I was looking at getting one of the new Maglite D-Cell LED lights just so I could have a D-cell option. I have both 2 & 3 D-cell Maglites but with the old incandescent bulbs. In my internet surfing I found TerraLUX MiniStar5 LED replacements at batteryjunction.com. I didn't need to buy new Maglite flashlights, just buy fully regulated LED replacement bulbs and keep the old Maglite bodies.

I did it and they are great. Three D-cell batteries should have a pretty good life even when pushing 3 watts. No, I have not tested them to see just how long they last. It's got to be better than the original bulb with a lot more throw -- good enough.

What I've read about the TerraLUX upgrade has been uniformly positive. Some time ago I bought the Mag Instruments LED upgrade for our 3xD Maglites. While I doubt it's as bright as the TerraLUX emitter, it's worked very well. The beam is ringy and full of artifacts but the lights have stood up to unconscionable abuse while remaining watertight and giving outstanding battery life.

I wouldn't buy a 3xD Maglite now (too many good lights out there that outperform it in much smaller form-factors) but the LED upgrade made them worth keeping.

Another LED worth considering is the Terralux MiniStar1 - 1 Watt LED. It doesn't have the 3 watt output of the other LED's, but the bulb can can be used in most any flashlight that uses that bulb format -- 2-6 C or D batteries. It's in my 2D maglite now, but I'm going to try it in a 4AA lantern. FWIW

Glad you like the Terralux.

At least Maglite is still improving the LEDs they use in their LED models, so many people will be happy with the stock LED models, if they're in the market for a new LED light. Maglite is not using the most cutting edge LED technology, but considering the volume they deal with and the profile of most of their customers, I wouldn't say they are falling behind their competition either (and to me, their competition are companies like Streamlight, Pelican, Inova, etc. and not more niche companies like Fenix, 4Sevens, Nitecore, etc.)

I mean, c'mon, one of my all-time favorite LED lights--the Streamlight Proplymer Luxeon--is still using a first-generation LED, and we're way, way past that stage nowadays. But hey, I guess the ProPoly still meets people's needs, and people keep buying it, and so I guess it's OK. Actually, that is *still* my main glove box light in both my vehicles, and I have no real complaints.

I see Lowes will have led Mags on Black Friday for $15. Not sure if they're the newer well regarded versions or the older less well regarded ones. fyi.

I wish Mag would get more of a color selection in the LED, not that I'm picky on colors but I've started color coding each family members gear so I can tell whose was the one left out easily.