KronoReview: MaxToch H01 Dual Emitter 18650 Headlamp

KronoReview of the MaxToch H01 Headlamp This item was provided by Amanda/MaxToch for review.

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^ MaxToch product pic. This pic also links to MaxToch’s Aliexpress H01 page. ^

This is my first MaxToch review, which is kind of surprising, now that I think about it. I’ll let my bias be known…I love this company! My first GBs were with them…the venerable SN6X-2X, and the interesting dual head DX21. And don’t forget Robo’s M24 Thrower/Special Edition Group Buy that is currently active right now.

Yeah…their name is a little screwy. I wondered…well…why isn’t it MaxTorch? Apparently, that name was already trademarked/copyrighted…whatever you call it…somewhere else in the world. So…the name is a little different…but then again, so are many Chinese lights.

What I like about MaxToch the most is that they have quite a bit of experience making lights for other companies, and they LISTEN. When we told them they needed copper MCPCBs with DTP…by golly…they made them! They have taken countless recommendations from users, like mudgripz and Tom E. They have done an amazing job of helping them with their lights, and making them even more user/hunter-friendly. MaxToch’s communication skills are also second-to-none. Amanda has continually impressed me with her knowledge and willingness to work with the flashlight community…certainly a rarity within Chinese manufacturers. Her English communications skills are likewise exceptional, which is a huge plus.

Nevertheless, when I saw that MaxToch was making a headlamp, I had to check it out! Let’s see what the manufacturer specs are first.

MaxToch H01- MaxToch regular price: $39.50.

Features/Specifications (From MaxToch) direct:

Specification (incomplete):

1* XM-L2 U2 LED
800lm
86g
31*85mm
Certification: CE, RoHS

Operation—-

Short press the switch will turn on H01 with white beam. Slightly click the button switch to cycle through modes: high-mid-low. Long press the switch to turn off light.

Long press the switch will turn on H01 with red beam. Slightly click the button switch to cycle through modes red beam constantly on and strobe. Long press the switch to turn off light.

Parameters:

Max Output (LM) 800
Runtime (Hours) 2
Rated Voltage (V) 4.2
Rated current (mA) 2000
Length (mm) 85
Head Diameter (mm) 31
Weight (g) 86
Battery 1*18650

Package included:
1 x H01 light
1 x o-ring
1 x Headband
1 x Proof of purchase/warranty card
Does Not Include battery, charger and other accessories.

My added specs:

Lens OD: 15mm
Lens thickness: ~1mm
Reflector OD (Widest point): 15mm
Reflector OD (At emitter): 6mm
Reflector Height: ~5mm
Weight w/o battery: 86g
OAL: 85mm
OD on endcaps: 31mm

KRONOREVIEW:

The MaxToch H01 is a single 18650 flashlight/headlamp, with two very different emitters…a single XM-L2 U2 emitter and a XP-E Red emitter. The H01 is controlled via a single switch. The silver Alumnum side switch controls both power and mode. There are three regular modes (H/M/L), and the H01 always comes on in High when first turned on. The red modes are sort of ’hidden’ and accessed through long press for on and off, and short press to toggle between the 2 red modes (On/Slow Beacon). The H01 also has an AR lens and a OP reflector for the XM-L2, and a separate, frosted lens for the red XP-E emitter. The flashlight comes with a warranty card, dual-strap headstrap/harness and an extra O-ring.

HI-LIGHTS:

Very floody, OP reflector, but still has a nice hotspot and transition between the two.
Additional Red emitter for map reading etc. at night.
Solid, bombproof, on-piece body design with integrated cavity containing driver/components.
Metal button and electronic switch.
Focused more toward LEO, military and hunting use.
AR Lens.
Fits most protected cells (Future models will include larger ID in battery cavity to fit more protected cells).
Excellent, adjustable headstrap.
IPX7 water resistance.
Even, matte-black HAIII annodization.
White LED lens unscrews for access/modification of white emitter.
External +/- marks for correct battery insertion.
Decent heat-sinking.
Easy UI.
Amp readings were consistent regardless of which battery I used.

LOW-LIGHTS:
Won’t fit some protected cells (corrected in future production runs).
Unable to remove button side of tube (tailcap) for access to driver, controls. It must be glued.
Red emitter is blocked somewhat on the side due to white emitter extension. Not much of a problem during real use.
Annodized emitter shelf.
Not compatible with some flat-top batteries.

