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Maratac Lights?

ToolJoe · 17 · 1830
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us Offline ToolJoe

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Maratac Lights?
on: April 03, 2021, 09:04:26 PM
I see Maratac Lights on County Comm and see their pricetags.  :ahhh  Are they worth the extra $$? I'm used to paying $20 at most for a Maglite.
I knew my wife was a keeper when she transitioned from calling it a knife thingy to a multi-tool.

I might be crazy but it's kept me from going insane- Waylon Jennings

wales Offline GearedForwards

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #1 on: April 03, 2021, 09:15:15 PM
What price/material/battery type we talking about?
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us Offline Sos24

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Maratac Lights?
Reply #2 on: April 03, 2021, 09:26:10 PM
Coming from someone who likes nice quality lights, but also has some cheaper lights, I am not a fan of Maratac lights. 

The build quality of the light itself is great.  My issue is that the light I owned had visual pwm (flickering) at lower levels that really bothered me.  It doesn’t bother some people but I could not get past it.  I’ve heard that they may have fixed it, but I haven’t bought a new one to see.

Depending on what you are looking for in a light there are a lot of quality lights out there at similar price points.  If you are looking for something specific, I may be able to point you towards something.
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us Offline ToolJoe

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #3 on: April 03, 2021, 11:02:02 PM
This one in particular caught my eye:

https://countycomm.com/collections/view-all-light-products/products/ra-18650-right-angle-flood-flashlight-by-maratac

I figured I could consolidate my collection down and this one could serve many purposes.
I knew my wife was a keeper when she transitioned from calling it a knife thingy to a multi-tool.

I might be crazy but it's kept me from going insane- Waylon Jennings

wales Offline GearedForwards

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #4 on: April 03, 2021, 11:29:24 PM
Quote from: ToolJoe on April 03, 2021, 11:02:02 PM
This one in particular caught my eye:

https://countycomm.com/collections/view-all-light-products/products/ra-18650-right-angle-flood-flashlight-by-maratac

I figured I could consolidate my collection down and this one could serve many purposes.

Eh, looks alright but tbh for $60 you could get the same form factor of light from a major company and get more features (and probably a better UI). For that money you could probably get battery included+magnetic charging base, which I guess is worth mentioning, if you don't have other 19650s you'll need to throw another $5-$10 on top for a good quality cell.

Maratac have some nice looking designs, but they've always seemed overpriced and overhyped for what they are.
Check out my Youtube channel  for gear reviews, comparisons, and carry philosophy.

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us Offline Sos24

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #5 on: April 04, 2021, 01:35:08 AM
Quote from: ToolJoe on April 03, 2021, 11:02:02 PM
This one in particular caught my eye:

https://countycomm.com/collections/view-all-light-products/products/ra-18650-right-angle-flood-flashlight-by-maratac

I figured I could consolidate my collection down and this one could serve many purposes.

I have not tried that one, so I can’t say how good the quality is or if the pwm is visible.

I do know that Fenix, Zebra light and Nitecore have similarly designed headlamps, which are about $10-20 but are well known reliable brands.
Merit Badges Using EDC items randomly selected with a poker hand, post a photo of your EDC or a component of the EDC that got used during the course of the day for 4 weeks (or 30 consecutive days) Participate  in Challenge thread and post a photo of your EDC or a component of the EDC that got used during the course of the day for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate  in a Challenge thread and post a photo of a Leatherman Skeletool for thirty (30) consecutive days. Only for the 14th year Anniversary Challenge. Post a photo of any gear for thirty (30) consecutive days during the MTo anniversary month. Participate and contribute in Challenge thread and post a photo of a different blade each day for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread and post a photo of the multitool for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread and post a photo of the discontinued sak/mt for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread and post a photo of any gear for thirty (30) consecutive days during the MTo anniversary month. Start a new thread and post a photo of a traditional folder for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge thread and post a photo of  a Case knife  for 30 days Participate in a Challenge thread and post a photo  of 84 and 85 mm Swiss Army Knives (and Wengers) for 30 days Start a new thread and post a photo of an Executive or Director for thirty (30) consecutive days. Take part in the christmas pool or a rak type giveaway. Those wanting to say thank you for a rak may also nominate for the santa. Start a new thread and post a photo of your gear for thirty (30) consecutive days. You must carry at least one item from every category of the gear list every day. Participate in a challenge by carrying  a Combo Edged knife or Multitool and post a photo of it  for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge thread and post a photo of a SAK-alike, aka multi-layered, knife-based pocket tools for thirty (30) consecutive days. In this challenge,  carry one(1) Pliers-based or Non-pliers multitool that we always have prejudice against, hate or even fear and post a picture everyday for 30 days Start a new thread and post a photo daily of any SAK 74mm or smaller ( you can switch it up daily ) for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate in a challenge by carrying  a GEC knife and post a photo of it  for thirty (30) consecutive days. Build your own version of an MRE using off-the-shelf components, post a photo of the completed MRE and store at room temperature for 6 days or more. Consume the MRE after the storage period and post pictures and descriptions of the contents. Participate in a Challenge thread and post a photo of  a Bladeless Multitool for 30 days

hr Offline enki_ck

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #6 on: April 04, 2021, 01:45:11 AM
...$10-20 more...

Right? ;)

Joe, are you specifically looking for a 18650 headlamp?

