Customer Reviews

Maglite S5D016 Heavy-Duty 5-D Cell Flashlight, Black

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Anyone who lives as far out in the rural countryside as I do gets accustomed to power interruptions, whether they are due to downed power lines from ice storms, someone hitting a key telephone pole and knocking out a transformer, or is the result of one of the occasional electrical storms we have during the warmer months of the year. In any and all of these circumstances I can always depend on my collection of mag-lights to see me through the darkness of the house in order to light my well-used candles and oil lamps until the power is finally restored. I also have one in each of my two trucks, and when I recently narrowly missed hitting a startled deer late at night and went off the road into a muddy field, the trusty mag light was invaluable in helping me find a winching point to pull myself out of the muddy gully.

So, in this time of frequent brown-outs and power interruptions, whether it is a venture down into the blackened hole my basement becomes late at night, or finding my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I can always depend on using my mag lights to candle-power my way wherever I am going. I have two of the five battery-sized ones like the one displayed here, but actually also have three or four of the 'smaller' three or four battery sizes as well. I love mine, and although I seem to misplace at least one or two a year, I always have an ample supply of both mag-lights and replacement batteries because I find they are absolutely essential out here in the woods. Get one today.

Not for General use as it is a bit heavy, but perfect for the trunk or wall mounted in the office for power failures. (remove the top completely and you have a nice area light. Red color is easier to find in the dark.

I have one of these stashed by the back door for forays into the dark of our compost heap. (It gets dark way before dinner up north here and we compost our vegetable scraps.) Then there's one in the car, of course. It happens to make a good ad-hoc weapon, by the way. And perfectly legal for self-defense. Then there's one next to the bed and one in the guest room.

The 5 D-cell means lots of light, lots of life. The size is easy to find. The head design allows you can change the beam from spot to flood by a simple twist. It's treated to resist corrosion (have you ever looking inside one of those cheap steel or aluminum flashlights? They may fail even if you keep the batteries fresh if they are corroded. It's even water resistant. There's an extra lamp in the tail cap, and it has a good warranty. Makes a terrific housewarming present, so don't overlook this as an idea for a new neighbor or a friend who's bought a new house. Can't go wrong with one of these babies.

Other than it seems to go through bulbs semi-frequently it's a killer light. I've had mine for several years now. It's had acid dumped on it, dropped, and generally abused but still keeps on ticking. Exceptionally bright. Would make one heck of a club. Batteries seem to last a long time. The paint came off part of mine due to the acid but heck it's still going strong. I've purchased a bunch of the mag lights for myself and others including my wife and kid...they're just good strong dependable lights.

"That's one serious flashlight!" I often hear from others whenever I wheel this guy out. And it is indeed a big flashlight. However, I'm simply unable to find a smaller, better-constructed light for less than $30 that is anywhere near as bright as 4/5/6 D cell Maglites. The larger Maglites also ace many very expensive flashlights on battery life; twelve or more sustained hours is not uncommon with garden variety alkaline cells, which are always much less expensive than even low-cost lithium batteries. This flashlight is really quite a value!

I often use this flashlight for spotlighting owls. For this purpose, Maglite's Xenon Replacement Lamp offers a more focused beam, making it perfect for any application where you want to put light somewhere while minimizing stray light (which just blinds anyone standing next to you). Most people, however, will find the stock bulb more practical for most uses, which casts a wider and (to my eyes) brighter beam.

OTHER NOTES: Liberally lubing all threads with petroleum jelly will smooth out the action and save some wear and tear, particularly when changing batteries.

Has an excellent long beam. Heavy once the five batteries are in it. My brother loves this flashlight. He keeps it in his truck for any emergencies.

When I first got mine about fifteen years ago or so, this was by far the best thing going for what it did. A lot of batteries in series, a lamp that could take the extra current, and in a high quality aluminum body that could take as-well-as render a beating. What can I say, it has lasted for all of this time.

Had not the vastly superior technology in the correct use of Cree LED's come along, I'd probably still have a use for it. None-the-less, over the last few years, having a choice of having to grab this in the middle of the night or one of my LED lights, this *always* looses.

It's size over the years I've concluded is more of a logistical hindrance than anything else. It's projected light "as configured" is not even in the same class as the well-made LED lights currently available.

From a 2.5 star on the basis of efficient usefulness, I rounded up and gave it a 3 star because it was made here in America and made very well. With their LED conversion it might be savable so as to give to one of my neighbors with a valid flashlight need.

Given what's now available for the task of projecting light, I would no-longer repurchase one of these.

I'll be honest. I figured that flashlights are flashlights. I've owned smaller Maglights before, and I figured this one would be a nice backup flashlight for camping, or those infrequent times when you break down on the highway at night and just need something dependable. But some weeks back, I was driving my wife's vehicle and met up with a friend of mine who happens to be a law enforcement officer (LEO). As I was getting ready to leave his place, he noticed the approximately 20" piece of wooden dowel that I had placed within easy reach of the driver. I had used one that was very similar to ward off a mugging (there were THREE "goblins") in the parking lot of a restaurant several years ago, and had always kept one in each of my vehicles every since. My LEO friend said, "You know that carrying that is illegal, right?" I thought, "No way!" But sure enough, here in Illinois, the only state in the union that does NOT allow conceal and carry weapons by citizens, it is ALSO illegal to be able to defend yourself with the leftover parts of a closet remodel. In this case, it was a wooden hangar dowel. But now to the purpose of this review. When the 5-D cell Maglight went on sale, I figured I had solved my "illegal" weapons problem. So I bought one for each vehicle. And they are great. The beam focuses nicely from narrow to wide, and yes, it has the dark halo when zoomed to narrow. But the illumination is great. A great camping companion. But also, a great self defense tool. It's big enough and robust enough that a well placed swipe will put a would-be goblin on the run (or in the hospital). I would recommend adding some grip tape, like the material that is available for the edges of steps, or the grip tape that can be purchased for pistol handles. This flash light has minor grips designed into the length of the body, but if it is raining, or your hands are moist for some reason, this baby could go flying out of your hand! What's the likelihood you will ever need this as a self-defense tool? I guess it depends on whether or not you ever leave the house. What's the chance you will need a good flashlight? And if you do, why not get one that will take a beating, provide you with ample lighting and potentially thwart off an ugly situation? This baby will easily out perform my wooden protection, and I don't have to worry about going to jail for possessing a self-defense tool, which just happens to look and work like a fabulous flashlight!

This is nice to keep in the car, both as a light, and also it has a secondary use. And you can take it anywhere- it's not a weapon, it's a flashlight!

This is an incredible flashlight. Some might worry about the sheer size and heft of this 5D Model, and while it is rather large and relatively heavy, you won't really notice it when you really need it. During a recent blackout, this MagLite was more than adequate to light an entire office, so much so that I could still keep working. On a side note, walking around your neighborhood at night (walking your dog, jogging, exercising, etc.) with this flashlight really makes you feel safe. Or at least gives you the perception of safety. I would recommend this flashlight without reservation or hesitation.