Hello! This is my first post here.
I have the MXDL SA-T68. I bought this about 4 weeks ago and this was my first forray into the new XM-L T6 LED and Lithion Ion battery technologies, principally for cycling.
Cost £22 including UK postage and sourced from within the UK.
I have since buying this, bought and deployed an Ultrafire WF501B and Ultrafire C8 both in XM-L T6. It's been a learning curve!
I initially chose the MXDL SA-T68 thinking the two cell version would offer better battery life for endurance night cycling and also the focusable lens would allow it to be adjusted in-flight so to speak for forward and wide spreads.
Run time is probably about 2 hours at full power using 2800 mAh Senybor batteries (the high quality ones sold by TorchTheBatteryBoy). I've had 1.5 hours at full power and calculate I have about 30% of capacity left (using a DMM and chart of Voltage outputs).
One problem is the relector focus does not stay in place when cycling, due to vibration, and so I've had to use a couple of elastic bands to fix the focus at a constant focus.
I like a wide spot for dark country roads but if used in too powerful a setting, on-coming road traffic and pedestrians will not like it.
The most serious issue however is this: The reflector is not a reflector, it's simply a dull aluminium back casing.
When my Ultrafire WF-501B arrived, which I am currently using as a helmet mounted torch, the difference in performance was mind blowing.
My MXDL SA-T68 effectively does not have an aluminum polished reflector and hence a vast amount of light is lost and wasted into the focusing body and back body of the LED mount. It also therefore does not have a central hot-spot.
Broadly speaking, my MXDL SA-T68 on full power is outclassed by my Ultrafire WF501B with cheaper power cells, and only one at that, on Medium power due to the reflector-ed light (half the price, nearly half the weight, half the battery capacity) having a twice as efficient lens and reflector system.
In cycling, I am appreciating the WF-501B more because of its reflector properties. It just gives far more light ahead for less weight!
The one role the MXDL SA-T68 may have is when you want a wide non-hot spotted constant light.
You'll need an elastic band though for cycling. May be it is possible to paint or retrofit a reflector into the MXDL SA-T68.
So for me, the most expensive LED torch I bought works half as well as the cheaper torch at half the price, capacity, and weight.
Tonight I'm going out with the WF-501B on my helmet and my new Ultrafire C8 XM-L T6 on the bike.
If you were in the market for cycle lights, I'd recommend the two Ultrafires above, and the Senybor 2800 mAh cells, and I'd say skip the MXDL SA-T68.