please advise me on a bright LED flashlight that runs on regular D-cell batteries....

[ukrdude1]

hello, this is my first thread.....I came to cpf because i think it's the best place to get good advice on which LED D-cell flashlight to buy in the 50-120 dollar range.
so far I am interested in the 630lumens model of bluestone,litexpress 505, and Mflare(all exactly the same, just sold in different places)
so anyone please tell me good D-cell LED flashlights are worth buying.

thanks=D

 

[John_Galt]

Alkaline D cells are a horrendous chemistry to mess with. They have extreme capacity, but only at low current draws. The internal resistance of these cells makes them a very poor choice for any high draw flashlight...

May I ask why it has to be D cells? There are much, much better choices in either Ni-MH AA's or Li-ion cells, such as 16340's, 18650's, etc.

 

[:)>]

This is an area where some company could shine... I don't know of any higher end D-Cell flashlights unless you purchase a Maglite and put a Malkoff Drop-in in... Malkoff Drop-in's are great but they are only single level.

I would love to be able to buy an 80 dollare 3 or 4 d-cell light that had 6 levels like Zebralights new H31.

 

[kramer5150]

A 4D mag + teralux drop in will do ~400 OTF ,tested with Alkalines. It wasn't tested with NiMH but I suspect that the alkalines limit its output. This is the brightest I have seen using alkaline D cells.

 

[richardcpf]

The luma power mentor runs on C cells.

http://www.lumapower.com/80.html

 

[rickypanecatyl]

LedLenser makes the P17. It's a very sturdy light and has a really nice adjustable beam. Unfortunatley it's not that powerful - about 200 lumens. It does throw well though...

 

[papajoe]

With all due respect, and I am not being sarcastic. D-cells are bulky and heavy, and they don't perform well. Other than being very commonplace, I would think they are losing their worth in the flashlight business.

Trust me, I have own numerous Maglites over the years - and they served me well. But today, I can carry a small light the size of a marking pen that will blast through the dark !

D-cells won't be powering many future handheld flashlights IMHO.

:shrug:

 

[orchid_guy]

It doesn't run on D cells nor is it super bright(44 lumens) but for around $45 streamlight's ProPolymer 3C lux Div 1 or Div 2 lights are a good light. Actually, I belive they were a consumers best buy one year.

 

[Vortus]

Have to disagree on the death of the D cell. Along with the current store offerings of D Cell lights, quality offerings from Elektrolumens (Blaster NG, plus some older models), and Lambda (the 1000 and 2000 models). Let along all of the Mag drop ins and conversions. Plus, there are good Nimh, Lifepo4 and even Lion D cells out there. Normal Alkalines do just fine in many of them, and the better chemistry batteries are even better.

Not to mention, some folks simply do not like the smaller lights that companies are making now. They lack the heft of a good D cell flashlight.

 

[Liquidretro]

I would also like something in this range but maybe a bit cheaper. The reason I want D Cells is the size. I will be using the light to go out and inspect semi trailers late at night in areas that are less than ideal. Its nice to have a solid item as defense if needed.

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

hello, this is my first thread.....I came to cpf because i think it's the best place to get good advice on which LED D-cell flashlight to buy in the 50-120 dollar range.
so far I am interested in the 630lumens model of bluestone,litexpress 505, and Mflare(all exactly the same, just sold in different places)
so anyone please tell me good D-cell LED flashlights are worth buying.

thanks=D

Any of the new D-cell LED Maglites would fit the bill. Mag tends to get a bad rap around here, but they make a solid product.

 

[Axion]

Get a 5C Maglight and throw in a Malkoff XP-G drop-in. You'll have a hefty light that puts out 260 lumen for 5+ hours before slowly dropping off. It's not quite D cells but I think it meets all the other requirements you described.

 

[Vortus]

Yup, any of the new mag LED's would fit the bill. They are very good lights into themselves. And make great hosts when you are ready for more. Look at some Ma-sha's work and others on the custom forums. Beasts! All Mag based.

For a bit more cash, a 2-6D mag and a malkoff or other drop in. I have a 2-3D Mag with a Malkoff I used for nightly trailer/truck inspections. Compared to a normal Mag incan, simply alot brighter, and has a hell of a long run time.

For a bit more, and Elektrolumens Blaster NG, Lambda. I now have a Blaster NG powered by 3 12k Mah titanium D Nimh cells. Its kinda hard to explain the difference, but the BNG's simply a wall of light. You can get one with a reflector that I imagine throws more, but not what I wanted. Also will be used for trailer and truck check, among other things. The Lamba is very similar, adjustable in beam and has the ability to change from very dim to full power.

Few other lights have mag and other D based lights ability to be used as a club either.

 

[etc]

I haven't actively used D based lites in years, after I discovered SF Lego with 18650's.

 

[Joe Hone]

I have a Maglite 2D with the Malkoff drop-in. Only one level, but the nice thing about the Malkoff is the spot/flood capability of the light still works. After I did the mod I learned more about the risks with alkaline batteries and bought a 6 AA battery carrier from mdocod, who regularly posts here. Great light, good throw, nice spot. I highly recommend it.

 

[alpg88]

i ran my 4d mag with terralux tle 300 on 4d alkaline, first half hour or so it was very bright, than it gradually became dimmer.

 

[Swedpat]

Get a 5C Maglight and throw in a Malkoff XP-G drop-in. You'll have a hefty light that puts out 260 lumen for 5+ hours before slowly dropping off. It's not quite D cells but I think it meets all the other requirements you described.

Hi Axion,

I have several Maglites with Malkoff dropins. Just curious why you recommend just 5C? I think 3C will put out the same brightness. Yes, of course; surely not for more than a short time. Do you mean that 5C is the smallest C-sized Maglite which will provide stable output with a Malkoff for extended periods using alkalines?

Regards, Patric

 

[Jash]

A 4D mag and a fusion 4536 will give you 400+ lumens for about six hours on alkalines.

Should cost a total of about $50-60 for the two.

 

[Swedpat]

Interesting Jash. The efficiency of that dropin is impressing! Is it intended especially for Maglite 4D?

 

[fishx65]

Another not-D post: Rayovac still sells the 3C Sportsman Extreme Cree. I've had two for a few years and they can take a beating and give one. Around 30 bucks and really bright.