Ok, so I got some beam shots.
I used my DSLR and I spent more time trying to re-familiarize myself with it then getting actual shots. I wasn't sure if there was a "standard" for settings to use when taking beam shots so I just sorta played around with various ISO and shutter speeds until I started getting pictures that resembled what I was actually seeing with my eyes. I maxed out the ISO and used a manual shutter with exposure times of about 1/4 seconds. I don't feel the light in the distance is quite as bright or a clear as my eyes see it but any longer and areas nearest to the camera became too washed and drifted away from what I was actually seeing.
So first pic of of the treeline, across the pasture, about 200 yards from where the camera is set up.
Basically a black image but if you'll notice just right of the center of the image you can see a red dot, that's a radio tower in the distance.
First beam shot is my EDC XL200 for 1/5 sec exposure
First ML150LR shot is max output with tightest flood twist 1/4sec exposure
Next shot is max output with max flood twist 1/4 sec exposure.
For those wondering of the beam profile, there does open up a dark spot in the very center at max flood but it nearly triples the spill.
Here is a tight spot at a 1.5 sec exposure. The tree line is closer to what I see, perhaps a little brighter, but the near by areas are too washed out.
Here is a 2 sec exposure but I steadily panned the light from one end of the treeline to the other in those 2 seconds.
This one I felt came out pretty good. I assume it had a lot to do with placing the light ahead of the lens. This is a tight spot at 1/4 sec exposure.
Again, this shot came out better with the light in front of the lens. This was full flood @ 1/4 sec exposure.
And here is my unintended attempt at making a classic Maglite poster. Pointed the camera up as high as the tripod would allow and took a shot. This was 1.9 sec exposure to really get the stars in there. Perhaps I should do some with me standing out in the field. I'd need the wifes help as the timer would only take shots at the fastest shutter speed and would not capture a good image.
Here is the ML150LR in a lineup with some similar sized Mags. '88 3D, ML150LR, Old Style 4C and a 3C ML25T.
Its pretty much right in the middle as far as size goes.
According the the specs in the manual it is 12-13/16" tall or 325.42mm.
It weighs 28oz or 794 grams with the battery.
Head diameter is 2-1/4" (57.15mm)
Barrel diameter is 1-1/2 (38.1mm)
6.4 V LiFePO4 battery pack
Charge rate is 2500mA
Output is
High 1,082lm for 3hrs15min
Low 138lm for 18hrs
Eco 25lm for 79hrs
Total beam distance is 458m
There is warning on on light body, just above the model number, warning of it getting HOT.
It is not a joke.
Running on high for about 5 min you notice it getting pretty warm. After 10 min, its hot. 20 min and its HOT. Not too hot to hold(at least not for me) but hot enough to make you say "Damn, that's hot." I wish I still had a thermal thermometer to see how hot it actually gets. Now, keep in mind, this is running on high, face down on the desk, with not a whole lot of air circulation going on inside. I imagine if it were outside, on a night like tonight, where we have a strong breeze out of the north it may not be so bad. But they definitely did not laser etch the warning for gits and shiggles.
The light has the same 4 programmable setting and 4 modes with 3 modes under each setting just as the XL300 and alike. It's a neat feature but as with my XL300 I think Ill keep it on the standard mode. I don't see me using the strobe; or at least highly doubt I'll be in a situation where I will need it.
The cradle is nice, and the locking feature works great. The cord it comes with is plenty long as well.
I'm not used to its smaller size or weight compared to the 3D but I don't mean that in a bad way.
While the 3D is my old faithful that has been with me though a lot over the years I can say it would have been nice to have the ML150LR as a truck light in my company truck when working the Hurricane Harvey storm restoration and needing to clearly spot utility pole structures in the evening and early night time hours. On my first night of testing this out I spotted my houses transformer and could see every part of the structure, including the numbers on the transformer, clear as day. It's quite nice. I may have to recommend these get added to all the service men and construction trucks instead of the bulky older streamlight halogen lights I think they still use.
As Ive stated before I don't have a lumen meter so I can give any info on how output drops. Perhaps I should build one?
I know enthusiasts on here and other boards like to dump all over Maglite but you can't count them out yet, or any time soon. For people who want a light that is well made, simple AND bright, I feel the ML150LR is a great choice. I'm glad I ordered two of them and am happy the person receiving the other as a gift will be more than happy with it.
If anyone has any other questions please let me know.