New Maglite 3rd Generation 2D/3D - 524 + 625 lumens stock!

[pieman7]

Been several years since buying a MagLite.
Was wondering if they finally started making any for use with removable high-drain cells, like CR123 and 18650.
Browsing their web site, it appears they do offer a MagTac that takes 2 x CR123, but not much else.
Its $109 MSRP is a bit beyond my price range.
On the other hand, their Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) rechargables appear cutting edge, but still pricey.

This ML300L that's being talked about in this thread falls more within my range of around $50.
Love to see comparisons to some of the popular single 18650s when it finally becomes available at the end of this month.

 

[Robin24k]

This ML300L that's being talked about in this thread falls more within my range of around $50.
Love to see comparisons to some of the popular single 18650s when it finally becomes available at the end of this month.

I think it's available now. Got my samples, but still working on the review. Here are the runtime graphs:

 

[maglite mike]

I'm getting an ml300lx on bright guy right now

 

[Phaserburn]

Awesome. Is low, "medium", not the lowest setting?

 

[Robin24k]

Awesome. Is low, "medium", not the lowest setting?

Correct. Their terminology is high, low, and eco.

 

[Grijon]

Awesome info, Robin24k; thank you!

 

[Phaserburn]

Is the low on the 2D more or less bright than on the 3D? The runtime pickup on low for an extra D cell is enormous.

 

[Robin24k]

Is the low on the 2D more or less bright than on the 3D? The runtime pickup on low for an extra D cell is enormous.

Output on low ends up being roughly the same because the 3D is 625 lumens, whereas the 2D is 524 lumens.

Three-cell alkaline lights tend to have skewed runtime numbers because the lights go into direct drive, and you can see how the ML300LX drops to 10% output after 42 hours (it doesn't actually drop below 10% until 143 hours). Two-cell lights will not have this long tail because of the boost circuitry.

 

[rickypanecatyl]

Not wishing to point out the completely obvious, but if you want low output as a priority, you do NOT pick a friggin D cell Maglite with 500 lumens and 41,000 lux.

Basically try using the right tool for the job, rather than moaning.

Not picking a fight with you but just sharing my experience. I love having an ultra low moonlight mode, use it all the time and for the past 5 years my Varapower 3D mag is my most used light when at home (I don't carry it to the field with me often) for moonlight. I think the reasons are:

1.) It has the lowest low of any light I have - about .02 lumens. (Recently I got a Sunwayman V25C with a lower low but it has an insanely complicated U.I. Reverse kudos for being able to screw up a magnetic control ring light!)
2.) It's the easiest/fastest to figure out in the complete dark how to make sure it comes on in the lowest mode with the amazingly intuitive potentiometer it uses.
3.) (I never thought about this till now) It's size. In the pitch black (our bedroom has block out drapes and is close to pitch black) its the easiest to find and work by feel. For those needing coffee to get their brain jump started in the morning the varapower is a good U.I. to work with pre coffee!
4.) Without going into detail that violates CPF rules, when I want something less than .1 lumen to walk around the house in late at night sometimes its actually nice to have a hefty light!

Bottom line I agree with you for the most part in countering wjv calling this light a fail for that reason - it certainly is not a fail for that reason. At the same time I'm just saying if you could make it come on in low without making it more complicated I'd be all for that! No reason to knock that idea just because it is a BIG sized light.

FWIW I'm coming from the angle of a guy that would much rather spend lots of money on 1 single light that lots of lights. I have to travel light. I want reliability, dependability, consistency, a light to be able to serve multiple roles and not be complicated. If my megasize light can also work for moonlight settings all the better!

 

[Phaserburn]

Output on low ends up being roughly the same because the 3D is 625 lumens, whereas the 2D is 524 lumens.

Three-cell alkaline lights tend to have skewed runtime numbers because the lights go into direct drive, and you can see how the ML300LX drops to 10% output after 42 hours (it doesn't actually drop below 10% until 143 hours). Two-cell lights will not have this long tail because of the boost circuitry.

I get that. But isn't 625 x .22 = 138 lumens (3D) vs. 524 x .34 = 178 lumens? That is how I'm reading your great runtime charts. It seems that the 2D is brighter on low, albeit with far less runtime?

 

[Robin24k]

I get that. But isn't 625 x .22 = 138 lumens (3D) vs. 524 x .34 = 178 lumens? That is how I'm reading your great runtime charts. It seems that the 2D is brighter on low, albeit with far less runtime?

Correct. I don't have certainty for lumen output, but the relative numbers are correct. Maglite says low output is 130 lumens and has a runtime of 20 hours, so they may have modified the light and didn't get them tested again (not the first time it's happened...).

 

[Phaserburn]

Just saw that Brightguy shows the ML300LX 2D at 143 lumens vs the 130 of the 3D. Interesting.

 

[maglite mike]

I think the best UI for the new D maglite would be one similar to that of the mag xl 200. The accelerometer to adjust the brightness and click through different modes would be awesome. The button could still be located in the same place. A slight turn of the wrist while holding down on the switch would adjust the brightness from full all the way down to moonlight. This would eliminate the light being turned on in the brightest mode as you can leave it set to turn on in moonlight. Thoughts?

 

[fivemega]

Just saw this in good deals:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/maglite-3rd-gen-3dcell-led-flashlight-625-lumens.html

I assume it will work fine with shortened barrel to 1[SIZE=-2]1/6[/SIZE]D and single 32700

 

[Berneck1]

Just saw this in good deals:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/maglite-3rd-gen-3dcell-led-flashlight-625-lumens.html

I assume it will work fine with shortened barrel to 1[SIZE=-2]1/6[/SIZE]D and single 32700

Exactly what I have been waiting for...


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[Berneck1]

Plus a 10% coupon! Just ordered a red and a blue one. Worked out to about $38 each... Not bad...


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[Berneck1]

Got my lights! Maglite has definitely stepped up their game with these. I would recommend them to anyone who prefers a more "traditional" flashlight.


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[regulator]

The focus is actually much better on the new Mag versions and does a nice job of flood and spot and is actually very usable now. They did a good job.

 

[Berneck1]

The focus is actually much better on the new Mag versions and does a nice job of flood and spot and is actually very usable now. They did a good job.

Agreed. I have been playing around with them, and the one thing I have noticed is that the beam pattern is much better. Much smoother and easy to control.


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[shiekh]

I'm more for the type III anodizing than the bright bulb; surprised it took them so long.