Maratec startest this newest AAA craze but are left behind now

[Beacon of Light]

They are the ones that left the gate running but then got overshadowed by iTP, and then Preon even though Preon isn't even out yet. There are several iTP models but the Maratac (which to me seems like a nicer built light that feels less cheap) Has Natural and Black and I think there is a SS version but that's it.

iTP has black, nat, SS, Ti, Standard and Upgrade, Now red, blue, gold and red upgrade models, and the new A1 CR2 and A2 AA models, and I'm guessing they also will come in all iterations of black,nat, SS, Ti etc.

Why did Maratac leave the ball running?

Also why are all the dealers carrying iTP but Maratac was only being carried by that Country Communications place where they were charged inflated shipping charges? Were they the only authorized distributor of Maratac or something?

 

[chef4850]

I have reciently taken the "leap" to AAA lights. I always thought bigger is better (just my OP). I purchased the maratac light just to see what all the "comotion" was about. I am fairly inpressed with the light. i have the stainless steel version. Great light for indoors (IMOP) outside I need a little more light. As far as the ITP lights I can not speak on them I do not own one. But looking at the trends in lights. It seems like once the first company comes out with one there a several more comming out within a short time. I do not know this but I would be looking for maratac to come out with similar light to ITP.

Chef

 

[Beacon of Light]

Just seems like iTP pounced on the situation. I forgot I left out O-Light from the mix as well as the Illuminati. Who is the actual manufacturer of the Illuminati? Is it just a light specially made for Matt at Battery Junction?

 

[kramer5150]

My (perhaps incorrect) understanding is that Maratac supplies lights to government agencies. Not the US perhaps but others around the globe and thus, they have to comply to their requirements. If that is true, they may require design freezes to their products.

What the general populus sees as stagnation, the military probably sees as standardized convention.

I am not sure if this is true... someone please correct me.

 

[Marduke]

iTP (OLight) makes the 1xAAA Maratac...

 

[bansuri]

I wish they'd never started. While I love my LF2XT and LF2, I wouldve preferred them in a small AA size, like the EZAA or Jetbeam CL-E 1.2.
I understant that small is sexy, but I would buy the AA equivalents in a heartbeat. They've made the AA lights gigantic. Quark, LF5XT, Jetbeam Pro I, etc. All too big. EZAA was cute, but 2 mode analog for $50+ was too much.
I know, I know, keychain lights and all that, but how about make the same lights in AA format, only slightly bigger, with 3x battery performance?
That said, I now have 2 AAA lights and am looking at a third!

 

[hoffmand]

I just received the A3 and it's a great light. I would have bought the Maratac because of it's knurling, but it wasn't worth the difference in shipping charges. The iTP version has probably sold a ton more units so it makes sense to expand that line vs the Maratac.

 

[HKJ]

Also why are all the dealers carrying iTP but Maratac was only being carried by that Country Communications place where they were charged inflated shipping charges? Were they the only authorized distributor of Maratac or something?

It might be because the Maratac brand belongs to County Comm.

 

[Vesper]

Yea, aren't they (ITP & Maratac) the same company? Also, the AAA Maratac just came out in July - it's barely been 4 months. :shrug: I wouldn't call a bunch of new colors that important, but it's not surprising others are jumping on the bandwagon due to the interest that was generated in the Maratac AAA.

 

[csshih]

They are the ones that left the gate running but then got overshadowed by iTP,

that's cause iTP makes the maratac...

 

[sol-leks]

I ordered an Illuminati and now just have to wait for it to come in the mail, but it will be a few weeks. Damn the waiting!

 

[Beacon of Light]

Well if Maratac = iTP = Olight then I guess they are taking a big portion of the market leaving the rest to the Illuminati, 47s with the Preons, and Fenix (come on we need a 2 or 3 mode E01) and Nitecore (EZAAA on the horizon?) to fend for themselves. I'm sure 47's will sell well and so would the Fenix E01s if they chose to expand it beyond the choices they now already have with multi colors. I do like all these choices, it is a shame though that the nicer looking Maratac with nice knurling is overshadowed by apparently the same companies iTP brand with a cheaper looking design and clip.

