New designs from Maxtoch - what lights would you like made?

LED Flashlights – General Info
7

I was about to suggest a side clickie 26650 flashlight with anodized threads, then I saw the Maxtoch D01. I also like how you made the button easy to feel even with gloves on.

Here's the thing though, I don't want the switch mounted on the driver because that makes modding more complicated. So if you're doing more side clickie lights, please do it with switches that don't mount on the driver.

Okay, here's my idea.

Battery: Single 26650 or 3x18650.

Switch: Side clickie, not mounted on driver. Big bulge around the switch so it can be easily found with thick gloves without looking at the light.

Emitter: Quad XP-G2

Optics: 24mm diameter Carclo 10624, or at least has the same dimensions for the mcpcb with optics that are readily available.

Threads: Anodized, even on extension tubes.

Battery tube: Able to accommodate protected batteries up to 71mm long. If you make it a 26650 flashlight, an extension tube to use 2x26650 would be better for some people.

Bezel: Use internal threads that can accommodate DSLR camera filters like this or this, or offer a bezel ring that can have camera filters attached. This is an inexpensive way for colored filters to be used.

Pill: Direct thermal path with a thick solid shelf for the mcpcb, and lots of space for the driver.

Tailcap and lanyard hole: Light must tail stand without the lanyard under the tailcap. This requires either two holes next to each other, or put a lanyard hole on the side like the Sky Ray King or Solarstorm K2.

No glued threads anywhere. If you want to go one step further, offer it as a host.

8

A simple light with

  • HD2010 sized head,
  • body long enough for 2x26650 in series,
  • with an MTG-2
  • and suitable driver.
9

No matter what size, plenty of decent fins (not just shallow grooves) for heat dispersal, means a cool standard light for efficiency and some headroom for those of us that just have to release the lights full potential J)

Cheers David

10

I would like large head reflector and aspheric lights in single and/or dual battery configuration with deep driver cavities and good cooling. I modify almost all lights I get now because I am happy to push mine a lot harder than a manufacturer will because I’m far less concerned about reliability. So essentially I want mod friendly lights or even better, offer some good hosts for sale!! I am happy to spend up to $50 on just a host if it is worthwhile. I sold my DX21 recently, purely because it wasn’t as mod friendly as some of my other lights and the performance was not at the level of my modded lights.

11

I'm definitely in agreement with almost all of these suggestions - djozz, leaftye, LSX.

djozz - you about nailed it - I'm in total 100% agreement

Suncoaster - I just did that with a Yezl Y3! Smile - really like the way it came out so far, but needs a little more tweaking/TLC...

AlexGT - wow, this is an ultimate wish list, all-in-one kind.

I think a super C8 has sort of been done already. If anything in this form factor, I'd like to see a return to the old school C8 reflector (shorter is better!), and an e-switch added - not driver mounted like leaftye said - mod friendly: easy dis-assembly, sound fundamental design of perfect flat pill top, easy access to pill area, standard size reflector hole, very low profile LED alignment piece (produces more output), good amt of heat sinking in the right areas, and the reflector flat bottom must be small and tight to the LED hole.

Also, take a lesson from the extreme popularity the Eagle Eye X6 is enjoying - again, high qual, simply elegant, compact design, high performance, low cost. I seem to measure relatively high lumens output of this light at a moderate levels of amps, and considering the stock one I have is a NW tint. I believe it's because of the reflector design, very low profile LED alignment piece so doesn't block any output, and the bezel is very low profile, fading away from the lens

I also like the compact size of the SupFire A6 - more pocketable than a X6. SupFire sort of ruined the latest A6 with the finish/anodizing issues - I'd like to see a better choice, hopefully in that price range -- important to keep the O.D. of the reflector the same size as an A6 because it fits XML quad optics perfectly!!

Again to re-iterate what's been said - you can't make everyone happy, so availability of just the hosts would be great.

