MAGLITE XL100 LED Flashlight, Black
- 5 selectable modes
- Variable power level
- Strobe rate settings
- High performance LED
- Tactical size with tail cap switch
Product Description
The Maglite XL100 3-Cell LED Flashlight is truly a breakthrough in flashlight technology! This handy little flashlight combines a mult-function LED light with a sleek, compact design. The XL100 features variable brightness settings, constant on, SOS, and adjustable blinking modes. This user-friendly handheld flashlight features a rotating barrel for quick activation and control of the variable brightness and strobe settings. A push button tailcap switch activates al… More >>
MAGLITE XL100 LED Flashlight, Black
Category: Home Improvement
I got one of these lights from Mag before they actually went on sale because I am one of their suppliers. I wasn’t immediately sold on it, it took me a little bit of using it before I was sold on it’s features. It has variable brightness modes, strobe modes, variable SOS modes, a very cool lockout mode so it can’t be turned on accidentally, and the usual twist-to-focus Mag usability. One thing that is very interesting is the motion-sensitivity of the light – you can vary the intensity just by rotating it in your hand. I did like the end cap switching setup, but I didn’t like the little plastic indicator in the middle of the cap that had a little detent that pointed to the modes, which are printed on the outer edge circle. Size-wise, it’s just about right – fits in the hand nicely. However, with no flare on the light end, it’s not always immediately apparent which way you are holding it, unlike the standard Maglites.
Another thing, the light has no method of attaching a lanyard, nor does it come with a holster. I know that a holster is being developed for the light, but will it be packaged with it or will it be sold separately? And will it be webbing or nylon with a flap? As it is, it certainly fits in the pocket easily enough. But for those who use lights in their work, a holster is an absolute necessity. These issues will be resolved at some point, but for now, all you get is the light.
Also, very different from all other Maglites, is the battery pack on this light. It is a plastic barrel that holds 3 AAA batteries, 120 degrees from each other. It is also the motion control device for the light if I am not mistaken. Since this unit would very likely be destroyed by battery acid leakage, I have to wonder about the longevity of this unit. Of course, Mag’s customer service department is outstanding, so that probably won’t be too much of an issue, but I found it somewhat disconcerting. Mag’s bread and butter is the fact that their lights are aluminum, and their durability is legendary because of that. So to find that a major component of the light is plastic is somewhat questionable. Also, as I mentioned, the plastic indicator insert in the end cap is of questionable quality. Maybe I’m just being picky because I know how Mag makes their stuff and expect everything to be of that quality. But maybe not. Time and usage will tell.
Either way, even though I own at least two of every product Mag makes (and in most cases, 20, since I give them as gifts engraved with our company logo) I am ordering two of these so that I can put them through their paces. Because it is a new product, it is not yet discounted. My guess is that as soon as most retailers have them and start pricing wars with them, they will sell for $39.99 everywhere. I think it’s a heckuva light for that price, easily comparable to similarly priced Sure Fires and Streamlights. Technologically, it’s a tour de force for Mag, who has been playing catch-up in this market for too long. I am fairly sure that it will live up to my five star rating. Until I make a side by side comparison with the competition, I can’t say for sure, since some of Mag’s competition has brighter and better featured lights in their price niches, but so far, for me, this one is a winner.
Rating: 5 / 5
I own a million LED flashlights – just ask my wife. This one easily fits in the top tier in quality, value, and utility. You can find other good reviews of this light online, so I’ll just mention the things that those reviewers did not mention, many of them Maglite hallmark features.
- It’s bright enough to blind a would be assailant.
- It’s sturdy enough to use as a small striking weapon.
- With the reflector unscrewed and removed, it provides a two foot circle of very uniform light at a distance of one foot. In other words, you could read a book or newspaper with it very comfortably.
- It’s recessed tailcap switch makes it easy to switch on and off with only one hand.
- It has an interesting “night light” mode which is misnamed, but lets you work in a pitch dark area, lay the light down on the ground, and be able to find it in the dark by the very dim beam it emits. Pick it up, and it’s instantly at full brightness, thanks to the built in motion sensor. Kind of quirky, but possibly useful in some situations, and not really a night light in any usual sense of the word.
- It casts a perfect combination beam with a tight spot in the center, and uniform wide flood around that.
- It is not truly focusable from spot to flood, except to the slightest degree. But the spot/flood pattern means that doesn’t really matter much.
- It can be set to a very low light level and will burn (they claim) for 250 hours. I think it’s true.
- It can be set to any level between full on and lowest dim and will retain that setting as long as you want to.
- It runs on three AAA batteries, obtainable almost anywhere in the world.
- Brightness level seems to be around that of a five cell flashlight, in a package not much bigger than a roll of Life Savers candy, that will comfortably fit in your pocket.
I especially favor lights that can run at selectable dim and bright levels, to suit the situation and conserve battery life when needed. This more than fits that need.
Overall, it’s a very versatile, sturdy, powerful light that’s well worth a look.
Rating: 5 / 5
I’d written various reviews on Maglite’s LED flashlights in the past. I was almost sure that Maglite is on its way out of the flashlight business. Well, this XL100 proved me wrong; there is still hope in this company. I think the XL100 is one of their best small LED unit in terms of size, brightness and power efficiency. It is better than their 3 AA LED and their 2nd generation 2AA LED units. It claims it outputs a maximum power of 85 lumens, but I think that’s an understatement. I compared the XL100 to my Fenix LD20 (which outputs a max 180 lumens)and the XL100 is only a bit shy of coverage area in term of diameter and brightness, not bad for a $35 unit from Maglite. Another thing I like, and I hope this not just pure luck, is that it outputs a very clean bright white color rather than the average off white/yellowish white I often get from other Maglite LED units. However, the only way to tell is to buy several of them and do a comparison side-by-side. Some of you who are flashlight collectors can spend the extra money and find out the answer for me. Having said all the good things about the XL100, the push button on the back needs quite a bit practice in order to master its operation. Several improvements will make this unit more competitive to other LED flashlight manufacturers like Fenix… The cylinder design seems a bit outdated; Coast and other companies had already used this design. A holster and a hole for a string would be nice. Anyhow, I hope Maglite will finally get back on its feet and be the industry leader in making flashlights once more; I’m still waiting for their LED Mag Charger.
Rating: 4 / 5
Another high quality product from Maglite, one of the few companies making flashlights in the USA. Has a bright LED beam, with variable focus, just like all Maglites. The functions on the tail cap are a little odd to get to work, but after you master them they will seem very convenient. As a simple flashlight the beam is very bright and focused. I only gave it 4 stars because there is no lanyard attachment point or nylon scabbard to carry the flashlight around in. It’s a bit pricey for a mini-LED but it’s brand new on the market and should come down after more retailers start carrying it.
Rating: 4 / 5
It is great to see a new offering from Mag that breaks away from their typical look with their twist on/off/focus beam action.
This pocket-size AAA Battery LED light is as powerful as many larger D-size battery LED flashlights on the market, plus it has cool features built-in like SOS, Signaling, Nite-lite, Strobe, Dimming modes and Thumb-switch. Rugged tactical look and feel as expected from Mag products.
Rating: 5 / 5