Thread: The flashlight sticky

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Where can i get one of the new maxtoch m24 torches ?

Will be popping up on AliExpress fairly soon.

Thank you

Originally Posted by mudgripz

Amazing photos Quentin - shows just how good the Maxtochs are. And there is a quick upgrade available for that little Maxtoch M24 torch which will pop it up another 30-35% in output. Can you put those photos into a youtube link - dam good reference.

The brand new model Maxtoch 2X we've just finished designing has huge 60-70% more output than the one in your test, and weighs only 308gms - nice and light for scope mounting or handheld.

This is why we have boxes of spotties including HIDs sitting in the shed.

Ooooh, more power!
Starting to sound like someone has found a box of xhp35 leds.
@mudgripz - you may need to elaborate on putting the images to a youtube link.

I'll be watching out for the Maxtoch 2X and upgrade for the M24.

No XHP leds When designing new hunter lights Brian and I always look at the range of new leds from Cree. There are some that have much higher lumen output then the XM-L2 U4s we now use - like MTG2, XHP35/50/70 etc. These things can produce 4000+ lumens, but if you want to increase light output its obviously going to use alot more power. So these high lumens torches need to run 3-4 18650s or a couple of bigger 26650 batts to operate = much more weight, non-standard tubes, high lumens (total light emitted) but lower lux (centre beam hotspot intensity), which means shorter range.

These high lumen leds make great fun lights with lots of flood. But that's not what we are after. We want an all-purpose hunter. We want beam balance between very long distance plus good beam spill so you can spot at hundreds of meters but also have enough beam width to sweep paddocks in seconds. And we want a torch both light enough to fit on scope as well as for use as handheld. XML2-U4 with the right reflector is still best for this job. Has very good 1200+ lumen output, but still maintains just 2 batts = low weight and very good runtime.

We also weigh up another factor - CRI or Color Rendering Index. This is: "color rendering index (CRI) is a measure of the ability of a light source to reveal the colors of various objects faithfully in comparison with an ideal or natural light source." Now you can get different leds with specific CRI ratings - rated 80, 90 etc. We don't go that far. But we do experiment visually with different leds (domed, domeless and dedomed) to determine which ones give best picture definition at long distance. In your photos you'll notice the dedomed maxtoch has much more faithful colour rendition than the HID with its blue/white beam.

We also rejected some of Cree's latest Xlamp Leds - especially their new XPL-HI (high intensity). This comes ex factory domeless but retains a coolish white beam which in tests was nowhere near as good as a dedomed XML2- U4. CRI or color rendition/object picture was much poorer at long range so that an XML light running at about 290k lux gave better object picture past 300 meters than the new XPL-HI running at 370k lux - 80k lux more! We biffed this new XPL-HI also because its less efficient - has lower output than a U4, has to be driven at 6 amps which it can only hold for a few minutes before stepdown to much lower output etc. At the moment the XML2-U4 with the right reflector (and Maxtoch techs very good at getting this right) is still best option for an all purpose hunter.

The nearest competition as a factory hunter torch to the Maxtochs would be the Olight M3X-UT Javelot. This uses the XPL-HI led, produces 250k lux, can only hold that 250k for a few minutes before stepping down to much lower output, has runtime of 5-55 minutes, and costs $150US. By comparison the new 2X will produce about 350k lux on high, 260k on medium, has no stepdowns and can run for 70-74 minutes continuously at 350k, or 100+ minutes at 260k, and will cost about $90US. And being a U4 it has much better CRI/light picture.

Led Lenser not in same street as lights like Olight or Maxtoch

I don't suppose anyone has done any real testing of light throw?
From memory there is a ANSI / SI standard used for this. Along the lines of how far away from the light source did you get 0.25 lux.

Yes we do ANSI type testing on the lights.

We calculate the lux at 6 meters (though 10-15 meters is best for throwers), then it is a simple equation to determine maximum range from that.

Does this look ok? Thanks... :-) Panasonic 18650 Protected 3.7v 3100mah (NCR18650A) - Mr Positive NZ

Originally Posted by bumblefoot

Does this look ok? Thanks... :-) Panasonic 18650 Protected 3.7v 3100mah (NCR18650A) - Mr Positive NZ

That's very expensive. I got in Panasonic 3400mAh cells for NZ$16 a pair delivered.

Best way to buy panasonic 3400 batteries (the ones to get) is to buy in bulk from Maxtoch who will send by ship. Our other overseas suppliers won't do this. Maxtoch batts are rebranded panasonics.

You need to do a group buy of like 18 - 28 at a time for shipping to work. If keen email Amanda on amanda@maxtoch.cn.

One of the guys from FishnHunt site doing bulk batt buy via ship right now - we'll see how that trial run of maxtoch/panasonic 3400s works out.

New Maxtoch 2X torches are running at 360-370k lux in factory testing which is brilliant. This means its medium 'hunter' mode will likely be 260+k lux - also hugely powerful, but with 100+ minute runtime, something we all want. Going to be a beauty and with its led/board setup no stepdowns from high to lower modes after few minutes (as is the case with alot of other torches) will be required.

Mmmm...

