New Maratac AA

[adnj]

I thought this was the old CC Maratac AA but it looks to be the same size as the Quark MiNi AA (probably with less output after looking at the emitter and lumen specs). Also has a L/M/H twisty interface with no strobe. Priced at $29.

With the output levels at 1.5/18/85 this has a lower low too. Now the question is what are the OTF lumens?

Maratac AA

 

[emzimmerman]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

Looks nice.

Wonder if they'll put out a polished stainless steel like the AAA?

I'll still probably buy this one before Christmas.

 

[davidt1]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

That's a great light for the price if it's anything like my Maratac AAA. The new L-M-H sequence proves that they listen to users.

I am still gonna wait for the new Zebralight flashlight. It's gonna be more expensive than this light, but I want and need the awesome UI and side click switch.

 

[Flic]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

Given the veritable flood of variants on the AAA light (natural, black, SS, polished SS, iTP single mode, iTP upgraded, iTP in colours, SS and Ti, Olight Ti, Titanium Innovations IlluminaTi), I think I’ll wait for the dust to settle before making a buying decision on the AA. Sure is appealing though.

 

[Black Rose]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

Seems like the Maratac version of the iTP A2 EOS, except the Maratac seems to run longer on low.

I have an A2 EOS already on the way.

 

[LightOnAHill]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

And it's got a clip!!! :twothumbs

 

[Flying Turtle]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

Looks like another winner from Maratac, though when you figure in shipping there's not much difference from a Quark Mini AA. Decisions, decisions.

Geoff

 

[adnj]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

Given the veritable flood of variants on the AAA light (natural, black, SS, polished SS, iTP single mode, iTP upgraded, iTP in colours, SS and Ti, Olight Ti, Titanium Innovations IlluminaTi), I think I’ll wait for the dust to settle before making a buying decision. Sure is appealing though.

Just to clarify, this is not an AAA light but the bigger AA format.

 

[Flic]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

Just to clarify, this is not an AAA light but the bigger AA format.

I know that. But I have to look as past experience with the AAA before making a decision on the AA.

 

[Black Rose]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

I know that. But I have to look as past experience with the AAA before making a decision on the AA.

You need to buy one of each and test them all to see which one works best for you :whistle::D

 

[sol-leks]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

Wow, sweet find!

I wouldn't mind seeing an R5 version but whatev's. That 100 hour low mode is very enticing.

 

[HarveyRich]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

I like the knurling over the new itP A2. However, CountyComm still charges $8.75 for shipping, which makes it almost $11 more expensive than the itP for basically the same circuitry. Too bad, or I might have bitten.

 

[sol-leks]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

I like the knurling over the new itP A2. However, CountyComm still charges $8.75 for shipping, which makes it almost $11 more expensive than the itP for basically the same circuitry. Too bad, or I might have bitten.

Damn, forgot about the shipping. Good point.

Also the ITP still has a way better keyring attachment pointo IMO.

 

[Patriot]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

Hello guys. I thought I'd post a few pictures and initial thoughts about the Maratac AAA.

Arrived in a large UPS envelope enclosed in a nice plastic tube, with description and instructions wrapped around the light.

The LED is described as a XR-E Q5 but appears to be a XP-E. Finish is a silver/natural HA.

It appears to just be a scaled up version of the AAA light with larger, stronger, removable pocket clip and key ring/lanyard attachment.

Size comparison to the AAA light. You can see the difference in HA color as well. This AA light is so "silver" that it could be mistaken for a bead blasted SS until you picked it up. I prefer the olive color of the AAA light but at the same time I like variety and so I appreciate the variation. County Comm lists this light as under 3" but even with the battery removed and head screwed all the way down it measures 3.08" Not a big difference but it is just over 3" not under.

At this time County's AA Maratac page states that the "10440 is not recommended." Obviously they meant to say 14500 but technically neither would be recommended...lol. I've tried 3 battery chemistrys thus far and all work great. The L91 Lithium is the brightest and my favorite so far. As many of you know I use 10440's in the AAA light almost exclusively and will likely be running this AA light on a 14500 myself. I'll get some output tests running by this evening hopefully.

One thing that I immediately noticed was the perfectly centered emitter. This is a pretty big deal for me and technically speaking it's more important to have it centered well on this larger reflector than the AAA light where the reflector centering isn't so critical. Kudos to County Comm for getting this right! Additionally the reflector is seating perfectly symmetrical behind the lens/window. Another thumbs up to County for nailing this fit. I hope all the AA lights have the same fit and finish as mine does. The beam is very much tighter on the AA compared to the AAA. The hot spot is brighter and smaller and I hope to capture pictures of this later as well. This is a conventional 3 mode. 1.5 / 18 / 85 lumens for runtime of 100 / 7 / 2 hours. That concludes my thoughts for now, but thanks County Comm for continuing to bring us incredibly high quality and highly useful lights at excellent prices. You guys rock! ... so keep up the great work. Special thanks to Nick at CC for working with CPF members and hearing our ideas.

 

[madmook]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

Not as floody, eh?

Thanks for the pics and impressions, Patriot.

 

[IceRat]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

I wish they came up with a better way to put it on my keys. I am not a big fan of the wire ring thingy. Mine spins around on my AAA and I don't even use it.

 

[Patriot]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

I wish they came up with a better way to put it on my keys. I am not a big fan of the wire ring thingy. Mine spins around on my AAA and I don't even use it.

I don't think you'll have to worry about that issue with the AA light. Due to the up-scaling of the parts and the inherent increases in tension, this ring isn't going anywhere and doesn't rotate. The pocket clip can be rotated but again, because it's larger and there's more tension and friction it's harder to move.

 

[compasillo]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

Thanks for that nice review Patriot. Good work. :thumbsup:
Awaiting for beamshots to compare with her AAA sister.

 

[applevision]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

Super nice, thanks Patriot!

I am swimming in lights right now... but am tempted...

This vs. the Quark MiNi AA? Hmm... pretty much same price when shipping is factored in... Hmmm!

 

[Patriot]

Re: New Maratac AA $29

I almost forgot to mention the best part.

The PWM is much faster and is imperceptible in actual use.

Although I do not know the actual rate, I'm guessing that it's somewhere between 4X - 8X faster than the AAA Maratac.

Woohoo!! County Comm knocks another one out of the ball park! :thumbsup:



EDIT: Another thing that I completely forgot to mention was the change from med/low/high over to low/med/high. A while back there was a CPF poll thread discussion IU and low/med/high won hands down. County Comm heard you guys!