Solitaire Single Cell AAA Flashlights Solitaire AAA Replacement

The last thing you want is a light that can't help you find your way around in the dark, especially when it's really dark. Even if it's a pocket light....you need some sufficient light.

Whenever someone says, "Maglite", a lot of people smile or go "Yeah!", and that's understandable. I think Mag's are cool too! Maglite's are 'usually' thought of as those big and awesome police flashlights. Some people also think of the AA Maglite, which has been very popular in the last while, and can be found carried in purses, glove compartments, knapsacks, etc. And then there are some people (not too many) who think of the Solitare AAA Mini Maglite, or "Mini Mag".

It's only need for power is a single AAA battery. The Mini Mag has the same machined aluminum jacket like all the other Maglite models, so this little light is tough. Also, it also goes from spot to flood mode with a twist of the head. At the back of it's frame is a small loop that can fit a lanyard that can be attached to your keychain. Guess you don't need this feature on any large Maglite. Imagine those on a keychain!

The high intensity T1 bulb (also used in the AA version) is a disappointment. This bulb can easily pop at the wrong moment, especially when you need it most (good thing there's a spare bulb in the tailcap). It also produces enough light for not much more than a closet, and JUST THAT. Want more bad news? Out of all the Maglite family, this one is the most thirsty. The single battery doesn't take long to die out, or at least fade out. After a good twenty minutes or so of use, this little light dims fast.

Oh, sure. A lot of people buy it for a number of reasons:

1. It's a cute little 'Maglite'.
2. It comes in a few cool colours.
3. Since it's a Maglite, people expect this to be bright.
4. It's a Maglite, isn't it?

My friend once took his girlfriend camping a few summers back, and with their 6V lantern, he thought of bringing his Mini Mag with him....just in case. Good thing he did. After a few hours into their trip, their lantern stopped working after it took a meager tumble. They needed to get to their car, which was about 200 meters away in the dark, and with no lights around them, he remembered his Mini Mag at the last minute. He knew it wasn't a great light, but it did light up some of the ground under their feet....and then a tad more ahead of them (just a tad). Huh. I guess it redeemed itself in that and a few other moments in people's everyday, uh, everynight lives. It can get you out of a pinch, and that's it.

The Mini Mag can be found in may places, especially Canadian Tire, Walmart, Home Depot, novelty shops, etc. It probably won't ever lose it's coolness factor, and maybe that's why it'll be around for a long time. It already has been (about 15 years). There is a better option out there for all you shoppers. Garrity has a wonderful long lasting LED keychain light that can light up a room thanks to it's fish eye lens. I was surprised at how well it performs, even for a LED light.

The Solitare Mini Mag is a small, tough, cool little light that doesn't perform as well as it really should. If there's ever a need for one of these, I'll let you know. Probably not for a long, long, time.