Review: MaxToch Mission M12

LED Flashlights – General Info 26650 Flashlights
124

@ Nicolaas:
Mine is a 3 mode (with hidden strobe) too. I am measuring 3,63 A with fully charged KK 4000, about the same with a 25R.
Doing the spring mod ist really PIA. The problem is to get the tailcap out. |(
Make sure you use enough oil (WD40 or something like that) on the tailthread for at least 1 day.
If you couldn`t get it out, please tell me.

@ Tom E:
You only wrote, no success with different resistors. hmmm

I`ve ordered the DTP MCPCB. Still hoping to find the missing 40- 50 kcd.

Mac

125

I already had the tailcap out, cleaned the threads and re-installed.
I also bridged it when the tailcap was out: not noticeably brighter so modding the tailcap spring will probably not
bring much, if anything, but it needs to be done anyway.

I’ll have to check the amps the led gets, will post results.

EDIT: modded the tailcap spring and light is noticeable brighter, and naticeable more heat coming OTF.
but……clumsy me, now the switch doesn’t work anymore, always on :frowning:
O well guess I’ll buy a couple of new ones and do it again. This time I will take the spring of first and solder the wire
to the spring and after that re-solder the spring to the contact plate :bigsmile:

Nico

126

My guess is your copper braid/wire has touched the switch retaining ring or the inner wall of the tailcap. Try to solder the copper braid more nicely without it sticking out from the spring.

127

Don’t have time today to re-solder, but did take some quick lux readings. With MNKE 149Kcd, with Keeppower IMR 4200 I got 155 Kcd.
This translates to approx 82Kcd with dome on.

The little difference could be due to the Led needing to be a bit further into the reflector.

Anyways, a driver bump to 5A would already bring around 200Kcd, so not bad.

Greetz
Nico

128

Hy,

oh, we had the same idea but i used the burned driver from the SN6X-2X and LD1 Driver :wink:

Measured with XM-L2 U2 1A dedomed on stock MCPCB 230 Klux (Sony Konion VTC5).

This is a great performer and i like it much more than my HD2010 (LD1, 214 KLux).

Greetings

Kenjii

129

Thanks Kenjii, can’t wait to get this light back! :bigsmile:

—> Olight Javelot, eat your heart out.

Grtz
Nico

130

I measurd the throw at 13 Meters, using a full charged keeppower IMR26650/4200. I got a whopping 242Kcd. Gotta love that Ld01 driver!

I do not have a high end calibrated lux meter, but use two well tested lights as reference.

Cheers
Nico

131

What a great older review Tom,

Tom I was looking around trying to remember when the first versions of the Mission 12 might have crossed paths here at BLF and finally found it here and no surprise to me a review by one of the very best so this is really great to me anyhow.

Tom could you please tell me if Amanda sent you one of these lights, the new 2017 M12’s like perhaps a XPL-HI or maybe the HD just to get your input and a professional opinion of this light overall or just in general??

If I were to bet, I’d bet they didn’t bother apparently or I’d not be asking you this question that much I am sure of.
Anyhow I would like to know if you or if anyone really here at BLF ever has laid hands on one of these new M12 lights with the soul purpose of sending back feedback to Maxtoch prior to their going up for sale at Banggood and Maxtoch, w

A small word to the wise would be to not buy one of these lights just yet, this is a real pile of what have you.
I won’t let it sit anywhere near my other Maxs,
I would actually really prefer the light you reviewed here in 2014 over this newer M12, and that shouldn’t be, unless someone has seriously lowered the bar at Maxtoch, that I find hard to believe really.

Thanks Tom,

132

Yikes! No one contacted me from Maxtoch, and I don't know of anyone who did review it. The New Zealand hunter guys (mudgripz, think someone else) are tight with Maxtoch - have been for a long time. I see mudgripz hasn't been on BLF for several months though.

I ordered a new M12 on my own from BG on the M4D M4X coupon, a XPL HD, supposedly shipped but tracking is stalled since Mar 30th - no further updates. I got a GB light and an Ali light in the same situation - dunno what's goin wrong lately, least for me.

I plan on modding mine though, of course. What's so bad about it?

133

I have an XHP70 and XP-L HI sample of the new M12. It is OK, but for the price I won't be carrying it. I do not like the surface finish or engraving as much as the old version and I feel like overall even though it's a nice light, it is not a great value at the price they are asking for it. If it were $15-$20 less it would be great.

I was a huge Maxtoch fan, as the original M12 and M24 were awesome lights for the money, but I do not like this new design as much and their "dealer" bulk pricing ended up being lower than the GB pricing, so I stopped carrying them.

