OLIGHT M2X-UT Javelot(dedomed XM-L2 1020Lm,164kcd)(1x18650/2xCR123A) REVIEW

FlashLion

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Hello
I am happy to present the Olight M2X-UT Javelot-a 1x18650 flashlight specialized for long distance illumination.
The M2X-UT Javelot combines compact single cell body,tactical yet practical design and large,impressive 55mm diameter smooth reflector.
In a picture or in the real life,this flashlight really attracts attention and will not leave you indifferent.
But not only the design is impressive.Olight M2X Javelot is the first flashlight that comes with a factory dedomed LED.
Removing the dome makes the beam more focused due to the smaller emitting area with less scattered light(smaller light source=smaller and more intensive beam hotspot).
Thanks to its LED,the M2X reaches impressive for its size 164000 cd peak beam intensity and 810 meters throw distance.
(I measured 177000 cd, at 3 meters, 30sec after activation;Battery Keeppower 3400; The peak beam intensity may vary,depending on the battery used.)

The review flashlight was provided by Banggood.com in the original packaging and it is not a "special" test flashlight.
16024074830_ee5fa616cf_z.jpg

Body made of aluminum alloy. Matte black anodizing.
Aluminum grip ring.
Normal physical tail switch.


From User Manual


266gr with a 18650 battery

16024083050_cf60f33dfc_z.jpg

Big smooth aluminum reflector.
55mm diameter.

One of my favorite parts of any Olight flashlight.
Extremely transparent and clean glass lens with excellent anti-reflective coating.
Toughened,ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating.
Dedomed Cree XM-L2 LED.


The Big reflector is real pleasure for the eyes :huh:






User Interface

The UI is well known from Olight's M series flashlights.
It is convenient,without anything superfluous.
Three constant light modes,plus hidden Strobe mode.
Turning ON/OFF by a forward clicky switch(momentary On possible) and changing modes by loosening-tightening the head.
Low - Mid - High mode sequence.

Quick access to High mode is also available. Double press the tail switch(one half+one full) to activate High mode.
There is a memory for the last used mode.As usual for Olight it is without any critique-instantly memorizing the last used mode without having to wait a second or three or more...
If your last used mode is Low or Mid and use the quick method to activate High mode,after restarting the light,it will start again on Low or Mid respectively.

10 Hz Strobe mode can be activated only by triple pressing the tail switch.There is no memory for Strobe mode.

The M2X can be powered by 1x18650 or two (R)CR123A batteries.
I tested the flashlight only with a 18650 power source.

The runtime curve has the usual form for a powerful single cell flashlight.
About 3 1/2 minutes on Max brightness,then decreasing the output to 65% of the initial.
The step-down is gradual.Very slowly lowering the output in a period of about two minutes. Absolutely invisible step-down for the eyes.This is something new,that I see for a first time-so slow gradual step down. Really good job on the driver board.
After step down,the output is constant for about 55 minutes.A normal period of time for a single 18650 flashlight.

The M2X is programmed also to flicker(similar to Strobe) when the voltage of the battery is too low.This allows you to use unprotected batteries without worrying of overdischarging.

I tested Olight M2X Javelot with two different 18650 batteries to see how the driver electronics reacts on different battery types.

My lumen measurements
High 960Lm 30sec after activation
Mid 330Lm
Low 24Lm

Green curve-Keeppower 3400mAh
Red curve- Sanyo 2600mAh


This is only the first 10 minutes.
The step down came after 4 minutes with the Sanyo 2600 battery.



16023924218_00d2fdc8f3_z.jpg

Operating the M2X is comfortable. Quite good grip. The battery tube is long enough to allow stable grip.
There is quite enough grooving with the charachteristic shape for Olight.



All three main parts fit so well,you can't see where is the point to unscrew the head.
The M2X's body looks and feels really well build.
Unfortunately there is no any anti-roll design and the flashlight is rolling very easily.:(
There's nothing to stop it.

The cooling fins are machined extremely well.
Smooth,rounded.No sharp edges,at all.
They are important part not only by their look.
They do a great job transfering the heat from the LED to the air outside and keep the temperature in acceptable range.

There is no protective stainless steel bezel at the front.
It's not a good idea to use the M2X as a striking tool.

I doubt there is the hottest surface :)

There is a lanyard hole only on the grip ring,which is made of aluminum.


Tactical tailcap design allows stable tail-standing.


I am usually not pleased with the holsters that come from Olight,but this time I have to admit,the holster is really good.
The M2X fit well. Securelly closing cover.Comfortable to close and open by normal force,not extremly hard to close as seen in other holsters.
Good impact protection.
The bottom is not closed,so that the M2X with extender will fit as well.
There is a velcro tape on the back for easy attaching to a belt or a backpack.




The M2X Javelot comes in a plastic case.
Great option for protecting and easy carrying the flashlight and its accessories.


