THE TALONS ARE COMING! | Maven Filters Mini, Pro & Max
My name is Keith Alexander Bailey. Today, I want to share an unexpected story about Maven Filters. A few months ago,, I received a heavy parcel in the mail. I already had some awareness of two upcoming products—the Talon Max and Talon Mini—new additions to the Maven Filter photography lineup, but I wasn’t fully prepared for what was inside.
Before opening the package, I was under a strict NDA: no sharing, no third-party use, and no photography of the products. The Talon Max immediately stood out—larger, solid in hand, and built around a powerful 5600K LED. Alongside it was the Talon Mini, weighing just 6.5 grams—extremely lightweight and easy to carry anywhere.
What really caught my attention were the adjustable LED arms. They can be turned, twisted, and positioned exactly where needed, though I handled them carefully since these were still prototype units. Over the past few weeks, both lights have proven to be reliable tools for both video and photography.
Before opening the package, I was under a strict NDA: no sharing, no third-party use, and no photography of the products. The Talon Max immediately stood out—larger, solid in hand, and built around a powerful 5600K LED. Alongside it was the Talon Mini, weighing just 6.5 grams—extremely lightweight and easy to carry anywhere.
What really caught my attention were the adjustable LED arms. They can be turned, twisted, and positioned exactly where needed, though I handled them carefully since these were still prototype units. Over the past few weeks, both lights have proven to be reliable tools for both video and photography.
I also pushed them beyond controlled setups into real-world use. I used the Max to light up my storage unit, bring visibility to dark outdoor areas at night, and even during casual hangouts at the park. The Mini, on the other hand, is ideal for vlogging and macro photography. It won’t compete with direct sunlight, but it performs well in shaded or low-light environments. Both lights also feature magnetic mounting, which makes them practical for hands-free tasks—whether searching through a garage or working on a car.
The Talon Mini is constructed primarily from plastic, and in my experience, it has held up well under regular use. The Talon Max, however, is noticeably heavier and combines two materials: plastic and aluminum, giving it a more robust feel overall. During extended daily testing of the Max, I noticed the prototype display was fairly minimal. It only showed the 5600K color temperature and battery level, represented by a basic four-bar indicator,
with no precise percentage readout.
As mentioned earlier, this is still a prototype unit, so some features may change in the final production version. Overall, the Talon Max performed consistently well during my testing period of 30 days or more,
handling regular use without issue.
The Talon Mini is constructed primarily from plastic, and in my experience, it has held up well under regular use. The Talon Max, however, is noticeably heavier and combines two materials: plastic and aluminum, giving it a more robust feel overall. During extended daily testing of the Max, I noticed the prototype display was fairly minimal. It only showed the 5600K color temperature and battery level, represented by a basic four-bar indicator,
with no precise percentage readout.
As mentioned earlier, this is still a prototype unit, so some features may change in the final production version. Overall, the Talon Max performed consistently well during my testing period of 30 days or more,
handling regular use without issue.
The Talon Max charging behavior was a bit more complex, likely because it was still a prototype. During charging, I observed it initially drawing around 12.3 watts, then gradually throttling down to 10.2-9.4 watts. Once the battery reached around 80%, the power draw dropped further to roughly 4.5–5 watts. As this is still a prototype unit, these charging characteristics may be refined or optimized in the final production version.
The Talon Mini includes a protective case, though it is still unclear whether multiple color options will be available or if it will ship in a single standard design.
In my testing,
the Mini charged at approximately 11.3 watts and reached a full charge in about 1 hour and 23 minutes.
Once fully charged, it was capable of lasting throughout an entire day of regular use.
The Max - Each Light features six panels with 16 LED per panel,
Creating a well distribute and consistent light output.
Covering the LEDs is a soft diffusion layer, which helps smooth
and softens the light and also reduces harshness and produces a more even Illumination.
For the Talon Mini, each unit features six panels with 10 LEDs per panel. Like it’s compact,
In my testing,
the Mini charged at approximately 11.3 watts and reached a full charge in about 1 hour and 23 minutes.
Once fully charged, it was capable of lasting throughout an entire day of regular use.
The Max - Each Light features six panels with 16 LED per panel,
Creating a well distribute and consistent light output.
Covering the LEDs is a soft diffusion layer, which helps smooth
and softens the light and also reduces harshness and produces a more even Illumination.
For the Talon Mini, each unit features six panels with 10 LEDs per panel. Like it’s compact,
- This set up, provide a well distribute and consistent light.
WATCH THE FULL REVIEW HERE
My usage of both Talon devices has been fairly universal. Beyond photography and filming, they’ve proven useful for everyday tasks as well. In many ways, they feel like they could function as a practical household tool. With their magnetic mounting and portable design, they’re also well-suited as mechanic-style LED work lights—easily attachable wherever needed. This kind of flexibility suggests they could be useful in a wide range of situations, including camping or other low-light environments where reliable lighting is essential.
From my perspective, having experienced a short period of homelessness in the past, I also recognize how valuable a compact, rechargeable light like this can be in real-world conditions where access to consistent lighting isn’t guaranteed. As long as it can be charged, it becomes an incredibly practical tool.
Overall, I find the concept extremely useful and well thought out.
From my perspective, having experienced a short period of homelessness in the past, I also recognize how valuable a compact, rechargeable light like this can be in real-world conditions where access to consistent lighting isn’t guaranteed. As long as it can be charged, it becomes an incredibly practical tool.
Overall, I find the concept extremely useful and well thought out.
One of the features I really appreciate on both products is the articulated LED arm, which can rotate and adjust to help direct and spread light exactly where it’s needed. Both units are rechargeable, and while the design may not appear overly flashy to some, it doesn’t necessarily need to be. The build feels intentional—distinct in both look and handling.
