I really like this line of Maglites, with the black being the ST3D016 model. I bought 4 of them in 2019, with the average price being $26 at the time (black, silver, gray, and camo). I came back today to buy one as a gift and it's $50, so has nearly doubled in price in 2 years! I bought my first Maglite in 1982, 39 years ago, a 4D, incandescent of course, and it's still going strong, upgraded in the '90's to a krypton bulb, then later to LED module. These are 168 lumens, and are simple and reliable. I haven't had any issue with the button covers, but based on other reviews am keeping an eye on that. I considered the ML300L line at a big increase in lumens, but didn't like the form factor, the lighter construction, the finicky multi-button push sequence, the failure rate, or the overall lower ratings. I already have a couple "fry your eyeballs" Surefire combat lights, but just wanted general purpose reliable very bright flashlights for the garage, shed, and bedrooms. I already had two 20 year-old incandescent 3D maglites, which I retrofitted with Maglite LED bulbs about 10 years ago, one of which has already failed, which is irritating, but in fairness it may have been dropped by the person I loaned it to. Those LED upgrades are big improvements over the Krypton bulbs, but not quite as bright as these units. I was amazed at the brightness and throw of these lights. I can easily light up a rooftop or treetop over 150 yards away, plus don't suck up battery life with a bunch of unnecessary brightness. To me these 3D Maglights at 168 lumens are the perfect compromise between long battery life, durability, a light you can maintain yourself without sending back to the factory, and something you can use as an attitude adjuster in a pinch. For the ones I carry in the thug infested part of town when I walk the dog I added a Weltool strike bezel just in case, but ML300L or not, the light is bright enough on it's own to blind anyone. Hopefully the price will go back down after this inflationary craziness dies down (IF it dies down), but even at $50 I can enthusiastically recommend this model. The sole concern I have is if the LED ever fails, because you can't go back to a krypton bulb like you can with the incandescent conversions, so I'll have to pay Mag to have it fixed. That's not likely though I don't think.
The other Amazon extras I can recommend are the Weltool hard glass lens (comes with the strike bezel, or you can buy separately and keep the factory bezel), and an Uncle Mikes belt hanger, which is especially useful if you're a cop or security guard or just might need your hands free. Finally, depending on the size of your hands, wrap the beginning and ending of the knurling with about a 1.5" -2" width of hockey tape, which will help you hang onto the light, and is nicer to have under your palm on a cold night. Get one, I don't think you'll regret it.
(P.S. To the people that see a black circle at the center of the beam, turn the bezel! These are adjustable from a wide to spot beam, and only the spot and wide spot doesn't have the black center circle. I index mine so that when turned as far as I can to the left, it's a spot. You can tweak that by taking off the head of the light and turning the reflector a quarter turn in the housing then trying again. Repeat until you get it the way you want it.
| Manufacturer | MAGLITE |
|---|---|
| Part Number | ST3D016 |
| Item Weight | 15 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 12.34 x 1.56 x 2.25 inches |
| Item model number | ST3D016 |
| Batteries | 3 D batteries required. |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | 3-Cell |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Alluminum |
| Pattern | Flashlight |
| Shape | Drop |
| Power Source | Battery-Powered |
| Voltage | 1.5 Volts |
| Wattage | 3 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Included Components | ML51080 |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Battery Cell Type | Alkaline |
| Description Pile | aa |
| Warranty Description | Not applicable. |
| National Stock Number | 6230-01-601-5155 |
