The Interesting Maglite 7C

[Grimaldus7]

Hey All,

I wanted to do a mini write up of my Mag 7C. I believe these were made in the late 70s - early 80s (I'm not 100% certain though).

The light is about 18.25 inches in length. One thing that stands out is how much smaller than the 6D and 7D the light is. Comparing the 7c to my 7d and 6d, you can really see the difference.

Ive got a PR20 in it and it still does the job! The beam is identical to the 7d. Lot of nostalgia in these lights.

The anodizing seems to be 'shinier' and closer to modern mags than my 7D - which is much more of a matte black.

The switch feels more firm than modern mags and is very similar to the 7d.

If folks want to see more photos or comparisons, let me know.

Cheers,
Grim

 

[ABTOMAT]

They made these '81-89. Yours is the earlier style, I'd guess mid '80s vintage. Does it say Patented or Paten Pending on the side? The latter would be a first year light. A lot of the older D-cell lights had different finish variations with rougher machining than newer ones. Your 7D is a first year ('79 for D cell) model so that's early-early. The C-cell lights were more highly polished out of the gate in my experience. I'm not the CPF Mag expert though.

 

[turbodog]

I've got a 6c and 7c. Put a retrofit led into the 6c and used it a bit. Problem is... with that many cells, you can drain them down to a LOT state of charge, increasing the probability of leaks... and that's not considering that you have 6 cells, which also increases the chance.

Rechargeable cells would pretty much negate this, but I don't use it enough to spend and keep 6 'c' cells charged. Then, with rechargeable cells, there's the risk of reverse charging a call (increases with # cells in series).

That said... the 'c' series (even brand new ones) feel good in your hand. They are easier to grip, and fit into back pockets better.

 

[thermal guy]

I use AA to D adapters in my mags. L91's and your good to go.

 

[aznsx]

I use AA to D adapters in my mags. L91's and your good to go.

Sounds good.

Including incandescents? I've often wondered if the slightly higher initial output (x7) would cause issues with bulbs of the day (in such as my incan 7xAA Brute). Think that's OK / no dummy cell required?

 

[Grimaldus7]

They made these '81-89. Yours is the earlier style, I'd guess mid '80s vintage. Does it say Patented or Paten Pending on the side? The latter would be a first year light. A lot of the older D-cell lights had different finish variations with rougher machining than newer ones. Your 7D is a first year ('79 for D cell) model so that's early-early. The C-cell lights were more highly polished out of the gate in my experience. I'm not the CPF Mag expert though.

Very interesting details - thank you. It says 'Patented Made in USA' on the side. It's interesting even since that time mags have changed really very little.

 

[aznsx]

It's interesting even since that time mags have changed really very little.

I think that is perhaps somewhat of a company trademark in itself, and may be part of their 'charm'. I have no C or D Mags personally, but I have respect for them!

 

[fivemega]

2S/2P 21700 (7.4V, 10000mAh) will fit in 6C M*g with LLLLLOOOOONNNNNGGGGG run time.

 

[alpg88]

That is a pretty cool light, I wanted long C mag for a while, but they are either few hundred dollars NOS on ebay, (if you are lucky to come across one) or beat up old lights that cost not much less, i did not want to collect it, i wanted to keep in a car, so i took 2x4C maglites, send them to Matt, he cut , and thread them and i got a 6C light. keeping it with stock bulb was pretty lame i thought, i tried drop ins, but it was not appealing to me. so i put a xhp50, and a glass lens that are made for 50-100 watts led arrays, it fits perfect in the mag head, but i put it there backwards, with flat side outside, it is a 6v led there is no driver there whatsoever, true DD, 6C cells do not put out dangerous for the led current, it turned out a great flooder, really wide even beam with some artifacts on the edges, does not look that good on a white wall, but in real use isn't an issue.

 

[Christoph]

2S/2P 21700 (7.4V, 10000mAh) will fit in 6C M*g with LLLLLOOOOONNNNNGGGGG run time.

Is there an adapter to fit these cells??

 

[alpg88]

Nope, there are no such adapters on the market, not even easy to build for such size and configuration, considering that you need to either charge series cells individually or with a balance charger. (you can charge them with no ballance tail, but it is a bad idea for li ion cells, otoh nimh/nicd are ok with that, but they are not ok with charging parallel cells,) I've build dozens of holders/adapters and battery packs, but this one would be a challenging project.

 

[fivemega]

Is there an adapter to fit these cells??

I haven't seen anywhere but I can custom make one. If you are handyman, you can make one for yourself.

 

[terryoregon]

turbodog wrote

I've got a 6c and 7c

Ditto.

Using my Texas Ace Calibrated Lumens Tube, I measured 81 lumens with original krypton bulb for the 6C. The 6C was purchased in original blister pack from Ebay (about 3 years ago).

Measured 58 lumens in the 7C. This was also purchased on eBay about three years ago (mint condition). Not known if the bulb was original.

Below is what they were going for three years ago.

.
6C

.

.
.

 

[turbodog]

turbodog wrote


Ditto.

Using my Texas Ace Calibrated Lumens Tube, I measured 81 lumens with original krypton bulb for the 6C. The 6C was purchased in original blister pack from Ebay (about 3 years ago).

Measured 58 lumens in the 7C. This was also purchased on eBay about three years ago (mint condition). Not known if the bulb was original.

Below is what they were going for three years ago.
...

I fell upon a cache of 6c a few years back from a retailer in canada, NOS, NIB. They showed significant yellowing of the blister pack and embrittlement of the plastic. Maybe they were stored near light and yours was in a box.