exposure Maxx D mk3

jonnyboy66uk

Hey all

As a little Christmas treat to myself I am going to purchase a decent front light and get out and enjoy the nights as well as days.. I really like the idea of a self contained unit and have been steered toward the maxx d.. Has anyone got any feedback on them?

i have found them for 259 brand new so just in my budget as well!

Looking forward to your responses..

CraigXXL

I've got the previous 960 lumen MaxxD and it's great, charge it and go. Constant power for the quoted times with a great spread of light. If you're doing lots of singletrack then get a helmet mounted torch to compliment it and you'll be able to fly round them without slowing down.
They aren't as good value as the chinese imports but if you want the quality and reassurance that you can charge it and go enjoy the little time you have to ride without them failing then go for it.

FSR_XC

oofin' bright from what I hear.

A mate has the Mk2 and that is bright. The Mk3 is 250 lumen brighter!

I have the latest Joystick with the Red eye rear light for commuting. It is the brightest rear light I've seen.

Exposure lights are great quality.

bilabonic

I have one on the way and looking for a helmet torch now, not wanting to spend stupid money on one but want it to last.

Any advice o
n one ?

FSR_XC

Forgot to mention that I use the Joystick as a helmet torch for night MTB.

Excellent, versatile light.

All accessories work with both lights too.

supersonic

Have a look at an Ultrafire torch for your helmet ie the 501b XPG.

chris13

239 on Winstanleys. My local shop price matched and they are awesome. Great spread of light and depth of beam is great. Really happy for money

cycle monster

supersonic wrote:

Have a look at an Ultrafire torch for your helmet ie the 501b XPG.

Someone kindly gave me a Hope Vision 2 set for Christmas and now I need a helmet torch. A lottery win aside I won't be able to afford a Diablo for a while so I am in the market for something cheaper. Some of the low price torches on here seem remarkably good value but then you have to buy the battery/charger and helmet mount on top, or am I looking at the wrong websites? £15 to £20 sounds great but when you add £50+ for the bits you need to make it work and it your helmet...

Confused and frustrated, want to get out and ride please light my way!

jonnyboy66uk

That is a good price but its a mk2 version... Can anybody comment on the difference between the mk2 & mk3? Is the extra brightness that noticeable?

Was going to order from ribble today but out of stock at the moment so am going to call tomorrow to see when they are going to be back in stock..

bartimaeus

cycle monster wrote:

supersonic wrote:

Have a look at an Ultrafire torch for your helmet ie the 501b XPG.

£15 to £20 sounds great but when you add £50+ for the bits you need to make it work and it your helmet...!

You need:
Charger - this is £5
Cells - these are £5 for 2 (so a spare)
Mount - this or this for about £1.50 each.

So for £25 you get this... (lid not included) - and of course additional lights cost you £15-£20 as you already have a charger.

diy

jonnyboy66uk wrote:

That is a good price but its a mk2 version... Can anybody comment on the difference between the mk2 & mk3? Is the extra brightness that noticeable?

Mk2 = Seoul P4 x 4 (>4 year old tech)
Mk3 = CREE XPG x 4 (<2 year old tech)

XPG is an order of magnitude better than the old P4. Mk3 just about cost justified at 250-300, Mk2 Junk unless under 100 quid.

Personally I can't see the benefit of all that light (approx 1200+ lumen) in one unit, which is fixed, with built in batteries that you cannot change when they fault.. Better in my view to have a couple of 300-500 lumen units, giving better light adjustment and no single point of failure.

Would be good also if it had a parallel/serial switch for the piggyback, then you get greater flexibility.

cycle monster

Bartimaeus wrote:

cycle monster wrote:

supersonic wrote:

Have a look at an Ultrafire torch for your helmet ie the 501b XPG.

£15 to £20 sounds great but when you add £50+ for the bits you need to make it work and it your helmet...!

You need:
Charger - this is £5
Cells - these are £5 for 2 (so a spare)
Mount - this or this for about £1.50 each.

So for £25 you get this... (lid not included) - and of course additional lights cost you £15-£20 as you already have a charger.

Excellent, thanks very much!

diy

Had a think about this - still can't see how people can justify the price tag, its nearly 200 quid more expensive than the equiv. torch set up, which will produce more light, be more flexible and give longer run times. I think 150-200 quid is the max price someone should consider for purpose built unit with a better warranty .

If it had 4 XM-L chips or ran the XPGs at 1.5 AMP, had a variable driver, then it might be worth a look..

when I see them I just see albeit in a better quality bean tin.

badcav203

I have one (Mk.3). First off, let me say it is a very good light. The optics are excellent, the light spread perfect and well, it's certainly bright enough. It's lightweight, compact, and very well made. Carries a 2 year warrenty, and lifetime warrenty on the LED's. Exposures customer service is first rate, although having never experienced this myself, just browse the net.
Also, i'd like to point out comments in regards to not being able to replace the cells. Granted you can't do this yourself, but exposure will do it for you. Of course at the cost of repair, but thats to be expected. You'd still have to buy your replacment lipo cells for your DIY unit anyways.

