How will the U3 chips affect the runtime in an M24?
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How will the U3 chips affect the runtime in an M24?
No difference in runtime. Increased lux output with U3 is because its more efficent - not because it increases current.
are there any good smaller single 18650 cell lights available?
What about single 18650 headlamps?
I'm about to placed an order for one of these hkequipment - Spark ST6-500CW ST6-500 CW Cree XM-L2 T6 1C LED Headlight
I seem to remember Amanda from Maxtoch telling me they do make the M24 with a single batt. Would have low runtime but if an on/off rifle light it could be good.
Sidney if you want to find out more email her : amanda@maxtoch.cn
Also consider Convoy C8 torches or XinTD C8 flashlights - they must have XML led and smooth reflector. Dedomed these can be quite useful. You can email and get them from Rick at Mountain electronics in the states (really knows his stuff) - or from aliexpress:
Flashlights
Maybe both.... just wondered if there was a good single cell option
and what was available in headlamps using the same battery...
Here are a couple of generic headlamps appearing under various names. My version of the first one is dedomed and now has very good 325m range for a headlamp:
Buy SingFire SF-522 Cree XM-L T6 1000lm 3-Mode White Light Headlamp - Black + Silver (2 x 18650)
And this is lighter, is a zoom head, and though basic in build gives quite good performance:
Raysoon RS-Q5 250lm 3-Mode White Zooming Flashlight w/ Cree XP-E Q5 - Black (1 x 18650 / 3 x AAA) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
We've used both lots and they've done very well, but they are cheap chinese items and you takes your chances...
Ta Mudz... I have a TK30 Fenix which is a good light.... can you put these new U3 chips into that? Its a 18650 x 2....
Fenix make very good lights. Quite a bit dearer but good quality.
This TK30 looks like the M24 Maxtoch but it is not a long thrower model - TK30 has a stippled reflector rather than smooth and this is designed for good flood. Also it has an MC-E type led which is alot lower output (about half) that of an XML2 like the Maxtochs. Its a general purpose light whereas the Maxtochs are specifically designed now for hunting. The new U3 led we refer to is more properly expressed as an XML2-U3 and while it might possibly fit into this light (would likely need a changed driver circuit board as well), it would still not perform like say an M24 because it has the flood rather than throw reflector.
Heading out shooting tonight - this is my charging table in full operation!
Have to run 4x UHF radios, 2x headlamps, 1 handheld spotting torch (almost as good as a Maxtoch!), 3 torches to go on rifles (one is a 6in reflective monster used on the AR15 at loooong range), plus various pocket torches for general use.
Trustfire 2400mah are from DX (had 4 fail so far out of the 8 I bought), all others are recovered and tested cells from laptops.
Attachment 36188
@mudgripz - Has Amanda given an ETA for the next run of lights?
And doublechecking:
The SN6x-2x is the super-awesome-OMG one?
Maxtoch SN6X-2X
Looks like they're up to roughly $100NZ landed now. Should've bought one earlier ;)
Hello Gerbs
Present 2X model still in production. Its a good strong light in standard form at 122-124k lux, but if you want to double that plus then give it to gadget and ask him also to pop a dedomed U3 led in it. Recent U3 dedomed 2Xs ran at 291-298k lux = 1.1 kilometers in perfect clear conditions. Very good spotlight but you'd need panasonic 3400s to get good runtime.
Give some thought also to smaller M24 - scope light plus spottie and 210k lux with dedomed U3 = 900 meters plus. Depends what your main use is.
Main use is on the AR15, getting the hares that are smart enough to stay out of .22lr range.
Just bought the 2x. $106.80NZD
EDIT: - Just bought 2x Panasonic protected 3400mAH batteries too.
Hoping for good things :D
Try it out and if you want more range send it down to gadget..
Just ordered some Panasonic 18650b from @gadgetman Via trademe for my New M24 Sniper :)
I've bought stuff from them in the past, they're pretty good.
The trademe seller is 'gadgetguys' - different.
Here's a youtube vid of a guy testing out a dedomed M24 he got from Richard at Mountain Electronics in the States.
He's certainly a good ol boy from the deep south but he does show you the light. Camerawork somewhat unclear but you'll get an idea. They have alot more spill than shows in the vid - as he keeps saying. Apparently the night before he was watching deer walk around clearly at 400 yds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ewVMgnS9AI
Yep BEST torch I ever used for distance, but the Ultrafire 4000mh batteries I have (I think Chinese rip-off) just don't cut it, only last about an hour or so and then turn off, then you have to turn on to medium and lasts about 10 minutes then just turns off all the time.
