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)
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.
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.
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.
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)
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!
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!
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.
I`ve bought from Richard a dozen U4 1A and they perform( at 4.5amps) exacly as good U3s at 5.1-2 amps
Both of those are beaten by at least 10% by V6 1A in any throwing host that i have here( C8, L2, Y3, U818, M2X, M3X est), prolly V6 0D will perform the same , the problem with the last is that i simply cant dedome it properly( same as V6 2D that i have here), either electricaly or chemicaly.
Pretty much along what was found by mudgripz , gadgetman and myself with the U4 as it took less amps to get the same output.
Part of the reason the U4 was chosen over the HI for this light , along with the fact that the CRI and clarity at distance was better with the dedomed U4 1A.
The HI took 6 amps to reach the same 360K average reading as the U4 at 4.5 amps and the U4 does not create the heat the 6 amp HI did , so no step down was needed with the U4 and 4.5 amp setup. The run times are also greatly improved with the lower amp U4 setup.
Right around 350K at 5 meters as it never held steady because I didn’t not have it on a tripod. I had from 1385 to 1425 lux which works out to 346 to 356K lux at 5 meters. Given the increase further back at 10 meters I figure the readings should be at least 365K or possibly slightly higher.
