4Sevens Maelstrom X10 (XM-L, 26650) Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS and more!

[Haesslich]

What a great light. I don't have any 26650 cells but I guess I'm going to have to add some because this light is worth having. What a great little light. I am amazed that the X10 keeps up the the TK35 in output, throws farther, has longer runtime, AND it is WAY smaller. amazing. I can't wait to have one in my hands.

Wait, it throws farther? I thought it 'was similar' according to the review. Wow - if that's the case, I need to try one out myself. About the only thing I would pick at is the non-standard battery... but it's hard to get enough power into this size without going this route.

[jhc37013]

Wait, it throws farther? I thought it 'was similar' according to the review. Wow - if that's the case, I need to try one out myself. About the only thing I would pick at is the non-standard battery... but it's hard to get enough power into this size without going this route.

Pretty cool huh, I have the the TK35 and it does throw well for the amount of wide bright spill it has, Selfbuilts readings put it around 20K lux and the X10 at 24k. The TK35 at 284m is really on spot on to what I have tested outdoors and with the X10 at 310m has me excited to say the least.

I'm really curious to see just how bright and wide the spill is compared to the TK35, can't wait.

[selfbuilt]

Pretty cool huh, I have the the TK35 and it does throw well for the amount of wide bright spill it has, Selfbuilts readings put it around 20K lux and the X10 at 24k. The TK35 at 284m is really on spot on to what I have tested outdoors and with the X10 at 310m has me excited to say the least.
I'm really curious to see just how bright and wide the spill is compared to the TK35, can't wait.

Well, I agree beam distance is the better the way to compare the throw of different lights - not because the absolute value is relevant (i.e. I don't consider distance to 0.25lux very significant), but because it provides a linear comparison between lights. In this sense, the X10 throws ~9% further than my TK35 sample (based on the 5m lightmeter testing). We'll see how the 100 yard beamshots look, but so far I wouldn't expect it to be a huge difference in real life. The spill will be interesting to compare outdoors as well ...

[richpalm]

Thrunite Scropion V2[/URL], which was just a week or so after the incident (I took the buddy-taping off for that light). The nail is starting to come off now, so I imagine the next sets of lights won't look too pretty.

I have pretty much full function back now, just some loss of senstitvity in the tip (plus it's a little wider than it used to be ... ).

Wow-I'm not so laid back! If that happened to me my cussin' would be so insane that SWAT teams and black helicopters would be showing up fast and the neighbors would get a show as I got straitjacketed! Construction and me uhhh.. don't exactly git along.! Surprised I never had the cops though with the night walks I do, wondering where the alien ship is landing!

****

Nice review-my only downer is no clickie.

Rich

[jhc37013]

Well, I agree beam distance is the better the way to compare the throw of different lights - not because the absolute value is relevant (i.e. I don't consider distance to 0.25lux very significant), but because it provides a linear comparison between lights. In this sense, the X10 throws ~9% further than my TK35 sample (based on the 5m lightmeter testing). We'll see how the 100 yard beamshots look, but so far I wouldn't expect it to be a huge difference in real life. The spill will be interesting to compare outdoors as well ...

I'm very much looking forward for you to add it to your 100yd beamshots, if for some reason the X10 comes up equal to or a little short of the TK35 in throw it would be hard to complain if you take size into consideration. It's all about the size for me, like I said in a earlier post this light will fill a big void for me because everything I have that even comes close to this throw is TK35 size or bigger and not easily carried around in a holster or in a pocket of my cargo pants, I think I can handle the X10 but I won't really know until I try it. When you described the spill as being very wide well this pretty much sealed the deal for me, I got my shipping notice earlier today from 47s so I will be able to compare it probably Tuesday night.

[Haesslich]

Well, I agree beam distance is the better the way to compare the throw of different lights - not because the absolute value is relevant (i.e. I don't consider distance to 0.25lux very significant), but because it provides a linear comparison between lights. In this sense, the X10 throws ~9% further than my TK35 sample (based on the 5m lightmeter testing). We'll see how the 100 yard beamshots look, but so far I wouldn't expect it to be a huge difference in real life. The spill will be interesting to compare outdoors as well ...

Let us know what you get. I think the TK35's main advantage over the X10 is the more-standard battery setup it has... which means it concedes size and maximum voltage/capacity available to the Maelstrom X10's 26650 cell. Especially when 4Sevens gets to be more selective with what cells go with the light. Also, are these tests going to be run with the AW18650s or 4xCR123's? Won't change the voltage too much I suspect, but I am curious.

[Colonel Sanders]

I'd be curious to see if the output of the X10 is affected by what battery is used. I'd like to see the two different 4sevens 26650s compared to IMR26650s.

[selfbuilt]

Surprised I never had the cops though with the night walks I do, wondering where the alien ship is landing!

As Mrs Selfbuilt likes to remind me when I head out to do 100-yard beamshots - "bring ID". Still, no one has called the cops on me yet (or I got out of there before they arrived). Still, I'm sure they'd enjoy a chance to see the lights themselves.

Nice review-my only downer is no clickie.