I picked up some of these from a post earlier in this thread.
Lithium Batteries and Chargers, The Gadget Guys
Work a treat for me and the torch is f awesome :thumbsup:
Ultrafire batt claims are all bullsh*t.
The batts to have for the maxtochs are panasonic 3400mAh protected button tops - best lifespan and best runtime.
Need a Handcheld torch for spotlighting with charger and batteries.under $100. Need one in 3 weeks time. And go.....!
The M24 is back in stock. The lovely Amanda said that this production run doesn't have the strobe function (yay for that, it's only good for annoying the other blokes in the hut).
There is no 1 cell version of the M24 but they do sell this 1 cell body to fit to your existing M24. I have ordered both the M24 and the one cell body because I am happy to trade reduced runtime for reduced weight on a rifle mounted torch.
M24
MAXTOCH Sniper M24 Limited Version 1250lm, AR Lens, Copper LED Base, Long Shooting Distance Hunt Flashlight-in Flashlights & Torches from Lights & Lighting on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
1 cell body
MAXTOCH M24 Sniper body to contain 1pc 18650 battery-in Connectors from Electrical Equipment & Supplies on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
Mounts
There are many options but this is what I went with.
They are 30mm but come with plastic inserts that make them fit 25mm torches. Quick release mount on standard weaver rail
This is a pair of mounts
30mm Flashlight Laser Sight Mount Holders for 21mm Rail Gun (Pair) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
Single mount
LSON KC04 Aluminum Alloy 21mm Gun Mount Holder for 24~30mm Flashlight - Black - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
You of course need a weaver rail on your gun. Options include:
Offset weaver rail to get it out of the way of your scope.
Universal Aluminum Alloy Side Rail Mount for 20mm Guns - Black - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
Scope ring with a weaver rail on it.
Aluminum Alloy Tactical Gun Single Rail Mount for 25mm / 30mm Barrels - Black - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
Of course you could skip all that and go with something simple and plastic
25.4~30mm Nylon Plastic Gun Mount Clamp Holder for Flashlight / Gun Sight - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
Plastic isn't necessarily bad. It's worth thinking about that will break if you drop the gun and it hits the mounted torch. You don't want the weak link to be your scope.
The 'best' (my opinion, and depends on intended use) single 18650 light would have to be the Convoy C8. Awesome quality for the price and can be tuned to be extremely bright
This was a surprise - email couple of days ago from amanda at Maxtoch:
"We have some single batt versions of M24S. It is usd10.00 lower than 2pc-battery version (usd64.50). "
That would be a powerful wee single..
Maxtoch already sell a separate 1 cell body for the m24.
So if they sell a single cell body (no change of driver) the driver must have a voltage range of roughly between 3v and 8.5v?
Correct. That is why you need to use protected cells in 2+ cell torches. If the torch tries to drop the voltage to 3V then it will drop each cell to roughly 1.5V and wreck them. I use a single cell to test the torches after mods and they still work fine. The 2X will strobe on a single cell.
Woooo, arrived today :D
Ordered 5 May, arrived 20 May.
Attachment 36769
Attachment 36770
Attachment 36771
Its as throwy and as bright as my home made "buffalo river cree spotlight" that I butchered with a 8x7135 2800mah driver and 2x 18650 in parallel.
A lot easier to mount on the AR15 too :D
Just so mudgripz and gadgetman know its being treated right:
Attachment 36772
Have a play with it and if you need more light Brian might pop a dedomed U3 in it. Will jump it from 124k lux or so to 280-300. That'll be the end of your big spotlight :)
Where did you buy yr panasonic 3400s?
The standard M24s and 2Xs come with XML2-U2 leds. U3 simply the next led - price about $6-7 each. Cost to fit is post to and from Brian.
Have had 298k lux 2X and 210k M24, but my only Maxtoch at present is an earlier M24 running at 190k dedomed. Does everything I need and more.
A stock M24 with U2 now runs at about 95-98k lux and dedomes to around 200k. A 2X with U2 dedomes to about 250-255k lux = 1 kilometer ANSI. Not really necessary to upgrade leds - dedoming is what makes the big difference.
Panasonic's are from TradeMe seller in Nelson.
$33.50 inc shipping for 2 batteries.