Re : Harbor Freight Tools Quantum 3 D

Hey guys, I was at HF and purchased their newest flashlight from their Quantum line. Compareable to Maglite quality but only fraction of cost. $20 Not bad at all. Can be used as defensive tool if needed for personal protection.

https://www.harborfreight.com/534-lumen-3-d-flashlight-63933.html

While it may have sum comparable quality in certain aspects (IDK) it appears not to have a momentary switch.

Anyone that truly knows MagLite C/D series appreciates that quality feature BIG TIME.

And it doesn’t appear ‘focusable’ either. So when HF sez, “compare to MagLite at $40+” well I sure did. Kinda Chinese Apples to U.S. Oranges here. :laughing: :open_mouth:

Compare to Maglite

Yep, they are both flashlights and that is where the comparison ends.
One is the contender the other the pretender.

I have owned Maglites WAY before I started really collecting. I know about Maglite. They used to be 100% USA made. Not no more. The stupid doughnut hole when focused leaned me away. The momentary switch is not a big deal to me. Output and throw much more important. Zoom feature us a joke with the shadow rings of light so totally worthless for me.

Maglite HAS NOT been a contender for years. Much better quality lights with more raw output and throw power on market. Much less in price.

The HF has more flux butt less lux. The lux becuz of the adjustable focus. So your HF is basically moreso a flooder compared to the Mag. The zoom out on the Mag of course gives ya that donut hole. Don’t like it either. Who does? :laughing: Zoom-in is another story. So no real comparison there as the HF’s hot spot is likely a lot bigger. The Mag bottomline is a real thrower.

Btw in case ya don’t know this the way to instantly tell if ya have a real thrower even if you’re standing in a tiny standing room only 4-sided enclosure (with no ceiling) is to shine the beam up to the dark sky. If you see primarily a ‘light saber’ ya got a real thrower. Ya know like a Star Wars light saber.

Now try that with your HF which ya seem to think compares to the Mag in the throw department. Then get back to us with yer findings. Oh also, even on full focused throw the Mag still has a decent even spill.

As far as the momentary switch - a personal choice butt nonetheless a choice the HF doesn’t have. Which sux.

I’d rather have let’s say an 80% U.S. Made flash SOLD mostly on our shores anyday. Means product and jobs stay in the U.S. which recycles back into our domestic economy.

A doubly good thing.

So………Buy the Mag! :sunglasses:

PS. Runtime. Might as well compare the Mag to the HF too while yer outside pointing them up at the sky. How many hours can ya stand btw?

As far as I know, Maglites are still USA made except the parts that simply can not be sourced in the US and that Mag Instruments simply can not in-house (not every company can afford a few hundred million dollars to build an LED fab).

Basically, everything Maglite has the ability to make in their own factory or source from US suppliers., they do, at Tony Maglica’s insistence. I’d be surprised if that changed for any reason other than the company going bankrupt, or passing ownership to someone less fiercely dedicated to US manufacturing than Tony when he passes away.

Did you read my posting ? I never downgraded Maglite. Once was the standard and king back in the day. With many other lights out there producing way more lumens and better throw leaned me away from Maglite.

Now, Quantum is comparable in terms of pricing and economy.

Minus the stupid doughnut hole when focusing light beam unlike Maglite.

Read the packaging. See how wording is mentioned. Nothing on packaging states COMPLETELY made in USA. Corner where flag logo is at specifies American Manufacturer.

I gotta clear sumthing up about the Mag’s ‘donut hole’ business.

The Mag’s focusing system was never designed to enable flood the way a straight non-adjustable reflector performs. It was always designed to be mainly used as a zoom-in non-aspherical lens reflectored-parabolic thrower which when optimized you will notice also gives a no-donut type even spill. Not absolutely ‘perfect’ butt plenty good enuff IMO. And obviously it’s a well patented protected design otherwise you’d see it everywhere China-cheap, right?

Bottomline……You’re just plain misusing the Mag’s focusing system design in an attempt to get ‘flood’ like you get from other designs. It’s not the Mag’s fault it’s the operator’s.

And……when anyone compares the Mag’s output they tend to forget that comparing a 4.2V lithium light to a 2D 3.0V alky Mag for example is not apples to apples. That plus runtime advantages and essentially zero heat issues of the Mag are also conveniently overlooked.

Are there more powerful lights out there for the bux? Sure. Butt more power has its price besides the fact that in most situations it’s unnecessary.

The Mag was never meant or marketed to compete against the more flux/lux the better arena. It has its niche and it ain’t gonna change.

The Mag is basically for people who think having a reliable U.S. Made defensive/offensive tool on them that happens to also be a flashlight is more important than output. This is essentially the core of Mag’s target audience. It’s also clearly evidenced by how surface-smooth and chamfered Mag’s are made. This allows quick no-snag removal from holsters, belts, pockets, etc. Your HF OTOH is a snagging nightmare.

To state that your HF Mag wannabe version is ‘superior’ is BS to those that know otherwise. The lack of a momentary switch alone is already proof that it isn’t. :sunglasses:

PS. I will give ya this tho’ this little COB Quantum light IS faboo for the bux.

Bought 4 already. :money_mouth_face:

https://www.harborfreight.com/215-lumen-magnetic-pocket-worklight-63935.html

PSS. Just to extra-clarify I’m always referring Mag here relative to their LED-version factory lights only. Anyone comparing a factory incandescent Mag to an LED other brand current offering is being disingenuous.

I think Maglite is pretty clear where they stand.

Did you read my posting completely and understand BEFORE making comments here? I never said Quantum is ‘superior’ to Maglite at any time. For price point at less than half price of Maglite is a WINNER for budget minded buyers.

BTW, comparison is Maglite LED VS Quantum LED so understand that fully before posting comments.

I did read the facts about Maglite on their website. While somewhat true. NOT all. If you read fine print ” states made from imported and components from foreign countries “. Any company that claims to be USA made will read like this ” Proudly 100% USA made product “.

I think they state that they make every effort to source their products from domestic manufactures. But in some cases there are no domestic manufactures. Maybe it’s a resistor or something that isn’t made in the USA. But the milling, construction, and almost all the materials are from domestic sources.

BUT here’s the problem. Maglite can not fully claim completely USA made product. Meaning ALL FULLY made in USA including the CORE components.

Maglite is not the contender like back in the day.

Give some electronic examples of this please.
I’ll wait.

Find me one car or motorcycle that is all American.
Can’t do it, doesn’t exist.
Find me one TV with no overseas components.
Just one.

You are steering away from discussing Maglite VS Quantum. While Maglite might be more USA made BUT NOT completely. Maglite can not state ” Proudly 100% USA made ” No way. Because? Not all CORE components are 100% sourced here in USA.

Quantum is of course China made. Decent output and more than half price of Maglite? A WINNER for sure.

A “Winner” for You maybe.
But I will put that HF light up against a couple Defiant Flashlights from Home Depot for way less, like $8 on clearance that have real Cree emitter if you want to compare china to china.
No HF flashlight will beat the Defiant Super thrower, verse yourself on those reviews and mods here on the mighty BLF then go find one on Epay and you will never brag your HF light again.
Right here;

This was before you were joined to BLF so you get a pass for maybe not knowing about possibly the best department store flashlight on the past 6 years.
Peace

Well I’ve concluded two things. Edited: Three things.

1). Mmalive does NOT work for MagLite.

2). Mmalive works for Quantum.

3). MMalive is proud the Quantum is 100% Made in China.

:open_mouth: :laughing:

By your logic...

1). raccoon city works for Kershaw.

(I wish!)