CMG Reactor - I don't get it

[TomSwango]

CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

I just received two new CMG Reactor lights and I don't get it. They don't seem to be any brighter than a ARC LE, only bigger. Am I missing something or should I unload these things on eBay ASAP.

 

[socalrunner]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

Unload,

I found the reactors to be average at best.. I may buy a Reactor 3 which uses 3aa batteries. You may want to try Lithiums, it helps a little. After using lights Like a Lambda Illum you get spoiled. Can't wait to get my Badboy 500.

 

[Sigman]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

Absolutely need lithiums to maximize brightness!

Today I received 6 of the Reactor "Seconds" (warranty only applies to the LS itself). They are from the initial run that do not have the switch detents. Most of the heads are tight and should not rotate on "their own", but one is rather loose (hence "second"). It's a problem easily solved by backing off the end cap 1/4 turn.

I bought these for glove boxes/emergency kits. For $15 each they are easily the most inexpensive LS based torch on the market for this purpose. A pair of lithiums installed and they should be ready to go "if needed".

One is really white and bright with hardly any pea green corona. The others exhibit the characteristic PG corona we are seeing to varying degrees in so many LSs.

 

[this_is_nascar]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

Get rid of them. There a too many other lights that blow them away.

 

[kodiak]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

I bought it and I don't like it much. Whoever passed the design for the switch should be fired. However I find I get usefull light from loading it with 2 N batts and a Titanium AAA (picked that up on this forum)

. I would not pack it just set it somewhere. The stupid piece that swivels on the switch broke on me non-induced.

 

[doubleganger]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

allowing for the well know variation in luxeon star emitters, the reactor is exactly as bright as every other unboosted, un-resistored 2aa powered luxeon star, for example, my inretech 2aa is almost exactly the same brightness as my reactor. They both are noticeably brighter with lithiums and yes, the reactor III is way brighter, taking about 3 hours on alkalines to drop to the brightness of the original reactor with fresh lithiums.

 

[txwest]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

I find my Reactor to be slightly more bright than my Inretech, both on lithiums. I guess I pretty well new what to expect with the LS running on 2 AA's. I'm happy with both, for the price paid. TX

 

[socalrunner]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

doubleganger,

how much brighter is reactor 3? Is it close to the output of a Lambda Illum or Madmax??

 

[doubleganger]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

sorry, I couldn't say from personal experience as I haven't seen either of those two in person. Hopefully in about a week I'll be able to compare it with a badboy 400ma. Just to my eyes it seemed at least 50% brighter than the reactor 1, and I like the light of the reactor 1 just fine. Of course I don't much care for the switch or it's apparent lack of waterproofness, but the price is sure right.

 

[beamer]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

I guess I got lucky with mine,although I wouldn't buy another.

 

[SuRgE]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

My first was almost perfect. Equal to my sls arc in brightness and color. My second reactor was a very BIG BIG disapointment. Very green and not much brighter than an arc le.

If your a gambler get a Reactor!

 

[darkgear.com]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

Or if you like playing the odds... buy 10, invest in some lithium AA's, keep the best one, and give the rest away for Christmas.

 

[Sigman]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

Darkgear..."That's what I'm doing!"...don't tell those who are getting the gifts though! Hey really they're all non-flashaholics, they'll get off on the "brightness and longevity" that comes along with lithiums. I'll type up a little "LED info brief" to "educate" them and let them know why it's a great emergency light!

You know I ordered one from you, it was a good one right out of the package...was I lucky? I then ordered 5 more from you for "gifts" (the ones with the switch detents). I then got wind of the 2 for $30 "seconds" direct from CMG (the ones from the first run without the switch detents) and ordered 6 more! AM I NUTS OR WHAT?

My new Wavetek "Meterman" LM631 digital lux meter is arriving tomorrow (yeah right, that's what UPS tracking says

) and I'll be testing all 12 of them and other torches that I own...can you say "fun" (what was that sig line or post that said "Flashlight Nerds will always make Computer Nerds look normal")?

!

I really should give the ones with the switch detents for gifts and keep the "seconds" as my emergency lights...but I'm not sure what I'm going to do!

I'm going to have to check the "who's been naughty & nice list"!!

 

[FalconFX]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

This is a poor man's ArcLS2nd or KL1... In short, you won't find anything on the market right now that offers an LS optics and is cheaper. But you get what you pay for, and if you put alkalines in it, you'll be cryin... Lithiums are the only way these guys will ever get to normal brightness (or expected brightness from an LS driven light)... NiMHs won't cut it either (kind'a funny, since NiMHs have a much lower resistance, compared to alkas, yet can't increase the light output compared to alkas).

I'd say, if you really want an LS, but can't afford a KL1 or Arc2nd, then by all means, go for it. If you want great quality and optics, avoid this like the plague... NEWho, LS starters should grab themselves an ARC-LS before any others...

 

[darkgear.com]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

Check these beamshots...I don't think the reactor should even fall in the same class as the other lights mentioned. The reactor is more like a rich man's mini mag

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=001318

Poor, poor little reactor. I still feel sorry for it going up against the BIG BOYS

 

[dano]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

Moved to LED...

--dan

 

[FalconFX]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

Darkgear,

I think you mentioned that the Reactor was NOT using Lithiums in that shot... Had it used Lithiums, it probably would've been almost as bright, if not as bright as the ArcLS...

 

[darkgear.com]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

Very true but in that shot all the lights are using rayovac maximum plus alkaline AA's except the Surefire of course. Could be interesting to load them all up with lithiums and try the shot again...

Too late tonight maybe tomorrow

Best regards,
Randy

 

[funk]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

I too have purchased several and am not thrilled with them, but what I don't get is how many threads there are about the light despite all of the obvious crticism... anyway, I guess thats why we are all here.

 

[Sigman]

Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it

No offense to anyone's opinion. I disagree with the "poor man's ARC LS or KL1..", that's like comparing apples to oranges. I'll go with the "rich man's minimag".

I own several ARC LSs, KL1, KL3, LGI-2, InReTech's drop in (which is about as bright as one of my ARC SLSs, maybe brighter - my new lux meter arrives today!) and several Reactors.

There's no way the Reactor is going to "replace" the "apples"! However if one can afford to let some of the above mentioned torches bang around in a glove box, lay around in emergency kits...then great! I use my better ones often, not saying the Reactors aren't "good". For my purposes, they are fantastic torches for emergency kits and glove boxes. I'm not giving my 10 year old an E2E-HA with a KL1 on it! Great for those who can!

As for lithiums, "brightness" isn't the only benefit. Almost embarasses me to have to "spell it out". Seems people talk about lithiums and forget about the ole "longevity" & "shelf life" qualities! Some of us living in earthquake country need to worry about/prepare for such. When it's -30 (and a lot colder than that in Fairbanks!!) degrees outside and your truck goes off the road in the middle of the night, I may wish I had those lithiums!

My point - do you own one wrench, pliers, screwdriver, or knife? My "toolbox" is diversified and each torch has a different "goal in life". They are good inexpensive tools for certain tasks!