SureFire Maximus

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Ratings Snapshot

4.9

out of 5

5 (7)

4 (1)

3 (0)

2 (0)

1 (0)

Would recommend this product.

100%

SKU: SUR-HS3-A-BK
UPC: 084871318204
Manufacturer: Surefire

I find this headlamp to be excellent, especially for night fishing where I need both hands free. At the recommendation of my friends, I specifically looked for a headlamp from Surefire, and I'm glad I did. This light provides bright illumination when I need it, and I can easily adjust the settings to dim the light when less brightness is required. The headlamp is extremely durable, and the fact that it is rechargeable is a bonus. While Surefire products may be more expensive, I can attest to their quality and reliability as a former soldier who used their products in Iraq. They are definitely worth the investment. Great job, Surefire!

As an avid hunter, camper, and walker, as well as someone who enjoys reading in the dark, I find this headlamp to be a perfect fit for my needs. Its adjustable light allows me to dial in just the right amount of brightness. The only downside is that the batteries are not replaceable. However, despite this minor drawback, I gave it a 5-star rating because of the exceptional customer service from SureFire. They assured me that the batteries have a lifetime warranty and will be replaced for free if they ever stop taking a charge, as long as I'm the original owner. I appreciate their commitment to standing behind their product. Well done, SureFire, and thank you!

I recently purchased the new 1000 lumen model after losing my beloved 500 lumen headlamp. Despite my initial heartbreak, I had planned on upgrading to this model for its enhanced brightness, and I'm pleased with my decision. The new model is 50% brighter than the previous one (to double visible light, lumens must be increased by four times), and having 1000 lumens on your head is an incredible amount of light. What sets this headlamp apart is its exceptional toughness and engineering. It's constructed like a tank and is professional-grade, unlike many other flimsy and cheap headlamps on the market. I use it for various activities such as night biking and hiking, caving (it illuminates large cave chambers but can also be dialed down for tight squeezes), working under my truck, and even vacuuming the carpet because it reveals hidden dirt that ceiling lights obscure. The quality of the light is exceptional due to the optics, producing a clean and even beam regardless of the brightness level. My favorite feature is the brightness adjustment knob. Unlike most headlamps that only offer a few preset brightness settings, this one provides smooth adjustment for infinite brightness adjustability, allowing me to set the brightness precisely for the specific task I'm performing. It may sound cliché, but truly, this headlamp may be the last one you'll ever need to purchase.

As someone who is fond of flashlights, I've owned many headlamps over the years, most of which I purchased at camping stores. While searching for the most powerful headlamp, I discovered the SureFire Maximus and Minimus. Since I prefer rechargeable lights, I chose the Maximus, and I'm extremely pleased with my decision. I wouldn't hesitate to go camping or rafting for a week, knowing the battery would last. The fit and finish of the light exudes quality, and the titanium body feels robust without being overly heavy. The rheostat knob is responsive and easy to use, even with gloves on. However, what sets this headlamp apart is the brightness at full power. It emits a wide swath of intense white light, which can be blinding when aimed at another living being. For most tasks, I use a lower power setting, but when working under the dash of my 1938 Ford Station wagon, I can easily illuminate everything I need to see. If I had a lot of money, I would buy one for all of my friends, but instead, I show it to them, and they experience "light envy" and wind up purchasing one for themselves. In my opinion, this headlamp is the best.

To begin, I must reduce my review by half a star, which Amazon doesn't offer as an option. Let's get the nitpicky details out of the way first: like others have mentioned, it's slightly heavy and could benefit from a top strap (which anyone with some creativity can make), and the charging port's plug falls out occasionally. Considering the price, Surefire should address these last two concerns. However, they can't do much about the weight and still deliver the same light quality. Nevertheless, the remaining aspects of the light are fantastic. The brightness, beam pattern, light color, and battery life are all excellent and as advertised. The construction appears to be robust. I've used it for late-night animal chores, dog walking, and trail hiking. I haven't had the opportunity to utilize the 1000 lumens while cycling at night, but based on its performance elsewhere, it should be excellent. I was looking for a versatile headlamp with enough light to use on my electric bike occasionally, on bike paths, and capable of illuminating far enough ahead to work with the speed I can achieve. This headlamp meets those requirements admirably. Of course, it's not a replacement for good judgment, but buying it was certainly a wise decision.

I've owned numerous high-quality lights from various brands, but Surefire always outshines the competition, except for the cost. Having previously owned a Surefire M3 Combat light and a few Surefire weapon lights, I knew that when I needed a headlamp for a black bear hunt in Northern NH/ME, Surefire was the way to go. I quickly visited Surefire's website, and with Amazon Prime, I had it in my hands within two days, and I love it. When I turned the headlamp to full brightness, it stunned four raccoons with its 500 lumens. Similarly, I shone my Surefire M3 at a coyote from two stories above my backyard patio, and the animal appeared stunned for at least 25-35 seconds, but the Maximus has a much wider beam. I never felt like the light would fall off or was not securely fastened to my head, but the three-point harness lamps that go over the head could be improved upon by Surefire in a future revision or offered as an optional accessory. The lamp can be adjusted to focus the light vertically to avoid blinding your ATV driver/guide when riding tandem in the pitch dark up/down a mountain. One should always be mindful of what they are targeting with this headlamp, but that's not a negative! Another optional accessory I wish Surefire offered, as they do for most lights, are filters. Red filters are terrific at night, and the Maximus's 500 lumens proved more effective than a red filter covered Streamlight LED Strion at startling raccoons. Everyone is always impressed with the performance of Surefire, even though the price is steep, it's well worth it in my opinion.

I've been using the Maximus for a decade now, and it's still functioning well, although the battery doesn't last as long as it used to. However, two indicators of quality for me are the headband, which still has good stretch and strength, and the little rubber battery plug, which remains supple and stays closed. Nevertheless, the light is a bit too heavy, and even with a tightened single strap, it tends to wiggle around when you're moving. Despite accommodating a top strap, Surefire doesn't offer one, so I recently purchased a headband from Fenix with a top strap, and it worked perfectly. Now, I can wear it a little looser, and there are no more issues with movement. The light itself is robust, and the swivel easily moves up and down without budging once set. It uses a standard 12 VDC charger with a typical small 12 v plug, which some people consider proprietary, but I have several 12 VDC chargers with the same plug that work with the light. Adjusting the intensity is smooth and even from nothing to full power, and the large, knurled knob is easy to find. Whenever I have to work in dim lighting, this headlamp is my go-to. It's still so good that I don't really need another one, but I'm strongly tempted to purchase the new model with the upgraded LED and keep this one as a backup. I may have a bit of a problem.

I own several headlights, but this one is my go-to because of its ruggedness and near-infinite brightness control. While it's too bright for close work on full brightness, the extra light output is great for illuminating a large work area. The wide beam is uniform with some fall-off toward the edges, and it doesn't give you tunnel vision like narrow beam lights. However, it won't reach as far as a spot beam. The only downsides are the discomfort caused by the curved surface of the light that rests against my forehead and the front-heavy design. The light bears against my forehead in only the center third of the padded surface, which makes it uncomfortable for extended wear, and the heavy parts in the front make the light droop without a top strap. However, the light's excellent performance warrants a high rating despite the comfort issue. I plan to make a cushion to improve the fit, but it's disappointing that the manufacturer doesn't provide options for differently shaped foreheads. Overall, I rate the light a 4 out of 5.