TLE-5 MINISTAR2

TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2, retail $19.99 (www.ledsupply.com...)
Manufactured by TerraLUX (www.TerraLUXCorp.com)
Last updated 08-01-06




The Terralux MiniStar2 TLE-5 is a product designed to replace the incandescent light blub in your Mini-Mag with an LED. The high-intensity white LED does not have a delicate filament to break when your Mini-Mag is dropped or thrown, and LEDs don't normally burn out after a couple of dozen hours like incandescent flashlight bulbs do.

The TLE-5 upgrade kit consists of a high-output LED module that replaces the bulb in the flashlight, and a reflectors for the AA Mini-Mag that turn the light on and off and allow its beam to be focused. The LED module in the kit has a step-up circuit built in that allows the white LED to operate at full power from the two AA cells the flashlight uses.

The LED in the TLE-5 is a Luxeon I high-dome.


SIZE



To use the kit, you'll need to have or purchase a Mini-Mag flashlight - this is the type that runs from two AA cells, and has a twist-to-light bezel. Install the batteries in the Mini-Mag first.

  • Unscrew and remove the Mini-Mag's head, and set it aside. Remove the incandescent bulb while it's burning - do not remove the batteries.

  • Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out with your fingers.

  • Grasp the flashlight head firmly, and unscrew the metal ring at the lens-end.

  • Remove the reflector, and replace it with the reflector furnished with the kit. Use the smaller reflector if you are retrofitting an AAA Mini-Mag; use the larger reflector if you are retrofitting an AA Mini-Mag.

  • Screw the metal ring back on the flashlight head.

  • Install the TLE-5 by inserting its two round pegs into the holes once occupied by the bulb. Push the adapter straight down; don't twist or try to force it in at an angle. Use gentle but firm pressure to insert the adapter.

  • If the TLE-5 did not light up, remove it, turn it 180° (to reverse the position of the two pegs), and reinsert it. It will light up when you have it in correctly.

  • Screw the flashlight head back on, and tighten until the flashlight goes out and the head stops turning. The head only needs to be finger-tight. Do NOT overtighten it, because something might become broken if you screw the head on too tight. Turn the bezel counterclockwise to turn the flashlight on, and turn the bezel clockwise to turn the flashlight off. While on, you may adjust the beam by turning the bezel counterclockwise or clockwise.

    Functionally, the finished flashlight is pretty much like a regular Mini-Mag. Batteries are loaded from the rear.



    This light uses the same 2 AA cells as the original Mini-Mag, and they're loaded and unloaded the same way. Unscrew the tailcap, dispose of the old AA cells (or recycle them, if your community has a battery reclamation program), slide two new AA cells in with the button-end (+) positive going in first, and screw the tailcap back on. This battery change is easy when compared to some other flashlights, and you should be able to accomplish it in total darkness.

    Measures 196.7mA on my DMM's 400mA scale.



    As a flashlight, the unit is reasonably sturdy (as all Mag-Lites are), and is of a proven physical design. Mag Instruments (of which TerraLUX has *no* affiliation!) has been making flashlights for years, and they have a long track record for durability.

    Smacking the unit ten times against the concrete floor of a patio (five near the tailcap, and five on the side of the bezel) caused no visible damage other than some slight marring of the ribbing on the bezel, and the adapter itself was not damaged in any fashion.

    The assembled flashlight is weather- and water-resistant, and has at least some degree of waterproofness and peeproofness. When the tailcap was removed, the unit was relieved of its batteries, and that dreadful suction test was performed, no leakage was detected. I don't know how waterproof it is, but you would not kill it if you dropped it in a puddle, slush pile, snowbank, or other area where water or water-like liquids might be found to shallow depths (a few inches or so).



    Beam photo (narrow)at ~12".
    Measures 327,000mcd on a Meterman LM631 light meter.



    Beam photo (wide) at ~12".
    Measures 31,800mcd on a Meterman LM631 light meter.


    Spectrographic plot
    Spectrometer plot of the LED in this flashlight.
    Ocean Optics USB2000 Spectrometer on loan from TWO-CUBED.



    Beam photo (narrow) at ~15'.

    Those rectangular graphic things at the upper left are marquees from:
    Midway ''Omega Race''
    Sega ''Star Trek''
    Williams ''Joust''
    Venture Line ''Looping''
    Universal ''Mr. Do!'s Castle''
    Jaleco ''Exerion''
    Gremlin/Sega ''Astro Blaster''
    Atari ''Tempest''

    upright coin-op arcade video games from the 1980s.

    And that red star thing on the marquees is from an American DJ Laser Widow.



    TEST NOTES:
    Test unit was sent by Z.T. of LED Supply and was received on 08-01-06.

    Product was made in Indonesia. A product's country of origin really does matter to some people, which is why I mentioned it on this web page.


    UPDATE: 00-00-00



    PROS:



    CONS:



      MANUFACTURER: TerraLUX
      PRODUCT TYPE: LED bulb retrofit
      LAMP TYPE: Luxeon I high-dome white LED
      No. OF LAMPS: 1
      BEAM TYPE: Adjustable from spot to flood
      SWITCH TYPE: Twist bezel on/off
      BEZEL: Metal; LED and reflector protected by plastic window
      BATTERY: 2xAA cells
      CURRENT CONSUMPTION: 196.7mA
      WATER RESISTANT: Yes (when assembled)
      SUBMERSIBLE: Yes, to shallow depths anyway (when assembled)
      ACCESSORIES: Reflector for AA Mini-Mag
      WARRANTY: 1 year

      PRODUCT RATING:

      Star Rating





    TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 * www.ledsupply.com...






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