High Lumens LED Flashlight – ML300L 4-Cell D Flashlight with Adjustable Focus for Precise Beam, Long Battery Life, Water-Resistant for Emergency, Outdoor, and Camping – Black

Though not quite as robust as the Mag Lights of years ago, this one seems pretty good. Nice bright light, several modes and three brightness levels. I opted for the one that takes alkaline batteries because I didn’t want to shell out the bigger bucks for the rechargeable version.

Note first of all that there is significant potential for confusion with respect to the different versions of Maglite LED flashlights with two D-cell batteries. To be certain that you know which version you are getting, it is best to go by the lumen rating, which is 524 lumens for this flashlight, the 3rd generation, ML300L. This is an excellent flashlight. There are "tactical" flashlights that use AA or AA cells, that are as bright, possibly brighter. The advantages of the traditional 2D style flashlight are that (1.) the batteries don't run down as quickly while you use the flashlight compared to AA flashlights (2.) the total cost of batteries is only a fraction of what it is for AA flashlights, (3) the flashlight does not get hot like the tactical flashlights, (4.) the 2D size of flashlight is not so large as to be cumbersome. The 3D and larger lights are cumbersome and heavy in my opinion. (REGARDING THE SMALLER, 2-AA MINI MAGLITE PRO AND PRO+ The 2D 524 lumen flashlight is noticeably brighter than the Mini Maglite Pro - 272 lumens - that I also recently purchased, but the difference is not as great as I anticipated. Part of what motivated me to buy the 2D ML300L was the amazing brightness of that Mini Maglite Pro. I recommend either it or the similar Mini Maglite Pro+, for anyone wanting a smaller, 2AA flashlight that is still amazingly bright. The Pro+ provides two settings so that you can select between max brightness vs. longer battery life, which you cannot do with the Pro. But the Pro+ is ever so slightly less bright than the Pro. Not so much that you would likely even notice.) One potential quibble with the ML300L is the sensitivity of the switch/button, which is more of an electronic switch as compared the heavier electrical switch of the old Maglites. But there is a reason for the switch to be this sensitive: it is needed in order for the flashlight to have the different settings that you select by how many times you rapidly click the button. Nevertheless, it is very easy for the ML300L to turn on accidentally, in the glove box or wherever. This leads me to another notable difference between the new and old Maglites. The cap at the base of the older lights is difficult to screw back on once removed, owing to the stiffness of the steel spring. The spring is not nearly so stiff in the newer ML300L, which is good from several standpoints. For one thing, it is not the least bit of a hassle to simply turn one of the two batteries around the other direction, to prevent the flashlight from coming on accidentally. This is something that I've always done with flashlights, and is one reason that I will not buy any flashlight with 3 cells. When there are an even number of cells and half of them are turned the opposite direction, the voltages cancel and no current flows. There are three brightness settings that you control via the number times you quickly tap the button. If you tap it once and release, you get full brightness; two quick taps gives low, and three gives "eco". But no matter how many times you tap, the light comes on instantly, so you always get the brightest setting for the first fraction of a second. This is a bit annoying, because if you aren't careful you can temporarily blind yourself. This is probably my only significant quibble: it would be better if you had to tap three times to get the brightest setting. Additionally there are four separate modes, one of which is the mode I just described, where you get three brightness settings. The other two modes offer other combinations of functions, i.e., functions associated with single-tap, double-tap and triple-tap. To change the mode, you unscrew the base far enough so that the flashlight does not come on (less than 1/4 turn), then, while holding down the button, you screw the cap back in fully and continue to hold down the button. While you hold it down, the flashlight blinks once then pauses for a few seconds, then blinks twice then pauses for a few seconds, then does this again with three blinks and finally with four blinks. You release the button during one of the pauses, and thereby select one of the four modes. The default mode, Home, gives you the three power settings. In the Outdoor mode, the eco power setting is replaced by the strobe setting, where the led flashes at a rate of 12 blinks per second. In Law Enforcement mode and also Tactical mode, the 1-click operation is replaced by momentary operation, i.e., the light is on only while you hold down the button. The 2-click operation in Law Enforcement and Tactical is the full power setting. In Law Enforcement mode, the 3-click operation is the eco power setting, while in Tactical mode, the 3-click operation is the strobe. All in all, this is an excellent flashlight, with a lot to like and very little to grip about. Without question it is one of the best flashlights you can purchase today. You can go spend a hundred dollars or even two hundred dollars on a little 2AA or 4AA tactical flashlight, but if you actually use it, you are going to be buying a lot of AA batteries. I spent some time researching the other lights, including the other Maglites, and I concluded that this is best all around. After playing around with the flashlight, I went back and read up more on "tactical" flashlights, and I am even more convinced that the 2D ML300L was the best choice. Just be careful about the potential to blind yourself when you first turn it on. And when leaving the flashlight in the glove box or trunk or wherever, either remove the batteries, or turn one of them around, or put a piece of cardboard or plastic between the battery and the spring. (Don't use tape for this - the glue will leave a residue.)

