Yes, but in many applications it can be more than justified.
Not true. For example, have a look at the following review on the
EverLED--a regulated high intensity LED that is a direct drop in
replacement for a normal "PR" type flashbulb and will work with anything
from 1 to 6 cells. With a standard 2 cell flashlight it has nearly 3
times the throw and 3 times the total light output (these are different)
of a standard bulb (not to mention that the batteries will last 4-7
times longer with it! Don't forget the cost of batteries). Notice that
it also has a diffuse type dispersion pattern so it WILL focus with a
Mag's adjustable lens.
I agree on some points, disagree on others. The lifetime of the LED is
much greater, saving bulb replacement. But the Luxeon Star takes 350
mA, and it will eat up batteries just as fast as a regular bulb. You
say 4 to 7 times longer, but it may be a lot less than that. And it's
$40, which is much more than a good maglite costs.
The problem it that even though there are many different types of LED
based flashlites on the market, most of them at present are marketing
gimmicks and just plain garbage. There are some that are truely
innovative--a little expensive but comparable to the many other LED
models out there and many of them aren't evwen sold in retail stores
yet. There are some really good ones. ARC's most recent model (the
ARC4+) is only about 3 inches long, fits in your pocket, and on its
highest setting (it has 16), it is as bright as a tactical flashlight
(much brighter than, say, a 6 D cell Maglight--it uses the new Luxeon
star LED I believe).
The sacrifice many small flashlights make is they use lithium batteris,
which are smaller and lighter than alkalines, but cost more per wat of
power. So if you're a heavy user, you will pay much more. The cheapest
is to get rechargeable C or D cells, and carry a spare charged set. I
haven't yet seen a drop-in rechargeable replacement for a lithium cell
such as the CR-123.
I have an ARC AAA myself. It is almost as bright, more white, more
evenly lit than a mini-Mag with 2 AA batteries in it. Furthermore, the
ARC AAA uses
I have both, right in my hand, and I don't believe what you're saying.
The Arc AAA is only a single LED, the AA cell mini maglite has much more
light output.
only 1 AAA battery and will go for nearly 7 hours before starting to
dim--the AA Mag will only last about 1.5 to 2 hours before dropping to
that level.
That's because the maglite's regular bulb puts out more light and uses
more power.
Furthermore, the LED is rated to last for 30,0000 hours or more. How many
Mag-light bulbs at $4 apiece would you replace in that period of time?
That's the main advantage of LEDs, they last longer. And they don't
change to yellowish amber light when the batteries get weak.
For more information that is likely better than hearsay, check out the
LED discussion groups at:
Yeah, hearsay, that's what I call much of your information. :-O