134

Ohh, thanks Richard. You mean higher than the GB price? Generally their driver/firmware is minimum, but agree the full price is high compared to what's out there. For me, was hoping I could leverage the dual switches, but if the quality of the finish isn't the same as it used to be, it's a different level. I recall Amanda telling me the anodizing they use is expensive - wonder if they changed to a cheaper method.

As a mod host, I like the dual switches, LED under the main switch, SS bezel, option for 1 or 2 batts. I'd never pay $90 for it though.

135

Yes, I mean that the price they were giving me was actually higher than what I could buy them for in a GB. When my cost is higher than the true market value, it obviously isn't worth stocking anymore.

The new anodizing is the shinier/smoother type, and in my opinion the new font and graphics used for the engraving look cheap in comparison to the old model. I do not know if the new anodizing is cheaper or less durable, but it definitely looks cheaper.

136

Hi Tom, sorry it took so long to get back to explain, seems Mr Richard actually has the very same thoughts as I do and summed it fairly well, but still left out some of the other oddities like that UI, for 2 switches and maybe someone can explain the purpose of these two switches when all Maxtoch had to do was use the driver and UI from the single switch D01 with stepless diming or single click with double click strobe so why this goofy dual switches, well perhaps on this light maybe just for the the fun of it I guess, but certainly not serving any good purpose that I can see anyhow,

I guess best way to sum this light up is to just up and say it the way it is, this is flat out the worst, the most pathetic, sorriest Maxtoch light that is currently in my house and that actually makes me feel pretty darn sad for a couple reasons, one being this very well could be the sign of what’s to come or a heads up that this is the end of a really great light most likely and being I am a thrower collector and my most prized lights are my Maxtochs, with that said, this M-12 junk will not be here long and will most likely be up for sale this week, unless I figure out how to use the driver and switch from the recent UTorch UT-02 which is also 30mm same as this over prized piece of aluminum, except I think the cloned U21 Manker I think it is or UTorch anyhow just might actually out throw this Maxtoch, I took it outside with the UTorch, the 2X & M24 Sniper and would say the Utorch and this M12 are fairly close to each other in throw, but the other couple Max’s I took out just stomp the mud out of this M12, and the sniper was straight stock at what 3.4 amps…? I don’t recall but not like the modded lights for sure.

Guess what causes these perfect circles in your beam profile, I do know the answer, but it’s really not that funny but what does strike me funny is this is exactly the same issue as when the first designs of this light came out in the Gladiator light, wild guesses…??

As Richard says, the M12 is very shinny compared to a real Maxtoch

Cat is wondering what is this new light , sure doesn’t look like a Maxtoch, is it a Thorfire with the shiny sort of ano.?

And then some real lights and all nice and happy and snugged away in the Wise Guy Kit, You say you have throw do ya… Alrighty Then… Lets get to work,

137

Thanks for posting this. I’m no longer interested!

138

T18, I'm almost kicking rocks envious.

Flash Kitty

I missed out, and/or passed on the M4dM4x fiasco out of sheer spite

139

MaxToch is actually one of the rare sellers of DTP copper MCPCB's we have. I have quite a few - they sell in sizes Noctigon doesn't, so some are very special. I've used many of them. I would have no doubt they are DTP - it would have to be proven to me they aren't. I don't know why you would even question this, accept lack of experience or knowledge with buying them.

For the performance, I've looked at current and recent Maxtoch offerings, and of course, if you compare a XPL HD to a de-domed XML2 U3 or U4, they won't compare in throw. We know what de-doming does to throw, and that's its superior to any attempt by CREE with "HI" versions. I do see though, comparing domed LED models, the new M12 could do better, considering it's head diameter, assuming the reflector diameter follows. This of course is based on their specs, not actual tests and measurements.

For your comparisons of throw, without specific details of what exactly you are comparing in emitters/models, and what the measured kcd is, it's hard to say. For one, I'd like to see if they are in the ballpark in what they spec'd, because the spec's are pretty decent - 130 kcd (720 meters) is pretty good for a 66 mm head diameter, though it could be slightly better.

For the finish and engraving, that's troubling for sure... Specially since it's 2 for 2 here: T18 and RMM, both agree. Whether it looks cheaper or is cheaper, hard to say, but certainly the same attention to detail they used to have is not happening now.

For the buttons, I don't understand the problem here - they say the small button is just for the blinky modes, so if it works as intended, it is what it is. If you are not a fan of blinky modes, this is not the light for you, or it's a given the smaller button is to stay away from. Apparently many manufacturers believe there is still a significant desire by consumers to have this mode. Maxtoch caters to law enforcement and military, so maybe they perceive the blinky functions are vital enough to dedicate a button to it.

