Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - UPDATE: Details of new holster from Lumapower

[whc]

Just got the brand new Lumapower M1 tactical, the latest version of the M1 series.

Shipping took two days, paid extra for EMS express mail, well worth the extra $30, if you like me don't want to wait about a week for normal registered mail shipping (the free ship).

What an awesome update, nice tactically switch, my personally favourite kind (press for momentary, twist for constant on), in the package there is a normal reverse clicky included, so there is some for both kind of taste .

It comes in a nice gift box, it is well protected for the abuse from post offices and postmen and so on, mine came without a scratch, and no damage to the box it self. Inside you find a smooth reflector (is you bought the $99 pre order like me, with both reflectors), the OP-Type is pre installed, also the reverse clicky switch mount, extra o-rings, and a GID tail cap cover.

The length of the flashlight has increased since the older version, to make room for an even deeper reflector, and a better connection for flat head 18650 batteries, plus the different kind of outer tail cap design. Overall the extra length is a plus for tactical operation, and I find it very nice to hold in hand.

The new design to the tail cap, makes the flashlight stand even better on its tail, and now there is room for an optional lanyard, or wrist strap, much welcome I think.

You can get this directly from Lumapower here: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=138703
Or from batteryJunction here: http://batteryjunction.com/lumahunterm1.html
For more dealers go to: http://www.lumapower.com/

Now to some pictures, enjoy .

From left: Old M1, Tactical M1, Tactical M1, Old M1

Top: Old M1, Bottom: Tactical M1

Left: Tactical M1, Right: Old M1

Left: Old M1, Right: Tactical M1

Now to some beamshots, all from a distance of 1m, all using 1x18650 3.7v Li-Ion battery, and all on high.

Left: Tactical M1 Smooth, Right: Tactical M1 OP-Type

Left: Tactical M1 Smooth, Right: Tactical M1 OP-Type, 2-Stops underexposed

Left: Old M1 Smooth, Right: Tactical M1 Smooth

Left: Old M1 Smooth, Right: Tactical M1 Smooth, 2-Stops underexposed

Left: Old M1 OP-Type, Right: Tactical M1 OP-Type

Left: Old M1 OP-Type, Right: Tactical M1 OP-Type, 2-Stops underexposed

Left: Old M1 SSC P4 OP-Type, Right: Tactical M1 OP-Type

Left: Old M1 SSC P4 OP-Type, Right: Tactical M1 OP-Type, 2-Stops underexposed

Left: LP-Mini OP-Type, Right: Tactical M1 OP-Type

Left: LP-Mini OP-Type, Right: Tactical M1 OP-Type, 2-Stops underexposed

Here is some Lux reading of Overall Output:

Lumapower Tactical M1:
1x18650 3.7v OP on high: 7770 Lux
1x18650 3.7v SM on high: 8140 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v OP on high: 8130 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v SM on high: 8250 Lux

Here is some Lux reading at 1m in Throw:

Lumapower Tactical M1:
1x18650 3.7v OP on high: 4940 Lux
1x18650 3.7v SM on high: 7150 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v OP on high: 5070 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v SM on high: 7390 Lux


Now just for compare, here is som Lux readings from other flashlights.

Lux reading of Overall Output:

Amilite T5:
1xRCR123A 3.0v on high: 8340 Lux
1xRCR123A 3.7v on high: 10910 Lux
Fenix L1D-CE:
1xAA Ni-Mh on turbo: 3990 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on high: 3770 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on medium: 1910 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on low: 430 Lux
1x14500 Li-ion on turbo: 8240 Lux
Led-Lenser Hokus Fokus:
3xAAA Ni-Mh: 4850 Lux
Lumapower M1:
1x18650 XR-E OP on high: 8140 Lux
1x18650 XR-E OP on low: 1640 Lux
1x18650 XR-E SM on high: 6460 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v XR-E SM on high: 8630 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v XR-E OP on high: 8950 Lux
1x18650 SSC P4 OP: 5540 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v SSC P4 OP: 8230 Lux
Lumapower LP-Mini:
1xRCR123A 3.7v OP: 7810 Lux
Lumapower M3:
1xAA Ni-Mh on high: 3640 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on medium: 1270 Lux
1xAA Ni-Mh on low: 40 Lux
2xAA Ni-Mh on high: 4300 Lux
2xAA Ni-Mh on medium: 1310 Lux
2xAA Ni-Mh on low: 350 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on high: 5880 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on medium: 3020 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on low: 690 Lux
1xRCR123A 3.7v on high: 4390 Lux
1xRCR123A 3.7v on medium: 2940 Lux
1xRCR123A 3.7v on low: 680 Lux
Nuwai X-3:
2xAA Ni-Mh: 3020 Lux
Ultrafire WF-500L:
2x18650 3.7v: 4660 Lux

