[DigMe]

Anyone seen Brinkmann's latest Surefire knockoff? They have them for sale at Academy for $19.99. It looks like it's made to compete directly with the G2. It's made of some kind of heavy duty plastic, has a large and very Surefire-like buttcap switch and doesn't appear to focus. However the bulb/reflector assembly looks like it's built to be a focused spot so I don't know that the inability to focus from spot to flood would be that big of a deal but I'm curious. I don't see it on the Brinkmann website yet and I think it's just out. Has anyone bought one that can compare it to the Legend LX?

brad cook

[TheFrontRange]

DigMe, your post inspired me to buy one of the Maxfires from my local Academy tonight! I've been a Legend LX user for about a year now and have liked those lights for the most part...I just thought they were a little heavy compared to similar lights and a touch on the fragile side at times.

My initial impression of the Maxfire LX is WOW...much lighter, much more durable-feeling, and at least as bright as the Legend, maybe brighter. I was a little worried about the lack of spot-to-flood beam-focus, but no longer...this sucker is plenty bright!

In the spirit of Second Chance body armor's Rich Davis (I think I have that name right) shooting himself in the chest while wearing one of his own vests, I'll step out into my pitch-black backyard and either zap myself with the light or have one of my kids do it...the Maxfire's a blinder LOL!!!

If you haven't already, pick one up and try it out...I think you'll like it.

[gyp_c2]

Cool...can you compare it to the Nitrolon Surefire or is it apples and oranges?

[DigMe]

Hey thanks for the review frontrange! I didn't think anyone was gonna answer! Sounds like a great deal!

brad cook

[mr_dove]

I might pick one up if they show up at my local wal-mart with the other Brinkman products.

[mtnbkr]

I may have to keep an eye out for this one. I'm a huge fan of the Legend LX. I may have to get one of these as well.

Chris

[Flashpoint]

I picked one up at the local walmart ($20) about 5 months ago. I can't campare it to a Surefire b/c I've never handled a one but I can compare it to my 4Dcell Maglite.

1) I believe it to be more durable than my maglight if only because it's not near as heavy and hits the ground a lot easier.

2)It's a very light flashlight, but doesn't feel cheap.

3)It's as bright if not brighter than the above mentioned Maglite. I turned off all the lights in the house and shined it make at myself using the mirror at the end of the hall, I was seeing spots for a little while.:eek:

The long and the short of it is-it does everthing I need it to do and it didn't cost me $70.

[DigMe]

Flashpoint,

Are you talking about the Maxfire or the Legend LX? I know Wal-Mart carries the Legend LX but I've never seen the Maxfire for sale there.

brad cook

[Flashpoint]

My bad, it's the Legend.

I was wondering why they said it had a plastic body. I haven't even heard of the Maxfire, how does it campare to the Legend?

[Flashpoint]

Here is a write up I found at the candlepower forum:
I picked up a new Brinkmann Maxfire 2L light at Academy tonight.

It is similar in concept to the LX. It looks more like a G2 than the LX. It has a smaller diameter head (and I suppose reflector - which is pretty deep for its diam) and a momentary-on-off tailcap switch. It has a rubber cover like the LX on the body and a rubber ring around the back part of the head, with anti roll bumps around it.

It makes a nice bright spot/flood with soft edges and decent spill. There are a couple rings, and artifacts from the head around the outside.

I'm going to have to get the rubber off the body to see how it looks, and so it wont grab in the Garrity holster I use.

Edit: It looks HOKEY without the rubber! But it DOES go in and out of the garrity holster.... :Edit

I also looked at a 4.8V rechargable Maxfire at 26 dollars and change. It has a battery stick made of some form of sub AA, which must be removed from the light to charge in an external cradle. I'll probably try that one when I can afford to!

Oh! The Maxfire 2L was $19.99 + tax. Academy gets $22.99 + tax for the LX. Something of a bargain in a decent light (if only for glovebox duty even).

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=521101&Main=520372

[DigMe]

Another thing that looks good about this is that, being somewhat of a G2 clone, it appears to have a buttcap switch that is much easier to activate with a thumb. The Legend LX starts out with a very stiff switch, although mine has gotten significantly easier as I've used it.

I've seen that rechargeable Maxire that is mentioned above. It has 3 or 4 (Can't remember exactly) 123A sized rechargeable batteries all put together in a sleeve that fits into a recharging cradle. Looked pretty cool and it was pretty cheap...don't remember how much exactly. I want to say sub-30 bucks at Academy but that sounds really cheap...maybe it was more.

TheFrontRange,

Can you comment on the Maxfire buttcap switch? Are my suspicions correct?

brad cook

[TheFrontRange]

DigMe - yes, you are correct on the tailcap switch...the Maxfire IS easier to manipulate than the Legend. I guess I've been through about three or four Legends and at least two of 'em were downright hard to push in! This Maxfire is much smoother. Frankly, I'm ready to go pick up two or three more as I can so I can cover both vehicles, my briefcase, etc. I doubt I'll pick up another Legend at this point.

Flashpoint, I agree with thee, too...these things outperform any MagLite I've ever owned. Sure, they burn through batteries faster, but for the size and power I don't think these lithium babies can be beat!

Also, I can't compare to the SureFire G2...I've handled one briefly but have never owned one. I concur that the Maxfire looks like a close cousin to the G2 in any case! :)

I very nearly picked up one those rechargeable lights myself, but held off. I do want to try one at some point. I think you're right on the price, DigMe...like maybe 25, 26 bucks or something.

Isn't it great to have another toy to be excited about almost as much as you're excited about your firearms?!?! :)

[DigMe]

I was kinda planning on eventually getting a Streamlight Scorpion but maybe I'll just get a Maxfire for my bedside table light. That would send my Legend LX to the car. My local Academy actually did have one streamlight tactical light... it was a TL-2 and looked pretty nice and had a pocket clip attached. I just don't think I can shell out 45 bucks for a flashlight though when a 20 dollar one will do the same thing...just with a little less quality (althought the Scorpion isn't that much more than a Maxfire...but I'd have to order it and pay for shipping and whatnot).

brad cook