MAGLITE ST2D036 2-D Cell LED Flashlight, Red

by MagLite

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Maglite brings LED's into focus, The Maglite two D-battery LED flashlight, well known for its quality, durability, and reliability is now available with New MAG-LED Technology. Designed for professional and consumer use, benefits include: A Powerful Projecting Beam that focuses simply by rotating the head. Balanced Optics, combining a highly refined reflector with a quality LED, for a brilliant adjustable beam. Intelligent Energy Source Management (patent pending) balancing high brightness with efficient power usage. Water and shock resistant. Limited lifetime warranty.

Product Description

Maglite, Red, 2 "D" Cell, Standard Incandescent Flashlight, Anodized Aircraft Quality Aluminum, Flood To Spot Focus Feature, O-Ring Sealed At All Threaded Joints.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000IXBU80
• Item model number: ST2D036
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,450 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just as bright as the Maglite 3-D cell LED flashlight - only shorter, March 29, 2011

By 

NLee the Engineer (Nashua, NH) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 10 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: MAGLITE ST2D096 2-D Cell LED Flashlight, Gray (Tools & Home Improvement)

I did a comparison test between the MAGLITE 2-D Cell LED Flashlight and the 3-D cell version (ST3D016), and found them to be almost identical in terms of beam shapes and brightness. Note that both flashlights I tested have the same second-generation LED technology (Luxeon Rebel ES 3W LED) in them. First-generation Maglite LED flashlights (sold before 2009) have the older Lux III LED in them, which is about half as bright.

Now, onward with the comparison:

EXTERIOR:
From the outside, both 2-D and 3-D Maglite LED flashlights have exactly the same shape and finish. Naturally the 2-D cell version is shorter, but the difference is not as dramatic as one may expect. That's because the 2-D version actually has the length of four D cells stack together. So the 3-D version is only 25% longer.

INTERIOR:
There is a subtle difference in the positive contact inside the two Maglite flashlights. The ST2D has a slightly recessed contact point, which means if the first battery's positive terminal is just slightly wider than that of a standard alkaline cell, it will not make electrical contact. So initially I was not able to use any rechargeable D cells (such as the Energizer D Rechargeable NiMH) in it. I have to add a tiny solder bump to the positive terminal for it to work.

BRIGHTNESS:
On paper, the ST2D should produce more light output than ST3D (114 lumens vs. 104). But in real life, I cannot tell which flashlight is brighter even in a side-by-side comparison. They both have the same LED and the same optical reflector design, which means they should generate the same brightness as long as they are driven at the same power.

POWER CONSUMPTION:
According to my own measurements, both versions consume roughly the same input power (hence light output) with fresh alkaline cells. The main difference is in how the input power changes over battery voltage range.
- For the ST3D, input power is tightly regulated at 1.9-2W as long as the battery voltage is over 3.5V. Below 3.5V, however, the power drops rapidly. The light becomes nearly useless when battery voltage drops below 3V.
- For the ST2D, input power is not as well-regulated. It consumes about 1.7W at 3.0V (two fresh alkaline cells). As the battery falls all the way down to 1.5V, the input power actually increases to almost 2.2W. Below 1.5V, the input power drops off quickly, but the light is still useable even at 1.0V!
(See the "Input Power vs. Battery Voltage" chart in Customer Images section)

RUNTIME:
A typical alkaline D-cell is rated for about 9,000mAh when delivering a constant current of 500mA. So its total energy (assuming an average voltage of 1.3V) is about 12Wh. Based on my energy calculations:
- Two alkaline D cells should be able to power the ST2D for about 12 hours at full brightness.
- Three alkaline D cells should be able to power the ST3D for about 20 hours at full brightness.

There is absolutely no way three alkaline D cells can sustain 2W for 72 hours, because that will require each cell to pack 48Wh of energy. Why did MagLite rate the runtime for ST3D as '72 hours'? I can only imagine that's the time it takes for the light to drop to 10% of its full brightness.


CONCLUSION:
The 2-D and 3-D versions of MagLite LED flashlights are identical in terms of built-quality, light output, and beam shapes. The main difference is their runtimes. But this difference is more like 12 hours (for 2-D) verses 20 hours (for 3-D), instead of 9 verses 72 as Maglite claimed. Presently, the two versions are priced similarly. So unless you expect to use your Maglite as an impact weapon, the shorter 2-D version may be a better choice.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful flashlight! Highly recommended!, January 8, 2008

By 

Popcorn five (California) - See all my reviews

This is a wonderful flashlight!
Some LED flashlights spread out too much, making it difficult to shine it on one specific object. This flashlight is super-bright, and it can shine all the way to the top (and farther) on the tallest pine trees around here. Because it has an adjustable beam, it's also good for walking at night, because by twisting the head, you can spread the beam out to cover more area.
I love the way the button feels, because it's easy to press, and it's not the type that will break off.
This is a wonderful flashlight. I'd have to say it's the best I've seen! I would highly recommend it to anyone. There is nothing I don't like about this flashlight!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Boy do I love this flashlight... A+++++, October 22, 2008

By 

Jewelry Lover "me" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: MAGLITE ST2D036 2-D Cell LED Flashlight, Red (Tools & Home Improvement)

this is a no frills flashlight. It runs on 2 D cell batteries like a real flashlight should. The LED light is bright - both LED and standard bulbs are included. I love the abilty to focus the beam on a narrow spot to look for a noise maker downstairs, or use the broad flood light effect for walking through the neighborhood at night. The flashlight is aluminum, has a nice weight -- but not too heavy. It looks like it will last a lifetime. I just have to keep the Orkin guy from taking it with him....like he did my last flashlight :(