MXDL SA-76 "Turbohead" (PICS warning)

Hi Johnny... No its probably not worth getting. Stock the HD2010 is brighter and throws farther too, and theres no visible PWM on the HD2010. I didn't make it a big point in my first post, but the SA-76 low modes have a very pronounced PWM flicker. I can't stand PWM flicker, so hopefully I can upgrade this one with an 8x7135 soon.

I hope to take some beam shots tonight to illustrate the difference in brightness.

I think the only major advantage the 76 has, is its just smaller and easier to carry when used actively. The grip rings keep it firmly planted in my hands. Its also a little easier to mode flip with my thumb too, as the HD2010 is just a little big for one handed operation. I also like the LOTC on the SA-76. I pack carry lights this size so I want to make sure I have a redundant fail-safe to make sure the switch doesn't accidentally turn on.

Yep... looks like another variant to the skyray A01. I searched that one and another forum member also had tailcap problems... its just a piss-poor design all together. I got mine to work reliably and to my liking, but I don't think this light is one I can openly recommend without some hesitation. I think its best for experienced owners and modders too... people who like to take stuff apart and tweek around. I don't think its a light you can just use out of the box... like the HD2010. In fact this is probably the biggest difference between the SA-76 and the HD2010... the latter will work out of the box.

BUMP for driver mod in post #2

Nice work on the driver mod! Now that you have done it, do you still think it's not worth me getting one and doing the same?

Much tougher call now that the LED sees 2.8A... the two are much closer in overall brightness and the PWM is gone. I think the U2 upgrade will further close the gap between the two. I think I would now answer YES... but only if you find the HD2010 big, and bulky to hold and use actively. I can cigar hold the SA-76 and take out the trash very easily (for example).

One things for sure, the stainless steel threads are really smooth against anodized aluminum. I generally avoid metals like Stainless steel, brass and titanium because they are thermal insulators.... and in that sense some of the worst metals for general heat sinking. But in this case its a good blend of black anodize aluminum and the nice "feel" of stainless.

You had said the hot spot was smaller on the SA76. Does it throw better than the HD2010 now?

I still expect the 2010 to significantly out throw it. Its a bigger/heavier all aluminum host, Its LED is driven at ~3.5A, and its using a brand new/fresh 26650 cell. The immediate thermal path from the LED (pill assembly) is thicker and heavier in the HD2010. Colder tints also seem to travel farther than warmer colors. The HD2010 (at least my sample) still has a slightly hotter spot... within its hot spot. I would expect that hotter concentrated area to reach farther than the modded SA76. I'll have to take them out tonight and compare them in the field but I fully expect the HD2010 to dominate....the question though is by how much?... and does the SA76 come close enough to justify its use instead, when you also factor in its smaller size + easier carry advantage?

What else (light-wise) are the tailcap threads compatible to? I like the tailcap-wouldn't mind having just it on some of my lights.

Rich

thanks for all the details and pics.

this light looks HUGE (at least to me) until I actually saw it in your hand...

The first thing I did when I got it was try it on my 6P/M2/L2... no dice there. Thats as far as I tried though.

How did I miss this thread initially?

Anyway enough about me. Thank you for the review kramer5150. That is an attractive mini thrower. Nice big head. If the reflector was a little deeper then it might really rock and make super mega big candela scores. I wonder if you have a lux meter? Or acces to one. I am sooo curious about it.

I really like that very small form factor. It is soo tiny in your hands! Comparing to your watch makes it look itty bitty tiny miny :-)

I think I'll buy one of these for my single 18650 thrower needs. (Like I have that)

Did you ever get around to making a better heat sinking solution? Or have you decided it is not worth it? Does it heat up fast and evenly when turned on?

Ohh I cannot get this right now. But I would throw a 3,8 A driver in there faster than you could say let there be light!

TY for the review and the nice pictures. And for documenting how nice a mod host it really is. Those tailcap issues you mention I consider to be very small. Thanks to your pictures it seems I have a new target to aquire :-) (My wife may still kill me though!)

Its probably an easy thread to miss. MXDL has been around forever. I first remembered reading about this brand in the BessieBenny thread that CPF moderators butchered. So MXDL goes back to ~2005 time frame... most of their lights are what I would consider poor designs, with a LOT of DOA reports on CPF. So its easy to disregard the brand as a whole.

Nope I am still working on the heatsinking improvements. I need some help from a local machinist on that one. But I'll update my thread when its ready. I'll probably stay with the 2.8A driver, the truth is its just not a very big/heavy light. I don't think it has the heatsinking mass to sink that much heat away from the LED... even after the heatsink improvements.

Thanks for the kind words too!! Oh one more thing, the macro setting on my camera distorts the scaling of the images... my watch is not really THAT big.

Is that the same light that is on ebay here, for $22.90 incl shipping?

Curious if anyone has the ebay version

Mine is on the way, 1-3 weeks, hopefully...

I just pulled the trigger on this as well.

I would venture to guess they are identical. 20mm boards with L-M-H-DISCO-SOS are not very common, so theres a good chance the driver and IU are identical too. $22 is a really good price for this light too.

a new clone is available on manafont for $25.9: http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/wb666-stainless-steel-aluminum-alloy-t6-1200lumen-5mode-led-flashlight-gun-color-18650-p-10029

Just a little update.... I am really happy with this light. I have had it now for 3 or so weeks and it's performed flawlessly, taken 2-3 hard drops to the floor completely in stride. I am using it this weekend at my cousins house, heonly uses trust fire gray protected cells and my suspicions are confirmed... The tail cap mods I did do not work with protected cells. The extra 4-5mm is to long to make battery tube contact.

Kramer, I got mine a couple days ago and yesterday I put in a Nanjg 105 v2 in it with moon, med, & high modes. I like it a lot!! I don't know what high measures because the only reading I get from it is low but that is .007A. I have to assume it,s getting the full 3A on high. It's still not as good as the HD2010 but the reflector is smaller by a few mm and not as deep (also by a few mm) but I did manage to turn off a street lamp once while my HD2010 does it every time.

My original driver looked nothing like yours but did put out the identical 2.16A. It manages heat extremely well and is super nice to hold and looks pretty awesome IMO. Thanks for the heads up on this one.

EDIT: Forgot to add that I installed a spring on the driver to fix the horrid mode changes with the slightest bumps.

A clone with side switch, beside that it's cheaper than the others:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1600-Lumen-CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-Bike-Bicycle-Light-Flashlight-Torch-/170844182651?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c71b587b