Lux reading at 1m in Throw:

Amilite T5:
1xRCR123A 3.0v on high: 2520 Lux
1xRCR123A 3.7v on high: 3260 Lux
Fenix L1D CE:
1xAA Ni-Mh on turbo: 1460 Lux
1x14500 Li-ion on turbo: 3150 Lux
Led-Lenser Hokus Fokus:
3xAAA Ni-Mh: 4460 Lux
Lumapower M1:
1x18650 XR-E OP on high: 4820 Lux
1x18650 XR-E SM on high: 5140 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v XR-E OP: 5500 Lux
2xRCR123A 3.7v XR-E SM: 6760 Lux
Lumapower M3:
1xAA Ni-Mh on high: 1240 Lux
2xAA Ni-Mh on high: 1530 Lux
1x14500 Li-Ion on high: 1980 Lux
1xRCR123A 3.7v on high: 1550 Lux
Lumapower Lp-Mini:
1xRCR123A 3.7v OP: 4700 Lux
Nuwai X-3:
2xAA Ni-Mh: 1340 Lux
Ultrafire WF-500L:
2x18650 3.7v: 4710 Lux

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UPDATE: Details of new holster from Lumapower

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[Frank_Zuccarini]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

Wow!!

Thanks for the review and all the photos. Very nice light, indeed.

Frank

 

[ricecookery]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

Thanks for the photos and review. You have a nice collection of M1s there... Sorta makes me jelous

Now I really can't wait to get my TacM1.

 

[lumapower]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

Hi William,

Great photos and reviews with comparasion.

Thank you.

Ricky - Lumapower Team

 

[T4R06]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

as i look on the new M1, seems like 18650 has more room on the battery compartment.
very nice light.

@whc - pm

 

[orbital]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

Very Nice!!

 

[aurich_]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

wow, nice review of a nice light. makes me a bit jealous havin "only" the old M1.

 

[paxxus]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

Well done! Can't wait to get mine.

 

[whc]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

Just updated the list of lux readings, to include the old M1 with smooth reflector (SM) .

Man the more I use the tactical M1, I realise how much I have bean missing a tactical switch. For my momentary lightning which I do most of the time, a reverse clicky quickly becomes a pain in the a** . This tactical M1 together with my old M1 SSC P4, I got throw and flood, nice, I rarely uses the smooth reflectors, but just some time when need some extra throw I find the smooth one in my drawer (I have two of both kinds of M1, one for smooth and one for OP, I am not a big fan of changing the reflector).

I can only recommend this new M1, a very good flashlight to throw your money at, if you are looking for tactical feature flashlight. The only thing that I found to be a problem so farm is that the LED in one of the tactical flashlights I own is not 100% perfectly centred, not too bad, but enough to make the famous XR-E ring off centre, and if you are a perfectionist like me, that is irritating ...

I am now waiting for the holsters for M1, ordered two of them, and am looking forward to see what Lumapower has come up with, will get back on that...

 

[2xTrinity]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

Is the switch from the Tactical M1 interchangeable with the older (Reverse clicky) M1? If so I'd like to buy the switch for mine -- it's one of my favorite lights, and it sounds like that would be a big improvement.

 

[whc]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

Is the switch from the Tactical M1 interchangeable with the older (Reverse clicky) M1? If so I'd like to buy the switch for mine -- it's one of my favorite lights, and it sounds like that would be a big improvement.

