Very Enticing, But I will Probably hold out for a buck driver version.
I am not sure between Wurkkos and Sofirn who will be the first combine all of the features: Compact 18650 (or 18350), Anduril 2.0, High CRI (519A) and a decent buck driver into a single product.
We seem to be getting closer each on each new release Eventually one of them will realize and make the light that becomes the default low cost recommendation for new commers.
Yes to a point, I have a modest collection of FC11C, SC31 Pro,SP40A, SC13, SC13A and SC21 lights most of which set up for 18350 or 16340 cells. Most of my use is close range at work as a electrical/general maintenance guy. It is hard to find the ideal trade off of small size with good run time at a usable brightness. Every one of them is missing a feature or two that keeps it from being the perfect small light.
I really love the FC11C for its efficiency and ability to have a fairly high sustained output but it falls short in the longer run time at a medium level on an 18350. Low is not bright enough and medium brighter than I typically need and drains the battery too quickly. I don’t really need Anduril for of the fancy features however the ability to fine tune the brightness levels to get the brightness verses run time trade off that I want is amazing.
The TS10 Max being significantly shorter than the FC11C or SC31 pro with 18650 battery may make it more reasonable to step up from a 18350 to an 18650 and get the added run time. When you need to carry lots of tools to do you job quickly and efficiently being picky about what you carry in your pockets.
In your use case the TS10 MAX makes a lot of sense. A 18650 light with a short form factor, even with inefficient FET driver, can easily outperform a 18350 light in terms of total runtime because the battery capacity is so much larger.
You are mostly right that in its current form it has a fair advantage due to having an 18650 over an 18350 however it leaves a bit too much on the table with efficiency. look at the difference in max sustained level, the FC11C beats it by a fair bit. It’s an improvement in some areas but not enough of one yet.
If I did not have confidence that they are planning on releasing a upgraded version I might have jumped on it.
But it can. The latest Olight models have a magnet tail switch that also acts as a charging port. Try beat that!
For the driver, a 9v boost with Andruil might be too much to ask from Wurkkos. They never did it before. Even a buck Andruil is their first time ever. Don’t know how it will pan out. Really hope that they succeed though so I can have reason to buy another light.
Yes magnets are also a very desirable feature, And I am aware of the trade off of not having an easy magnet option in a tail E-switch light.
I also have considered some of the magnetic charging options but where I work there is too much metal swarf and grinding dust for me to be comfortable with it.
Honestly If Olight put better LED’s in their lights I would probably have a few. Once you get used to having pleasant neutral CCT and tint high CRI light it is hard to go back.
I am happy to continue to see these lights continue to evolve and get closer to being perfect for my use. It would not be much fun if the perfect light existed. As long as we keep seeing progress I will keep buying when there has been enough improvement to justify.