@mudgripz

This is what a bloke on one of the Aussie forums is making up what are your thoughts?

I have one of his earlier green led torches, fantastic for picking up eyeshine but not so great for picking up body of foxes.


I can't/ don't know how to get the pictures to show

Up for sale I have a number of torch kits. These vary slightly from the last run, in that they do not have the built in mounting setup and clamp. Range on these is slightly longer as these have the new XP-L Hi LED which has a slightly tighter beam.

For those unfamiliar with the last lot, these torches have a focusable head so you can adjust the beam from tight spot to flood and anywhere in between. Spot mode gives a square spot the shape of the LED. Full flood gives a very wide beam with no hot spot.

You can also change the LED unit to any of the white, red and green LED's included to suit whatever you are doing. This is a quick, tool free operation that involves unscrewing the head and then the LED module and changing them over and putting the head back on.

All LED units are single mode only for hunting use.

The white unit uses the latest Cree XP-L Hi Intensity LED for an output of around 900 lumens. The coloured units use the latest Cree XP-E2 LED for an output of around 300 lumens. Runtime is around 70 mins with the white LED and 2hrs with the coloured ones. Working voltage is 3-4.2V max. These are regulated lights and will flicker and shut off below 3V.

The torch is aircraft-grade AL-6061-T6 aluminum material with premium type III military hard-anodization anti-abrasive finish, uses a polymer lens and is IPX-8 waterproof. 54mm head, 171mm long on focus mode, dry weight is 250g.

What you get - you get the torch with white LED unit fitted, red and green LED units, two 2400MAH protected 18650 li ion batteries, dual battery charger with Australian Standards certified wall plug and car adaptor, scope rail ring for 25 and 30mm scope tubes and an extra high 30mm Pic ring to fit the torch and that will clamp to the included or any compatible rail. This is all contained in a foam lined ABS plastic protective case and you get a user guide and care and maintenance instructions.





Torch mounted on a 40mm AO scope using the kit mounting hardware.



Beamshots - camera is set at 5X optical zoom, 15 second exposure and range is just over 200m to the trees. Pics are cropped to show the hot spot. This is a close representation of what you'll see through a good scope.





New XP-L Hi white LED. 12x optical zoom.



No zoom.



Shot into open sky.



What they cost - these kits are $160 posted anywhere in Australia, to AHN members.

How to buy - no orders by PM. Email orders to houndlights@hotmail.com.

Payment will be by bank deposit and I will require your AHN username with orders and a postal address for delivery.


Warranty and repairs - I test every torch, LED, battery and the charger before sending. If there is a problem with the torch or an LED unit, I will repair the item, buyer pays postage.

Damage through misuse is not covered.



I also have torch only packs for sale.

This package includes the torch with white LED installed, and with red and green LED modules also. No mounts, batteries, etc. Just the torch with three colours and an instruction and care sheet. The specifications of the torches are exactly the same as what is in the kits. These will be delivered in a foam lined cardboard box.




What they cost - torch only packs are $95 posted anywhere in Australia, to AHN members.


I also have a small number of XP-L Hi LED modules for anyone who wants them.



What they cost - XP-L Hi modules are $25 posted anywhere in Australia, to AHN members.





Sensible Q's will be answered in this thread or I am happy to answer sensible Q's via PM.

Tui - it sounds like a useful package but need pics to see what light output is like. Seems to be something like this:

https://torchfactory.com/torchfactory-t20

A torch with an XPL-HI led and 54mm head could throw well, but being a zoomie it will have just a small light square when zoomed out for distance. This means almost no beam width for sweeping big fields at long range. When using zoomies you often need a second broader beam torch for long range scanning. This is why we tested but did not pursue zoom lights.

We did a bit of testing several years ago on tints and from memory green travelled less distance than white led and did not help with spooky animals. Red travelled about half distance of green, but did appear to trouble bunnies less. But...we didn't do enough experimenting to provide conclusive findings.

I don't think this light will have anything like the range and all-purpose usefulness of a maxtoch, but if you want to experiment with colours it could be good.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

Tui - it sounds like a useful package but need pics to see what light output is like. Seems to be something like this:

https://torchfactory.com/torchfactory-t20

A torch with an XPL-HI led and 54mm head could throw well, but being a zoomie it will have just a small light square when zoomed out for distance. This means almost no beam width for sweeping big fields at long range. When using zoomies you often need a second broader beam torch for long range scanning. This is why we tested but did not pursue zoom lights.

We did a bit of testing several years ago on tints and from memory green travelled less distance than white led and did not help with spooky animals. Red travelled about half distance of green, but did appear to trouble bunnies less. But...we didn't do enough experimenting to provide conclusive findings.

I don't think this light will have anything like the range and all-purpose usefulness of a maxtoch, but if you want to experiment with colours it could be good.

And the zoomable heads are very inefficient at tight focus as a lot of the light produced by the LED does not reach the lens.

Just looking on Aliexpress, is this the latest new model, or the previous one that's being replaced?

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/MAXTO...3-306b0319558c

That is the brand new lightweight model Maxtoch 2X - Amanda from Maxtoch says she will add a special introductory offer into the ad shortly..

Absolutely brilliant light