New Maratac Extreme

[EZ822]

Check it out. http://countycomm.com/aatactical.html

[NutSAK]

My first impressions are somewhat negative:

It looks very thick.
It appears to have a reverse clicky, though they advertise it as "tactical".
To access low mode, you must first blind yourself with 100 lumens.  If my eyes are night-adjusted to use a 1.5 lumen low, 100 lumens is NOT good.

[EZ822]

A bit expensive for being so limited . The ITP SA1 is a better light IMO at a lower price.

[ari6126]

What I'm confused about is who makes this light. Normally the Maratacs are rebranded iTPs, but this thing doesn't look like an iTP that I know of. It's strange, they are branding this as the successor to the 9290, but it doesn't have to infinite modes of the 9290, the momentary clicky, or the mode memory. In other words, except for brightness, it's actually worse.

PS: I have the iTP C7T which is basically the same thing as the 9290. Great light.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Like Terry I can't say I'm very impressed either

[EZ822]

What I'm confused about is who makes this light. Normally the Maratacs are rebranded iTPs, but this thing doesn't look like an iTP that I know of. It's strange, they are branding this as the successor to the 9290, but it doesn't have to infinite modes of the 9290, the momentary clicky, or the mode memory. In other words, except for brightness, it's actually worse.

PS: I have the iTP C7T which is basically the same thing as the 9290. Great light.

That's why I mentioned the ITP SA 1. It was the closest to The Extreme in the 1AA category and offers better features for about $5.00 less  . http://www.itplight.com/product_show.asp?id=235

[NutSAK]

A bit expensive for being so limited . The ITP SA1 is a better light IMO at a lower price.

Yeah, that too.  I can think of many other lights I'd rather have in this price range...

[NutSAK]

In other words, except for brightness, it's actually worse.

They advertise this one at 100 lumens and the 9290 at 190 lumens, so any improvement in brightness is up for debate also.

...it offers a lower low I guess (1.6 vs. 6 lumens).

[parnass]

Deal breakers for me:

- pocket unfriendly shape
- the 2 brightness levels are spread too far apart: too bright and too dim
- reverse clicky
- no momentary action

[thebullfrog]

Yeah  was looking at that as a possible replacement for my 9290. I decided the 9290/C7t is a MUCH better EDC light.

[gustophersmob]

What I'm confused about is who makes this light. Normally the Maratacs are rebranded iTPs, but this thing doesn't look like an iTP that I know of. It's strange, they are branding this as the successor to the 9290, but it doesn't have to infinite modes of the 9290, the momentary clicky, or the mode memory. In other words, except for brightness, it's actually worse.

PS: I have the iTP C7T which is basically the same thing as the 9290. Great light.

This was my thought exactly 

[Gareth]

Unless you're after the ultra low level, then I'd go buying the iTP SA1 as well.  I've got the SA2 and it's pretty much become my day-to-day light.

[thebullfrog]

I keep looking at different lights to use as a new EDC, but have yet to find anything that appeals to me more than my 9290, especially when I'm often looking at over double, or even triple the price. Sure I can find plenty lights that are better in different areas, but just can't sem to find that mix of power, flexibilty, ease of use, and design that the 9290/C7t has. I don't want a "tactical" light. I don't want 25 modes. I don't want to have to program the damn thing (though JetBeam has a nice system for this). I would like a bit more throw, but then I'd lose the bit of flood the 9290 has which is great indoors. I'd like more power, but then I lose the decent runtime I get out of a single, easy to find and replace in an emergency AA. I love the infinite brightness settings. I love the ergonomics, even if it doesn't look to great. I love the nice, neutral color and plain non-tactical design. For the most part it strikes a decent balance between flood and throw, with a good beam and nice white tint. I love the fact that it has fallen onto concrete several times and it didn't even notice. But best of all: it was twenty freakin' dollars. I simply cannot find a better or even comparable set of features in another light that appeals to me, especially at $20. At $80 there's a few options, but quadruple the price? I just can't talk myself into it. I think the 9290 will be my EDC for a good, long time and it's a shame to see that iTP discontinued the line. I think it's a light that deserved a lot more attention than it ever got.

[NutSAK]

The 9290 certainly sounds like a great light from that description, especially for the price.

From your description, the only thing I can think of that could possibly compete is the older Nitecore D10s with the ramping UI.  Of course, the price is nowhere near as nice.

The only downfall I can think of with a light such as this (with "infinite" output control) is that they are PWM regulated and thus aren't as efficient as a current-regulated light such as the 4Sevens Quarks or comparable Fenixes (Fenii?).  This doesn't stop me from carrying a Nitecore D10 frequently though..

[jekostas]

The 9290 certainly sounds like a great light from that description, especially for the price.

From your description, the only thing I can think of that could possibly compete is the older Nitecore D10s with the ramping UI.  Of course, the price is nowhere near as nice.

The only downfall I can think of with a light such as this (with "infinite" output control) is that they are PWM regulated and thus aren't as efficient as a current-regulated light such as the 4Sevens Quarks or comparable Fenixes (Fenii?).  This doesn't stop me from carrying a Nitecore D10 frequently though..

The Maratac 9290 was based on the ITP C7 series, as the Maratac AA and AAA are based on the ITP A-series lights.  The C7 series have been discontinued, replaced by the SA1, which has a secondary switch at the head for changing modes.  I believe it also has a ramping UI system to set outputs.

You can still get the C7s from shiningbeam and a number of other places.

[thebullfrog]

I keep hearing good things about the SA1, but haven't looked into them too much yet for fear of deciding I "need" one 

[Gareth]

I keep hearing good things about the SA1, but haven't looked into them too much yet for fear of deciding I "need" one 

For that money how can you say no?


 

[thebullfrog]

I keep hearing good things about the SA1, but haven't looked into them too much yet for fear of deciding I "need" one 

For that money how can you say no?