MAGLITE XL200 REVIEW & XL50 COMPARISON W/ NIGHT BEAMSHOTS

[KnifeFanattic]

On the website it says the xl200 isnt like the xl 100 where you turn it for dimness and high, it just like the xl 50 with just quick clicks ? it is quick clicks to activate the modes right?

[missourioregon]

i prefer the xl 50 because it's easier to operate. As an L.E.O. I find in a stressful situation I will remember better muscle memory to simply click the tail cap. Not to mention if you have to pass the torch to another person, you dont have to explain how to rotate the light for brightness. something I hope is but into the maglite tac light.

[Richsifu7]

@missourioregon Understandable. Same goes for those in the military as well. They also always want the light to come on at full power first try and can't be concerned about modes and the like in a tactical situation. Thanks.

[missourioregon]

@Richsifu7

which is one thing I like about the xl50. high, low, storbe. the only thing that i like about the xl 200 is the brighter high. by the way, i couldn't find any info on the "new" tactical light they're developing.

[Richsifu7]

@missourioregon Nor can I or anyone else.. they're quite slow about updating their website too. They only added info on the XL200 6-8 months after it was already for sale on the internet. I only found it because I happened across a review on a website, otherwise I would have been clueless about it. I have a link in the description about the new MagTac light with pictures of it and some other info from CandlePowerForums.

[ookushon]

The video is very informative. Does anyone know how fast the strobe speed can go? How many flashes a second? Thanks!

[Richsifu7]

@ookushon I'm not sure on the exact speed but it is right up there with the fastest strobes I've seen. It look to be between 20-25 cycles per second at max speed, possibly as high as 30.

[ookushon]

@Richsifu7 Thanks for you reply! I could not find any of this information on Maglite website. Can you lock the strobe pace at a certain speed for constant cycles, or as you need to hold it in your palm, the speed varies all the time?

[Richsifu7]

@ookushon With any of the functions you can only vary it as you are holding down the button. Once it's at the brightness, strobe speed, etc..that you want..you just release the button and it will stay that level until you change it, or until you unscrew the back. Once the tailcap loses power, then all setting go back to maximum by default.

[Caterpillar86]

The strobo mode, helped me to secure an area where I had a car accident. Cars come at high speed, but when they started seeing the blinking light they started braking. It helped because cars come from a blind angle.

Thx Maglite!

[Richsifu7]

@Caterpillar86 That's a great story. You should go to Maglite.com and post that under their testimonials. The variations in the brightness, the ability to change the speed of the strobe from fast to slow and anywhere in between and the silent fast one/off are the main reasons I don't go anywhere without this light. I can put it on a nice slow strobe as an adjunct to my very bright bike like for greater night visibility, or when changing a tire, walking on a dark road, etc. Thanks.

[Caterpillar86]

@Richsifu7 I completely agree.

And I will write on Maglite.com as soon as possible

[Caterpillar86]

@Richsifu7 Done!!

[Richsifu7]

@Caterpillar86 Great, nice going.

[conrad0102]

Any news on the new light that is mentioned in your annotation? Good review by the way, I want one!

[Richsifu7]

@conrad0102 Check the above reply to lWhatSeriouslyl who asked about that yesterday. I have a link in the description to a picture of the light in candle power forums, though I've not heard anymore about it from Maglite themselves and there is nothing on their website about it either, thanks.

[lWhatSeriouslyl]

did the flashlight you talked about already come out? i have a 144 lumen coleman max and i want more power since i live in a neighborhood were lots are approximately 40,000 sqft each so i need a lot of power to illuminate my whole yard . Thank You.

[Richsifu7]

@lWhatSeriouslyl I have not heard anything from them about it and there is nothing new about it on their website. I've posted a link to it in the description on Candlepower forums.

If you need a LOT of light, then check out websites like DealExtreme or Dinodirect. They have a lot of lights that are much brighter for the same or less, especially ones that run on 18650 or CR123 batteries. Check out videos by GoingGear here on Youtube for hundreds of light videos.

[partidroid]

Good review. Thanks for sharing.

[akman45304]

doesn't seem like it would be a very good service light

[enjoimetallica]

6:09 what in the hell was that?

[Richsifu7]

@enjoimetallica Not sure what "that" you are referring too. If you mean the black thing against fence in the back....that's a black garbage bag used for the lawn. If something else, explain further pls.

