Brinkmann Maxfire spotted at Walmart

[Topper]

I got one at the local Wally World. I did not see any rechargeable ones just the 2 cell. I feel it is not nearly as wellbuilt as A G2,however it was only 20 bucks and I think it is well worth that sofar. I may reconsider later depending on how long the bulb lasts and how difficult to find a replacement.
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Larry1582]

I called Brinkmann direct and ordered a couple of replacement bulbs for the Maxfire lithium. They were $4.95 each including shipping. Picked up an extra LX bulb for the same price. They arrived in a few days.

 

[junior]

That sure is a lot cheaper than the SFG2 Lamp!

 

[thesurefire]

Does anyone else has a Maxfire that has beam quality about the same as a P60?

 

[detenebrator]

Mine is very close. I think the XL has a bit more output than the P60, but there is a "spotty" transition zone around the central hot spot - it's not as smooth as the P60.

By the way, a P60 will fit in to an XL - just remove the reflector/bulb-carrier and it drops right in.

The XL is a great buy for $20. But I hate the rubber grips, so I think the G2 is a better buy at $33. The G2 seems tougher, too, although I haven't abused either one enough to really tell.

 

[cobb]

I removed the rubber on mines, looks cooler now. I have a p61 bulb on order from surfire, cant wait to get it.

 

[cratz2]

As to the Maxfire and Walmart, I looked at three Walmarts (East Washington, Pendleton Pike and N Keystone) until I found a Walmart (Michigan Rd) that had the 2x123a Maxfire in stock. Of course, I was looking for the rechargable version, so I didn't get it.

They also had the Legend LX but it was a darker gunmetal type color rather than the silver one that I suspect most of us have.

My general impression when comparing a freshly charged rechargable Maxfire vs focusable Legend LX with brand new Surefire 123as... very similar. I think the LX is slightly whiter and when shined on a white wall, the hotspot on the LX is slightly larger than the Maxfire, but when just generally being used outside on trees, they are basically the same.

 

[notrefined]

is the maxfire properly focused, IE equivalent to the adjustable LX focused for the tightest hotspot?

 

[cratz2]

Well, comparing my LX to my Maxfire, on a white wall at about five feet, the LX seems slightly better focused, but it's not like it is even half a turn off... Might be adjustable by playing with the bulb but it's not far off enough for me to mess with it.

I was looking outside again tonight and I think my rechargable Maxfire has slightly better throw than the LX if illuminating something such as tree tops more than, say, 40 feet away though if looking at something larger such as a minibarn from 25 feet, I think the LX might have a bit more output.

Bottom line is, if you want a rechargable LX but in a larger and cheaper looking form factor, the rechargable Maxfire is pretty darn similar to the focusable LX.

 

[rookie]

How does the charge hold up thru time in yours? I have a Rechargeable one, and when fully charged, is very, very bright. However, if you let it sit there for several days, the charge is almost gone.

Does this happen to anyone else?

 

[cratz2]

I haven't not played with it long enough to see... THis evening, I'm going to try to do a runtime test on a fresh charge. Then I'll charge it for 12 hours and let it set for 7 days and see what happens. At some point, I'll be typing a review up for the review section.

 

[capnal]

[ QUOTE ]
rookie said:
How does the charge hold up thru time in yours? I have a Rechargeable one, and when fully charged, is very, very bright. However, if you let it sit there for several days, the charge is almost gone.

Does this happen to anyone else?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, Rookie, this happens to me as well.
I mentioned this in another thread a few months back. This is a little disappointing, however, once I think about how much I paid for it, I don't complain. If I had been into this light for big time Surefire type prices, I would be more displeased. Overall, I am just really pleased with this and the 2x123 version as well.

Go Brinkmann!

(day dreaming....Brinkmann brings a 3 watt Luxeon to the masses at Walmart and Academy Sports, and it sells for less than 30 bucks...ah...one day...)

 

[bwaites]

Same self discharge problem with mine.

I am ordering some NiMH to solve the issue, though. They are pretty cheap from the online vendors, ie. Batterystation.com.

Bill

 

[rtd]

I had the same idea with the nimh but was wondering if you could still use the same charger, if not what would you use?

 

[watt4]

I got a standard one last week. (not rechargeable) I like it. are there any reports of battery drain with the standard model?

here's a pic: Pelican M6 and Brinkmann Maxfire

 

[270winchester]

I know there are many people who like to fiddle, but whne i see people talking about fitting the p60/61 LA's into cheaper bodies, why not just get a G2? i mean, it's not like a 20 dollar body+20 dollar LA<34 dollars for the G2...

 

[capnal]

[ QUOTE ]
270winchester said:
I know there are many people who like to fiddle, but whne i see people talking about fitting the p60/61 LA's into cheaper bodies, why not just get a G2? i mean, it's not like a 20 dollar body+20 dollar LA<34 dollars for the G2...

[/ QUOTE ]

You know, I was just thinking that exact thing. I often hear much talk of "the Poor Man's Surefire", but I just don't get it. Why would the G2 be that much of a stretch for most people? Considering how much time and effort they put into making a Maxfire or LX take a surefire bulb, wouldn't it be worth just as much to you to be able to say "I bought a Surefire" ?

 

[mahoney]

The 2x123 Maxfires are also available at OSH hardware stores for $20. Pretty sweet light for the price, with fresh batteries it's as bright as my L4 and throws farther. I'd forgotten how much fun a "hot wire" could be.

 

[junior]

Sorry for the newbie question, but what is a "hot wire"?

 

[bwaites]

Any lightbulb where the light is created by making a wire glow by passing electricity thru it.

On CPF, hotwire guys are dedicated to producing the most light, period, for a given package. LED guys like the efficiency of LED's and the small packages that can be created with them.

Bill