 

[davidt1]

My (perhaps incorrect) understanding is that Maratac supplies lights to government agencies. Not the US perhaps but others around the globe and thus, they have to comply to their requirements. If that is true, they may require design freezes to their products.

What the general populus sees as stagnation, the military probably sees as standardized convention.

I am not sure if this is true... someone please correct me.

Dude, I think this whole government thing was a marketing ploy to sell the Maratac. You know....if the FBI buys it, it must be good. What government agency would buy aaa lights?

 

[Beacon of Light]

 

[Vesper]

Dude, I think this whole government thing was a marketing ploy to sell the Maratac. You know....if the FBI buys it, it must be good. What government agency would buy aaa lights?

CountryComm claims to be a middleman supplier for gov/military. To what degree - who knows. They don't seem to really state anywhere that this light is designed or supplied for that purpose though.

 

[compasillo]

I don't know who or when started this AAA crazy but the fact is collectors like me (mostly AA and AAA) surely gonna be broke down before this year end.
In the last 2 months I got the Maratac SS, natural and black. Also ITP A3 SS, natural and black... and not one of each, no, 2 or 3 (pretext: Christmas gifts)... Now I ordered the Preon kit... just one? Nooo. One of every color!
Going Gear announces their coloured ITP and A2 (A1 is not on my wish list, yet), Battery Junction the Illuminati... OMG save me from those merciless dealers.

One thing I can say about Maratac AAA: it's my pocket flashlight since I got it (them).
Compairing with her sister ITP I do prefer it for some reasons: a bit wider beam shot, grippy knurling and tailstanding ability.
In my preferences I think the Illuminati has the better chance to replace it as my EDC light but I will probably wait for an Al version (I hope not to wait too long, looking at this crazy race in the AAA market)

 

[Dan FO]

Dude, I think this whole government thing was a marketing ploy to sell the Maratac. You know....if the FBI buys it, it must be good. What government agency would buy aaa lights?

Not true. County Comm does very large government contracts. Remember those green CMG flashlights that said U.S. Government on them. I am pretty sure this is the replacement for that light. Maratac is a small group of American individuals that have high quality items made for hard use people. Watch straps, nylon gear and other items. They fulfill needs.

 

[GoingGear.com]

Why did Maratac leave the ball running?

Also why are all the dealers carrying iTP but Maratac was only being carried by that Country Communications place where they were charged inflated shipping charges? Were they the only authorized distributor of Maratac or something?

Maratac is County Comm's brand. I don't think they sell to other dealers. At least, I've never seen Maratac offered by anyone else. I hope they keep on making new stuff though, because some cool items have come from them in the past.

I'm guessing they did not make all of the same models that iTP is making for the Maratac line because of minimum orders. It's not too bad to turn inventory for three different versions of a light when you have to order hundreds or thousands of each, but iTP now has nine different A3 iterations. That's probably too much for them to handle under their private label.

 

[Woods Walker]

iTP (OLight) makes the 1xAAA Maratac...

Bingo......

 

[Armed_Forces]

Maratac is well known for their Zulu watch straps, not flashlights.


Maratac is a Portmanteau of Marathon and tactical.

Marathon is a brand of wristwatch popular in military circles/enlisted/government contractors.
They started supplying watches to Allied forces during WWII and gained prominence with troops serving in Vietnam/SE Asia.

Bob over at MWR helped with the design of their finest offering to date, the SAR/GSAR/TSAR.
I also believe he had something to do with the design of the Zulu strap.
It was an improvement over the NATO spec strap that came about during the 80's.
His forum is a wealth of info and good people so check it out.


I haven't talked to Nick over at County Comm to confirm this, but I'm pretty sure he is just getting these from Marathon who in turn is getting them from iTP(?).
Marathon has their hands in many different products besides watches and they have the resources to meet the MOQ. Very simple actually.