CMG Reactor - I don't get it
- Thread starter TomSwango
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socalrunner
Newly Enlightened
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.
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
* The Arctic Moderator *
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.
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
Flashaholic
Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it
Get rid of them. There a too many other lights that blow them away.
Get rid of them. There a too many other lights that blow them away.
kodiak
Enlightened
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.
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)
doubleganger
Enlightened
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.
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
Flashlight Enthusiast
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
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
Newly Enlightened
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,
how much brighter is reactor 3? Is it close to the output of a Lambda Illum or Madmax??
doubleganger
Enlightened
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.
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.
SuRgE
Enlightened
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!
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
Enlightened
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.
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
* The Arctic Moderator *
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"!!
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
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!
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...
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
Enlightened
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 gong up against the BIG BOYS
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 gong up against the BIG BOYS
dano
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: CMG Reactor - I don\'t get it
Moved to LED...
--dan
Moved to LED...
--dan
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