It will not fit, the tactical switch is a totally different kind. But there should soon be a tactical clicky for the old M1 coming out.

 

[BlackBlade]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

Thanks for the review!

Can you lock the tactical switch by turning it counterclockwise?
Is the reverse clicky of the M1 Tactical a two stage clicky?

Thanks and kind regards

BlackBlade

 

[Art Vandelay]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

This is a great review, with lots of cool pics. What does the "lux reading of overall output" mean? Thanks.

 

[mtbkndad]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

whc,

Both of my M1's have noticeably crooked and weak pocket clips . It looks like the clip in at least one of yours is crooked too. I also think the head feels top heavy when using the clip on my pocket. It actually almost fell out once when the head was bumped, not good. While it feels better on my belt, the clip feels rather week for belt carry where the light is hanging. One of my M1's has several dings in the head that were anodized right over.
I know I am not the only person with this problem because I got my lights from Amondotech and Wayne said other people have reported the same thing. This is a machining QC issue.
Do any of your M1's have similar anomolies?
I like my M1's but, with anodized dings in the head of one, crooked & weak pocket clips on both, I definitely do not consider them 5 star lights.
Great for the price fun lights, yes.
Lots of potential, definitely.
They are nice additions to my collection of loaner lights.

Once again-
Are the clips crooked on your M1's too?
How do you carry your M1's?
Do any of your M1's have dings that were anodized over?

Take Care,
mtbkndad :wave:

 

[whc]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

Thanks for the review!

Can you lock the tactical switch by turning it counterclockwise?
Is the reverse clicky of the M1 Tactical a two stage clicky?

Thanks and kind regards

BlackBlade

The tactical switch with momentary in cannot be locked out, but with the reverse clicky module it can be locked out. Yes it comes with a 2-stage reverse clicky, don't know if it is standard or only for those pre-ordered?

 

[whc]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

This is a great review, with lots of cool pics. What does the "lux reading of overall output" mean? Thanks.

Overall Output is all the light comming from the flashlight, it is messured using a homemade "lightbox" using a milk carton, you can read more about it here: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/features/lightbox_output.htm

 

[BlackBlade]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

@whc: Many thanks for your answer!!!

 

[X_Marine]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

Great review and pics there whc..

GJ..
X.

 

[mtbkndad]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

whc,

I know when managing a thread it is hard to get to everybodies questions so I will ask again.

Once again-
Are the clips crooked on your M1's too?
How do you carry your M1's?
Do any of your M1's have dings that were anodized over?

Also in the pics above your new M1 seems to have a Lens retaining ring that is anodized darker then the rest of the light.
Is that noticeable in person?

Take Care,
mtbkndad :wave:

 

[whc]

Re: Lumapower M1 Tactical - Review - Many pictures, comparing to old M1

whc,

I know when managing a thread it is hard to get to everybodies questions so I will ask again.

Once again-
Are the clips crooked on your M1's too?
How do you carry your M1's?
Do any of your M1's have dings that were anodized over?

Also in the pics above your new M1 seems to have a Lens retaining ring that is anodized darker then the rest of the light.
Is that noticeable in person?

Take Care,
mtbkndad :wave:

Wrote a reply yestoday, but the bissy bissy server made it imposible to post the reply, so over again .

The clips on both versions of M1 is either crocked or off center, not the strong point of M1, but not some thing I personally puts to much weight on, never before have I had a flashlight with clip, always uses a belt holster for carrying my flashlights.

Right now i carry the M1 inside the pockets in my pants, with the clip outside, just making the head the only thing that is reveled. I have 2 of the holsters from Lumapower on order, if they are of good quality, I will use them in stead of the clip.

Not quite sure what you mean by "dings that were anodized over", the fenish of the M1 and other Lumapower products is general pretty good, havent noticed anything out of its order yet, Just if it had HAIII for durability I am glad .

The anodized is in some cases darker or lighter, not some thing I think of or notice, but if you look in the light, you can see slight variations in "colour". Though which flashlight does not have some darker or lighter parts if you look close under a light?

Overall I think M1 series is a very good flashlight, more that anough for me ...