Maratac AAA Q5 (Part 2)

[Patriot]

Should I avoid using it for prolonged periods in medium or even low mode because it is hard on the system/ circuit?

Should I not use 10440s at all if I want it to last a few years (like the ARC AAA it has replaced on my keyring)?

I don't feel any extra heat being generated in low or medium as compared to a NiMH or Lithium batteries on high. I've got about 3 hours of medium run on mine so far and it's performing very well. Medium isn't pushing the battery very hard, so no worries there.

As for the circuit, I don't think there's any way to know for sure if feeding it extra voltage could harm it but I don't see any evidence of that problem occurring is similarly designed lights.

 

[chaosmagnet]

Any chance you could show us a picture of this snapped keyring loop? It seems to be a pretty tough piece of spring steel so I'm curious what look like when they break. If you're unable to post a picture please email it to me and I post it for you.

This was the best picture I could take with my phone.

I wouldn't be so annoyed with this if it wasn't a brand new light, that I'd never even tried to use the keyring clip on. And if I didn't have to bang it on the table to get it to work. And if I didn't have another iTP / Maratac light that came with a bad clicky.

 

[Beacon of Light]

I like that slogan of "2009 is the year of the AAA light". Now all we need are the Quark AAA and the Nitecore EZ-AAA to make it a complete "year of the AAA light".

I recieved my iTP A3 EOS today (standard version).

1. Impressive size! It's actually shorter than the Maratac! This is due to the shorter head. If you were to shave the keyring nub of the tail it would be wicked small, and would tail stand again.
2. weights 18g with no battery, 30.1g with eneloop, and only 10.2g with no keychain and no battery.
3. The head is compatible with the Maratac body.
4. Uses the identical clip.
5. I definitely prefer the knurling on the Maratac, but you can 1 hand the iTP as well.

I think 2009 is the year of the AAA light.

 

[StandardBattery]

I like that slogan of "2009 is the year of the AAA light". Now all we need are the Quark AAA and the Nitecore EZ-AAA to make it a complete "year of the AAA light".

We need the Muyshondt Zephyr to show that AAA isn't just for kids anymore. :nana:


It started with a bang and the LD01-SS, and it's going strong.

 

[Patriot]

I wouldn't be so annoyed with this if it wasn't a brand new light, that I'd never even tried to use the keyring clip on. And if I didn't have to bang it on the table to get it to work. And if I didn't have another iTP / Maratac light that came with a bad clicky.

Wow, look at that. It broke right in the middle of the bend. I guess we'll soon find out if this is a trend or a one-off fluke. Someone had to be first I guess, sorry it broke on you.

 

[vali]

Does someone get the multimode ITP? Is the PWM noticeable?

 

[djshiner]

I recieved my iTP A3 EOS today (standard version).

1. Impressive size! It's actually shorter than the Maratac! This is due to the shorter head. If you were to shave the keyring nub of the tail it would be wicked small, and would tail stand again.
2. .......
3. The head is compatible with the Maratac body.
4. .......
5. .......

.

I'm just thinking(typing) out loud: ... The head of the EOS is shorter and also compatible with the Maratac body. So One could put the EOS head on the Maratac boby and end up with a shorter light that would tail stand with out having to shave the nib off. ...interesting.

 

[Abyssos]

I received my two natural Maratac AAA's today and am quite impressed with the amount of light generated in high mode using Eneloops. Very impressive. The light is very small as everyone else have mentioned; much smaller and lighter than I had expected. Great for EDC.

I have mixed feelings about the key ring attachment, but +1 for tailstanding and the clip. The PWM is noticeable in medium and low mode, but not in high. I have to purposely wave my hand quickly in front of the light to see it so it isn't that bad, I suppose.

It's a nice light. Those who haven't joined the party. Buy one or two now....:twothumbs

 

[Phaserburn]

Got my natural yesterday. It has taken over keychain duty for me. Using a lithium AAA, it's almost weightless. I thought I wouldn't like the side mounted keychain attachment, but I am surprised to find I like it alot. It holds the flashlight up high and tight on my keychain, so it hangs around the same length as my keys. Perfect.

The emitter on mine is centered. The beam is flawless. The ano seems nice; time will tell on that one. And I like the output levels better than the Fenix I was using.

 

[Patriot]

I received a 2nd light today with a shiny, op reflector. My first light, which is a natural HA has the typical fine frost look. I'm a bit surprised at how much better the shiny reflector throws considering how small they are to begin with. My natural Maratac has better flood so I think it's just a matter of preference.

Both lights measured between 32-33 lux during ceiling bounce test (high, 10440).

 

[slipe]

I’m still anxiously awaiting my 10440s. I hope they transform my lights into something useful or both of mine will go as gifts.

With alkalines they are maybe as bright but not nearly as useful as my ReX. NiMH might improve that a tad, but not enough for me to bother stocking them in AAA.

I tried the Maratac on my keychain instead of the ReX. It seems bulkier and definitely heavier. With the ReX you can be instantly on full bright or ramp up in low without seeing a brighter light. The Rex is at least as bright and I used fresh alkalines in the Maratacs. I like the light pattern and color a little better with the ReX.

I’ll reevaluate when the 10440s get here. But IMO the ReX is a lighter and better keychain light with AAAs in the Maratac. I have one of each of the Maratacs BTW and don’t see a lot to choose between them. The Maratac will have a better run time with NiMH, but I don't tend to use little lights for long periods. There is always a bigger and better light close at hand.

 

[Patriot]

I’m still anxiously awaiting my 10440s. I hope they transform my lights into something useful or both of mine will go as gifts.