PICTURES


^ Heavily padded inside with bubble wrap, egg crate foam and white foam ^


^ Contents: Light, headband, extra O-ring and proof of purchase/warranty card ^


^ Battery opening ^


^ Inside battery tube. Notice battery offset ^


^ Emitter view - XM-L2 & XP-E. Note that red emitter lens is frosted and flush with tube ^


^ Control side of light with Aluminum button ^


^ Battery cover side of light. The marks wiped right off, not sure where they came from…lol ^

DECONSTRUCTION


^ Battery tube, knurled bezel, lens, reflector and tailcap ^


^ Close-up of inside tailcap. I don’t know how they attached the spring, but it ain’t coming off! ^


^ Under emitter, plenty of thermal grease. Solid emitter shelf, but looks annodized ^

BEAMSHOTS/NIGHTSHOTS:


^ Control shot ^

(Note:My Beamshots-Distance to house is approx. 160 ft. (49 meters). Pics taken with Kodak easyshare Max Z990 f/4.5, 1/5 sec, ISO-1600). Note: Not this time…had to change settings to more accurately reflect light.


^ High beam shot: 1.6-1.7 amps. (Note: Beam was slightly brighter than this photo) ^


^ Medium beam shot: .6 - .7 amps (Note: Beam was slightly brighter than this photo) ^


^ Red emitter: .2 amps. Night shot of driveway a few feet away ^


^ Red emitter. Camper about 50 ft. away ^


^ Beam angle of red emitter. Note that XM-L2 bezel slightly limits angle of beam ^


^ Cool pic looking straight at red emitter :slight_smile: ^



^ Tailstanding ^


^ Standing on opposite side ^

SUMMARY

MaxToch continues to produce excellent torches, and the H01 is no exception. It is a worthy headlamp that will primarily appeal to the outdoorsman and LEO market. The H01 has quality matte-black HA-III anodization, square cut threads, decent thermal path, lockout, dual purpose emitters, comfy headband…all for a comfy price. Also noticed were smoothly machined, rounded edges, very straightforward UI…and the H01 is cozy on the ol’ noggin. The negatives are very minimal, and don’t affect the light in any significant way.

In conclusion, the MaxToch H01 is a very nice headlamp. Another quality light from a serious torch company.

KRONOMETER patented rating: 4.00 out of 5.

Thanks for the review. I have been putting off getting a headlamp but I really like this one.

Another nice review, well done.

Nice looking little headlamp, and the red is surprisingly bright, as to what I thought it would be.

Gj on the review and I may have to get this soon ,cuz I like the dual emitter set up for these type of headlamps. How would you compare it to other headlamps?

How easy to swap in an XP-E2 amber, do you think? Or a Luxeon “Lime”?

Thanks for the review. I have been waiting for this one. Too bad it starts on high. That really kills it for me.

Thanks for the review.
As the above poster, starting on High is a bummer

Thanks for review!

Light looks interesting, what is not OK with it is that it starts on high and that there is only high and beacon modes for red, red should also come with moonlight-low-medium modes, otherwise it will have too limited use and thus loses its intended night vision saving purpose because who is going to blast red on full when being in the vehicle and reading a memo for example?!

And please, start making headlamps with NEUTRAL tints at least!

Good Day Krono,

Great review, Thank you Very Much.

Looks Very Good apart from the issues mentioned above.

Krono, Please get them to "rectify" the above issues, & once they have fixed/increased the internal diameter of the battery tube...

..Please set up a Group Buy.

Thank you Very Much,

Best Regards,

George

As far as different brightness levels for the red emitter, it is kind if hard to explain, but it doesn’t really ‘feel’ that bright when using it up close. I will get it out again at night some time soon and see how it works with reading text, or checking out a map. It must have to do with the frosted/diffused lens.

All future production will have the slightly larger battery compartment to accomodate more protected battery sizes.

The light does start on high, but the short-throw e-switch allows very rapid mode changes.

I do agree that it should have a greater range of tint availability. It seems most of their customer base (LEOs, military, etc.) prefer this existing tint for their needs. Perhaps they just don’t know any different, or don’t tolerate tint snobs. :bigsmile:

LEO community does not know better. They want quantity..ie max lumens. I suspect that the red light actually IS driven top where it should be. Seeing in a vehicle at night with an underpowered red light sucks. It must fill the passenger compartment or is useless. The red still helps with the night vision vs the white.

