The original Maglite Solitaire flashlight is one of the last in Maglite’s lineup to get an LED upgrade, and the new single-mode Solitaire LED flashlight has an output of 37 lumens and nearly two hours of runtime. With a weight of just 0.8 oz., the upgraded LED model is lightweight and has the same keychain-friendly size as the incandescent Solitaire. Pricing for the Solitaire LED is less than $20 even in retail stores, making it an excellent choice for first-time LED flashlight buyers.
Key Specifications
- Output: 37 lumens
- Intensity: 748 candela
- Runtime: 1h 45min
- Battery: 1 x AAA
- Length: 3.2″
- Diameter: 0.5″ bezel, 0.5″ body
- Weight with Batteries: 0.8 oz.
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime with $3 Handling Fee
- MSRP: $13.99
Pricing & Contents
MSRP for the Solitaire LED is $13.99, and the light is available in a variety of colors including black, silver, grey, red, and blue.
Included in the blister packaging (presentation box is also available) are: Maglite Solitaire LED, AAA alkaline battery, and keychain lanyard.
Batteries
One AAA battery powers the Solitaire LED, and rechargeable or lithium primary batteries can also be used for better performance.
The Light
The LED version of the Solitaire looks almost identical to the original incandescent model, with the exception of the LED module. Both versions of the light use twist-on/twist-off switching, and the aluminum body is type-II anodized.
Head
The head features a plastic window and a smooth reflector. Optimal focus can be achieved by twisting the head.
Body
Ridges along the body of the light provide grip.
Tail Cap
Since this is a twist-operated light, there’s only a lanyard hole on the tail cap.
Performance
Using a Philips Luxeon C LED, the Solitaire LED is rated for 37 lumens. At the point when the light turns on, the beam pattern is unfocused and requires another quarter turn to reach optimal focus.
Runtime
If you haven’t read our article about runtime graphs and the ANSI FL1 Standard, please click here.
There is no step-down regulation, and the Solitaire LED has a two-hour runtime even with rechargeable batteries.
Accessories
Maglite includes a keychain attachment lanyard with the Solitaire LED. The extra length from the lanyard allows the light to be used in any direction, independent of the keychain that it’s attached to (such as lighting up a doorknob when a key is inserted).
Conclusion
With improved performance and affordable pricing, it’s hard to find drawbacks with the Maglite Solitaire LED. Although this is not specific to the Solitaire LED, many compact lights lack a click-button switch and either the head or tail has to be twisted to activate the light. The Solitaire LED can be slippery and may require both hands to turn on (especially since the waterproofing O-ring can be tight), but this should not be an issue for most users. Considering all of the features and uses for the Maglite Solitaire LED, this keychain light offers great value and is small yet sufficiently powerful.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Related Links
I got the information about the led clearly through this website
Old, expensive, outdated technology; 12 LED lights from China are 4 bucks on eBay, batteries included. Time to recycle the Solitaires into some other aluminum device.
Une torche très très solide qui dure longtemps finition parfaite et lumière très puissante en plus elle est étanche. C’est une touche qui donne la lumière plus que sa taille et des performances plus que son prix. J’aime cette torche. Merci maglite
Just purchased a Solitaire. The light is beyond pathetic. The packaging says it has a beam of 20 metres I am hardly be able to see my hand! What an absolute waste of money
Clare,
It seems like you purchased the original Solitaire that uses an incandescent bulb instead of the Solitaire LED. The rated beam distance is 57 meters on the LED version.
Robin
I’ve carried the Solitaire in my pocket for years. First as a weak but adequate incandescent and more recently as a much more capable LED version. As a man, and an electrician, I feel naked without a few tools. Folding space pen, Solitaire, mini-Bic, and Leatherman are all EDC. Gives me something to work with. The LED Solitaire is a huge improvement and while I don’t use it as my go-to work light it makes a great backup for when my main unit goes out way in the back of an attic. It is powerful enough to search a room and long lasting enough to be considered reliable. I usually use a good quality alkaline battery (ALDI batteries are good and a bargain) and simply replace when it starts to dim a bit. On vacation or camping I use a lithium cell.
After years of banging around in my pocket, drenched in sweat regularly (those attics are hot), some rain and being dropped numerous times none has ever failed. Lost, misplaced, dropped into the bowels of the earth, stolen is why I buy new. Every second year I buy three and most get presented as gifts. There are more than a few electricians using these little light as EDC or backup in a tool bag.
It works. Light, compact (it disappears in a pocket until needed), sturdy and powerful enough to do the job there isn’t much not to like about it.
Hint: Make sure to buy the LED version, use quality batteries (the battery that comes in the package is good but might be old and/or poorly stored), and avoid cheap knockoffs.
You need to update the information because the newer version is 47 lumens and has a flater regulation. I have one and I really like the neutral white beam pattern and the reliability of it. You can keep those cheap chinese lights- I have some along with some fenixes, but I still like my solitaire LED. China steals technology and uses slave labor. The slave labor alone is why everything is cheap. Chinese goods have just about no labor costs added- just materials, research (if that) and advertising.
You need to update the information because the newer version is 47 lumens and has a flater regulation. I have one and I really like the neutral white beam pattern and the reliability of it. You can keep those cheap chinese lights