Eagletac MX25L2 (2x32650) SST-90 P-bin Review: RUNTIMES, VIDEO, BEAMSHOTS and more!

[tatopus]

Thank You, selfbuilt
Excellent review!


If you do not mind, I attache the photo)
Here you can see some more details:

 

[xevious]

Yes, I understand exactly what you mean. Practically, since you can get so much out of a small light now, I wouldn't have expected to like these lights as much as I do. After all, there's a reason why we have all migrated to smaller lights - we get much better output, user control and runtime now than in the "old days" of behemoth lights that had to be this size.

But the GX/SX/MX series are very well designed for what they do, and somehow, the form factor is still oddly appealing. :shrug: Don't know why ... perhaps to re-phrase Robert Frost, something there is that doesn't love a club. :laughing:

Yes indeed. It's all about application. When a small form factor can do what a much larger form factor used to do, and it's plenty sufficient for your purposes, why go any larger? My Nitecore EA4 is plenty bright. The turbo mode is blinding, way brighter than I really need. However, it's nice to know it's there just in case. But then, a larger form factor has certain utility to it and can also serve as a small club when called for (like you hinted). Something satisfying about gripping a good 12" long implement, perhaps appealing to age old instincts. :naughty:

Hmmm, I suppose there has been a maturing of the interfaces recently. That said, I have always liked ET lights - they typically have always had good efficiency and performance. It's true there were some build issues on certain early models, and some interface issues on subsequent ones when they rapidly expanded into more complex offerings. But for the most part, they have always been quick to correct any perceived short comings in their lights.

Perhaps it's just the plethora of appealing models they've been making as late. The brand has certainly been raised up on the market scope. Reviews like yours and testimonies of others certainly helps cement a good feeling about what they produce. :thumbsup:

I have noticed a definite trend in this direction lately, from a lot of makers. And I've been glad to see that the last couple of these sorts of lights I've reviewed (these included) have had pretty integrated charging systems. These dedicated ones in particular are well suited for charging the bundled cells at a good rate. But I rather doubt they will replace 3rd party chargers for most us. Charging cells in series is not a great idea - hobbyists will likely stick with managing things on their own (for proper balancing, cell selection, charge rate control etc.).

I hadn't considered that, the charging of cells in series. It'll be interesting to hear about how the cells used in the ET MX line hold up over time. Is there any chance that they incorporated some kind of mechanism to compensate? Since the battery pack is sealed, there's no chance of rotating their positions...

 

[ledmitter_nli]

Yes indeed. It's all about application. When a small form factor can do what a much larger form factor used to do, and it's plenty sufficient for your purposes, why go any larger? My Nitecore EA4 is plenty bright. The turbo mode is blinding, way brighter than I really need. However, it's nice to know it's there just in case. But then, a larger form factor has certain utility to it and can also serve as a small club when called for (like you hinted). Something satisfying about gripping a good 12" long implement, perhaps appealing to age old instincts. :naughty:

2001: A Space Odyssey :thumbsup:

 

[xevious]

 

[ledmitter_nli]

Thread close in 3... 2... 1....

 

[xevious]

^ Obviously the man-ape creature has evolved enough to realize that the flashlight is so robust, it'll take a beating used as a club and still function reliably.

 

[tatopus]

Turbo

Turbo & diffuser

P.S. Frame size - 180 degrees diagonally.

 

[selfbuilt]

Thanks for the pics tatopus. Hope you didn't need to jump out of the way of an emerging tram.

I should be able to update everything with my own outdoor shots in a couple of weeks.

 

[tatopus]

Thanks for the pics tatopus. Hope you didn't need to jump out of the way of an emerging tram.

I should be able to update everything with my own outdoor shots in a couple of weeks.

tram was stopped by a stream of light). so I had time to evacuate)

 

[xevious]

Holy cr@p! With the diffuser, the spill is better than an HID car headlight. You can tell the throw was cut back some, as that line in the distance overhanging the tracks is faded out, but it's remarkable how much throw is still there. Super!

 

[tatopus]

Holy cr@p! With the diffuser, the spill is better than an HID car headlight. You can tell the throw was cut back some, as that line in the distance overhanging the tracks is faded out, but it's remarkable how much throw is still there. Super!

Yes, it's real Desert Eagle



Yellow filter. Turbo:

 

[houtex]

I know that they are two different lights,BUT

can you compare this light with the TK75 please?

I can only pick one this year for the Bday next month.

 

[selfbuilt]

I know that they are two different lights,BUT
can you compare this light with the TK75 please?

Well, the TK75 is included in the dimensions, summary tables, runtimes and white wall beamshots of this review. Basically, the TK75 gives a slightly wider spill than the MX25L2, with slightly more throw (compared to the standard hard MX25L2). In terms of the beam, it's really only in the foreground where you would notice the wider spill of the TK75. I am still waiting on the Turbo head, but it will likely increase the throw further than the TK75.

Physically, the TK75 is shorter but with a much wider head (again, compared to the standard MX25L2). Overall weight and runtime for comparable output is similar.

I think it really comes down to what sort of interface you prefer between the two lights. See my TK75 review for more details on its interface.

 

[hikingman]

I am really liking this light and the GX version too, which I'd get in neutral. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume there is no SST-90 neutral version LED out there, which means no MX neutral version, right?

 

[selfbuilt]

I am really liking this light and the GX version too, which I'd get in neutral. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume there is no SST-90 neutral version LED out there, which means no MX neutral version, right?

None that I am aware of. But Eagletac is apparently offering the MX25L2 with cool white SBT-90 and SBT-70 emitters (for more throw), according to their spec sheet. No idea who has them in stock, though.

 

[hikingman]

Hello Selfbuilt,

One of your runtime graphs confuses me. The top graph, labeled Output - Stock Cells, shows run times for both Turbo and Hi at 1hr 23 min and 3hr 56min respectively. Then the middle graph shows the turbo runtime again and the 3rd graph shows the Hi run time again, though it is labeled Med Mode. What is the actual Med 190 lumen run time?

 

[selfbuilt]

Then the middle graph shows the turbo runtime again and the 3rd graph shows the Hi run time again, though it is labeled Med Mode. What is the actual Med 190 lumen run time?

I haven't actually done a Med mode runtime on this light. The third figure uses "Med" in the title as that is the mode that most of lights are running in on that graph (i.e., it is a general descriptor of the graph). Each of the MX25L2 runs are correctly labelled for their respective modes.

 

[tatopus]

Hi, selfbuilt!
What about turbohead?)
I can not find the meaning here: the additional 132 meters for $ 120)) plus extremely narrow hotspot...

 

[selfbuilt]

What about turbohead?)
I can not find the meaning here: the additional 132 meters for $ 120)) plus extremely narrow hotspot...

I am still waiting on the Turboheads - they will be apparently be coming with the GX25A3 sample, when it is ready. Hoepfully won't be much longer.

In terms of beam distance, I expect the Eagletac specs are an underestimate. My results on the standard heads all exceeded the ET specs, so I expect the Turboheads will as well. But as for price, I agree that does seem high for just a reflector/head (i.e., no pill/emitter). The GX/SX25A6 Turboheads seem be cheaper (i.e. <$50).

 

[Lurveleven]

If you buy the light with the turbohead, then you pay less for the turbohead (but you don't get the standard head). At GoingGear the price difference is $70 between MX25L2 SBT-90 and MX25L2T Turbo SBT-90.