For me...I would like to see one more mode and memory that could toggled on/off.

KRONO said………
What I like about MaxToch the most is that they have quite a bit of experience making lights for other companies, and they LISTEN. When we told them they needed copper MCPCBs with DTP…by golly…they made them! They have taken countless recommendations from users, like mudgripz and Tom E. They have done an amazing job of helping them with their lights, and making them even more user/hunter-friendly. MaxToch’s communication skills are also second-to-none. Amanda has continually impressed me with her knowledge and willingness to work with the flashlight community…certainly a rarity within Chinese manufacturers. Her English communications skills are likewise exceptional, which is a huge plus.

I have to agree with this 100%, Maxtoch makes some extremely well built lights, and thus far Amanda has been very knowledgable and helpful with my GB.

One of our very own, and very well know, on the forum, Richard (RMM) even speaks very highly of the ones he sells.

This right from Richards site, on the M24 (and his own words)………

A while ago, I began searching for a light to bridge the fit and finish gap between the so-called “budget lights” and the much more expensive lights; with Maxtoch, I found what I was looking for! These lights don’t just bridge the gap—they close it entirely! I consider the overall construction of these lights to be as good, or better, than any of the more expensive lights I’ve ever seen. The fit, finish, and presentation of these lights is top notch, with AR lenses, copper MCPCBs, great reflectors, nearly flawless HA anodizing and machining, and XM-L2 U2 LEDs from the factory. These lights look the part as well as they play the part. These are truly premium lights.

The M24 gives you a big-head throwing power in an extremely lightweight package with excellent regulated runtime from 2x18650 cells. This is the lightest 2x18650 thrower I’ve ever seen at 270 grams—I was surprised how light it was the first time I picked it up.

Great review with a great light! By the way is the MCPCB a DTP one?

Imho, it needs a few more modes, otherwise looks good.

I think the MaxToch H01 looks interesting. However, I would need to see some more details before I would consider buying one. I would need the manufacturer to specify the maximum ANSI FL1 beam range, and any IPX rating. I would also need to know either the FL1 lumen output at each brightness mode, or the FL1 beam range in each brightness mode. Also the runtime in each mode, and if the lamp is regulated or not. MaxToch seems to be an information desert. If they do have a good product, why are they so reluctant to tell us the important specifications? Which leads me to think that perhaps the product is not so good.

Thank you for the review.

Starting on HIGH (what were they thinking?) at least let us choose when we want it L>H and H>L.
NW tint 4500-5000k (high CRI nicha would be killer) why do we need to buy a new light and then need to change the emitter? and how about options for lenses?

At least two or three usable levels of red, would be cool.

shame about cutting off part of their own hard earned wide angle capability (I would think this can be addressed) aka thinner bezel/shorter reflector, for a more even transition.

How is it that somone can design an 18650 light that does not accept all 18650 cells? we can put a man on the moon I shold hope that we can build an 18650 light that accepts any 18650 cell. This is not a rant for Maxtochspecfically but how often do we run into this at best silly oversight?

agreed definitely short on FL1 specs

Yes definite GB when issues are addressed.

I think we should consider this a marketing Beta and now they have a check list of changes before releasing into production.

02 lumens

Thanks for the review!

Nice review, buddy! I do like the light. Reminds me of the Xtar H1/2 lights. What I really like is that awesome little metal switch!

Nice looks like a decent budget but quality 18650 headlamp. Can’t get too many of those!

The three big things I want/need out of a headlamp is:

1. Floody beam. Pure flood is my choice.

2. Neutral tint.

3. Not have to cycle through modes to get what I want. Since this starts on high, it’s fine. I would use high 90% of the time.

It’s not exactly what I want but it’s close. It would be a headlamp I would consider buying.

I have one of these lights - nicely made little unit.

It is the light I use most these days because its very small and outside of headband its great for any job - under car hood, woodshed, walking etc. Starting on high is no issue.

Runtime test: 3.5 hours on High, 8.5 hours on medium, and lots of hours on low. It is a flood beam, but with its XML2-U2 it pumps out good amount of light and max range I’d say is about 80m in clear conditions. Not a thrower however. I’d say neutral white tint.

Good accurate review Krono.