New Maxtoch SN6X-2S XML2 thrower - quick review

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

Maxtoch is one chinese company that produces very good quality product, and they have made some excellent thrower XMLs in the last couple of years. The first - the SN6X-2 - has been reviewed on this site and is identical to the Skyray STL-V2 with peak output around 50k lux. Maxtoch then varied this light with a second generation SN6X-2 which produced about 60k lux. This second model had a deeper reflector than the original model with 25% tighter beam. Thay have now produced a new model Sn6X-2S and it is well worth consideration for those looking for an allround light, with its very good build quality, beam width plus very long distance throw.

Quick review on new Maxtoch SN6X-2S:

The new SN6X-2S arrived in a gift box (extra $1-2) and was beautifully presented. Box also included a spare tail-switch rubber, tail switch, nice lanyard and spare O-rings. Nice touch. Quality of finish for the new SN is a big step up from past two models - impressive in matt black with excellent threads etc. Quality as good as any light on the market I have seen.

Performance is now up to 1200 lumens with XML-2, up from possible max of about 970 for the earlier T6 led models. Lux output is 65-70k standard - with max measured at 10-30 meters. Thermal efficiency great. With head diameter of 63.2mm beam is excellent - very even and combines normal SN spill plus very good long distance throw. In paddock test it just showed 1m powerbox on pole at 450m, and was very strong at 1-200m range.

For runtime tests on full power I used Trustfire 3000mAh batts and on high they lasted 147 minutes with new batts, and 100 min with old ones. Very good runtime for an XML grunter.

The weight at 400gms is fine for general purpose and Search and Rescue etc, but it could be lighter for hunting. With batts the weight is at the maximum you want for an allrounder hunting torch - i.e. rifle mounted and/or spotlight. About the same as the led lenser P14. Personally I’d like to see it lighter - say 300gms - but other buyers have no issue here.

Price is normally $59US - quite acceptable for its high quality and good performance. Note prices sometimes appear as $119 on Aliexpress - this is because advertisers are required to ‘appear’ to offer discounts when offering product at its actual normal price. If it shows as $119, wait for it to drop back to normal $59, or order direct from Maxtoch (email: sales@maxtoch.com).

If dedomed, and starting from the SNs excellent 65-70k power in standard form, the new SN would go to 150-180 lux. This is what we’ve got from dedoming the last batch of 60k lux Maxtoch SN6X-2s. Beam range and power after this simple 10-15 min procedure is huge.

In summary - this is a very well made light with an excellent hunting beam - very long throw plus spill. It’s quality and output put it up with much more expensive lights. It will not disappoint buyers seeking a high performance and versatile standard light. Ideal for those looking for a very good thrower, but also has alot of very usable spill. Dedomed, output and performance are colossal. This new model is restricted to hi/med/low and has mode memory. Med mode has a very useful 625 lumen output - ideal for closer range walking/hunting where full beam would be far too bright. This new SN lifts the highly regarded earlier Maxtoch SN6X-2/Skyray STL-V2 to a whole new level.

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/MAXTOCH-SN6X-2S-S-for-Superb-Upgrade-SN6X-2-CREE-XM-L2-XML2-1200LM-18650-LED/314381_939320660.html

Well worth a look - and remember - buy it at $59.

2

Maxtoch is an actual OEM manufacturer, many of the lights they make appear under several different names. They are one of the larger manufacturers.

3

sounds a bit too much like a Maxtoch advertisement to me...

4

mudgripz has been building maxtoch gun lights for a while, it really doesn’t suprise me he’s first to find the upgraded versions.

I fail to see how reporting on an upgraded version of one of the best early xm-l budget throwers is shilling, its also usefull to people to know about oem’s like maxtoch and supbeam etc.

5

My apologies, I read the post to quickly and mistook this as a shill post.

Now that I have read it again, I realized that this wasn’t a review that I was used to seeing, especially without any photos. Sorry again.

6

It was my impression on the style and content of the review, I am glad this review turnes out to be genuine :-)

7

I personally have never been convinced that Maxtoch is a factory.

Everything that Maxtoch sells is on the list of products manufactured by Shenzen Original Brands Manufacturer.

SZOBM will put any name you want on the products.

8

It's a good looking light. Reminds me a lot of the Balder BD-4/Taotronics TF-03 lights. If you order it with a charger you can get it right away for just $68

9

I am happy to clarify a couple of thoughts

This IS a genuine review - albeit short - and it doesn’t come from the Maxtoch company. I have no fiscal connection with them. We do alot of hunting and actively search out the top hunting lights - and a couple of years I read an interesting review on this site for the first Maxtoch SN6X-2 by old4570:

On old’s recommendation we bought the SN6X-2 (aka Skyray STL-V2) and found it ideal as an allround hunter light - both scope-mounted and handheld functions. It is big plus to find any chinese light made to good qual standards, and we’ve had a good look at a number of other Maxtoch lights. They do their own design development work and asked if some NZ hunters could give them some ideas concerning ideal hunting lights. Made good sense so we’ve helped them some - suggesting some specs and rejecting some of their designs. This new SN6X-2 is their latest and is well worth a look. Has designed in good runtimes and eliminated the pain in the arse 5 mode which is not much use in the hills. The review above puts it pretty fairly - not yet a 10/10 but a v good light.

