Dissapointed in 3D Mag from beginning

[aksim]

I purchased the 3d Mag long before finding this excellent forum. Whether using it in the back yard or in a darkened house I do not feel it accomplishes either very well. If you would be so kind as to give your opinions on best reach out and touch long beam and flood fill room torches. Could be one adjustable unit if you feel that is best or two different units. Comment also,if your in the mood a pencil thin beam and small close up project light. I have placed the R.S. bulb in my mag and it is brighter but still not satisfying. The local farm supply carries the Brinkman Legend but I am not sure of the LX.

 

[lightuser]

howdy! For the cost of a mag D cell plus ten bucks you can get a princeton tec surge delivered right to your door. It's a much better flashlight. See the "Surge Shootout" thread. It has adjustability, cheap batteries, waterproof, reasonable size and a great beam. I just ordered another one. The mag's are yesterdays technology surviving on the rather large segment of consumers who kind of don't know any better. Like me a few years back. I bought a new mag and I remember thinking wow! these things are great looking. After about a year of using the thing I realized how dim and funky it was, and I started getting into CPF topics looking foe better gear. You don't have to pay a lot for a good flashlight. The Legend LX is highly appreciated here as well as a number of other affordable flashlights, as well as all the expensive lithium lights like the Surefires.

 

[recercare]

Maglites are not that bright, and they are old fashioned. The beam quality is ¤&%¤%&. Still, i like my 3D! It fits my hands perfectly, and it wins on beauty alone. It feels solid and dependable.

Let's say you work at night and use your flashlight for 10 hours continously. Believe me, a lot of the flashlights mentioned in this forum would not be practical at all, the surge included.

I love flashlights. They're my toys. Of that reason burn time is not that important. I just want the flashlight to be darn bright! However, if I used flashlights at work my opinion would be different. Burn time, solidness and comfort would become more important, and then Maglite would be a good choice.

....but Maglite should really replace the kryptonbulbs with Halogens/xenons though

 

[Alaric Darconville]

I got my 3D Mag in '94 or so, not really knowing that there was anything better out there.

But that light has gone through a lot for me! I've banged on my battery terminals to loosen them up so I could try to get a better connection with them, and dropped it how many times? on the highway and in parking lots and in the occasional puddle...

I've used it as a tight spotlight for distant things and a broad flood for the room, and for changing tires... sure, the beam quality isn't the greatest but it still is versatile.

And with the XPR103 bulb in it, it's pretty darn bright. Ray-O-Vac renewals work great in it.

Yes, there are better lights out there, but the 3D Mag is still a great light to have in your car, or in a drawer, ready to grab when that circuit breaker trips or a storm knocks out the lights. I don't regret getting it myself.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I own 2 3D Mag-Lites, 1 2D Mag-Lite and several Mini-Mag-Lites.

While it is true that the Mags do not address all needs, they are pretty good flashlights. They are well designed and constructed. Just plain tuff. And the customer service is good.

My Mag-Lite are always there. I keep one 3D in my vehicle and one at the house. In a pinch, they can be used as a defensive tool. I use my Mini-Mags far more frequently and carry a 2 AAA cell Mini-Mag everywhere.

To be honest though, that when camping, fishing, etc, I still prefer my old Army anglehead flashlight (Beefed up with a halogen bulb, and a new better reflector).

Being a flashlightaholic, I did just buy both a Princeton TEC Attitude LED flashlight (3 LEDs powered by 4 AAA cells - for long life); and for power in a small package, a Surefire E2-HA Executive Xenon flashlight powered by 2 DL123A cells.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jadun:
I purchased the 3d Mag long before finding this excellent forum. Whether using it in the back yard or in a darkened house I do not feel it accomplishes either very well. If you would be so kind as to give your opinions on best reach out and touch long beam and flood fill room torches. Could be one adjustable unit if you feel that is best or two different units. Comment also,if your in the mood a pencil thin beam and small close up project light. I have placed the R.S. bulb in my mag and it is brighter but still not satisfying. The local farm supply carries the Brinkman Legend but I am not sure of the LX.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

[aksim]

I am a gadget lover. Money is usually tight so most cases I buy the lesser product. I have learned though and have spent weeks investigating the flashlight issue. A lot of internet searching and going through this forum. I really enjoy the forum.

Still not sure what I am going to buy, most likely will be two lights.

 

[webley445]

I see flashlights like my firearms. One general purpose unit will see you through, but for specific jobs you may need to get different ones for different duties. I find the Mag to be sturdy and dependable. Don't know how many times I've dropped mine and it keeps on ticking. Plus I will admit it gives me a small sense of security when I have it in my hand. However, different people have different needs.
Sounds like there is a torch fanatic hidden deep down inside you, seeking to come out. My therapist recommends buying several lights, each with a specific duty and use. That will be the only way to truly satisfy the needs you are feeling;^)

 

[JB]

jadun...

Like others have said, there is no perfect all-purpose light. Different lights for different situations.

That said, I'm going to recommend the Streamlight Ultrastinger as a cost-effective, powerful, long range light for short duration use. It's a rechargeable (so you save on batteries) and burn time is about 60 mins.

 

[aksim]

I really studied the forum and did searches on various lights in the forum.
I placed an order about 3 days ago for an Ultra Stinger and a Surge. I feel that there is probably room for one more to round out the usage range. Small light for close up. Any suggestions would be welcome.

I looked real close at the SuerFire that lets you get two different light outputs by pressing the switch more. My personal economic position just would not allow for that.

I am very happy with my choices. Would not even know about much less be able to purchase quality lights without the forum

 

[Alan]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jadun:
I really studied the forum and did searches on various lights in the forum.
I placed an order about 3 days ago for an Ultra Stinger and a Surge. I feel that there is probably room for one more to round out the usage range. Small light for close up. Any suggestions would be welcome.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

For small light, I'd recommend Rage. It's light, bright and waterproof like Surge. It fits on most mini-mag holster. Depends on how often you use your light, if you use it very often, you could use rechargeables on your Surge and Rage. This will make the cost of usage/ownership extremely low.

Alan

 

[BillSJCA]

I was pleased with the latest mag 3d I picked up at costco last summer. heavy duty tight beam nice tint, much nicer then the first led mag light from a few years ago.

 

[jzmtl]

Holy thread resurrection! over 8 years old, must be a record! :p

 

[Burgess]

Great Thread ! ! !

Glad it got Bumped !

We (Flashaholics) need to know where we've Been, to know where we're Going.


Bought my 3-D cell Maglite on 09/06/1983.

Had to have a Sporting Goods store ORDER it, cuz' naturally, NOBODY
would have something like that IN STOCK ! ! ! :)


Thought it was SO VERY FANTASTIC ! ! !
:kiss:

Went out and bought a buncha' spare PR-3 Bulbs for it, so i'd always be prepared.

I was So Impressed with that Bright, Long-Throw -- like a Laser Beam !
:cool:

This was a LOT bigger and heavier than my blue Eveready 2-D cell Cordahide flashlight.

But this was more than offset by its Awesome Performance !
:wow:


And, as an Added Bonus . . . .

If i wanted Long-Runtime, i could simply use PR-7 bulbs in it.

Those give the Light Output of a 2-D cell (PR-2) flashlight,
yet only draw 300 mA, rather than the 500 mA draw of PR-2 or PR-3 bulbs.

Pretty Nifty and Versatile, indeed !

:twothumbs___:p
_