Yeah, a clicky would be nice. But I would also be quite happy with a two-stage tactical twist/press swtich.

I'm very much looking forward for you to add it to your 100yd beamshots, if for some reason the X10 comes up equal to or a little short of the TK35 in throw it would be hard to complain if you take size into consideration. It's all about the size for me, like I said in a earlier post this light will fill a big void for me because everything I have that even comes close to this throw is TK35 size or bigger and not easily carried around in a holster or in a pocket of my cargo pants, I think I can handle the X10 but I won't really know until I try it. When you described the spill as being very wide well this pretty much sealed the deal for me, I got my shipping notice earlier today from 47s so I will be able to compare it probably Tuesday night.

I haven't compared the beams beyond 10-15m or so yet, but at that distance, I like the hotspot of the X10 better - it is slightly larger, and much more uniform in brightness (my TK35 has a brighter periphery relative to the centre of the hotspot). The corona of the TK35 is brighter and more diffuse at this distance, however (i.e. less sharply defined, gradually drops off with distance) which makes it more useful IMO. Spillbeam-wise, the TK35 is already quite good for this class - but the X10 is still wider. Overall brightness seems a bit higher on the X10, but hard to tell with tint/hospot/corona differences. We'll see how the 100-yard shots come out (just waiting on some lights to ship next week).

As for hand-feel, I personally prefer the X10 over the TK35. It's not so much a length issue as the cylindrical nature of the X10 fitting better in my hand. Of course, that also means it's more likely to roll on you ...

[Haesslich]

I haven't compared the beams beyond 10-15m or so yet, but at that distance, I like the hotspot of the X10 better - it is slightly larger, and much more uniform in brightness (my TK35 has a brighter periphery relative to the centre of the hotspot). The corona of the TK35 is brighter and more diffuse at this distance, however (i.e. less sharply defined, gradually drops off with distance) which makes it more useful IMO. Spillbeam-wise, the TK35 is already quite good for this class - but the X10 is still wider. Overall brightness seems a bit higher on the X10, but hard to tell with tint/hospot/corona differences. We'll see how the 100-yard shots come out (just waiting on some lights to ship next week).

As for hand-feel, I personally prefer the X10 over the TK35. It's not so much a length issue as the cylindrical nature of the X10 fitting better in my hand. Of course, that also means it's more likely to roll on you ...

How would you rate the usable spill, distance-wise, on the X10? You can have a great hotspot 400 meters away, but if all you can see is that small strip of light between you and that distant target... The two reviews I've seen here have indicated how well the X10 throws (thanks to 4Sevens' attention to the reflector design), but are we talking about 50m distance before the corona becomes useless? The beamshots don't have distance markers or reference points to help with that.

And would you say this is easy to use with gloves or when wet, due to the knurling? That's a consideration for folks who have to wear gloves due to environmental or job-related reasons.

[selfbuilt]

How would you rate the usable spill, distance-wise, on the X10? You can have a great hotspot 400 meters away, but if all you can see is that small strip of light between you and that distant target... The two reviews I've seen here have indicated how well the X10 throws (thanks to 4Sevens' attention to the reflector design), but are we talking about 50m distance before the corona becomes useless? The beamshots don't have distance markers or reference points to help with that.

My 100-yard beamshots do have a distance marker ~30m, due to the angle of the beam (i.e. corona spill on the road, before it drops down). See my round-up thread for more info on the location. But it will likely be a couple of weeks before I make the next trip out, as I am waiting on some more lights. We'll see how it looks then, I haven't tested it at any significant distance yet.

And would you say this is easy to use with gloves or when wet, due to the knurling? That's a consideration for folks who have to wear gloves due to environmental or job-related reasons.

Hmmm, the smaller light size might work against you a bit here (depending on how big and bulky your gloves are). But the button is certainly easy to access with gloves on - much more so than most lights.

[Haesslich]

My 100-yard beamshots do have a distance marker ~30m, due to the angle of the beam (i.e. corona spill on the road, before it drops down). See my round-up thread for more info on the location. But it will likely be a couple of weeks before I make the next trip out, as I am waiting on some more lights. We'll see how it looks then, I haven't tested it at any significant distance yet.

From what I could tell, the road's pretty bright, but I'm wondering how much of the spill is usable off-trail, or in the park where you've got more greens and non-level surfaces. Would you say the 30m mark is the limit, or is it more out to the full 100m per the beamshots? Fenix's claim of 333m is... well, I suppose it depends on the terrain and how night-adapted your eyes are. Or if everything's white.

Hmmm, the smaller light size might work against you a bit here (depending on how big and bulky your gloves are). But the button is certainly easy to access with gloves on - much more so than most lights.

I'm thinking 'ohgod, it's 4 PM in winter and everything's black save for the snow, and crap it's -40C out' gloves. Would you think the twist-head makes it better than something like the two large buttons on the TK35?

[selfbuilt]

I'm thinking 'ohgod, it's 4 PM in winter and everything's black save for the snow, and crap it's -40C out' gloves. Would you think the twist-head makes it better than something like the two large buttons on the TK35?

