Solitaire Single Cell AAA Flashlights Solitaire AAA Replacement

I have aways had a liking for Maglite products. They are a "Man's tool". The feel of them, the machining of them and the looks are first rate. I feel they are above and beyond all of the competition out there.

I just have a little problem with this little light.

MY LITTLE PROBLEM

This has been my little emergency light that I have kept in my night table drawer for years. It was adequate when I pulled it out for use from time to time and had little to complain about until.... One day last year I went to use it and I couldn't get it on. Now that was a major problem for me. I don't use it often but when I need my flashlight to function and it doesn't I get upset. I knew what the problem was immediately and I try to be prepared. I keep spare batteries for it in the dresser drawer near the flashlight. It uses one "solitair" AAA battery. I ran into another problem and this was the worse problem of all.

I COULDN'T OPEN UP THE FLASHLIGHT!!!

When it comes to hand wrist strength, there is little I can't open. I tried again, with all my strength, to no avail. Then I tried some pliers to open it. That didn't work. Next was a wrench and the body of the flashlight in a vice. It still would not open! I did not mis-shape the body or the threading, it's all fine. The thing just won't open up. Short of putting a torch to it with a high dose of liquid wrench this thing is impossible to ever use again.

I suppose the battery inside is all corroded. This can happen to any battery and flashlight. I use only quality brands but I suppose any battery will corrode. The problem isn't the battery it's that there just isn't enough to grab on and turn, on this little flashlight, to open it.

What good is an emergency flashlight if you can't use it in an emergency? I had the flashlight and I had the batteries but it was lifeless in my hands.

SOME THINGS TO KNOW

This is a very tiny flashlight. It is just 3 and 3/16 inches long (81mm). The diameter of the light is only 1/2 inch. This is also true with the head. Most flashlights flair out at the top. That is where a reflector is used to help direct and enhance light from the light bulb. This one doesn't have an oversized reflector. This is a benefit and a hindrance. It's nice to have an emergency compact flashlight that fits so well into a pocket without bulging out to much. At the same time not having the larger reflector area diminishes the amount of light the tool can radiate.

This flashlight comes with a ring that attaches a strap to the butt end of the flashlight. The other end of the strap has a ring that you can add a few keys to. I never used it that way. I doesn't even have the ring on. That's only because of how I use the flashlight. If you do have keys on it you can use them in the door and have the light beam in the same direction. That can be very handy.

My flashlight is black but, I it does come in four or five other colours. Some of these colours may be more attractive to others, especially for woman who want their accessories to match. One AAA alkaline Duracell battery is packaged with the light. This is the brand I always use in my flashlight. No substitutes. The packaging of the flashlight says that both the inside and outside are "Anodized" so that it will resist corrosion. That didn't seem to work for me.

The feel of this flashlight is much like the larger Maglites in feel. The aluminum casing has a rough-brushed texture to it. It makes it easier to grip and feels good.

"SEE the LIGHT"

The light turns on with a twist of the body of the flashlight. This also regulates the beam. You twist it and it can be a flood light. Not all that much light can flood from this tiny one cell flash light. If you continue twisting, you can use it more as a spot light. The concentrated light is much more effective in seeing things in the dark.

I had, on occasion, tried using the Mini "Solitair" for reading while in bed so as not to disturb my wife with bright light. The single cell will not hold up very long without stating to dim and the light start to "yellow".

The end cap of the flashlight holds a spare bulb. Ha, I can't open that end either and yes, I do know which way the threads are supposed to turn for "on and off".

The light from these bulbs are what is called high intensity, but once again, there isn't all that much light coming from that single cell.

SUMMING IT ALL UP

Now here I am complaining about the amount of light a one cell tool can give off. I should have known better. I do recommend that instead of the single cell you get one of the Maglite two or three cell AAA battery lights as a lightweight flashlight. If carrying it on your person rather than having it in a pocket, use a pouch that hangs on your belt. These lights do give much better beams of light in both flood and spot.

The mini Solitair I have was just thrown out in the trash. I tried opening it one last time, no luck. "Bye, bye little fella".