I have an old mini-maglite AA size that just resurfaced out of storage. And I've been thinking about converting it to LED and started pricing kits. Best I could find that doesn't void the lifetime warranty was $26.00. Just for giggles (to borrow a phrase) I just priced a new min-mag LED. Best price I found was $13.00 from Amazon, Sears and Walmart were substantially higher. So for the cost of conversion, I could buy 2 new ones and avoid the warranty issue completely.
It varies, but many of the aftermarket Maglite LED conversions are far superior to what Maglite offers. One of my partners converted his D cell Maglite to a very powerful LED using aftermarket parts. Maglite has nothing in its offering that's anywhere close to what he did.
This is in large part to
Maglite's commitment to "made in the USA". Unfortunately, the best LEDs are made in the Asian markets. They have an enormous lead over anything available in the USA. Maglite's commitment is certainly admirable, but due to the current market it cannot produce a flashlight to match what is available overseas.
California laws, where Maglite is based, does not help matters. In order for Maglite to advertise "Made in the USA", 100% of the parts must be manufactured within the USA. This severely limits what Maglite can do, if they are to remain true to their commitment.
Maglite is also stuck on producing flashlights that use standard batteries, such as AA, D, etc. The best LED flashlights, as those used by law enforcement, use commonly available CR123A and 18650 lithium batteries. Of course, for everyday consumers this is probably a good idea. But the option does not exist for the rest of us, unless we modify the lights as did my partner.
JA's sample link to the Maglite XL50 comes no where close to the powerful Olight T10 that I just bought my son. The Olight is so far superior to the Maglite that it's almost laughable. Once the first choice for Law Enforcement and military, Maglite is no longer considered by professionals. My Fenix TK11 is built like a tank. It is thick, solid, has a powerful beam, can be weapon mounted, and doubles as a strike weapon. Maglite has nothing to compete.
I'm am by no means knocking Maglite. I wish them great success, but they're gonna have to pull a rabbit out of their hat.