[enjoimetallica]

@Richsifu7 the noise in the background, kinda freaky

[Richsifu7]

@enjoimetallica That is road noise....just cars going by on the road near the house is all.

[bro41189]

Wait so to dim it or brighten it you can just tilt it? that to me seems like a Con because if you cand stay level then it would jump around between dim and bright ... if im wrong please correct me it just seems like a pain in the but

[Richsifu7]

@bro41189 Not exactly tilt it...you rotate the flashlight while holding down the button in the back. Then when it's at the setting you want, you release the button and it will stay at that setting. All the setting will stay where you set them until you change them, or unless you remove the tailcap, at which time the settings will restore to their default levels.

[bro41189]

@Richsifu7 Thanks yea i figured that out after i watched a few other videos on the xl150 or something. Im strongly considering getting this light tho i think it'd really be a great thing to use in the feild (Residential Electrical) and it wuold be an all around good light

[Richsifu7]

@bro41189 It's certainly good for that. Or you can get one of the nice headlamps as well so that you can work hands free, along with the maglite, etc.

[rayfoisel]

but you have Maglite XL200 has Cree XP-G Led is very bright that XL50 & XL100 has Rebel Luxen Led I brought this New XL50 104 Lumens from Store $24 will can't find it XL200 also that Focus Adjustment Flood & Spot & My Old Mini Maglite Led 2AA to have 3 Hours with 3 Watt Luxeon

[daxoo2]

stupid question how is the xl200 compaired to the 3 d cell led on brightness

[Richsifu7]

@daxoo2 If you mean a standard incandescent 3D cell, that one is about 70 lumens while the Xl200 is 172lumens. Though the larger lights will have much further throw, so if that's something you need, then opt for one of the newer LED 3D Cell mags that are around 110 lumens from the LED but will throw several hundred meters or more.

[daxoo2]

@Richsifu7 i mean the 3d led

[Richsifu7]

@daxoo2 yea sorry, you said that originally.. I missed it for some reason...probably doing 2 things at once, ha. I don't have a 3D cell LED Mag so I can't say for sure. Others on here have said that it's quite bright so it's likely as bright or brighter and will certainly throw further, but of course it's far larger so depending on your needs in regards to size and throw will determine which one is best.

[iMaKeUsHoOk]

These are REALLY good lights, and a great value. Maglite did well on these lights. Both of them are great models. I own both and wouldn't want to part with neither. Great review! Thank you so much for sharing.

[Richsifu7]

@iMaKeUsHoOk Yes, they're both good and they're coming out with a higher version in January of 2012, so we'll see how good that one does too. Thanks.

[iMaKeUsHoOk]

@Richsifu7 Good stuff, do you know any info about that new model yet? Is there anything online about it?

[Richsifu7]

@iMaKeUsHoOk No, nothing online. All I know about it so far is what I posted in the annotation there. I've queried my contact at Maglite for more info like the price, size, what kind of batteries, etc. I wish that they would come out with a version that can take both the AAA lights and an 18650 battery for far greater run time. I have some lights that have both capabilities and it's very helpful. So far the new light sounds like it will be very good. But they still need a 500-600lm light.

[Richsifu7]

@iMaKeUsHoOk I've heard back from Maglite. They said that the new Mag will have a three position switch, mom/hi/strobe or mom/hi/lo. Price will be between $60 & $75 retail out in January 2012

[iMaKeUsHoOk]

@Richsifu7 awesome thank you so much for not forgetting about me :). I just saw some of their other new lights out like the new mini maglites..pretty impressive! I'm looking forward to seeing that new XL in 2012!

[coog7896]

Thanks for the review buddy, great job.

[thegoldenhurricane]

Great in depth video Bro. I ordered mine a couple of days ago. Thank u and god bless.

[Richsifu7]

@thegoldenhurricane Great. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Even though I have other lights that blow it away in terms of brightness, I still never leave home without it simply because of it's versatility, the dimming and other features, brightness and the fast silent soft touch switch which is unique to Maglite as far as I've seen so far. Thanks.

[schwinnprotocol]

yeah when I charge my energizer I usually get them to 1.45v it would be cool if they could make 1.5 rechargbles

[Richsifu7]

@schwinnprotocol I agree on the 1.5v rechargeables. I've always wondered why their voltages were so much lower than disposables. I get the higher voltages with Energizers too, but I've noticed that they make the light a bit brighter, they also drain a bit faster too. That's why I like the Duracells more, while you don't get as much brightness on the high end, you get a more steady light with a less steep voltage curve and thus a little more light at the higher end.

