Malkoff recently released a couple of throw heads. The two are similar, and I got the E2XT. It’s a very throwy head and has a nice wide voltage range. Read on for more.

Official Specs and Features

Here’s a link to the official product page.

Versions

A couple of versions of this guy. The E2XT (seen here) and E2XTD head. They’re similar, but the “D” in the one you don’t see here indicates that it’s a direct drive. They are the same price.

Price

The going price for this part (just the head) is $189.99, and it appears to be a sale price. It’s available here.

Short Review

I love this thing. During testing I scavenged another Malkoff body I had for use with the part, but I liked the head enough to procure another body, for use as one of my main handheld throwers.

Long Review

The Big Table

* Measurement disclaimer: I am an amateur flashlight reviewer. I don’t have $10,000 or even $1,000 worth of testing equipment. I test output and such in PVC tubes!! Please consider claims within 10% of what I measure to be perfectly reasonable (accurate, even).

What’s Included

Malkoff E2XT Head

Package and Manual

No manual is included.

Build Quality and Disassembly

The build quality here is unsurprisingly fantastic. Be reminded any body you see this head on isn’t included…. But any E-Series light will work. I happen to have only two – this glossy orange (very limited edition) Malkoff 16650 (or 2xCR123) body, and the other body below.

The head has two silk screened logos. One’s just a Malkoff brand, but the other has useful information – namely the voltage range of the head. (Important because many e-series lights can support various voltages.

This is my other E-series body – also a Malkoff. An MDC. I usually use this with my Nichia 219b head, and I absolutely love it.

The electronics here are potted, and so no changes are going to be made to this one. One great thing about that is that the labels on the body are always accurate.

Much to my surprise after I took all these photos, I found that the head does kind of come apart. The bezel fully unscrews but again, there’s nothing in there to mess with. The optic is exposed, but it’s affixed permanently to cover the LED.

Size and Comps

Tiny thrower, right here! On the MDC 123 body, anyway.

I really like the head on this 16650 body, and that’s what I’ve used mostly.

Retention and Carry

There’s no body included, so no “real” retention. But you’ll have a body, and all my E-Series bodies have pocket clips…

Power and Runtime

The documentation for this head say that the highest output will be achieved with 2xCR123 (aka 6V). I didn’t find that to be the case, and so I just tested the light with a 16650 cell. Since there’s only one output, I tested cooled and uncooled. Not all that much difference between the two.

There doesn’t seem to be any LVP, but for this class light I don’t think you’d really expect it. And there doesn’t seem to be any electronic shutoff at all.

Modes and Currents

Mode Mode Claimed Output (lm) Claimed Runtime Measured Lumens Tailcap Amps 4.2V (16650) 500 – 454 2.21 6.0V (Benchpower) 500 – 448 1.96

PWM

No PWM on the one mode.

For reference, here’s a baseline shot, with all the room lights off and almost nothing hitting the sensor. And here’s the worst PWM light I have ever owned. Also one of the very first lights I ordered directly from China!

User Interface and Operation

The head itself doesn’t have any user interface. You’ll likely pair it with a mechanical clicky, though. Mechanical clicky operation is easy. Click for on. Click again for off. Nothing more to it.

LED and Beam

The emitter is described as a “trade secret.” I’m not really sure what it is, and the optic doesn’t come off so it’s hard to say. I know that some internet sleuths will get it sorted in short order. The optic gives a very good focused beam. The temperature is a 5500K cool white.

These beamshots are always with the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure.

Tint vs BLF-348 (Killzone 219b version)

Test light is on the left.

I compare everything to the Killzone 219b BLF-348, because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!

Random Comparisons and Competitive Options….

Here’s a link to a relevantly filtered page on parametrek.com. I use that site a lot!

Conclusion

What I like

Robust build quality

Single mode light

E-Series makes it suitable for many bodies

Can be turned into a very tiny thrower

What I don’t like

Unspecified emitter

CW and NW isn’t made

Notes

This light was provided by Malkoff for review. I was not paid to write this review.

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