Secondly, you get the real impression time has gone into making this light fit for purpose. It's easy to use, can be quickly dipped if hitting a road section or riding with others. The smart port add-ons are a nice idea, and It just works! Hassle free, out of the box. Clips on and unclips effortlessly, yet never budging when hamering the trail.

I do however agree that it is an exceptionally high price that deep down I don't think I'll every truely be able to justify. In the same way that I love my iPhone4, but had I have bought it myself could never justify the £500 price tag.

I read so many comments about the price of cycle lights and how much cheaper you can make DIY units. One of my own observations is comparing this 1200 lumens light to my 700 lumen Terralux Mag light, and the torch seems far brighter when pointing at a flat surface ahead of you. But get into some wooded areas and well, the torch just doesn't compare. The way the light pattern spreads from the maxx-d gives a real nice coverage. The other thing to note is the colour of the light emitted. Its real easy on the eyes, and really enables you to see those overhanging branches.
The point I'm trying to make is that out and out brightness really is not a method of comparing a bike light to a torch. I agree it is cheap to make hugely bright DIY lights, and this has been proven many times, but in the real world compared to specifically designed product, your just kidding yourself.
The torch may be bright, but IMO the spread will be rubbish for cycling use unless of course you want to go through the hassle of getting the optics right. Of course I'm sure this can be done, but I want to ride my bike, not play about with building DIY light units.

I was previously running a set of Blackburn X8SL before this light. An underated lightset IMO. This was £150 when new and, far cheaper than the equivilants from other companies at the time. This had a much lower output, which was OK to begin with but didn't cut it for when the riding got technical. I then upgraded the LED's,which raised the output to approx 500 lumens, at £9 +p&p. A bargin really, but afterall I already had proper lamp units and setup optics.
1. Is the Maxx-d really any better, or has it enabled me to achieve that much more? Put simply, no not really. The other lights done their job, and very well at that. I certainly had no major complaints, and never felt that the lights were really holding me back. Yes, I do feel the Maxx-d is better and of course the extra 500+ lumens is more benifical.
2. Has it made fitting and removing the light easier and more convenient? Yes, and this TBH was one of my main reasons for the change.

One of my biggest complaints about the majority of light sets is the seperate battery packs. i can see why this may be an advantage for racing, but for the general consumer it's just pants. having this horible battery strapped to your frame! The other important point for me is the burn time. I wanted an all-in-one cable free light, so was already sold on the exposure products. I had also demo'd an older race version rated at 480lumens which i liked. I was originally going to buy the Mk.5 Race. The reason I went for the Mk.3 Maxx-d over the the Mk.5 Race, is the fact I can run this light on the medium setting which is still brighter than the Race, but lasts 2 hours longer.
The question I asked myself was this. Is the cost justified? No. However, Is it worth paying £200 for a light that may not be enough on full power and lasts 3 hours, when the Maxx-d is £50 more, on half power is brighter, and lasts 2.5 hours longer.

I am happy with my purchse. If you can afford it then go for it. The complete package is brilliant and I'm sure you will be very pleased with it. I do agree though that the normal minded person i.e. Mr Average will never properly justify this, but why just make do with what you've got.
I also run a Mk.5 Joystick as a helmet light unit. The two work so well together as the light colours blend, so no hot spots in front of you on the trail.

diy

A really good thorough review.. So conclusion is good quality but very expensive.

I don't think its fair to compare against a single torch unit. Obviously a single cell P7, is not going to have the spread or flexibility of the Mk III. I'd be interested to see if anyone had compared it to the magic shine 1400, as given the similar output and design, I would expect it to be very similar, even though its only 1/3rd of the price.

My experience of night riding is that just like we have DH, AM, XC, bikes, to suit different riding, we also need different setups for the conditions. Once you have lights pushing 1K+ lumen its all about flexibility to adjust the beam and spread, which is not about optics, its about multiple units.

badcav203

Agreed, a fantastic product over shaddowed by a big price tag.

However in regards to comparing to a torch. Was it not mentioned that DIY units or those of torch conversions/adaptations to purpose are far cheaper.
I was simply staging this as a real world direct reason why a specific light built for purpose may be better. This is however my own experience with items I have. Also, just one other thing the terralux Mag conversion has 3 LED emitters contained within it's head not 1.

