GB Oficially closed/// Maxtoch 2X Shooter (new version)

Dang throw that one out mudgripz I will give ya my addy so they can use my trash can even :smiley:

Yes I’m jealous - its a bl**dy ripper.

One comment I would make Jeansy - you wrote “I look forward to some unbiased results.” I would like to note a number of the guys who have worked to develop the Maxtoch range are members of this BLF site - Tom E, gadgetman, Robo819, and myself. These are all good guys. They have no bias of any kind, have no fiscal or other interest in the product beyond helping a receptive company develop good product, and certainly do not try to manipulate or bias any test data whatsoever. Maxtoch has developed a very good reputation for product and service over the years on this site, and for hunters round the world. This is because they make a good, reliable product, they do not inflate data, and they offer excellent customer support. Other site members will confirm this. There is no bias here.

Well said mudgriz.

I got paid ONE flashlight for doing the review , putting together of the GB , the countless hours spent on here and then getting things sorted with the GB for the M24 (BLF-TE) but that is not really adding up to much per hour…….lol

It will be about the same story when it is all said and done with the 2X I reckon.

I do this because I honestly enjoy it and I like the group of folks here in BLF as a whole. I have no ties with Maxtoch other than I happened to buy one of the original M24’s about a year ago and I loved it. I have been talking with the company and working with them just as you stated , because they listen to their customers and they actually respond to many of the suggestions that are placed to them. The end result is the quality product they produce and sell , bottom line.

Yes that is appreciated Mudgripz, I have no doubt you are all top guys and try to minimise any kind of bias. I would find it hard if I was involved in a project not to be biased so I’m projecting my own flaws.

The light is great, I wish to take nothing away from it. Highly recommended.

My results just don’t quite tally and that annoys me, my meter is almost certainly very low reading, but the fact it gives consistent readings just as a smaller percentage is puzzling. As is the fact I get extremely consistent figures from 5 meters to 10 meters.

Just to rule out any variation I would still like to see what figures are found by other members. If it’s a rock steady 365kcd+ then I will be happy,if it varies then maybe I got a slightly lower performing version. Who knows…

All I can finish with is to anyone wondering, buy this light. Anyone involved, well done on a great job. :crown: :+1:

Our last two lux meters crapped out and the symptom was exactly as you describe - they began to read very low. You need a new one - the dud meter will give you nothing but problems - as we found out.

And don’t expect ‘a rock steady 365k’. Never going to happen from a variety of testers. Almost impossible to get same readings given all the variables – different light conditions, test distances, batteries, meter calibration, torch board components/led bin differences etc.

If the lights perform within a 5% variable for different testers that’s probably all you could expect. Most of the sub $100 meters themselves are +/- 4 to 5. A 5 variation of 365k (355k at 6m) is 18k which gives a range of roughly 346k to 364k at that 6 meter mark. That’s roughly what we are seeing. And it does not mean the torches themselves are varying 5% . Variation could be due to any of the factors above - and more.

Variation example: Dale’s hi/med mode data a little lower than mine, but his low mode reads 30+% higher. Same 0.6 amp current. Go figure……meter variation most likely culprit.

The lux figures we give are the best estimates we can produce. That’s all we can do.

I am not trying to be smart azz and not trying to come off rude or anything but ,

In all honesty if the light makes 300K lux or 400 or even 500K lux It really does not matter to me. The 2X is designed for hunting and it is what gets down range and the light it gets on target once it is there to me. The beam is designed to have a good hotspot and yet have a good spill also for being able to see far and also an area outside that main beam for scanning purposes.

Another thing I would like to mention is the fact that no matter what brand the light is , I can almost guarantee they will not have every light doing exactly what the specs are listed at. There will be some drivers that may function just a tiny bit different and if they buy reels of emitters you can bet there are going to be some throughout that reel that are just not doing what the rest of them are.

If I am not mistaken most of the manufacturers (at least reputable ones) have a plus or minus tolerance they go by (I could be wrong about this) but Maxtoch does as far as I know. Lets say it is 5% tolerance of specs , then you would have between 342K lux to 378K lux roughly if the light is rated at 360K lux. Anything within this tolerance rating or percentage would be ok’ed and out the door. (I am just using 5% as reference)

This is the same with reflector designs and what they accept as far as small flaws such as seeing a little wave in there or a tiny ding that someone may or may not find with close scrutiny. Or the anodizing thickness may vary and be in specs , there are a lot of things that are not the same on each light is all I am getting at.

So with any light you get no matter who makes it or what their claims are there will be variances of what the lights are doing.

Hope this helps to understand if everyone does not get the 355 to 365 K lux readings and some may well be over and some under. This is also why I stated in my video review “the lights are rated at around 350K lux to around 360K lux maybe 365K lux or somewhere in that neighborhood” (at 2:10 in video)

mudgripz you gotta quit doing that to me,you posted again while I was getting my reply ready to go up there….lol

:smiley: :smiley:

I think we’re both aware of just how much careful and meticulous testing went into this light - though others may never guess it… :) For example David (Robo) doing ongoing photography sequences for weeks to compare different leds at different ranges (175, 260, 420, 500, 655 yards), then comparing the differents bins dedomed, in same torch/different torch, all for best CRI/ optimum target picture downrange. These photos then compared with our results in field so we could suggest best option for Maxtoch.

