Review: MaxToch Mission M12

Finally got movement on tracking for the new M12 from BG. In NY last night, moving this morn, maybe couple days now...

Now if only the Eagle Eye X9 from AliExpress will start moving...

Amanda - again, we've has these discussions before on pricing, but this is a pretty close competitor to the M12 XHP70 for us typical buyers, not law enforcement.

E.E. X9: $61 shipped here

M12 XHP70: $100 shipped here

Same:

  • SS bezel
  • exc. AR coated lens
  • type III hard anodizing (EE says "premium type", Maxtoch says Mil-Spec type)
  • LVP indicator on switch
  • maybe approx. same output (need to verify, EE claimes higher at 3800 lumens)
  • full length equal
  • lockout feature

M12 + Features:

  • dual switch input - added dedicated switch for strobes
  • larger head diameter (66 vs 63 mm)
  • lighter: 334g vs. 350g, if listed accurately
  • tripod mount

So it's $39 more for the M12, 64% higher price. It's a big markup for two lights that are very close in specs, features and quality. Granted if the prices were in the same ballpark, I'd buy the Maxtoch because of the features and higher quality, but would I pay $39 more or 64% higher to have those features? It's a tough buying decision for many. Personally I'd go to $75 maybe $80, but $100, sorry but no.

I do believe your type III ano is superior to the Convoy or Eagle Eye ano, it's just that it's hard to test and prove, and for selling it, it all sounds exactly 100% the same.

So before you shoot down the group buy deal or deals, think about the market you're up against.

Wait.. Am I goin bonkers? The XPL HD and HI models are list at $75 now on the Maxtoch Ali store: aliexpress.com/MAXTOCH-Mission-M12- XPL HD.

Were they this cheap before? If so, didn't realize. Banggood's prices are higher. The M12 XPH70 is listed at $80, which is pretty darn good now.

Did they listen or was I totally ignorant? Maybe a bit of each?

I got the XPL HD version in today. I have to say I have a different impression - it's gorgeous! Way improved design over the old one, and I'm comparing them side by side, one in each hand.

What I like:

  • crazy stock power in lumens: 1,282 @30 secs on one cell (LK) and 3.44A tail on clamp DMM, 1,550 @30 secs on 2 cells (EVVA protected) and 2.55A tail on clamp DMM
  • shorter overall length than the old M12 (thanks to the e-switches), more stable tailstanding with 3 points rather than 2
  • nicely done SS bezel
  • I like the finish and grip - feels grippier than the old M12, and the etchings look fine to me
  • switch UI is fine with me. Really like the feel of the metal SS switches - nothing cheap here
  • the head feels like one mass of metal. Didn't put it on the scale but you can feel it and see it. They must have added weight to better balance it with two cells, because it does balance very well with the extension.
  • really like the added tripod mount. Can be used for other accessories as well.

What is so-so or don't like:

  • throw is under-performing from the specs. I measured 101 kcd at 5m (636m) on one cell, 128 kcd at 5m (716m) on two cells. Close as I could measure the I.D. is the same as the old M12, though the head is measured wider. These are still decent throw #'s for a 63-66 mm class head diameter light. Since I measured throw at 5 meters, you may get 5% or possible as high as 10% improvement outdoors at 10+ meters.
  • the SS bezel is deep, deeper than the old M12 or Manker U21 for example. Not sure if there's an impact, but usually there is - loss of lumens or maybe it effected the throw, not sure.

Just a word about the ano type III finish. I got a U21 in for upgrade/repair and it's finish was pretty beat up - scratches show raw shiny aliuminum, etc. With these Maxtochs, the ano embeds deeper into the metal, hardens the metal so it's harder to scratch and show. The Manker though has the look of better quality, but if you compare smooth surfaces, the M12 is definitely grippier, though is shinier.

Thanks for your input Tom. It sounds from the one you got to be a fairly nice light.

The price of M12 HI and HD are always usd75.00/pc. There are four options of different accessory combinations. usd98.00 includes 2 batteries and charger… :innocent:

Any chance these will be coming on sale anytime soon?

Maxtoch M24 Sniper | Max Output 1350 Lumens | Max Beam Distance 1100m |
XM-L2 U3 LED | 2x 18650

Maxtoch Shooter 2x | Max Output 1450 Lumens | Max Beam Distance 1200m
XM-L2 U4 LED | Focused Beam | 2x 18650

Of course I couldn't leave it alone. There were obvious candidates for a resistor mod on the driver. The driver is pretty nicely done - thermal pads, thermal epoxy, thick board, sweetest retainer ring I've seen in a while - heavy, large brass.