Again though, to pay a full list price for this light is tough - I would not. The group buy deal was a significant discount though.

Edit: another difference here, just thought of, is the lights targeted for hunting/rifle mount were tweaked for throw with de-doming and higher amps. I'm think'n this M12 line is not for hunting, it's specifically listed for Police here, so I think they backed off on the amps to keep them cooler, and not so emphatic on throw.

140

Just noticed here’s discussion about our new M12. Allow me to answer some doubts please.

TOM E is right. MISSION M12 is mainly designed for law enforcement customers. As they require quick enter to blinky modes, 2 switches got the most votes among several switch options. Here’s M12 on purchase catalog.

M12 has four versions—-HI, HD, XHP70 and XHP50(about to release). Please note two batteries offer more powerful beam.

Its anodization is a bit different with Sniper M24 and Shooter 2X. But its the same anodization way as before. The anodization tech is one of our proud aspect actually… We will only improve it—-never lower it down. I understand that you may prefer it to be matt and rough. But this anodization is required by military customers. Anyway, I’ll collect more comments on the anodization and forward to our company.

No doubt that it is a DTP. DTP is a symbol of MAXTOCH products as well and we won’t give it up.

I understand that someone was hurt by the ultra low GB price. However, we are the victim too. We didn’t start a GB and we are not going to start one. Flasholics always pursue the ultimate performance, while we know that Mission M12 mainly targets the law enforcement market. That’s why several review requests were turned down. It seems Banggood started a GB without notifying us or discussing with us about the GB price. If we can’t control the price at Banggood, our company may cut off our cooperation with them. Disordered price always hurt someone…

In addition, if there’s any question or problem on MAXTOCH light, always feel free to contact us at any time, no matter where it is purchased from. We are open with any discussion.

Anyway, it is grateful to see that T18 own collections of MAXTOCH light. Our appreciation for your trust. This discussion gives us an idea to develop a top thrower flashlight especially for flasholics—-king size (100mm head maybe) and ultra long beam distance. TOM E you modified quite a few thrower flashlights. Maybe you would come with some interesting ideas? T18, Richard and anyone who has suggestion on the design please feel free to contact us.

141

Hello, we are working on a thrower [PART 1] Official BLF GT Group Buy thread. Group buy officially closed! Lights shipping.
But given the price goal we did not contact you since I could not imagine you would be interested in making something that throws further, is bigger and yet the same price as current models.
I would be interested to hear when you think though :slight_smile:

142

Hi Amanda,
I am sort of shocked to see you show up but I am a long time customer going back I think to the Gladiator.
I’ve always considered you the most knowledgeable in the business and have messaged with you a number of times, last being a thank you note for sending the qty. 2 of the 2X by DHL,
I had those lights by surprise in only 3 days last year.
I still do not know why you did that, but I was grateful to you.

Regarding my comment about DTP, I know better and I regret even insinuating that, I was just being upset,

I’ve realized my problem is not with Maxtoch and never could be, I consider your products as the best available and my collection is mostly throwers so yours are at the top for sure.
My problem is a personal one, I just do not take change very well.

I’d really like to see a version like the single switch D01 but this style with rubber switch boot with with the stepless dimming and a lot less shine in the ano, and no stainless bezel sort of like a blacked out no shine version and scuffed up ano, I’m getting ready to put the sandpaper to this M12 fairly soon, it reflects it is definitely still the high quality ano just different feel.

It’s just the change, I’m sorry about some of my comments, seriously.
Anyhow, Amanda you are the best,

Thank you Amanda

143

Guess it pays to stay the quiet one sometimes and just stay behind the scenes to get results………lol (I am being sarcastic with that.)

I am a long time fan of the Maxtoch’s as many of you already know. I simply brought to Amandas’ attention that the new M12 were not liked so much as the previous version and explained the reasons I had noted in the forum.

I hope it is explained why the M12 is not the great thrower the 2X is or even the M24 are ,and I really hope that things such as the DTP board in question can be put to rest at least.

I personally have a lot of faith in Maxtoch and their products and they can’t always target what they do , directly to cater to the Flashlight community , which is also acceptable with me personally.

It is the extra little things they do and the extra mile they go in the end and the time they take to listen to us that counts and makes Maxtoch the number one in my book. Not a lot of companies out there that take the ideas from this forum and make them happen and get things right the first time out like Maxtoch has a number of times now.

Just my 2 cents , thanks for letting me rant a little.