This is a very good flashlight if the large size is desirable. If you are reading this review, you know this thing is large and you are OK with that. Pros: Brighter than the Standard Maglite 3 D-cell LED flashlights and can light up objects at a great distance. Three brightness levels... low is perfect for getting around without blinding everyone. Same Maglite ruggedness as always. Beautifully smooth texture Maglite owners love. Large enough you won't lose it as often. Just a touch smaller than the Standard Maglite 3 D-cell LED flashlight. Cons: It's Large and heavy when the 3 D-cells are in it (for me this was a positive because my kids lose all my other flashlights). Too big to just keep in your pocket around the campfire at night. Focus isn't as accurate as I'd expect. It will take awhile to get used to the new "1/4 turn focus" and not the old "unscrew-the-head style focus" that was kind of signature of Maglite No hanging clip (not really a fault since I knew that when I bought it). But it would be a cool addition to the end cap. It doesn't have the standard "screw off head" like the standard Maglites and the focus is completely different... it's not bad, it's just a nostalgia thing. This flashlight gets 5 stars because it is what I expected and wanted... a super bright LED flashlight that is BIG and HEAVY. It is just a touch smaller than the Standard Maglite 3 D-cell LED flashlight. I'm not sure how they did that, but it is. Yet, it is still big and heavy enough that had my wife been carrying this Maglite instead of the two AA style when the tweaker attacked her with a metal stick in front of our garage, he would have ended up in the hospital. So our family values carrying a super bright flashlight that functions like a police baton when going outside at night. If you don't value those things, this isn't the light for you. There are brighter flashlights, smaller flashlights, cheaper flashlights, and much more expensive flashlights. This one is like a happy medium. It's rugged and good quality, a realistic price, bright enough to light up the whole tent or the top of a Giant Sequoia, and has a great run time thanks to three large D batteries. What I want to focus on, though, is the difference between this $40 - $50 ML300L Maglite and the $30 standard 3 D-cell LED flashlight, because if you're even considering this flashlight you probably fell in love with Maglites as a kid like me. So is it worth the extra $10 - $15 to get this one? Yes, I think so. At first I was skeptical, because we own 3 of the regular 3 D-cell LED Maglites. Could it really have that many more lumens than the standard one? So I got them out at night and put fresh batteries in all of them. It's not necessarily the spot focus where this light is better. When focused small, the standard Maglites are plenty bright in that tight area. But it's the surrounding light... the overall light that is brighter. I have included some photos that demonstrate the difference. The first picture is with both flashlights focused as tightly as possible (ML300L on the left). The second is with them focused as wide as possible. You'll notice the ML300L isn't much different. On the Little Caesar's box you don't see much difference... up close like that is where they are the most similar. But look at the flower painting with the flashlight aimed at the ceiling not the painting. The ML300L lights up the whole room noticeably more. I also thought my standard LEDs hit the trees behind my shop pretty well (the dark photos), but you can see the ML300L does a better job at that, also, with a brighter and larger spot. The final photo is just so you can see the slight size difference. In conclusion, I would say that yes, this newer design of the 3 D-cell LED Maglite ML300L is a bit better than the older style. Though I miss the feel of the old button, I appreciate the dimmable settings. Though I miss the way the head used to unscrew, the "hole" in the wide focus is gone. I think it was worth my extra $10 just for the added brightness and dimmable settings.

Very well made, bright light, easy to insert batteries. This MagLite is the same as the one I got about 40 years ago and even though it is more expensive than other flashlights, it is much better made and installing batteries is a lot easier than cheaper alternatives.

What can I say? Its a Maglite. Very sturdy and bright as the sun. Focus is marginal, no wide angle but still bright and concentrated angle.

Excellent! High quality. Well packaged. Arrived on the correct date. Mag Lite is a top tier flash light you can depend on.

I used MagLites throughout my 35 year law-enforcement career. Always dependable and very well made. I upgraded when they introduced the rechargeable car mount model. They proved to be an extremely versatile “tool”, and durable over years of rough use. Wish the strobe feature was available back then, it would have been useful at times. The strength of the beam is adequate but not as bright as the rechargeable models.

The previous reviews were excellent and they proved out—-very bright flashlights with a lot of distance range. A very good buy!

Muy buen producto, buen tamaño e ilumina bien a largas distancias. A veces la prendo para iluminar un cuarto en lugar de prender la luz y queda una luz tenue que no lastima los ojos, pero que me permite hacer cosas. Muy recomendable. El color rojo es muy metálico.

It can double as a defensive weapon if you want it to. Very heavy and strong aluminum. It's a great flashlight.. waterproof, one simple click on/off button, no variable settings. It's either on or off, no stupid blinking light etc. that some flashlights have. The light is perfectly aimed, no adjustments. It's just set perfectly and works well. Super bright light, three D batteries that will last a long time.

Info : il s'agit bien de la 3D et non de la 2D comme indiqué dans l'annonce. Elle contient donc 3 piles LR20. Pour la torche, elle est vraiment bien : - puissante avec un réglage du faisceau en tournant le bout - polyvalente avec plusieurs choix de mode d'utilisation (rester appuyer, économie, sos, ...) - solide et anti-rayures avec sa matière métal Son seul défaut pour le moment est son prix mais c'est une torche qui doit durer un long moment donc bien investi !

No conozco una linterna de la alta calidad de Maglite con tres pilas D que produzca una escala tan potente de luces y solidez constructiva como este modelo ML300L de 3º generacion. La ventaja de las pilas talla D es la gran cantidad de reserva electrica que acumulan con lo que te puedes beneficiar de un run time elevado en comparacion con otras pilas de menor capacidad. Puedes conseguir monopilas de hasta 10000mAh. Otra ventaja de esta firma es que sus modelos de linterna se mantienen con el paso del tiempo, suelen emplear pilas que se encuentran en cualquier comercio del mundo y no cambian cada dos años de estilo pero admiten mejoras tecnologicas. Considero esta linterna como muy luminosa, fiable, duradera y util.

The true warrior of flashlights. Heavy, brute solid, protection if required. The light you want when you are in the trenches. Drop it in a creek, run over it in the mud, lifelong dependability. The only one used by professionals: Police, Firefighters, EMS & all Rescue. One button control, anyone can light it up. We use ours for RVing. I'm sure it will last 100 years.