till now , I have be make do with minimag with various lead drop-in , and the 3 d cell mag , whch be excellent light . the 3d always be too large , heavy , and awkward , though . despite a almost pathological negativity by so-called `` expert '' against MagLite product , for the past 35 year , I have find mine rugged , reliable , and rather good-looking . I really do not need a new flashlight , but just recently , I decide to see what all the yell be about , and purchase the lead version of the MiniMag light . scary bright ! a excellent light-weight light , nearly as bright as the 3d as it come from the package . I feel the additional mode , strobe and SOS , -lrb- probably do with a eye to the competition -rrb- be of very little practical usefulness , except in extreme and rare circumstance , but the lighting level be nice . I put a terralux tailcap switch on my MiniMag LED , something I feel the factory should have provide , and it cycle through the mode without a hiccup . I have never find MagLite 's focus ability to be necessary , so I just set the focus where I wish , and use the tailcap switch . I do not know yet if the durability will match my regular minimag , but judge from my past experience , it will be excellent . recommend : four star , because of the extra , `` fluff '' mode , inconvenient operation without a tailcap , and the need to focus constantly .