Took it out with a few other lights last night to test - a C8, an early SN6X-2 such as old4570 tested, this new SN, and a dedomed version of the old SN. The new SN has 40% more lux than the original and it certainly showed - alot more light across the fields at 100-300 meters, and just lit up the 1m powerbox on pole at 450m. The C8 did not compare - different class - although a useful little light. The dedomed SN rates at 140-180k lux and has huge distance. But… the new SN6X-2s quite impressed us with its throw for a standard 65-70k light. I use the dedomed ones now but will add one of these.

Edit - the company is genuine. Parent company is EST Group which owns both Maxtoch and Trustfire. I have no fiscal/marketing link with this company, and have had a look at some of the product and rejected them. But I’ve found it a refreshing change to buy from a company that actually asks us as customers what we want - and then tries to design it. We can all handle more of that! :slight_smile:

Pretty responsive company - maybe people have other design ideas they’d like to see made?

10

Glad to know that a simple dedome would put it in other throw level, but I think it could have been driven a bit harder somemore to make it even crazier J)

Does it comes with XM-L2 U2 or T6?

11

Its an XML2. We asked for amperage to be kept down some to retain runtime when out hunting - could certainly be driven much harder for straight flashlight use. We’ve dedomed maybe 8-10 SNs now for guys and it takes about 10-15 mins, no cost, and pops them out to 150-180k.

With my own dedomed SN which runs at 178,000 lux, we were watching cattle across fields recently with the naked eye out to max 450m or 495 yards - as measured with rangefinder. The warmer amber/lemon tint after dedoming also popular. Cuts through atmospheric mist better - just like the old halogens.

The one thing I want to test in the weekend is whether there is any difference in lux outputs between Trustfire 3000mAh batts and the panasonic 3100s. Certainly will be difference for runtime - will test that too.

They’ve actually sent over another protoytype design for us to look at. It’s tentatively called the SN6X-2X, looks exactly the same as the light in Aliexpress photos above, but is bigger and heavier. Very solid at 10” long and about 500gms, but has a big 68.5mm head and output has been tweaked up with this one to 90,000 lux standard. don’t know if it will go into production.

12

Hm at 10” it turns into 4D maglite size… Very limited uses for such a large light.

But then again, I have a TrustFire X6 so I can’t talk.

:bigsmile:

13

Yes - the big prototype’s only real hunting use is as a handheld spotlight as its too heavy for scope mounting.

But….it’ll be dedomed shortly and will then become a 200-240,000 lux boomer. Should be fun! :slight_smile:

14

Yes it is XM-L2, but I wonder what bin does it come with… T6, U2, or even better with U3? I think XM-L2 U2 would be good enough.

For the SN6X-2X I am glad that they come out something with even bigger head, nice. But please feedback to them that the 10” long body is impractical, also a lighter weight is preferable. If they will correct these I will definitely purchase it in the future :slight_smile:

15

When I contacted Maxtoch directly a while ago they told me that they were not an OEM, but had access to a lot of models soon in the chain after manufacturing.

16

Just asked the company the question re OEM manufacturer status - here’s answer:

“Coming to the question about OEM manufacture, the answer is absolutely ”yes”. Actually, the nucleus of our company engaged in LED lights & lighting since 2005. At that time, most products used low power LED, e.g. 0.66W d5mm LED. They are mostly offered to Home Depo,Wal-Mart,Costco, etc… After that, we moved on to high power flashlights. We also offer OEM service to other suppliers. To protect the interest of our OEM customers, we prefer not to mention too much about it. Therefore, we didn’t spend too much time on advertising our brand in forums and google before…”

They also mentioned they will produce the SN6X-2S with lighter weight in near future - tech people working on it now. Bibihang is dead right - bigger and heavier is not necessarily better when it comes to flashlights - esp hunters.

This light at 300 gms will be a 9/10.

17

is there anybody else selling this brand than aliexpress?
I have no confident for doing any buying in aliexpress :stuck_out_tongue:

18

If it makes you feel any better I bought about 5 torches off aliexpress without any drama. Communication with the seller is easy, and just pick high rated sellers.

19

thanks for sharing. I might need to start browsing there :slight_smile:

20

You can buy from Maxtoch direct - email sales@maxtoch.com.

I have done some more testing with this light with new batts, new batt in my lux meter and v accurate distance measurements and the final maximum reading for this new SN6X-2S is 72,000 lux at 6m. Could be a tad more at 10-30m but 6m is all I can reliably measure.