Just finished uploading my video review of the Maxtoch L3K and what an awesome light it is
If you don't want to hear my thoughts on it then skip to the beamshots at 19:17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdYlRWANv18
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Just finished uploading my video review of the Maxtoch L3K and what an awesome light it is
If you don't want to hear my thoughts on it then skip to the beamshots at 19:17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdYlRWANv18
It would be interesting to see a side-by-side comparison of it with say a 2X at 300-400yds on cattle or deer.
Thanks for the review, I suspect a return of Star Wars is no the cards... So focused like a light saber. Any indication of costings for the package?
Crazy narrow beam, i guess that's needed to reach out to 1000m let alone 3,000m, but I really don't see the need for such distance in a hunting torch.
It would be next to useless for scanning to find anything im picking as the field of view is so small. Therefore you'd need one of the more normal Maxtochs to use as a scanner, therefore the added range of this one is not really usefull in my opinion.
Yeah, I did mention in the review that I'd only ever use it as a gun light for lining up each shot. Searching is useless and most of the time I couldn't identify where on the hill I was. Around the edge it was fine, but point it into the center and it was difficult to get a sense of where I was
You never take a range spec as usable lighting, so that 3,000m is only giving good usable light at roughly 1,500m at the most. Just like the 2X's range of 1,200m is only decent to 500-600m.
I'll be selling this L3K for $300 which is what I paid with 50% off for the full kit incl mount and pressure switch. I just wanted to review it, so no point in keeping it. I don't really go hunting anymore, so it'll just sit there with its only use being to show it off
you where looking for the bat symbol weren't you....Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauser308
I cannot quite place where exactly a laser like this would be of value? My Maxtoch Sniper lights up my cattle's eyes at over 1000m. I can't shoot accurately at night beyond 250m. Their led torches have such well designed reflectors that light the centre up brilliantly, whilst spilling useful quantities of light into the halo area, allowing you to scan a large area very effectively and quickly.
I would be very careful about working in with Maxtoch. Several members of this forum did significant development work with them in their earlier days, to get their product to such a high state of reliability and usefulness, then they did the dirty on them. Their product is now 3X the price it was in the early days.
You have been warned;)
Yes, but the prices only increased so that global dealers were getting the sales instead of guys wanting to just buy direct. I struggle to make a profit on the few brands I have where direct pricing is quite a bit cheaper, but there's no way to compete with China prices which makes things very difficult.
I'd never be a dealer for them as their pricing is too high and my custom models are very competitive on performance and price. I probably should look into getting my own brand on them at some stage.
I must say that being able to easily light up 1300m away was very cool. I also have the Lumintop BLF GT90 which is a huge monster at 2.7km, it's mind blowing that such a small light in comparison is spec'd higher. Much tighter beam, but still very impressive...
Well, that's just what I heard anyway over at budgetlightforum, no idea on what really happened
It's crazy how much that red filter cuts the range down, this is why I sell red leds rather than filters.
Measured 2,920m down to just 648m
Maxtoch used to be very realistically priced but it seemed that once the main kiwi light gurus had a play with the design, and generated a huge amount of recognition for the brand and torches, they had the rug pulled out from under them by Maxtoch upping their prices by a large amount.
I'm still keen on a torch with maybe 4 batteries that has a larger reflector. Not for hunting but general shining around and maybe search and rescue type work where a fairly wide spill is combined with a real good throw
search n rescue type work is an interesting one...for straight tracking the M2 archer is too much torch....gone back to older less potent model....common as muck lenser.....
four AAAs is ok,pain in arse to change...but thats what single AAA coast light is for..along with sound light line type stuff,that one lives on lanyard around my neck....
bought a big torch from bargain bin in bunnings years back...similar size to old dolphin lantern...rechargable and it has pencil beam...good on game at 4-500 yards but hopeless for spotting..pencil beams work off back of ute if one person has it and adds light on animal help in bigger /wider light....
got a single AA light off trademe..waterproof...picture is in cup of water...its output is dismal BUT it is reliable and has just enough light to be useful.....a better light with similar size and single AA power would be ideal....
you fellas havent lived untill you have tried spotlighting with mini maglite....or hella big blue inspection light powered by truck battery in a wheel barrow.....you only put battery in frame pack ONCE.....
