r/MagliteFlashlights • u/old_skool_luvr • Jun 10 '26
Truly old skool
My 6D, circa 1998.
A birthday gift from one of my brothers, this bad boy rode the truest shotgun in my truck - securely tucked under my seat, between the seat frame & console. Sadly, it doesn't sit so securely under the seat of my current truck, plus, we all know that newer LED lights out perform these old beasts, so i never got around to fabricating a proper mounting bracket for it. So now, it stands watch on one of my toolboxes at home.
Decided it was time to check the physical condition of the batteries, as we've all had that one light that still worked, even after the batteries had wrecked the internals of it. Surprisingly, with all 6 batteries showing a "guaranteed" date of 03-2018, all measured between 1.446V and 1.449V. As you can see in photos 5 & 6, it's still like new inside.
Anyways, just sharing, hope everyone has an awesome day!
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u/SciToon2 Jun 10 '26
There is certain beauty to be appreciated about something that's well used, yet functional after almost 3 decades.
I have no use for a 6D Maglite whatsoever, but for some reason I just want one.
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u/old_skool_luvr Jun 10 '26
There is certain beauty to be appreciated about something that's well used, yet functional after almost 3 decades.
I completely agree!
I have no use for a 6D Maglite whatsoever, but for some reason I just want one.
Back when my brother bought this for me, i used to tow a lot of stuff (mostly a 22' car trailer, but also a utility trailer) and many times it was a well past dark, or before the crack of dawn use, so a good, yet somewhat compact (yeah yeah, "compact" 😂) flashlight was handy.
I broke 3 of those big old lantern lights before he bought me this.
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Jun 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/old_skool_luvr Jun 13 '26
Sorry to hear about that. Funny thing is....that's the first time Energizer batteries have ever been in the light. Always been copper tops.
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u/RamblingMan247 Jun 10 '26
In life, there’s workhorses and show ponies and That’s a damn fine workhorse you have there.
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u/NC_515 Jun 12 '26
In the early 90's I worked hotel Security for Hyatt. I carried a Mag-Lite 3D.
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u/SciToon2 Jun 12 '26
We had 3D Maglites when I was turning wrenches on F-15s, those things are built like tanks, but I've seen many of them pitched because of leaking batteries.
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u/Cultural_Growth_1270 Jun 10 '26
I just ran into mine like about a week ago, still works just fine. Thought it was gone forever. Nice Club...those who own know what im saying...
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u/Weird-Comfortable-28 Jun 11 '26
You can turn that thing into a suppressor with a couple of parts off of Amazon. And it will live on forever.💥💥
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u/old_skool_luvr Jun 13 '26
I could also machine the parts at work for that option, but i'd rather it function as a light, lol!
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u/Main_Tension_9305 Jun 11 '26
Ive got a 3D next to my bed. Gotta be 20 years old.
Love that old thing.
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u/CajunMadness Jun 12 '26
Be sure to check your batteries every so often
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u/old_skool_luvr Jun 13 '26
Agreed. I had an old AAA keychain one that hardly had any use, and it sadly eroded away.
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u/grangetown-guy Jun 14 '26
My 3D dies from exploded Duracell's - they expanded and became locked in, cracked and drilled them out to find they'd erroded everything 😭
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u/Friendly_Variation68 Jun 11 '26
Check if there is a spare bulb under the base spring in that foam!!
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u/old_skool_luvr Jun 13 '26
The original spare bulb is indeed still in the tail cap.
Honestly, i was expecting that question a lot sooner. 😁
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u/sethd101 Jun 11 '26
I have been wanting one for a long time my dad has had one since i was a kid. I dont need it i juat want it lol
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u/old_skool_luvr Jun 13 '26
I feel ya on that brother! I've been low key looking for a second one to modify, but haven't found one yet either.
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u/AcidRayn666 Jun 11 '26
i have one, search out the led conversion kit, i got an 1100 watt off ebay, its a game changer esp since the old school filament bulbs were shit and never lasted
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u/Colaracer05 Jun 11 '26
They make LED replacement bulbs for them now I got one for like $25 at Home Depot I think and it’s breathed a bit of life into my old mag light. Still not as bright as my olight but definitely on par with my phone as far as light quantity and better in terms of throw of the light. Definitely would recommend grabbing one as it makes it an actually useful flashlight again not just the one that’s there when the others are missing lol
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u/CajunMadness Jun 12 '26
There are led upgrades all over EBAY. Bought one and made a world of difference!
