I've owned Maglites for more than two decades but I've always found them to be heavy and clumsy in use. That didn't matter because they were powerful and very durable. But now I've found a replacement that is more powerful, not heavy and not clumsy to use. The Streamlight TL-3 punches out a beam that can reach far and deep. Another poster said it's almost too powerful for some tasks and that is correct. The TL-3 is in its element when you need a lot of light on a subject in the distance. I keep a less powerful light available along with the TL-3.

One reviewer complained of the tailcap switch. The switch is fairly common these days for "tactical" lights. Law enforcement and military personnel who need to use lights to locate threats use the tailcap switch for momentary-on purposes by just lightly pressing the switch for a quick blip. The TL-3 can also be used in constant-on status by pressing the switch until it clicks. The tailcap rotates to prevent accidental switching on while being carried. It's really a simple and straightforward switch but it might be a little confusing to those unfamiliar with its purpose. Some lights, are switched to constant-on by twisting the tailcap clockwise. My particular TL-3 clicks on and off with the tailcap button.

The TL-3 is a great replacement for a big Maglite. Buy the batteries at a savings online--I use Battery Junction but there are others who advertise good prices as well. If you buy at the local Home Depot, Lowe's or drugstore, the price of 123A lithium cells will be prohibitive.

provides great lighting, same as most similar products of this type. the flashlight does not have an on/off button or switch. you need to rotate the bottom cap of the flashlite to turn it on or off which means that you would usually need two hands to operate it on or off. very cumbersome and idiotic design which defeats the ability to turn the lite on or off fast with one hand. why would someone design a flashlite like this?

this little flashlight is indeed as powerful as other reviewers have indicated. my three D-cell maglite is no competition, and my 2 million candlepower floodlight just barely equals it in overall penetrating beam power and light projection. a rubber grip around the patterned aluminum housing would have been nice, but i can find nothing to complain about as far as performance is concerned. it is blindingly--almost dangerously--bright!

This flashlight is so bright that it is almost too bright for some applications, if that is really possible. The beam is literally blinding for a few seconds if you shine it in a person's eyes. Its a little heavy but considering the 200 lumen brightness its a more than fair trade off. I have owned this flashlight for 2 plus years. Its in a class of its own. Compare its 200 lumens to any other flashlight and it reigns supreme.

I love this flashlight. Since buying this flashlight, I've bought 6 other Streamlight flashlights to give as gifts (from an Ultra Stinger to the Keychain light). This is one bright flashlight. We had raccoons on our front porch several nights ago. I shined the light on one to scare them away and the light is so bright it confused the poor thing and it didn't know where to go. The battery life is surprisingly good--this isn't the kind of flashlight that you want to use to go for a long latenight hike in the woods. It is the kind of flashlight you want to have when something goes bump in the night. Would buy again.