Might want to look at the Acebeam K75, but that'll set you back $449. Depends on what you define as good throwQuote:
Originally Posted by rugerman
The only issue with the models pushing a lot of lumens and throw is the Turbo is almost always very short. The ones with lower lumens are a narrower beam which would limit the amount of spill. What range of good usable lighting are you after?
Go all out and get the Lumintop GT94 :D
I was thinking of something with the intensity of the maxtoch 2X dedomed at 100m, but at 5-600m. I would say the heat build up might be quite big etc.. with an extended "turbo" mode. I don't believe in too bright :)
Agree, little to no use in the NZ hunting context.
The throw of the beam is super important. I have one of the first M1 Archers and it’s my go to, mate purchased a newer one and the light is too white and beam too narrow.
Would be interested to see what is out there with excellent throw, not too white but a whole lot of light.
I also have an Maxtoch XPro, good but beam is a bit tight. Ideal world same torch with better throw
That's using the Osram CSLNM1 LEDs which is what's installed in my gun lights and all I've had is the best feedback. Then again, I'm not charging Maxtoch's prices so perhaps that's why mine are so popular. If it's for searching then that's an entirely different story, but as a dedicated gun light you want it narrow so it misses the suppressor and stops any glare off the barrel. Wider beams cause issues at 10X and above as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stag
The Olight Javelot Turbo has the next gen Osram model "CULPM1" for a slightly wider beam and that model comes highly recommended. I have this LED in my Osram C8+ V2 and L21A
A warmer tint like your M1 Archer will do better in foggy/rainy conditions, so it's better as an all round hunting light, but those that want max range it's only possible with either an Osram LED and/or a larger reflector.
I'm not happy with Maxtoch's build quality nowadays, they used to be really decent, now not so much. Had a customer's 2X which must have been an earlier version as the quality was excellent. The L3K I reviewed had issues. Anodizing wearing on the tail threads after a week of little use and the threads sounded very gritty. Someone I know reviewed the L2K and X Pro, and was also very disappointed at the quality.
I agree though, the L3K isn't something I'd ever recommend, but they are very popular in the US.
How you've said the new M1 is too white, some prefer the cool white tint over the warmer colors. It all comes down to personal preference.
Cool white = brightest
Warm white = best in non ideal conditions
You'd want to look at the Luminus SBT90.2 LEDs. Extremely power hungry and get very hot quickly, but they put out a ton of light down range. I have the Lumintop GT90 with it and that's spec'd at 7,000 lumens and 2.7kmQuote:
Originally Posted by Stag
Had another play with the L3K and I see that the camera is only picking up the brightest center, not the surrounding light around the hotspot. It's certainly not as narrow as what that video shows, this is an issue with all cameras. All of my videos show a narrower beam than what you see in person, there's no fix unless you crank up the exposure.
The photo at 1,500m is also edited. Here's a comparison of the original. When I was looking down at those houses from the hill, I could see 200-250m of coverage. If I was hunting deer out to 600m+ I'd pick up an LEP as a dedicated gun light, but certainly not for searching.
https://i.imgur.com/b4OjYoNh.jpg
Sold it for $350 :) as soon as I put a buy now on it sold immediately, someone must of had an instant buy set up on bidbud
Can you insert the new Osram led into an old 2X? If so how much to do it.
Only if you are able to get Maxtoch to send you the correct parts. You'd need the correct size MCPCB and LED gasket/centering ring. If wanting to run the latest Osram chip it would require a new driver board too. Can be done, but need the parts first otherwise it'll be too fiddly.Quote:
Originally Posted by TeRei
The driver currently installed is running at 4.2 amps I think, this is enough for the LED in my Osram C8+ V1, and what Maxtoch use in their new models. For the latest Osram LED it requires 8 amps for best performance, this is used in my Osram L21A and C8+ V2. Slightly less range with almost twice the beam width
The new 2X with the Osram has a tighter stronger beam at least to our eyes.
Yeah, here's a review of the X Pro using the Osram LED. You only get 5 minutes of Turbo and High before dropping down to 560 lumens.
Not really an upgrade for hunting though, the original 2x and X Pro have a warmer tint (yellow) which will do much better in non ideal conditions. The cool white of the Osram's are useless for these conditions. Yes, you get excellent range, but you have to weigh up what is best for your use.