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Flashlight Enthusiast
NOTE: I paid full retail price for both flashlights and the lights were NOT provided specifically for review.
Dear CPF brethren,
I'm holding in my hands the new IlluminaTi with a fresh energizer lithium (thanks Matt!) in my hands!
I want to share some direct, head-to-head photos with the Maratac AAA--the light which is, in my opinion, the reigning champ of AAA. To the shots and then my thoughts will follow...
Photos taken with a Canon Rebel Eos (DSLR) on Manual with the settings locked.
The "free gift light", the Maratac AAA and the Illumina Ti!
Maratac on Left and IlluminaTi on the Right head on
Reference shot of the wall and room
Maratac AAA on High
Illumina Ti on High
Maratac on Low (barely detectable by the camera)
IlluminaTi on Low
Maratac on High on the Left; IlluminaTi on High on the Right
Impressions:
So, for those wondering, the IlluminaTi is indeed basically a titanium + XP-G version of the Maratac, right down to the shape and even the clip (not photographed here) which is IDENTICAL. In fact, the heads are even interchangeable!
The IlluminaTi is about 1 mm longer but it is negligible. This seems to happen right at the base which now has a real, built-in loop for the keychain attachment--I love it! It's more elegant and seems much more stable than the Maratac option (a clip on). The knurling pattern is different--it actually is very nice and smooth but gives just enough grip, so I'd say it's a win. Otherwise, man-oh-man is this the same light as the Maratac! And, that is a good thing for us, but if ITP (the actual makers of the lights that are then rebranded Maratac, as I understand it) is not in on this, they may be filing for some patient issues...
So, the form is gorgeous: the titanium is beautiful, light and highly-polished. This is a beautiful light. The emitter is perfectly centered on mine which is lovely. The orange-peel reflector is identical to that of the Maratac, but interestingly, the glass on the IlluminaTi seems significantly clearer than that of the Maratac--it may be the AR coating, but it's just invisible!
What about the function? Though the Ti-on-Ti is a little bit grindy, my unit is operable with one hand comfortably. It's not as smooth as the Al Maratac, but very reasonable. I also absolutely love the Low-Medium-High of the IlluminaTi vs. the M-L-H of the Maratac--it's really nice...
Now to the beams...
As you can see from the photos, the IlluminaTi is appreciably brighter and a bit whiter than the slightly yellowish Maratac. Of note, the low is also brighter which may be a turn off for some looking for the lower lows. Both lights are pretty floody so it's hard to appreciate much throw in either, but the better output of the IlluminaTi probably means it would throw a bit farther.
In sum, the Maratac has been my EDC AAA for a few months and is, in my opinion, a truly spectacular little light at a great price. Well, it set the stage and now a younger, brighter, and better-looking competitor has usurped the Maratac by a small but respectable margin.
For me, the IlluminaTi represents the pinnacle of AAA lights at this moment: Tiny, Titanium, with the most efficient emitter out there, and for a pretty reasonable price. If you are looking for a AAA, this is clearly the light to get, though if money is tight, you will not go wrong with the Maratac AAA for less than 1/2 the price and about 90% of its goodness.
I do not yet have my Preon but am very curious about how these two will face off... my sense is that the Preon is a bit longer but otherwise will match this light point-for-point. For my pocket, however, size is critical so I think it is unlikely that the Illumina Ti will be dethroned anytime soon.
Thank you Battery Junction for making this great light available!
Dear CPF brethren,
I'm holding in my hands the new IlluminaTi with a fresh energizer lithium (thanks Matt!) in my hands!
I want to share some direct, head-to-head photos with the Maratac AAA--the light which is, in my opinion, the reigning champ of AAA. To the shots and then my thoughts will follow...
Photos taken with a Canon Rebel Eos (DSLR) on Manual with the settings locked.
The "free gift light", the Maratac AAA and the Illumina Ti!
Maratac on Left and IlluminaTi on the Right head on
Reference shot of the wall and room
Maratac AAA on High
Illumina Ti on High
Maratac on Low (barely detectable by the camera)
IlluminaTi on Low
Maratac on High on the Left; IlluminaTi on High on the Right
Impressions:
So, for those wondering, the IlluminaTi is indeed basically a titanium + XP-G version of the Maratac, right down to the shape and even the clip (not photographed here) which is IDENTICAL. In fact, the heads are even interchangeable!
The IlluminaTi is about 1 mm longer but it is negligible. This seems to happen right at the base which now has a real, built-in loop for the keychain attachment--I love it! It's more elegant and seems much more stable than the Maratac option (a clip on). The knurling pattern is different--it actually is very nice and smooth but gives just enough grip, so I'd say it's a win. Otherwise, man-oh-man is this the same light as the Maratac! And, that is a good thing for us, but if ITP (the actual makers of the lights that are then rebranded Maratac, as I understand it) is not in on this, they may be filing for some patient issues...
So, the form is gorgeous: the titanium is beautiful, light and highly-polished. This is a beautiful light. The emitter is perfectly centered on mine which is lovely. The orange-peel reflector is identical to that of the Maratac, but interestingly, the glass on the IlluminaTi seems significantly clearer than that of the Maratac--it may be the AR coating, but it's just invisible!
What about the function? Though the Ti-on-Ti is a little bit grindy, my unit is operable with one hand comfortably. It's not as smooth as the Al Maratac, but very reasonable. I also absolutely love the Low-Medium-High of the IlluminaTi vs. the M-L-H of the Maratac--it's really nice...
Now to the beams...
As you can see from the photos, the IlluminaTi is appreciably brighter and a bit whiter than the slightly yellowish Maratac. Of note, the low is also brighter which may be a turn off for some looking for the lower lows. Both lights are pretty floody so it's hard to appreciate much throw in either, but the better output of the IlluminaTi probably means it would throw a bit farther.
In sum, the Maratac has been my EDC AAA for a few months and is, in my opinion, a truly spectacular little light at a great price. Well, it set the stage and now a younger, brighter, and better-looking competitor has usurped the Maratac by a small but respectable margin.
For me, the IlluminaTi represents the pinnacle of AAA lights at this moment: Tiny, Titanium, with the most efficient emitter out there, and for a pretty reasonable price. If you are looking for a AAA, this is clearly the light to get, though if money is tight, you will not go wrong with the Maratac AAA for less than 1/2 the price and about 90% of its goodness.
I do not yet have my Preon but am very curious about how these two will face off... my sense is that the Preon is a bit longer but otherwise will match this light point-for-point. For my pocket, however, size is critical so I think it is unlikely that the Illumina Ti will be dethroned anytime soon.
Thank you Battery Junction for making this great light available!
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