In the package-Holster,Long paracord lanyard,Spare O-rings,2xCR123A battery carrier,User manual.


All main parts are made of aluminium alloy with good thickness.
The battey tube is not as thick as seen in other flashlights,but this allows decreasing the weight.
Regular triangular cut threads at the head end.
Anodized square cut threads at the tail.
All threads are well made.
The grip ring is not threaded as the grip ring of Olight M22 Warrior.
It is not fixed in place.A second O-ring is used to prevent its free spinning.

Spring at the head.

Everything is machined precisely. No scratches or notches.


Size comparison with Olight SR52 and Olight M22.

Similar reflector with the SR52.



Aluminum reflector.
Dedomed Cree XM-L2 LED.
Perfectly centered LED.

Closeup of the LED
The LED is absolutely clean,without any sign of the silicone dome.

Even closer look


As expected,removing the LED dome leads to color change of the beam to a warmer light,usually with a greenish tint. This effect appears more or less pronounced in different bin LEDs.
The used LED in M2X is a cool white XM-L2 (probably U2).
The tint is not that great,but we get the best output and throw from so compact thrower,so the tint shift is acceptable at some point,as we have to focus on a main goal on this model-an impressive distance of throw.
If you don't compare it to a neutral or pure white light,the tint is not so noticeable,but still the white objects don't look quite white.

All Beam shots here and in all my other reviews are taken with identical(locked) white balance settings on the same camera.
The visible tint will vary depending on the monitor we use for watching,but you can see roughly the difference between all compared flashlights in this review and my other reviews too.

5.5m 1/6sec Low-Mid-High

White wall



Comparison with other trower flashlights.
Olight SR52(~100kcd) ,ThruNite TN32(~200kcd),ThruNite Catapult V5(~100kcd) Neutral White(my favorite beam color,so far) and UFC8 with a dedomed Cree XM-L U3 LED(~45kcd)(just for color comparison)

The hotspot of the M2X's beam is visibly smaller than the other lights and has a "warmer" tint.
The spill is also much darker,which means more light is focused in the hotspot for better throw.
~5.5 meters, 1/6sec




~5.5 meters, 1/50sec


~5.5 meters, 1/200sec




~5.5 meters, 1/500sec


Outdoor Lightsaber Beamshots :cool:


16264873545_3a5fefc21d_z.jpg


Distance ~ 80 meters


At the stems

At the leaves


Dark night.No moon.Foggy weather.

Beam aimed at the stems
I am behind the camera.

Beam pointed at the stems.

I am behind the camera.


Olight M2X Javelot Vs ThruNite Catapult V5


Olight M2X Javelot Vs Olight SR52


Olight M2X Javelot Vs ThruNite TN32

Crop
Olight M2X - Catapult V5 - Olight SR52 - ThruNite TN32
I am behind the camera.
M2X1udDCrop.gif

Click on the picture to see it larger.



Beam aimed at the leaves
I am behind the camera.

Crop


Click on the picture to see it larger.



This is an overexposed picture to see my position.




Crop


Olight M2X Javelot Vs ThruNite Catapult V5


Olight M2X Javelot Vs Olight SR52


Olight M2X Javelot Vs ThruNite TN32


Click on the picture to see it larger.



Distance ~ 170 meters
An overexposed picture,just to check my position.








Click on the picture to see it larger.




Overexposed

Distance ~ 170 meters

Click on the picture to see it larger.










Olight M2X Javelot is defenitely a good choice for ultimate long throw flashlight.
High quality of every part,solid construction.No gaps or loose parts.
Great design.Compact body,easy to carry and use.
Pretty common performance of the driver,excluding the very slow step-down.
The beam is not with that good color rendering,but in return we get the best throw from such a small single 18650 cell thrower.

Thanks for reading!

The M2X Javelot was provided for test and review by webshop Banggood.com
Thanks to their support,people can find different reviews from different reviewers which is always great and helps learning more about the flashlight and deciding,does it meet your preferences or not.
My impression of their servise is only possitive,so far-quick shipping with good,safe packaging.
Check out them for this flashlight and many other great flashlights.
They offer also an extender tube for double 18650 use of the M2X if longer runtime is needed.
 
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druidmars

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Thank you for taking the time. If your outdoor shots are as good as the ones you took, we will have some flashporn to drool on :)
 

Ryp

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Wow that is one clean de-dome. You always have the best photographs, can't wait for beamshots!
 

newbie66

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Good work! :thumbsup:

Really appreciate the time and effort taken to do a review of this impressive light.
 

kj2

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Very slow dealers here in Netherlands....still not available.
Have seen it in person. Distributor was busy with end-of-year business (counting in warehouse, checking stock that sort of stuff). Expect the M2X is his way to dealers that will stock it.
 