Yeah, in winter with heavy gloves, I think the large tailap twist of the X10 would be easier than the two buttons of the TK35. Have to wait a few months to find out in this hemisphere ...

[Haesslich]

Yeah, in winter with heavy gloves, I think the large tailap twist of the X10 would be easier than the two buttons of the TK35. Have to wait a few months to find out in this hemisphere ...

Depending on the part of Canada, that can be as little as two or three months. I wonder how well mode switching will go with gloves.

[jhc37013]

I got mine today and I'm very satisfied, mine is brighter than my SC600 and TK35 on the ceiling bounce, I did not expect it to be brighter than my TK35 but I can see a slight difference. The funny thing is while one battery charges the other battery I bought reads 3.8v out of the box and that's what I did these ceiling bounce test with.

My hotspot is pretty much identical to selfbuilts with a very white hotspot, warm corona and cool white spill. The artifacts are there but for a thrower it's no big deal, all I have to do is look back at the XR-E thrower days and the X10 beam profile looks like a plate of gold.

[Helmut.G]

hey selfbuilt, thanks for another great review. your work is appreciated
However I'd like to add that in the flashlight comparison picture a 4sevens Maelstrom G5 is shown while the text says Thrunite Scorpion.

[luceat lux vestra]

Thank you Selfbuilt!!!
always love your reviews

[jhc37013]

I've been carrying the X10 around for a few days and nights now and the beam is wonderful and it feels like it's built like a tank, however I just can't get use to the twisty UI. If it was like the LX2 I would have no problem but somehow I often find myself in the wrong mode, maybe a grip ring would help but I would trade two Quark Tacticals for a clicky switch, maybe one day we can buy a clicky for X10 as an accessory?

[Kid9P]

I too am dying to see that outdoor beamshot

Great review by the way !

[scaramanga]

I just got mine today and did a try it outside a few minutes ago. This thing throws well! Am very happy with my purchase. Thank you selfbuilt for your review, which made me decide to get this amazing light!

[selfbuilt]

I too am dying to see that outdoor beamshot

If the weather co-operates, I hope to have something done for early next week (for this and other reviews). We'll see ...

[selfbuilt]

UPDATE AUGUST 21, 2011: I have now done 100-yard outdoor beamshots, in the style of my earlier 100-yard round-up reviews.

[jerrysimons]

Wow, what a concept! A stubby thrower! Performance is great too.
I just can not do that UI! No way.
I don't care how modes are changed but a fist-sized light (one handed size) like this must have at least a rear, clicking, lock-on-off switch IMO. This would be my next light if it did.

Thanks selfbuilt!

[amraspalantir]

The UI and battery is the downer to me for this otherwise outstanding light. The impressive output and throw
for this size couldnt outweigh the funky UI and dedicated battery type. If they come up with a better rear switch as
jhc said then i could live with the battery type. Staying on the fence for now.

[Colonel Sanders]

"The UI and battery is the downer to me"

Just so you know, 26650 batteries can be found other places...like batteryspace or lighthound for example. There's really nothing proprietary about them, they just aren't as common as 18650s, or 123s.

[amraspalantir]

im a "common battery" type of guy hence my remarks. but if the UI wasnt funky i could live with the batt.
lets see what comes next. also i noticed the tk35 corona seems to be more diffused and even per selfbuilt's gif.
a better beam profile to me.

[Colonel Sanders]

Yeah, the UI is my only complaint with this light. The output (especially once you mod it to direct drive and disable the thermal management) is fantastic. Three levels with a forward clicky and maybe a neutral option would make this a perfect light to me.

BTW, it's VERY easy to use 18650s in this light. You really don't even need a sleeve (but you can easily make a sleeve out of cardboard, rubber hose, or PVC to name a few) to do it but that would be the correct way. I pop one in mine with or without a sleeve from time to time and it works perfectly. I don't know why this is never mentioned. I've tried 18500, 26500, and even an IMR16340 in it just for shits and giggles. But yes, it's perfectly happy running on quality 18650s.

[amraspalantir]

hey now thats good to hear.i have a bunch of 18650's here. thanks for the info.

[Colonel Sanders]

hey now thats good to hear.i have a bunch of 18650's here. thanks for the info.

Just make sure they are happy with a 3A draw. Any quality cell will be fine. I have used Redilast 2900s and AW IMR18650s in mine. The cells are the right length and they supply the right voltage and amperage so your X10 will never notice the difference other than shorter runtime of course.

[amraspalantir]

Redilast 2900s and AW IMR18650s ...copy that.

[blub]

I love my X10, this thing is perfect for the way I use lights, and it will fit in my pocket without too much bulk on a walk and great throw for the size, out throws my TK35, not by a lot, but it does. I usually only use a flashlight for a few seconds at a time anyway and if I need it on longer, it's no big deal to twist the tailcap. I've had it for about a month, gone on a hike with it, use it every night to check out the neighborhood and the battery hasn't needed recharging yet. My new favorite and great to know it'll take 18650s in a pinch.