Another "What should I get" post...

[logicnerd411]

Fast. Don't ask questions. What should I get and why:

CMG Reactor
MadMax

or

OTHER(specify)

I'm addicted and this is my first Luxeon. I need a few replies by Monday night. Thanks

 

[Steelwolf]

Forget about the CMG Reactor unless you are willing to use Lithium AA every time. Or else try and get the Reactor that takes 3 AA batteries. You'd be disappointed otherwise.

Can't comment on MadMax, but if it is Luxeon flashlights you want, Arc-LS is good. Will have a E1e+KL1 in a few days and I think it will be good too.

Basically, stay away from unregulated Luxeons unless they use 3 or more cells and current limiting resistors. e.g. InReTech stuff.

 

[Rothrandir]

i would go with the madmax.

cmg products are very inconsistant...wayne produces amazing products...madmax is brighter...wayne is a great guy!

as far as the intretech...i don't have one...but most people have been very happy with them. they are brighter than a newbeam, and they have excellent customer service.

and of course...i have to suggest the arc.

also...i strongly recommend some of the user mods done by the alie...outstanding modders here at cpf. they are much brighter than anything you can currently buy commerically.

 

[ikendu]

Originally posted by logicnerd411:
Don't ask questions. What should I get and why:

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">This is really tough.
I want a vehicle...what should it be (truck, sports car, sedan)?
No idea what the usage is????

I assume you are looking for something really bright (luxeons).

If you are looking for alternatives...think about the Streamlight 4AA 7 LED. Whiter than many Luxeon based lights, cheaper to buy and way more consistent in terms of beam quality.

 

[pjenkins00]

the madmax is the way to go, great light and has a candle mode to really light up a room

- Pete

 

[W4DIZ]

The madmax is great.I use mine in a minimag with the kroll switch.Nice and bright and white.I got lucky and got a very good reactor.Very little green with lith. batts.The reactor is good if you want long run times at reduced light output.If I could only buy one of these lights it would be the madmax.

 

[Empath]

MadMax, because it doesn't look like a microphone, it's regulated, transportable from one flashlight to another, can run on standard AA cells, (meaning the Reactor is none of the above).

MadMax is also brighter and has a better beam quality.

The Reactor's advantage is it's cheaper.

 

[SuRgE]

Under $30; Streamlight 4AA LED(no contest). I have the Arc LS, KL1, KL3, Reactor,SL3C,EL LGI and my SL4AA puts out as much light IMHO as most of these and cost only $23. Plus its waterproof to 200 feet and has all kinds of safety certifications! And its a Streamlight! Lifetime warranty.

Buy this cheap one first before spending big dollars on the modifieds and the Surefires. You will agree "Its the best LED value out there"!

 

[rlhess]

SuRgE,

I basically agree -- and it depends on the purpose -- but I think the Streamlight 3C is also a good choice. More light, longer run time, and less waste heat.

OF course, it's bigger and heavier, but not much different in size from a 2D flashlight of years ago. Perhaps a hair longer, but not as thick.

But, for in your pocket everyday, and Arc LS with 1 123 is a great choice...and then there's the Arc AAA that everyone has...or so it seems.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[logicnerd411]

All right, some good opinions. I need pocketability, so is the 4AA clunky? 3C is out though.

So, running CMG Reactor on alkalines is out of the question? How diminished is it?

My use? Having a Luxeon as EDC. No particular use. I'm a student, so no real need in work.

And the Arc LS? I wish. I'm looking for a cheap alternative.

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

Logicnerd411, the Reactor is truly pathetic on alkaline AAs. I tried it to see what people were talking about. Extremely dim. The Reactor is designed to use Lithiums (Eveready L91), which are 1.83 volts each before load. On Alkalines, it is dimmer than the CMG Infinity Ultra.

However, on Lithiums, it is quite bright and lasts 25 hours of usage per pair of batteries.

Pocketability?? Depends on what you mean. It isn't for stuffing into snug pants pockets. Zippered jacket pocket, suit coat breast pocket, and such are okay. The inretech uses the minimag for its housing (slimmer profile), but is for Lithium AAs as well.

 

[logicnerd411]

So, the Inretech also depends on lithiums? If so, I'm going for a Madmax.

Is the 4AA clunky? I mean, will it stick out of a fairly medium pants pocket or bulge? If so, it's not pocketable, IMO. But I will get it, eventually.

My price range? $30, or my mom goes into a blind rage.

 

[Sigman]

** Deleted **

 

[logicnerd411]

Huh?

 

[INRETECH]

For a VERY bright and reliable flashlight - I suggest the InReTECH 2AA adapter if you already have a 2AA MagLite for $20; or a complete flashlight for $30

And thank you for your kind words about us

--
as far as the intretech...i don't have one...but most people have been very happy with them. they are brighter than a newbeam, and they have excellent customer service
--

You can find run-time plots of our products at:

www.inretech.com/batlife.htm

 

[logicnerd411]

I'm interested in brightness. Can anyone give me beamshots of the MadMax, InReTECH, and Arc LS in one pic? That would be greatly appreciated.

 

[logicnerd411]

All right. A general review:

It's for everyday use. It's EDC. It needs to be pocketable. No need for long run time, unless run by lithiums. Needs to be brighter than 4 LED cluster. It would be nice to shine a recognizable beam 10 feet away in semi dark area. (think beginning of sunrise) I have a MagLite 2AA. My price range: free to $30.

Options:
1. Get a MadMax for 2AA.
2. Get an InReTECH for 2AA. (use lithiums)
3. Get a CMG Reactor. (use lithiums)
4. Get a mod for 2AA that I'm unfamiliar about.
5. OTHER (fit criteria above and is a Luxeon)

Thanks, and I'll stop bothering you soon.

 

[Rothrandir]

for under 30, i would go with the madmax. if brightness is what you want.

 

[W4DIZ]

Option #1

 

[jtivat]

Check out this thread for beam pics of the Arc LS Surefire KL1 Newbeam and InRetech sorry I don't have a Madmax. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=31;t=000637