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magnum70383

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Mine is going through customs right now! I can't wait to get it to use on my night hikes. I currently use tm26 and tk41. It will sure replace my tk41!
 

darrenosaurus_rex

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May 12, 2007
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Just got my Olight M2X as a birthday present, and it's amazingly bright even in an urban environment. Looking forward to taking it out on a night hike.
 

FlashLion

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I wish my de-domed job was that clean! It works fine though. :)
Image
They have done a really impressive job on my M2X.
If the yellow phosphor is clean,a bit of the dome over the wires will not affect the beam at all.


Mine is going through customs right now! I can't wait to get it to use on my night hikes. I currently use tm26 and tk41. It will sure replace my tk41!
That's great!
The M2X doesn't have so impressive output as the TM26 or TN32,but is easy to carry and throws just enough for almost anything.
Thanks for the photos and review :)
:thumbsup:You're welcome! Enjoy!
 
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FlashLion

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Good work! :thumbsup:

Really appreciate the time and effort taken to do a review of this impressive light.
Thanks

Wow that is one clean de-dome. You always have the best photographs, can't wait for beamshots!
Thanks Ryp! Outdoor Beamshots added!
Thank you for taking the time. If your outdoor shots are as good as the ones you took, we will have some flashporn to drool on :)
:) Thanks druidmars.
Outdoor Beamshots added. Enjoy!
 

Redda

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As others have said, thanks for the AMAZING review! The pics were sweet - even my friend who isn't into flashlights like me was impressed (he's a photography guy).

Do you know if the runtime will not only be longer, but also the output higher for longer, if an extra cell is used?
 

InquisitiveInquirer

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Thank for all your hard work flashlion. This is an excellent review and the beamshots are outsanding. I'm soooooooo close to pulling the trigger on this light.
 

RCLumens

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Thank you FlasLion - excellent review! I'm eyeing the light as I love throw, mostly for fun... I've got an SR96, Nitecore EAX Hammer and Zebralight SC62 for carry, so haveing an ultra pocket (sort to speak) thrower would be great..! I got the Thrunite Hammer to replace my SR52 as it has a wider beam and still throws very good, but not quite as far. Question is which light would you go to first, the SR52, or M2X?? Only thing I wish is that it had a clip like the M3X, but I'm pretty sure i could rig something that would work well..

Cheers and thank you!
RC
 

BeastFlashlight

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That is the cleanest looking flashlight ever, looks like the quality is off the charts. Yes what an incredibly clean looking dedome
 

FlashLion

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Thank for all your hard work flashlion. This is an excellent review and the beamshots are outsanding. I'm soooooooo close to pulling the trigger on this light.
You're welcome!

Thank you FlasLion - excellent review! I'm eyeing the light as I love throw, mostly for fun... I've got an SR96, Nitecore EAX Hammer and Zebralight SC62 for carry, so haveing an ultra pocket (sort to speak) thrower would be great..! I got the Thrunite Hammer to replace my SR52 as it has a wider beam and still throws very good, but not quite as far. Question is which light would you go to first, the SR52, or M2X?? Only thing I wish is that it had a clip like the M3X, but I'm pretty sure i could rig something that would work well..

Cheers and thank you!
RC
Hello
You have some great flashlights!:thumbsup:
I like the cool white beam of the SR52 due to the better color rendition,but the M2X is a better thrower and is more handy.
Lightweight,easy to carry,just one battery,comfortable grip.The rear clicky switch is easier to find/opperate in the dark(with or without gloves).
Definitely will give you more fun in use.
Some other thoughts-
Switching from M2X Javelot to ThruNite TN32 still has a wow effect :eek:oo:,but you know what size and weight is the TN32.
Hope that helps.
 

FlashLion

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As others have said, thanks for the AMAZING review! The pics were sweet - even my friend who isn't into flashlights like me was impressed (he's a photography guy).

Do you know if the runtime will not only be longer, but also the output higher for longer, if an extra cell is used?
:welcome:
Thanks for the comment!

I don't have the extender that I mentioned in the review and will be hard to test the full runtime,but I did some measurements of the initial output with two batteries and also measured the initial current draw.
According to my measurements,there's no significant difference in the output using one or two batteries(4.2V or 8.4V).
The M2X still should step down after ~3,5 minutes,but the max output depends on the voltage,therefore with two batteries you can restart the light to get again the highest possible output,which should be the same as the output on one fresh battery.
The initial/max output on one battery drops along with the battery voltage.
The higher/extra voltage from two batteries(8,4V) allows the driver to maintain max output.
I tested with two Keeppower 16340,but as usual they are too long to tighten the tailcap.The initial output is as measured with a single fully charged 18650.
I measured also with two 18650(while holding the second battery by hand).The same output.
Initial current draw with "fresh" batteries-
1x18650 2,72A
2x16340 1,7A
2x18650 1,62A
 
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