb when I was trying to replace it. I don't recall having to replace bulbs with other torches (an added expense). After a few years of limited use something broke inside the torch and I ended up disposing of it. The one plus I give it is that I liked the candle mode (a nice feature to use) but I won't be purchasing a maglite again.