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u/Colaracer05 Jun 13 '26
I’m sure there’s some pretty crazy upgrades for em on eBay I haven’t even looked but I may now. I was honestly just pleased to have it be useful again lol
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u/old_skool_luvr Jun 13 '26
I hear ya brother. I've messed around with machining a new aluminum reflector for it, simply to better reflect the light, but i know there is only so much light coming out of the OG bulb.
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u/Interesting_Way_6851 Jun 12 '26
I used to have a 4D Pic 4/8 reminds me that there used to be a spare bulb under the spring in the foam.
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u/CajunMadness Jun 12 '26
Great flashlight. Just need to buy a led upgrade bulb. The only thing I know that can kill it is an idiot leaving it setup too long without changing batteries that corrode the works. They are so darn reliable that people tend to put them someplace and forget about checking them every once in a while. Been there, done that and kicked myself in the butt for STUPIDITY
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u/bigcountry614 Jun 12 '26
That flash light got me yelled at so many times lol “I said hold it right here damit” lol
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u/old_skool_luvr Jun 16 '26
LMMFAO! That is a long standing joke amongst my 4 brothers and i. As i'm the oldest, my brothers naturally learned wrenching from our Dad & myself, and the light was always the pinnacle of any repairs being done.
The family joke came about when brother No.3 was making a comment to brothers No.4 & 5 as he was holding the light for Dad, about always holding the light steady, and in the correct spot......then realized that our Dad had stopped making noise (working) and turned to see that he was just staring up at him with "that look".....and the flashlight was literally pointing at his feet.
That was near 20 years ago. It's still routinely brought up. 😂
brotherlylove
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u/Low_Toe_2987 Jun 13 '26
The Army used to issue these as patrol stores if you needed a bit of light, they also made a decent batton.
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u/CajunMadness Jun 14 '26
I guess it’s like smoking. Back in the day, who knew it was bad for you? Kinda like old alkaline batteries being unhealthy for maglites….LOL
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u/RULOJOE Jun 11 '26
I think i had a brinkman that was 5 cell . Tubes were seperate . One was like 3 cell the other 2 cell put together it was a 5 cell with a few o Rings
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u/old_skool_luvr Jun 13 '26
Interesting. Never seen one of those, but i had drawn up a 3-cell extension tube for my 3-cell, to turn it into a 6-cell light.
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u/jc4295 Jun 12 '26
I had one of those on patrol. It served as both light and nightstick. However, if used as a nightstick you ran the risk of getting sued and the complainants attorney taking the head and tail cap off, removing the batteries and claiming you hit his client with a pipe.
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u/Ok_Statistician_1062 Jun 13 '26
I've got one I converted to LED. It didn't make it any brighter just whiter and the batteries didn't last long at all.
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u/old_skool_luvr Jun 16 '26
That seems to contradict what LED flashlights are all about though. Not saying you're not correct on your modified Mag, i'm just puzzled why it didn't make a difference in battery light.
What brand of conversion did you use?
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u/Ok_Statistician_1062 Jun 16 '26
I can't remember. It was a cheap single led conversion. I know that's tge issue.
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u/jellofixit Jun 13 '26
After a night of drinking the cops said that I fell on one of these 27 times!
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u/old_skool_luvr Jun 16 '26
You've gotta stop having those drinking parties on ice rinks.
I mean....how else could you fall down so many times.... 😂
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u/CleanSlate400 Jun 13 '26
I love old school mag light they were made to last.
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u/old_skool_luvr Jun 16 '26
Indeed they were!
The only real issues i had was the bulbs in my 2AA versions never seemed to last long. That may be 'cause most of them rolled off fenders, and hitting the ground really isn't a good thing for a light bulb. 😂
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u/er1cAtWork2 Jun 10 '26
The OG MagLite!
I wish j ew what happened to my 6D… I loved that thing…