[boss42971]

What happens if it's dark and you can't see what mode you're in when you turn it on?

[Richsifu7]

@boss42971 That's what's good about the XL200, you don't have to see anything. You know the mode you're in by what the light is doing, whether strobing, if it's very low in the "night light" mode, etc. If you're not sure, just click it once to turn it off, then again tot turn it back on to the default main mode. It chooses the mode by the number of times you click it, not whether that mode is facing 12O'clock as with the XL100, so it's far easier to get to any mode in total darkness fast.

[schwinnprotocol]

are your recharble bats 1.2v ?

[Richsifu7]

@schwinnprotocol Yes, though when you fully charge them they're usually closer to 1.4v, 1.394 to be exact I've gotten out of the 1000ma Duracells.

[dragunov820]

2:40 is SOS right?

[Richsifu7]

@dragunov820 If you meant 4:40, then yes... 2:40 is the variable strobe.

[SaudadeSunday]

Excellent review, I purchased on on sale from ChiefSupply for about $22. Unfortunately, the first two modes do not function as you have shown in your video. The accelerometer does work, though, since the night light and signal functions work as you showed.

Oh well, it's still a great, bright flashlight.

[arcadefreak37]

Just got the XL200 and since I modded the head of the XL50 I didn't have to do much but swap the head and tail from the XL50 to the XL200. What I did was drop in three ar coated lenses I purchased from flashlight lens dot com and dropped in an op reflector and the head fit perfectly snug. I prefer the XL50 tail because it doesn't have any writing on it. In plain english I created a badazz 3aaa flashlight I now carry on the job. Along with a maxpedition gear sheath that sits sideways on my belt.

[Richsifu7]

@arcadefreak37 Good info, thanks. I might check out that website myself.

[Richsifu7]

Where did you get a Maglite OP reflector from? I don't see that on the site. thx.

[arcadefreak37]

@Richsifu7 I shopped for that. Between eBay, dealextreme, kaidomain and lightake you can find those hard to find reflectors.

[ajsy1031]

can this fit a standard flashlight mount and is it waterproof???

[arcadefreak37]

Beam is set to flood. I have four lenses in there. Two are acrylic pf-99, one is ar coated and the other is the collimator. This makes for a very floody beam with no rings. The XL 200 will make a great addition as I will be interchanging the parts.

[Clnlattila]

nice review

thanks for the info

will buy it

[thepowerfulnews]

I find the 4th mode kinda odd.

[thepowerfulnews]

Just found out to change your brightness you must hold while turning for anyone wanting to know.

[TheCrushmaster]

Looks like a pretty good light...Though it does look quite complicated, as well.

Good review. God bless.

[Richsifu7]

@TheCrushmaster Thanks. The XL100 was the one that was really complicated, that's why they made the 200 much simpler with the click mechanism instead. You don't need to wade through any of it to use it. Just click it one to turn it on and another off. A few minutes of playing with it and you'll have it down. Same to you.

[TheCrushmaster]

@Richsifu7 That's good to hear! Thanks.

[minskwatcher]

By the way, can you check one thing please? Try exchanging tail caps between xl50 and xl200 (well and xl100 if you got one). Will they work that way?

[Richsifu7]

@minskwatcher Yes, It does work. I had already tried it the next day after I got it, they are interchangeable and it does turn the XL50 into an XL200 with all the same features, minus the 172 lumens of the XL200. 

[arcadefreak37]

@Richsifu7 That's awesome. I like the xl50 features minus the lumen output. So I can use the xl200 with the xl50 tailcap. Badazz flashlight. What about the head on the xl50 and xl200? Are they interchangeable? If so I alrady modded my head on the xl50 with an ar coated lens and collimator. A real floody beam with no rings.

[Richsifu7]

@arcadefreak37 Yes the heads are also interchangeable, along with the battery cases too, in case that matters, lol. Basically all they really did is upgrade the LED light and improve the tailcap switching program on it, Other than that, they XL50 and 200 are really identical. Nice on the collimator. Did you buy that or have it made, or do it all yourself? Can you adjust the beam from tight spot to flood now or is it fixed as a flood?