In regards to the Magicshine, I was very interested in these and for the price then wow, bargin. From what I have seen these are very good, but obviously this is a judgement made in reflection to the price. Of course, if people had paid £200+ for their Magic shine lights I'm sure there would be a few more complaints.
Mtbr reviewed the single lamp unit, and the video is on YouTube. They compared It to the lupine version that is was copied from, and again said for the money it's a fantastic buy. One thing that was mentioned though when comparing the two, the optics and how the light spreads nicely with even coverage from the Lupine and how the Magicshine is far more concentrated giving one bright hot spot in the center . This however still doesn't justify a price tag of 6 or 7 times more for the Lupine.
There were 2 reasons I didn't personally bother. 1. It still uses a seperate battery pack. As mentioned above, something I wasn't keen on.
2. The burn time. It's still not that great.

Unfortunatly irrespective as to what people believe particularly when referring to batteries be it Nicd, NiMh, liPo or later generation of liFe there is a big difference between good and bad cells. I have experienced this over the last 15 years through my interest in Radio control models, from full 3d aerobatic airplanes, to racing scale touring cars both at national level. Cheaper cells just don't perform and fail sooner. The price of better quality batteries has all ways been higher regardless of format or application (tesco vs duracell), and I believe this is the reason why what the Market classes the better brands I.e. Lupine, exposure, hope etc carry the higher price tags, and why the cheaper alternatives won't last.

I have no complaints at all with the exposure unit. Only that the price is perhaps a little high. However, if it was cheaper but didn't perform so well would I be so happy. So all in all I think you get what you pay for. Maybe in 3 or 4 years time if the unit is still performing well as with reports from other Exposure lights of the past, then the cost will be justified. That is only a question time can answer.

I still stand by my coments that a specifically designed unit will work better. I went from two separate independently adjustable lamp units to the one exposure unit and still believe the light spread and coverage to be better. I honestly don't need to be able to adjust it at all thus rendering the 'flexibility' of separate units, at least in my case obsolete.

Regards,

supersonic

But how 'specifically designed' does it have to be, and what does that mean exactly? Given that some people like quite different beam spreads, outputs, battery packs etc etc. And is obvious that two p7 torches give many people specifically what they require.

badcav203

supersonic wrote:

But how 'specifically designed' does it have to be, and what does that mean exactly? Given that some people like quite different beam spreads, outputs, battery packs etc etc. And is obvious that two p7 torches give many people specifically what they require.

How can you possibly question this? A product designed and sold for a specific purpose, i.e. a cycle light opposed to a torch. :roll: Both in theory do the same job, but each has a principal purpose that is put first in its design.
Would you say you can use a skateboarding/snowboarding helmet for XC riding? Yes. Will it be more benefical to use a helmet designed for purpose i.e. an XC helmet?
Both of the above do the same job, protecting your noggin, but which would be better suited?

It's is a buyers market after all, and you can never please everyone, and someone will always argue that their way is better. As you say, everyone has their own tastes and therefore would chose what suits them best.

Tell me why it 'is obvious that two p7 torches give many people specifically what they require'? And how would this be of benefit to me, other than the fact it is cheaper. Price is not a factor in performance.

The OP was asking in regards to the performance of a product not the cost afterall.

supersonic

How can you possibly question this?

Very easily! Let me rephrase it - why is your specifically designed light for bike riding any more specifically designed than someone who has put together a set of lights specifically for bike riding after researching all the options? Just because a company says it is a specific design is no indication it is better suited for some people. You even allude to this yourself:

everyone has their own tastes and therefore would chose what suits them best.

While the exposure has some features you like, but many may not. The comparison with helmets and others is not really relevant here.

Tell me why it 'is obvious that two p7 torches give many people specifically what they require'?

Just read the What Lights thread. Many have this option, and it works very well for them.

And how would this be of benefit to me, other than the fact it is cheaper

It may not be - that is kind of the point. What you think is a good specific design for a cause may not be somebody elses. Add into that that even other non DIY lights from other brands vary in how they execute the design, then I think the term is rather an ambiguous one in the context of that they ust be 'better'.

The OP was asking in regards to the performance of a product not the cost afterall.

And that is still a subjective opinion I can see why you like them, you wrote a good review above. But they are just not for some people.

badcav203

Agreed.
The statement writen may been ambiguous. I should have said, for me the maxx-d is a better option with it's out of the box setup, and in my experience using the items I have the Maxx-d produces a prefered light beam pattern.

gonga

badcav203 wrote:

Agreed.
The statement writen may been ambiguous. I should have said, for me the maxx-d is a better option with it's out of the box setup, and in my experience using the items I have the Maxx-d produces a prefered light beam pattern.

out of the box set up?

How is that a different setup to the torch option?
Hmm...
bolt light to handle bars with mount then ride, simples
Unless you mean the great feature of being able to swap the battery as and when?

badcav203

I give up. Bye bye.

diy

I think the maxx-d is a highly compromised design irrelevant of the price tag. I don't think it can be regarded as specialised for off-road other than its bright. It is no different in design to a standard 12 quid bike light. Its just ultra-bright and long running.

