Who remembers the 3 cell flashlight ?

[JPat]

'still have fond memories of the 3 cell. Not only good light but great defense when the nightstick wasn't handy.

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[P7M13]

Still have a 3-D Maglight.

 

[JPat]

Still have a 3-D Maglight.

Me too

 

[gmerkt]

Mrs. Merkt needles me about this, but I have a pile of about a dozen or so Maglites. Mostly D cell models, two to five cells. I used to keep them all loaded but since some sat around for a long time without being used, I now store most of them empty.

Odd number cell lights can be a pain seeing as how batteries are often sold in packs containing even numbers.

My first such light wasn't a Maglite, but a Kel-Lite around 1973. A cop who lived across the street from my mom and dad had one. I thought a combination flashlight / club made sense. That was a five cell light.

The Maglites I use the most now are two C cell models, around the house.

I've got several other flashlights that I keep and use. A couple are "lanterns" and take 6v batteries. Another is a Coleman that I converted from fluorescent to LED. Then I've got a weird Coleman floating barrel flashlight, takes several AA's, switch turns on the rear barrel cap. My worst performing flashlight is a Snap-On.

Oh, and let's not forget the cheap puck lights from Harbor Freight, I've got half of dozen of those around. I use those now instead of a drop light when I work under a vehicle.

 

[Alexx1401]

I still often carry one for both light as as a Sap. Finally gave up on Maglite though. They used to last so long If I did wear one out I could not remember when I bought it. Last decade or so I went through so many I gave up and started buying cheap imports. Really saddened me when Maglite started making their stuff so damn poorly

 

[ATCclears]

I still keep a three-cell, D-size battery Maglite in each vehicle. I also upgraded the bulbs to slightly brighter LED bulbs. You can find them on Amazon.

 

[Alexx1401]

I still keep a three-cell, D-size battery Maglite in each vehicle. I also upgraded the bulbs to slightly brighter LED bulbs. You can find them on Amazon.

Those converters to make them use an LED are GREAT. They seem to last forever. I have a few of them around that every time a light would quit working I would put it in the next one I bought till I finally just gave up on the brand. They put out a LOT more light though and make the batteries last FAR longer.

 

[Medic!]

I have one.
Family member gave it to me. The late owner worked at Area 51 back in the day.

 

[orygun]

I still have a 2 cel, 3 cel and 4 cel lights. Better clubs than lights, but that's all we had!

 

[ma96782]

Yeah. I'm a 3 D Cell Maglite owner.

Cons.
Too heavy, uncomfortable to wear while in uniform, large diameter, and a weak light (by today's newer offerings).

Pros.
BUT, But, but......batteries were provided.

Night stick usage?
No way.....that's prohibited.

Aloha, Mark

 

[Cavedweller]

Still have one I bought almost 40 years ago. It was the best thing going then, but D cells are getting so expensive that it's cheaper to buy 2 new rechargeable LED lights than reload it. They put out more light, too.

 

[P7M13]

I have one.
Family member gave it to me. The late owner worked at Area 51 back in the day.

Does it glow without batteries?

 

[Tony617]

I remember having a 5 D Cell Radio Shack flashlight. It was plastic but was heavy with 5 batteries.

 

[Pete F]

I have a couple 2 cell AA, 3 cell Maglights and the 5 cell club. I too changed out the bulbs several times, from OEM, to xenon to LED.

The LED puts out more light, but only about 350 lumens. The batteries last much longer, but when you have 500, 650 and 1000 lumen flashlights that are smaller and lighter, why drag around several pounds of Maglight. Just carry a nightstick if you need to whack someone.

My house is flashlight central and if the alkaline batteries didn't leak periodically, it would be worse. The Li-Ion batteries have not leaked yet and I am slowly going to rechargeable - Stanley spotlights, Pelican and Streamlight.

 

[Centermass]

I keep one mounted in my truck. Replace the batteries every hunting season. I still use the AA mini mags quite a bit also. Have converted them all to LED. Two of my Mini Mags are over 30 years old. Bought when I was in the USMC and still use em.

 

[Nosferatu]

I have one.

It's holding the boat still.

 

[bionic knees]

still have a 3 cell mag-light, converted the bulb to one of new fangled led things, works pretty danged good.

 

[boattail]

I have my duty light from 2001. Streamlight 20X. Weak by todays standards but I prefer it to the new LED versions for less backwash of light up close. I carried it for 24 years and it mysteriously got "lost" when I retired when the department asked for it back. The department stopped servicing it three years prior to my retirement and I bought my own batteries and switches so I kept it. It is the go to light for the wife and I to check the animals with at night

 

[ATCclears]

The Maglite with the newer LED

https://tinyurl.com/Maglite-ML300-LED

 

[Tlock]

I think @Stomper still uses the old school flesh lights. All questions should be directed to him via pm.....thanks