Yes leds alone can vary 0-10% within a bin range. We had some great U3s last year - almost as good as new U4s - but our recent batch of U3s is disappointing - way down on the first batch - maybe 7. And when you get powerful throwers like this 365k 2X, 5-10 variation is now an awful lot of lux to lose/gain.

The new production 2X I tested tonite was VERY powerful at 375-380 k lux. I immediately assumed I was doing something wrong. Retested it several times, then tested my own 2X. Same batts, meter, conditions, but the new one read alot higher than mine. And I haven’t a clue why.

This is the last Maxtoch I shall do….

So the actual lux numbers do really measure up with the spec… great! And thanks for the feedback Robo.

I showed the box stock Shooter 2X to a couple of Special Forces guys last night and an ex-cop. Exclamations and curses all around, with things like “I’m so puny!” “I’m so inadequate!” “Where the he## was that when I was in Kuwait? Why isn’t somebody selling those to the F’n Military?” They were blown away. Couldn’t believe it, and this, totally stock with zip done by me.

When this one came in day before yesterday, I think it was, I got my spare cell box out and pulled 2 old matched Panasonic B cells out, rested at 4.05 and 4.12V. Stuck em in the light and put it on the meter straight away because of all the talk. Yes, 332Kcd from this old pair of rested B’s. I did open it up and try it without the centering ring, it dropped a little bit, so back in went the centering ring. While I had it open, I laid the lens on a white sheet of typing paper… a slight green hue could be seen as is typical of normal glass. So I know an UCLp will give some gains and I’ll be ordering one soon. (64.5mm x 3.1mm thick, is what I measured on the stock lens)

Pretty sure that lens swap is all I’ll do to this one, which is rare but about the same treatment my earlier SN6X-2X got… I did de-dome that one as it came back then with a dome on, and the UCLp gave surprising gains on that light some time ago…

It’s just a kick butt lightweight weapon light, pure and simple!

“When this one came in day before yesterday, I think it was, I got my spare cell box out and pulled 2 old matched Panasonic B cells out, rested at 4.05 and 4.12V. Stuck em in the light and put it on the meter straight away because of all the talk. Yes, 332Kcd from this old pair of rested B’s”.

That was the 5 meter measurement wasn’t it Dale?

Also cool to hear about the Special forces Guys and the Ex cop being so impressed.

Yes - as a past comp shooter and active night shooter I keep thinking the military could be all over this light. Huge range up to some HIDs - but very light at 0.9lbs with batteries in it.

You’ve just inspired me Dale - I’ll have a talk with some army people. Try yours again with some freshly charged new pana 3400s. And let us know about the UCLp lens. :slight_smile:

When Amanda is finished with big tradeshow I will ask if Maxtoch can test maybe four of the new production run 2Xs to see what the average 10m lux reading is now. Then ask them to take the average output torch and do readings at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 meters to watch reading progression and discover optimum point. If they have time to do it - could be interesting - certainly there is a step from 5 to 6m for all the maxtochs we test.

Sorry, yes, I always test at 5M as that’s the space I have. I have attempted longer outdoor tests but it’s such a pita.

Just be careful not to tear them away from their Surefires before we poor BLFers get a bite! (Or is that just the US Military? No idea what they use in UN-ZUD) :wink:

I got a couple of beamshots last night but my internet is barely existent, can’t post them just yet. Suffice it to say that the throw and overall beam quality on this light is just superb! :wink:

Edit: The things I do for you guys! I had to refresh the page no less than 5 times just to be able to log in to ImageShack! Ugh!

Obligatory red oil drum shot at 97 yds.

And the little white barn at 610 yds…

That red oil drum almost shows up in the blinding beam…….lol.

The barn is perfectly visible , and looks like if there was someone walking around out there you would be able to see them clearly too.

Nice shots and thanks Dale.

Very nice…

Colour tint looks natural too… trees, grass, cattle etc. Nothing green or too yellow with this dedomed U4 1A in this 2X.

Seems like the ultimate "budget" rifle mounted flashlight.

I agree. It is a great light for rifle or using as hand held either one. Hopefully this coming week Maxtoch will have the trade show behind them and be able to get back to focusing on getting the production on the 2X going again.

I just thought it deserved a mention here about some of the testing I have done with the new 2X. I was lucky enough for mudgripz and gadgetman to let me help in the design of this new 2X , so I figured since I had the opportunity and had a hand in the development I also should be testing the light in fairly tough conditions as compared to everyday use.

Since I have had the upgraded model for test and review purposes , I have clicked the switch hundreds of times with it functioning flawlessly as has the memory in the light. I have also given the light a good wrap on my hand a number of times AFTER it heated up well to see if I had any failures or flickering , that also has gone flawlessly.

The last and harshest test I did , and I DO NOT advise doing this to your light , is that I left it sitting in a 5 gallon bucket of water overnight fully submerged with the cells in it. When I took the light out of the water I hit the switch and the light functioned perfectly through all modes. I took the light apart immediately afterwards and found zero moisture inside. I would conclude this should be safe enough for hunting in rainy weather though.

I also borrowed a lux meter from another member in the forum and did some testing on the factory model 2X at 5 meters and came up with about the same readings Dale and mudgripz had with the K lux working out to around the 350K to 365K on the particular factory light I received from Maxtoch.

Overall I would give this new 2X an A+ rating.