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us Offline ezdog

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #7 on: April 04, 2021, 02:19:56 AM
Maratac does not make lights themselves,they have them made for them by real light makers as an OEM and then jack the price and put it in the Maratac Lineup.
This light looks like a Sofirn S-40 to me but with some custom specs for the batch for Maratac but to give you an idea the Maker sells the same light for 1/2 the CC price.

I would not get the CC version as it is a 6500 degree color temp light which is a deal breaker for me from the start but again for 1/2 the price they can come direct from Sofirn in warmer color options and with a battery included and I would rather get 2 for the same price every day.

As for the $20 Maglite being your norm,I understand completely and suggest that you try the Maglite Headlamp if you want a HL which every one who does mechanical work ever needs at least one of.
Oh wait,they dont make a Headlamp so you might want to check out some of the staple better grade lights out there and give one a try.

I rely on the Zebra Light for both Handheld and Headlamps and though they are more pricey than the Maratac for instance they offer a lot more customized levels and programmed options as well as different tint emitters to suit everyones preference which I find are features I am willing to pay more for and they also manage to squeeze more runtime out of a battery in every category than every other maker,truly in a league of their own really.
They are also dead on reliable or at least have been for me!

There are also good HL from all of the makers and I am sure if you spend a little time looking you can find one to try in whatever price range you want.

Good luck though finding one right now,it is sort of tough like almost everything is right now.
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us Offline ToolJoe

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #8 on: April 05, 2021, 08:33:32 PM
I went on the site for Sofirn Lights and found that exact one that County Comm sells as a Maratac for $21 plus shipping with only a few cosmetic differences.
I knew my wife was a keeper when she transitioned from calling it a knife thingy to a multi-tool.

I might be crazy but it's kept me from going insane- Waylon Jennings

us Offline Aloha

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #9 on: April 06, 2021, 12:18:45 AM
Heck of a price difference.  You gonna get it?  If you are after a right angle light I have a Manker E02 thats not bad.  Coming from Maglight it'll be a step up.  The newer version looks pretty good. 

http://www.mankerlight.com/manker-e02-ii-ultra-compact-pocket-edc-flashlight/

I love my Zebralight tho its not a right angle light.
 

Esse Quam Videri
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us Offline ToolJoe

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #10 on: April 06, 2021, 01:21:30 AM
I'm not sure if I'd get it or not. I already have a right angle light made by Nebo/True Utility. I'd have to get rid of a couple lights before I dragged another one home.  :whistle:
I knew my wife was a keeper when she transitioned from calling it a knife thingy to a multi-tool.

I might be crazy but it's kept me from going insane- Waylon Jennings

us Offline Aloha

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #11 on: April 06, 2021, 04:36:25 AM
Dont I know.  I did buy a light not long ago but it was not needed at all but when has that stopped me  :whistle:.  I have not looked at Maratac as I mostly stuck to Fenix, Olight, or Lumentop.  The Zebralight was stepping way out of my comfort zone and I am glad I did.  It did kinda ruin me for lights.  The multiple setting are wonderful and for me the UI is good.  I run a 14500 in mine for added oomph.  I had always wanted to get a right angle ZL but just never took the plunge.  I carried my ZL this evening as we went out for my partners 1st vaccination shot. 
Esse Quam Videri
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us Offline ezdog

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Maratac Lights?
Reply #12 on: April 09, 2021, 01:44:34 AM
So of course I ordered the Sofirn myself and it just showed up all shiny and fully charged!

I got the 4K temp tint and at first blush it seems way too warm for my usual taste but I will have to try it for work soon and see what it really looks like behind a dark rack or in an attic like I usually work from.

I paid $30 for the light and a 3000ma Sofirn labeled 18650,clip,head band and an 18350 tube too!
The light is simple to operate and seems well made and finished at a pretty high level,really nice for the price for sure!

It also arrived in less than 1 day with Amazon Prime!

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us Offline ToolJoe

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #13 on: April 14, 2021, 05:56:18 AM
I ended up getting one of these at Harbor Freight:
https://www.harborfreight.com/310-lumen-headlamp-63921.html

Mrs. TJ gave the go-ahead for a HF trip.  :whistle:
Very impressive light for the amount I got it for on sale.
I knew my wife was a keeper when she transitioned from calling it a knife thingy to a multi-tool.

I might be crazy but it's kept me from going insane- Waylon Jennings

us Offline ezdog

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #14 on: April 14, 2021, 01:52:23 PM
Well I got to use the Sofirn HL all day Yesterday in a basement behind a rack and it was great as I had hoped!

I ran it on the 2nd lowest setting all day long and aside from my evidently huge melon head being a poor fit for the headband as it is shipped I have no real complaints at all especially for the price.
I will probably just chop off the part that goes over the top of the head and I have never kept one of those on any other HL either they are just not heavy enough for it to be an issue at all.
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us Offline ToolJoe

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #15 on: April 16, 2021, 12:51:56 AM
I was considering the Sofirn light but the Harbor Freight light was too good of a deal to pass up.  :whistle:
I knew my wife was a keeper when she transitioned from calling it a knife thingy to a multi-tool.

I might be crazy but it's kept me from going insane- Waylon Jennings

us Offline ezdog

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Re: Maratac Lights?
Reply #16 on: April 16, 2021, 01:44:31 AM
Quote from: ToolJoe on April 16, 2021, 12:51:56 AM
I was considering the Sofirn light but the Harbor Freight light was too good of a deal to pass up.  :whistle:
I am betting We dont have the same idea about that.


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