With alkalines they are maybe as bright but not nearly as useful as my ReX. NiMH might improve that a tad, but not enough for me to bother stocking them in AAA.

I tried the Maratac on my keychain instead of the ReX. It seems bulkier and definitely heavier.

Hmm, if you don't think the light useful for anything now, I have trouble believing that the use of 10440s is going to change your opinion much. Since only the brightness is going to change, how is that going overcome the other deficiencies you find in the light as compared to your Photon Rex?

I know that we all have personal preferences as to what we key, pocket, neck lanyard carry, but I somehow fail to see how a mini AAA XP-E light comes up short in any performance category to a 4 x 5mm Nichia light with a rechargeable only battery. I'm not sure how you're determining comparable brightness but without a light meter, differing beamshapes can be deceptive.

With regards to the Maratac being bulky and heavy compared to the Rex, well, one is metal with a larger battery capacity. Anytime you increase performance it requires a larger "gas tank" but even at this, calling it bulky is a bit of a stretch imo. I think someone weighed the light at 10-11 grams....way less than 1/2 ounce. :huh:

 

[chibato]

Anyone tested the runtimes on low? I started with a fresh Eneloop yesterday morning at 6:30am. This morning, before leaving for work at 6:30am it was still going strong. However, after returning home today at 6:00pm I found the battery dead. So at least 24 hours but definitely less than 36. I did not test the voltage before I used the battery, but I did take it directly from the charger. I will start another test with a fresh alkaline, unless someone else is trying it? I have no equipment, so I will have to just watch for a visible change in light.

 

[jabe1]

Just got my natural today! Although the beam leans a bit toward green, this is a very impressive little light. Running an L92, I can't believe how bright it is! I can't wait until my 10440s get here :devil:.
I'm finding it fits quite well in my jeans coin pocket, which suits me because I'm a minimalist when it comes to keychain do-dads.

 

[Mdinana]

This light ROCKS. Just got it today.

 

[slipe]

Hmm, if you don't think the light useful for anything now, I have trouble believing that the use of 10440s is going to change your opinion much. Since only the brightness is going to change, how is that going overcome the other deficiencies you find in the light as compared to your Photon Rex?

If brightness wasn’t a factor I would have a much smaller Photon Freedom on the keychain. I was actually considering clipping the Maratac in my pants or shirt pocket. But it would have to put out enough light to make it worthwhile with the ReX on my keychain – where it will probably stay. It currently doesn’t put out enough light to either replace or augment the ReX.

I know that we all have personal preferences as to what we key, pocket, neck lanyard carry, but I somehow fail to see how a mini AAA XP-E light comes up short in any performance category to a 4 x 5mm Nichia light with a rechargeable only battery. I'm not sure how you're determining comparable brightness but without a light meter, differing beamshapes can be deceptive.

If it hold them both a foot from a white wall the ReX looks brighter. 10 feet away the Maratac has a brighter spot on the wall but the ReX more flood. I have had a meter on order for a while and it finally shipped today, but I don’t see how a number would make any difference. If I perceive the light from the ReX as being more useful I would think a lightmeter reading would not change that. If you have a ReX or can get your hands on one you might compare them with an AAA in the Maratac – I think you will be surprised.

With regards to the Maratac being bulky and heavy compared to the Rex, well, one is metal with a larger battery capacity. Anytime you increase performance it requires a larger "gas tank" but even at this, calling it bulky is a bit of a stretch imo. I think someone weighed the light at 10-11 grams....way less than 1/2 ounce.

The ReX is heavy and bulky compared to a Freedom. That doesn’t mean I need a set of wheels to lug the ReX around. The operative word is “compared”.

I think in terms of brightness being performance and run time being endurance. Until the 10440s arrive the Maratac has no performance advantage over the ReX despite being comparatively bulkier and heavier. I’m using your numbers to anticipate that will change with 10440s. I think it safe to assume endurance is insignificant to me since I have never run the ReX or its predecessors out of battery.

 

[Nake]

What is an ReX? It seems to have bypassed me. 🙂

edit; never mind, I found what it is.

 

[torpeau]

Just got my natural today! Although the beam leans a bit toward green, this is a very impressive little light. Running an L92, I can't believe how bright it is! I can't wait until my 10440s get here :devil:.
I'm finding it fits quite well in my jeans coin pocket, which suits me because I'm a minimalist when it comes to keychain do-dads.

My natural also arrived today. The LED is slightly off-center, but the light performs beautifully. Light as a feather, it's on my wife's car key chain.

Since the vendor isn't recommending 10440s, I'll stick with eneloops.

 

[WadeF]

Fooling around with the camera and my NA HA Maratac tonight:

 

[Beacon of Light]

received mine today 2 HA Nats. Only opened one so far other still in plastic. I truly wished they started low>medium>high. I know medium will probably be considered the most useful, but to me I mostly use low lows in any light I own. Nice floody light, lower low than a few lights I have. I like the size but IIRC without having it in hand it is like the E01 which goes against logic to turn it on you loosen and you loosen by turning the head to the right not the left. I am used to everything being righty tighty, lefty loosey. Wish Maratac and Fenix held to this standard.

PS. $8 for a plastic bubble wrap interior envelope for 2 Maratacs is a bit much. I know UPS has a minimum charge but why does CC use them for small items like this. I don't care if they want to charge that much for shipping, but they should use USPS Priority and it would be half that and at least they could pocket the difference. I'd just like to see them benefit rather than UPS, which is not the shipper I'd think of to ship light packages like this. When it was delivered this morning I picked it up on the doorstep and it was so light I had no idea what was in it. I had to make sure it was addressed to me or if it was a mistake.