LED lighting technology has clearly improved over time. Some may argue that a fixed 5600K daylight temperature is limiting, and in a sense, that’s true. However, that consistent output is still highly effective for lighting up rooms, work areas, or outdoor spaces when needed. My main challenge with the prototype units was charging time, and I hope the final version introduces faster charging capabilities.
LED lighting technology has clearly improved over time. Some may argue that a fixed 5600K daylight temperature is limiting, and in a sense, that’s true. However, that consistent output is still highly effective for lighting up rooms, work areas, or outdoor spaces when needed. My main challenge with the prototype units was charging time, and I hope the final version introduces faster charging capabilities.
In terms of durability, I would still recommend handling these devices with care, even in their final form. The Talon Mini is made primarily from plastic, but in my experience, it has held up well despite being dropped multiple times. The Talon Max, however, has proven to be significantly more rugged. It was accidentally knocked off a monopod during heavy wind conditions and fell from roughly seven feet onto a hard surface. Despite the impact, it continued to function normally, which speaks to the stronger construction of the Max compared to the Mini.
I do have a few caveats regarding the brightness control, specifically the dial. I hope this is refined in the final version to make it more intuitive and easier to adjust, although I understand this is still a prototype,
so I’m taking it with a grain of salt.
I’ve now been testing these products for over 21 days, and overall, I’ve enjoyed using them. However, there are limitations when it comes to brightness output. They are not designed to compete with full daylight conditions or strong direct sunlight, so they won’t replace natural light in those environments.
I do have a few caveats regarding the brightness control, specifically the dial. I hope this is refined in the final version to make it more intuitive and easier to adjust, although I understand this is still a prototype,
so I’m taking it with a grain of salt.
I’ve now been testing these products for over 21 days, and overall, I’ve enjoyed using them. However, there are limitations when it comes to brightness output. They are not designed to compete with full daylight conditions or strong direct sunlight, so they won’t replace natural light in those environments.
In my experience, they work best for golden-hour-style lighting, indoor setups, or controlled studio use. If you’re planning to use them outdoors, I would strongly recommend doing so in shaded areas or on cloudy days,
where the LED output is more effective and visible.
Both products use USB-C for charging and come included with a USB-A to USB-C cable. The cable itself feels durable and well-built, which suggests it is designed for regular use without easily wearing out.
Based on my observations, the devices appear to support charging speeds of around 10 watts,
which is consistent with their overall power profile.
where the LED output is more effective and visible.
Both products use USB-C for charging and come included with a USB-A to USB-C cable. The cable itself feels durable and well-built, which suggests it is designed for regular use without easily wearing out.
Based on my observations, the devices appear to support charging speeds of around 10 watts,
which is consistent with their overall power profile.
My Final Thoughts on the Talon Prototype
As I wrap up my thoughts on the Talon Max and Talon Mini,
I want to speak directly to anyone considering supporting this project on Kickstarter.
I’ve had the opportunity to test these lights extensively over the past several months, using them in real-world situations rather than simply taking them out of the box for a quick first impression. I’ve used them for photography, video, vlogging, macro work, studio setups, outdoor situations, dark environments, and everyday lighting needs.
What stood out to me most was their versatility. The Talons are compact and portable, but I found myself using them for far more than I originally expected. They can be useful for photographers and filmmakers, but I can also see applications for content creators, travelers, and everyday users who simply want a portable lighting solution nearby.
I also want to be transparent with the Kickstarter community: the units I tested were prototypes. The final production versions may look, feel, or perform differently once the product reaches the market. My thoughts are based entirely on my hands-on experience with the prototypes I received.
I’ve put these lights through months of regular use because I wanted to see what they could actually handle over time. That experience has given me a much better understanding
of the Talon system than I could have gotten from a single-day test.
I’ve also documented my experience in a two-part video review, where I go deeper into the testing process, how I used the lights, and how the prototypes held up during extended use.
Ultimately, I’m just one tester sharing my experience. I’m not here to tell you what the final product will be—I’m here to show you what I experienced with the prototypes and why I believe the Talon project has potential.
If you’re considering supporting the Talon Max and Talon Mini on Kickstarter, I hope my testing gives you another perspective to consider before making that decision.
Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts and for following along with my experience testing the Talon system.
.
I want to speak directly to anyone considering supporting this project on Kickstarter.
I’ve had the opportunity to test these lights extensively over the past several months, using them in real-world situations rather than simply taking them out of the box for a quick first impression. I’ve used them for photography, video, vlogging, macro work, studio setups, outdoor situations, dark environments, and everyday lighting needs.
What stood out to me most was their versatility. The Talons are compact and portable, but I found myself using them for far more than I originally expected. They can be useful for photographers and filmmakers, but I can also see applications for content creators, travelers, and everyday users who simply want a portable lighting solution nearby.
I also want to be transparent with the Kickstarter community: the units I tested were prototypes. The final production versions may look, feel, or perform differently once the product reaches the market. My thoughts are based entirely on my hands-on experience with the prototypes I received.
I’ve put these lights through months of regular use because I wanted to see what they could actually handle over time. That experience has given me a much better understanding
of the Talon system than I could have gotten from a single-day test.
I’ve also documented my experience in a two-part video review, where I go deeper into the testing process, how I used the lights, and how the prototypes held up during extended use.
Ultimately, I’m just one tester sharing my experience. I’m not here to tell you what the final product will be—I’m here to show you what I experienced with the prototypes and why I believe the Talon project has potential.
If you’re considering supporting the Talon Max and Talon Mini on Kickstarter, I hope my testing gives you another perspective to consider before making that decision.
Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts and for following along with my experience testing the Talon system.
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