I could not tell what the limiting resistors are, but there are two large ones in parallel labeled R1. Tried measuring resistance over it, think possible it measured 0.1 ohms, but not sure. So figured I'd try an R100, as shown below:

Well on 2 cells, it sure made a hugh difference!

On 2 protected KP's at ~4.0V, the tail amps on a clamp DMM showed 4.45A, and lumens:

2,050 @start, 1,940 @30 secs

throw: 158 kcd taken at 5m (795 meters)

That's a big bump. In amps it went from 2.55A to 4.45A. It might be a little beyond the peak of the XPL, depending on how much amps is really getting to the LED. 7A to 8A is about peak.

On one cell, it bumped it up but not much. Tial amps went from 3.44A to 3.85A on a LK cell, lumens:

1,350 @start, 1,323 @30 secs

I'm thinking bypassing the springs should help in the single cell configuration, and probably make no difference with 2 cells, where it's well buck regulated.

That is interesting Tom, found out that most issues I’m having with this driver only happen while running it with 2 cells, running it with a single cell the tactical turbo will finally stay on as long as I hold the switch, sounds similar to our German friends issues and who’s replacing the driver, I think it was the two cells he was saying gave him problems also. Amanda said they are having driver issues but wouldn’t say what exactly so that’s not much help really… ha ha

Ok, with two cells, now I'm seeing some flaky behavior, maybe exactly or similar to T18's. The tactical/momentary does shut itself off shortly, other odd behaviors. Mainly the big issue is the flashing red LED that indicates low battery when in fact the batteries are close to fully charged. I'm thinking the false hit on LVP is the cause of all these problems. I can see the output kick down by itself, and the red flashing going from slow flashes to fast flashes, which means the output will be cut down or cut off altogether.

However since I have my light aggressively resistor modded, I can't be sure my problems are related to the mod or not. I'm willing to take the risk, since my long term plan is to replace the driver with a custom one anyway.

Since T18 is describing something similar to what mine does, and he's referencing other unknown owners (German friends?), and said Amanda admits there's a driver problem, I would not recommend this XPL (HD or HI) version of the light until we can find out more

I would like to know if T18, or anyone else is seeing the blinking red LED around the switch when the cells are not low - if so, then I would feel more confident it's the same problem, and not related to my resistor mod.

I would like to see Amanda respond to this issue directly though, or directly quoted.

Is it possible to do a resistor mod on Maxtoch Shooter 2x XM-L2 U4 LED also?

It is possible yes…….I would advise that you don’t though unless you are going to put a different emitter in the light.
The reason I say this is that the 2X with the U4 1A is performing at about the best it can the way it is from the factory and the U4 emitters will start frying at just above 5 amps from all I have seen on them. The driver is already making about 4.5 amps as it is so any increase will be putting it at the threshold of what it can handle.

I have the old, maybe original 2X and resistor modded it wayyy back. Also did one for jmpaul320 back then. Most likely the new ones could be resistor modded the same way. They will get hot though, and not sure if the Maxtoch's have any timed or temperature step down.

Ohhh - just saw robo's post - true, the original ones were probably U2's so could take more amps. I've blown dedomed U4's before. XPL's would do much better as well. Didn't measure it, but I'm thinking mine is getting 7.5 - 8.5A to the LED.

Tom, you and T18 have got me wondering now.

I just ordered a Sniper M24 yesterday.

Do they have these symptoms or known issues?

Oh joy. Both the wife and I are home with an intestinal bug of some sort.

Very doubtful. The M12 is new territory for Maxtoch - e-switch drivers are quite different, probably a different design, different firmware.

I wanted the M12 only because of the e-switches, so I can get ramping Narsil in it. Will try to go with a XHP50.2 if I can fit it with a centering piece.

The M24’s have been pretty much problem free with the new design.

I researched the M24 and 2x Shooter quite a lot and did not find any recent (last 6 months) issues.

It seem, you, T18, and robo are the main users of Maxtoch here on the forum that I've seen most. So figured to ask.

Did not mean to get headed off topic!

There are a number of people in the forum who have had a good many dealings with Maxtoch over time actually , TomE has in the past and recently also and he is also well informed with the Maxtoch brand.

I am not affiliated with them as far as any kind of pay or monetary reimbursement though as it may seem I might be at times……lol

I have just always really liked their products and feel they make some very good quality lights and they always stand behind their product. One of the few that really listen to what is said in the forum and try to work with us as much as they can.

Have you heard anything much more bout the M12 issues? She had 2 posts here, but otherwise hasn't been active for 11 months.

I'll try pm'ing her, but understand there's the May Day Chinese holiday from 4/29 to May 1st.

I have actually sent her an email about the driver on the M12 to see if she has any news about it already Tom.

EDIT: forgot about the holiday…………

Ohh - ok, shoot - just pm'ed her. Well we got her covered by email and pm then