12

Drivers seem to be the big deal around here lately. What about lights with an easily re-programmable driver?

The idea of the flexguard was good in theory, but not so good in execution. And a wireless flashlight…in my opinion…was kinda silly.

Nevertheless, I would like a light with a programmable driver via USB or other WIRED connection. The computer program/interface should be simple and not require programming skills to operate.

I think it already exists out in the world. The HexBright crowd-sourced light comes to mind. I believe it is open-sourced. Perhaps someone around here has/is already working on one a project like this, and I just haven’t seen it yet.

Would it be too costly? Maybe too goofy? :Sp I bet somebody around here has the skills to pull it off…BLF got skills.

13

Definitely. The X6 shape/design is very simple and appealing. I would like to see the same concept ‘up-sized’ to a 26650 with MT-G2. A somewhat pocketable barn-burner. Sorta like the MT-G2 mod DBCstm is doing on the X6, but with a proportionally larger host/reflector.

14

I think Armytek makes about the best headlamps around. But there user interface is overly complicated. How about a tough 4 or 5 mode electronic headlamp with a simple “Spark-type” interface. Something waterproof. I took my Wizard Pro swimming a while back, and it held up fine. The only problem with making a 2x18650 lamp though is the fact you’d have to compromise it’s water resistance by making a separate battery back. I don’t see any problem with making a single 18650 battery headlamp, what’s it matter if you have to change the battery- you’re carrying a second battery no matter what anyway.

Absolutely no visible PWM though.

15

(I remember there were pictures of it as well, but they seem removed, the driver never came further than this thread and PilotPTK unfortunately does not post anymore on BLF)

16

I think one thing we’ve learned is that the community here builds better drivers than about 80% of the actual manufacturers.

17

I’d like a lightweight headlamp with nichia 219 - 16340 or 18650 is fine.

18

I second this. Double Nichia would be fine too.

19

I would like to see the DX21 taken upto 5 amps. Or the same platform with twin triples like a DQG26650 head. Or a scaled up twin MT-G2 with a two-three 26650 body tube. Thinking “Mjolnir” Thor’s hammer. Yes I’m on a dual LED kick. Singles not bright enough and triple get to fat for the pocket or holster.

20

+100

21

+1 +1 here too!

22

Some interesting ideas coming up. Good time to clarify criteria I think.

The designs a manufacturer of scale like Maxtoch will be looking for will be for lights with broad market appeal - lights to be made by the tens of thousands. If a light has appeal only for 50 modders it will take lots of $$ to develop but never recover costs.

So what we need to look at is maybe 3-4 design ideas which have broad market appeal for ‘joe average’, but incorporate also design elements which are immediately atractive to eg BLF modders. Advanced design features must be in a marketable light host to be viable.

Thoughts….

The Eagle eye X6 is a fine looking light - but its only 14,300 lux - is that enough? (Correct me if have made a mistake reading review). I was thinking about a little C8 with serious grunt - eg 40-45k stock.

There appears definite interest in a well made hi performance zoomie aspheric. Also for a 1 or 2 26650 40-50mm head MTG2 light - maybe a Thor’s hammer design dual MTG2 model - I like that idea Texas!! And a lightweight headlamp? With lightweight h/l however you may rule out bigger reflectors (XML2) and dual battery packs.

23

I will have to look into their current offerings before giving suggestions

24

Hey mudgripz.

I am glad, once again, that MaxToch is willing to listen to BLF members.

Was this in response to my comment? Maybe I wasn’t clear…my apologies. I didn’t mean to suggest a remake of the X6. I was trying to suggest a light that has the same shape, but larger in proportion, MT-G2 emitter, and powered with a robust 26650 battery. Same ‘Form’, larger ‘Factor’, if you will…

25

I like the double-triple idea!

26

I would like to see an SX25L3 sized MT-G2 light with 3*18650 in series driven at 6A. Infinite magnetic control ring. Flat type3 hard ano. To me that'd be perfection!