Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've finally used up my MaxMillion to its death. So I'm going to get another one. Do they make a brighter Brinkmann spotlight? Also, I never got one of the rechargeable ones,anyone have any experience with these? How long do they hold a charge? How long do the batteries last, etc? Also, can you use them from the car as you are recharging them, or do they have to be off to be recharged? Thanks,
GLENN

I would not use a rechargable light. They are heavy and last about 30 minutes max. I use and would recommend a cheap 1 million power that you cna buy for $10 at wally world. You can plug them into the car, or into a portable power supply.
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South Texas Herps

I use a 3 million candle power QBeam . . . the newer version apparently also has optional flood vs spot, but the switch for the flood is a trigger that you must continually depress (or tape up) if you prefer the flood (I would if I had the new one).

Some would say that the one I have has too tight of a beam, but I've caught quite a few snakes with it in the past couple of years . . . so it can't be too bad.

Troy

I have seen lights that are bright enough that you are squinting to see when you light up a limestone cut. Plus some spot lights are so pencil beamed that you are running this light all over the cut like a madman. But with a flood you have to sweep the light very little to cover it all, and let your eyes do the sweeping.

I will just say that there two ways to measure light output, quantity and quality. I look for enough quantity but put my focus on quality. I really like my old brinkman spot flood for this. I am also very pleased with some of the high quality LED headlamps and flashlights for walking. My stubby lights up a large area, but it seems to breed shadows compared to a more directional light. The rechargeable spotlights work well for road cruising, they help out when you are looking for something that you passed or that made off for the shoulder. But a 20-30 minute run time is a real handicap for anything else.

I would personally try and stay away from Brinkman products. They say they are made in the good Ol U.S.A. but when your switch craps out, you will find when trying to replace it, that not only can you never find replacement switches for Q-beams, it says written in plain englsh, made in Taiwan. Brinkman products S U C K! and I try to stay away from them as often as possible, unless I am in a real bind. I use a $10.00 spotlight I got from Wal Mart with a trigger switch and this is the kind I would recommend. What they are saying about the hand held lights is true. They do not last long and they are heavy. They are good for short bursts while chasing your alterna that's getting away in the grass though. I have a whole closet full of dead Brinkman's that one day I need to try and repair.

Wayne

The factory switches are crap. I keep a few extra switches with me that I get from AutoZone. The light-up switches are nice because they light up when the beam is off and this makes them easy to locate when on the floor, seat etc.
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Steve W.

Yes, but the light itself is good. I have had my spot flood for close to 15 years, and it is 100% original switch and all. My only gripe was the 3 position switch that no long "clicks" into position, and the middle spot was off. This was a real pain when a car would come up and instead of turning off the light you would end up switching it back and forth between spot and flood. I just unplugged the lead on the spotlight function and use it as floodlight only.

I use an old 1 million cp Coleman mostly. It's not heavy at all, puts out a smooth beam and flood, and has never broken. It's constructed VERY well. Unfortunately they don't make them anymore. Keep an eye out on ebay if you're interested in one. I'd avoid Brinkman unless you have an electric repair kit with you on your trips. Anything over 1 million cp is overkill in limestone country, but if you like hunting the darker rock out west then a brighter light might be in order. The cuts in rhyolite country eat up light. Most rechargeable lights (ie. anything made by Vector) use proprietary batteries so if the battery dies you can't get just any Powersonic to replace it. You'll have to order them from the light manufacturer for... you guessed it... more money (and they're cheesy Chinese batteries anyway).

My niece has recently moved to Frisco, across the road from the Brinkman ranch. When I look at that high priced piece of real estate Brinkman lives on I think of the cabinet full of old Brinkman products that i keep around for scavaging for spare parts.
I have bought two of the cheapo $10 brinkman 1,000,000 CP lights and have found that the plug doesn't properly fit so I have to wedge it in place if I want to use it.
More CP isn't necessarily better. I'll admit that I did like going from half a million CP to a million but do I need 2 million, 3 million? The farthest I'm spotting is maybe 50-60 feet so I doubt it.
I agree with the others on the rechargeable: don't waste your money. They are heavy and last 15 minutes between charges.

I personally think the maxmillion is the best. If you are reasonably "handy" you can repair your old one in minutes. all of the new ones seem crummy, either too bulky, inconveniently placed switches or whatever. the current $10 special at walmart is pretty good -bright and compact.

I bought a rocker switch at the del rio auto zone, like 3 bucks, did a slight modification to the switch opening (with a box cutter) and replaced the crummy original slide switch, hooked up the wires and I'm good to go. the rocker switch literally will lock right into the hole. also the rocker switch is quick to flick on and off.

I'll try to put together some pictures in a day or so, to show you the repair.

Jim Dobis

You rock Jimbo! That's the way to do it, however it's a DAMN shame we even have to with the money we pay for this crap!

Wayne

Why don't I rock??? I posted the AutoZone switch repair first. Sheeesh!! Jimmy was forced to fix his light due to him hauling @ss out of the car to catch his first alterna and ripping his light to bits. LOL Yes, I hear'd all about that episode Jimmy. LOL. Juno Road animal I think. At least you caught it in the end.
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Steve W.

this is as simple as it gets for repair, follow instructions that come with the switch and fix it! Steve that is a 3 yr old juno, offspring from the one I caught. I think I copied off S. Mosley for this fix years ago.