It doesn't give me directional lighting, I need a second source for that
The lights are too close together to reduce shadowing, I need a dual light source set wide a part (car headlight style) to do that. I have ridden many different motorbikes and single headlight bikes, even with illegal 100w bulbs don't support the way our vision works as well as a twin headlight bikes. The wider apart the better they work.

I can't adjust the 4 LEDs independently of each other. So for example having the left and right set wider or narrower or the near and far adjusted without impacting the others. That is a big big weakness in my view. I can't change the power individually, so for example setting the left and right on low mode etc.
I still need a backup.

Interestingly I spotted a chap out the other day with 2 maxx-ds on the bars and an exposure on the lid. I think this setup would address the limitations.

CraigXXL

I too have the MaxxD and very impressed with it. I bought it as time is more limited to me than money and switch on and go reliability means when I do get chance to ride I can with the condidence that my kit will work. I did look at the Trout light but supply was low and required sourcing batteries and a degree of self assembly which I don't have the time or the skills for either.
DIY, I listen to what you say but I've not had a problem with shadows or light spread and find it ideal to use but also use the Joystick for a focused beam. A dual lens system may give a more tailored spread of light but for the narrow tracks I ride it's more than enough light and a directional light is better on the helmet where I am looking than on the bars. I have used 2 p7 torches mounted on the bars and found it disappointing, my mate on the other hand using my bike and lighting loved it even without the helmet light.
At the end of the day it's down to the requirements of the user and their budget.

jonnyboy66uk

Badcav,

A truly great product review, Thankyou for the effort. The main point that appealed to me was the fact that it is an all in one self contained unit and yes i appreciate the fact that the cells will suffer degredation, but for me i would rather have the convenience of teh self contained unit and the excellent back up service that i have read so much about.

For the time being I have ordered an ultrafire torch for work purposes to have an experiment with and will see how this goes and when i can find teh maxx d mk3 for 250 delivered i will take the plunge.

Then i will be able to enjoy year round cycling... So excited about it already!!

jonnyboy66uk

Right, So i thought about buying an exposure maxx d but after some thinking for this year i thought i would try night riding with some cheaper equipment to see if it appeals.. So i purchased an ultrafire 501b and an MTE ssc p7 lamp from lumen junkies, everything for £60 and tonight i went for my first proper night ride ....

I loved it, And to be honest at the moment for what i do and where i live these lights are more than ideal. Living in oxford the terrian is pretty tame, so i am well pleased with the above torches for £60. I get at least 3hrs burn time and a good light spread. These are an absolute bargain and i have since bought 5 more for my guys at work.. A truly great bargain!

Although if i were doing something a bit more serious then i would want some more light! trouble is i dont want the summer to come now!

diy

Great to hear that.. one thing worries me and its not that you paid £20 more than you needed to its comment about buying these lights for work. If you are the employer, you have a problem. These lights (or more importantly the chargers and cells) could leave you in trouble if you get any injuries as a result of charging etc. Very very low risk, but if you are the employer, big risk.

If they are just work mates, just make sure they understand the basics of Li-ion cells

kernowsoul

I took out an exposure toro and a diablo mounted on the helmet today. My local shop has demo units. I have to say they were awesome. I did a bit of experimenting with only the bar light and only the head light and found that the best combination was the bar light on full and the head light on medium power.

My friend had a bar mounted unit and a regular head torch and he struggled to keep up especially through the twisty single track sections. By the end of the ride I was going almost as fast as I do in the day in tough technical muddy conditions.

Next week I'm going to take out a Maxx D and a joystick for comparison then decide what to get. I'm wondering if it's worth getting a joystick at all because the diablo is only slightly more expensive but looks to be much more powerful than the joystick even on the medium power setting while also having the option to go even brighter if needed.

Long_Time_Lurker

I have a Toro - a friend has the MaxxD. The difference is huge.
My friends thought I had one of the brightest lights in existence (they have P7s and one has a Sigma Karma Pro), until my mate turned up with his new light!
It's like he has the sun strapped to your handlebars.

supersonic

Others may disagree but I think the Joystick is an absolute joke for the money. Is basically an XPG LED, with a non replacable battery.

12 quid:

http://www.bestofferbuy.com/ultrafire-w ... rrency=GBP

Spend 10 quid on 2 cells, a mount and a charger and for just over 20 quid and a 1/7th the price of a Joystick. Just as bright.

jonnyboy66uk

Totally agree with supersonic... Ultrafire all the way, just make sure you get the XPG Cree R5 LED and that will pump out well over 300 Lumens and use a decent cell (Asucell) and that will give 3+ hours of burn time.