Thread: The flashlight sticky

Gadget and I did a range of stock and dedomed testing on the Maxtoch M24 and 2X torches last night, looking at possible upgrades. We fitted and tested two new LEDs - the XML2-U3 (upgrade of present XML2-U2), and an XPL type LED.

The standard M24 torch in the experiment read 82.4k lux on the meter with its stock U2 LED. When we fitted the XPL it read 85k lux - about a 3% gain. But we were unable to dedome this XPL led because it has a different silicon bubble compound over the LED and would not peel off. This led no use to us if can't be dedomed.

We then fitted the new U3 led and in the stock M24 it read 90k lux, and in the 2X 138k lux - a 10% output gain. Dedomed the M24 with U3 jumped to 185k lux (a big 860meters ANSI), and the 2X an estimated 275k lux. Makes the M24 even better for scope mounting - very powerful and just 270gms..

Conclusion: the new U3 is a good improvement, making these even better performers. If people are ever doing some work on their torches it wil be good to fit the U3s, but otherwise I would not bother as the 10% gain will be fairly hard to pick out in the field. Some of the 2Xs will touch 280k lux (1060 meters) with the new U3 dedomed, and that is one powerful wee light esp for just $93NZ delivered....

Not bad at all... we will suggest Maxtoch fit all lights with U3s from this time.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

Gadget and I did a range of stock and dedomed testing on the Maxtoch M24 and 2X torches last night, looking at possible upgrades. We fitted and tested two new LEDs - the XML2-U3 (upgrade of present XML2-U2), and an XPL type LED.

The standard M24 torch in the experiment read 82.4k lux on the meter with its stock U2 LED. When we fitted the XPL it read 85k lux - about a 3% gain. But we were unable to dedome this XPL led because it has a different silicon bubble compound over the LED and would not peel off. This led no use to us if can't be dedomed.

We then fitted the new U3 led and in the stock M24 it read 90k lux, and in the 2X 138k lux - a 10% output gain. Dedomed the M24 with U3 jumped to 185k lux (a big 860meters ANSI), and the 2X an estimated 275k lux. Makes the M24 even better for scope mounting - very powerful and just 270gms..

Conclusion: the new U3 is a good improvement, making these even better performers. If people are ever doing some work on their torches it wil be good to fit the U3s, but otherwise I would not bother as the 10% gain will be fairly hard to pick out in the field. Some of the 2Xs will touch 280k lux (1060 meters) with the new U3 dedomed, and that is one powerful wee light esp for just $93NZ delivered....

Not bad at all... we will suggest Maxtoch fit all lights with U3s from this time.

Can you buy the U3 LEDs and where would you get them from?
I have dedomed some of my M24's, had about a 50% strike rate but I have had some trouble dedoming the 2Xsso I'm after some new LEDs to try and get them up and running again.

Originally Posted by screamO

Can you buy the U3 LEDs and where would you get them from?
I have dedomed some of my M24's, had about a 50% strike rate but I have had some trouble dedoming the 2Xsso I'm after some new LEDs to try and get them up and running again.

The X2 is the easiest to de-dome as you can screw off the reflector bell almost level with the LED. How are you doing the de-doming. With heating I'm on a 99%+ success rate having done a couple of hundred with 1 failure.

CREE XM L2 U3 Cool White LED Emitter with 16mm Aluminum Star-in Diodes from Electronic Components & Supplies on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Originally Posted by gadgetman

The X2 is the easiest to de-dome as you can screw off the reflector bell almost level with the LED. How are you doing the de-doming. With heating I'm on a 99%+ success rate having done a couple of hundred with 1 failure.

CREE XM L2 U3 Cool White LED Emitter with 16mm Aluminum Star-in Diodes from Electronic Components & Supplies on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

It has been working almost text book like, I just turn on the light for about 5 mins and then just pop the dome off which seems to be the easy bit. When I go to turn it back on thou it's a no go.
The ones wherei thought I might have been a bit rough seem to work.
Amanda was good enough to send me some replacements which was good.
The more I think about it my success rate might be more like 30%

Originally Posted by gadgetman

The X2 is the easiest to de-dome as you can screw off the reflector bell almost level with the LED. How are you doing the de-doming. With heating I'm on a 99%+ success rate having done a couple of hundred with 1 failure.

CREE XM L2 U3 Cool White LED Emitter with 16mm Aluminum Star-in Diodes from Electronic Components & Supplies on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Also, do you just fit the same led into both the M24 and the 2Xs or do you have to order different size boards? If that makes any sense

Originally Posted by screamO

Also, do you just fit the same led into both the M24 and the 2Xs or do you have to order different size boards? If that makes any sense

I heat the board from underneath till the solder melts, remove the new LED. Swap boards heat the second board till the solder melts, remove the old LED and carefully place the new LED. As the solder solidifies and 'takes' the LED I pop the dome. M24 and 2x have different boards.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

I heat the board from underneath till the solder melts, remove the new LED. Swap boards heat the second board till the solder melts, remove the old LED and carefully place the new LED. As the solder solidifies and 'takes' the LED I pop the dome. M24 and 2x have different boards.

That's great, thanks