Does anyone have any info or input on the Maratacs? I have only ever heard good things, and the prices are comparable. It looks like countycomm will ship to Canada as well. They also offer a slick Stainless version as well, and the specs are similar on these lights.
Any help is appreciated! I know there are several EDC/AAA light threads floating around but I wanted some information on Maratac as well so I figured I could pop up another thread. If need be, feel free to conjoin this thread to another EDC/AAA thread.
They also offer the AA maratac which is an attractive light. The polished stainless steel lights both tempt me as well, and the prices are not too bad either.
The Maratacs are rebranded ITP lights. AAA=A3, AA=A2. The Maratacs are slightly more expensive, but have better knurling and can tailstand but otherwise the build quality is the same.
Also, Countycomm does NOT ship to Canada from their website, I've already tried. You have to order their lights from one of the resellers they list under their "International Sales" link.
Well that is the info that I needed. I knew they were very similar, but I was not sure if the iTP lights were simply another Chinese replica. Thanks jekostas!
I have both a ITP A3 EOS natural and a Maratac AAA SS bead blasted (I like matte finish). ITP has a nice keyring chain for your Jeans belt loops and the Maratac can tailstand. On CPF is a detailed review on both. Maratac can be bought via groupbuys or maybe via a nice US BLF member? ;-)
Is it possible to reverse the clip on the A3? It's hard to tell from the photos at shiningbeam, but it looks like it's possible to slide the clip on opposite of the way it's shown. In other words, the clip would open from the bottom, allowing the unit to be clipped to the bill of a ball cap.
All of the ITPs and Maratacs made in the last year or so have been L-M-H, as well as having the higher PWM.
Here's the thing, the new A3 lights have XP-G emitters instead of XP-E emitters. Yes, they have a higher output (96 to 80 lumens new vs. old), but they will have a much larger flood as well. What you gain in actual output you lose more in light concentration.
I just really prefer the knurled maratac over the 'slotted' look of the itp. Hmmm. Choices choices choices. thanks everyone for the help, and thanks Vectrex for the link. An excellent review indeed!
The new one have to have the PWM solved because the old ones are junk .. people love them but personally I think they are garbage .. the PWM bugs me so badly I will not use the light ..I have always liked the look of the martac better With a much higher knurling , the only thing slowing me down is the absudly high shipping costs from the only US martac seller , hence the group buy business whcih I think is a pain too . avoid the old ones they really suck .. mines for sale .. it went up for sale the fist day i used it ..everytime i use it i curse it .buy a nitecore and forget the itp ..Any company that can't do it right with a Q5 doesn'y need to sell you on the idea of an xp-g as a saving grace 90 lumens is 90 lumens lots of little lites can and have done that from black cat to tank to ultrafires etc etc etc . not impressed enough with the design to toss out good AAA money ..Maybe that's just me
I had a few issues with the first A3's. The PWM was noticeable, but the thing that bugged me more was the loose threads where it would flash while you were twisting and exerted uneven pressure (which happened a lot using one hand to hold and twist the light) so you would end up skipping modes. Also a lot of the ones I saw had very cool tints which I wasn't crazy about. The newer ones fix the the threads and PWM, but the tint seems about the same.
I like the iTP because of the lack of knurling which I feel like will cause less damage to everything else on my keychain. I think the Maratac looks better, but I was put off by the high shipping, even in the US.
I decided on the satin finish stainless steel aaa maratac. I am sure I will be happy with it when it arrives :D I am excited for a new EDC because my current tank tk-703 is giving up the ghost. Bad contacts. It has been an awesome light though, and super bright for an aaa light!