[raymountains119]

I have a cuestion... what is the best? XL50 XL100 or XL200

[Richsifu7]

@raymountains119 They're all good. I can't speak personally for the XL100 since I don't own one, but many people have found the mode mechanism annoying and unpractical, that is why they combined the click method of the XL50 with the options of the XL100 but made it easier to access. I find clicking through the modes with clicks no problem myself. If you're just looking for a simple bright, effective light without as much fluff, the XL50 is your choice. If you want more power and features, XL200.

[raymountains119]

@Richsifu7 thank's man.

[raymountains119]

Remember the block... thanks for the review

[minskwatcher]

As a XL100 user, I can say that xl200 with modes selection by click number is way more useful than all controlled by accelerometer. Now there is no need even to try to remember a specific position for choosing a certain mode. Going for xl200. And the strobe at full brightness can help to wake up almost anyone in the morning. Thx for review:)

[Richsifu7]

@minskwatcher Nice, thanks for your additional info. The XL200 is great. I put some new Energizer rechargeables in it and it's nearly as bright as a car headlight, almost, but it sure lights up the way very well..overall it's impressive and fun.

[minskwatcher]

@Richsifu7 hm, strange... In a few reviews people say you shouldn't use rechargeables due to possible overcurrent and therefore risk of burning the flashlight. But well if it works really noticeably brighter and doesn't burn out, I should give it a try.

[Richsifu7]

@minskwatcher I don't really see how that can be since rechargeables have a lower voltage than standard alkaline or Lithium batteries. If any batteries might burn it out I would think it would be Lithium's because of their slightly higher initial voltage which is sometimes close to 1.8 volts, so putting 3 of them in a Maglite is overdriving the light by nearly 1volt.Rechargeables are usually around 1.35-1.4 volts full charged but maintain peak power longer so you get more useful light time. thx.

[jjdjjdjjdjdjdjjdjdjd]

Battery life (source: maglite.com)

XL 200: 2h 30min (high)

XL 50: 8h 45min (high)

[Richsifu7]

@jjdjjdjjdjdjdjjdjdjd Correct. Though I've found that so far, I'm actually getting longer runtime with the XL200 than even with the XL50 using my rechargeables in both. Probably because I have the 200 dialed down to about 50% power or less all the time, since it's bright enough that even at half power, it's more than bright enough with a great beam pattern to serve most round the house or yard uses. I only turn it up on high if I'm in a very dark area like the woods or such. Thanks.

[jjdjjdjjdjdjdjjdjdjd]

@Richsifu7 Thanks bro, nice review. Can't go wrong with any Maglite model.

[jbeatles99]

@jjdjjdjjdjdjdjjdjdjd 4Sevens make superior lights

[jjdjjdjjdjdjdjjdjdjd]

@jbeatles99 I don't know 4Sevens but I think Maglite is good enough

[Richsifu7]

@jbeatles99 Yea, there are many far superior lights, for a Far superior price too. For the majority of people, most magites and other lights less than $50 are going to serve most peoples daily needs. thanks.

[AngeloR674]

@jjdjjdjjdjdjdjjdjdjd thats at different lumens

[PTRLAM888]

Thanks for the review. Nice & thorough.

[Richsifu7]

@PTRLAM888 Thank you. 

[teknotronik]

I am thinking about mounting one of these with a 1 in flashlight mount to my AMD-65 (AK-47) I have always loved Maglite. Just wondering how it would take the recoil. It does come with a lifetime warranty so I bet it would do just fine.

[Richsifu7]

@teknotronik They are made well, though they're not really designed for weapons fire. That doesn't mean it can't take it though. I've heard from some others that as long as you get a shockproof mount to help absorb the extra vibrations it works fine.

This light does have a nice spreading beam but is strong enough to see everything in a room or at a distance quite well. It should work great.

[Richsifu7]

@CJUS511TAC Yes, I agree. I'm also looking into the LED Lenser P7. That one has 200lm but the battery can last for something like 80 hours on high, pretty amazing. At least with the XL200 you can dial the power down to make it last far longer. That is what I usually do as even at half power or less it's still good enough for round the house use. Rechargeable batteries work best in the XL lights because the internal circuits adjust the power, using alkalines or lithium's don't make it brighter.

[AngeloR674]

@Richsifu7 amazon 29.99 cant beat it

[Richsifu7]

@CJUS511TAC Nice. I'm carrying mine all the time too. How are you liking yours so far?