M20 and M30 - Bit of advice appreciated

[AndrewP]

Hello all I am new to these forums so G'Day. I'm also a bit of a novice to the tech side of things but understand all the basics.

I am a Police Officer and avid hunter so have been looking at the M20 and M30 to use for work and hunting. I could not decide so purchased both of them. After reading the forums and reviews I expected that the M30 would have an equal throw (at least) and greater brightness on target than the M20. I intended to use the M30 as a scope mounted portable hunting light and the M20 for work. These are my first flashlight purchases for years. My last light was the surefire P6.

After testing last night I was surprised to find the M20 (Premium 250lm) appears to out perform the M30. The M20 has a longer throw and brighter light on target. The M30 lights up more peripheral area but I really expected to get more out of the M30 when compared to the M20. I am wondering if others who have tested both of these lights have found the same. I am using the standard relectors in each.

The only possible issue on my test is the batteries in the torches. The M20 contains 2 x Cytac RCR123A 650mamp 3.7V with PCB rechargable
M30 contains 3 x Cytac Cr123A 3.0V 1300 mamp

I also have no idea how much these batteries have been used as the shop keeper would show people how bright the lights are in the store. Can someone tell me if the M30 should out perform the M20 for throw and brightness on Target ?? Or do I need new batteries or to return the M30??
I expected more from the 700 lumen torch compared to the 250 lumen 20.

 

[Painful Chafe]

The M20 will have a tighter brighter hot spot. This will give more throw. You will be able to illuminate objects further away. The M30 though should be producing noticably more light. The hotspot will be bigger and the spill will be huge and brighter compared to the M20. The M30 should light up a room like daytime, the m20 will give you a tight focused beam. They are two different animals. If you light up a room with both lights the M30 will make you say "holy crap". If you are illuminating something outside at 75 yards the M20 will do better.

 

[AndrewP]

:thumbsup:

Yeah I think that the M30 will become my work light and the M20 my scope light for hunting. I really like the M20 belt holster whereas the M30 holster is very poor. I have heard that there is a rounded tailcap coming out for the M30. This will enable the M20 holster to be used with the M30 light. Placed in tail down. ATM Im using the M20 at work because of the excellent holster. I have a spare couple of batteries in a magazine in their too. Awsome stuff for operational Policing, especialy in remote country areas:thumbsup: Its crazy that this little M20 is far brighter than our old 4 cell mag light clunkers. Let alone the spread of the M30.

I did further testing tonight indoors. My testing last night was done in zero light conditions in the bush/fields, more like the huniting conditions I experience. Tonight used the M30 around the town and scrub, certainly lights a greater area up. I'm massivly impressed with these lights compared to the ones the Police supply us with.

 

[Henk_Lu]

I sold my M30... OK, the hotspot was the biggest I've ever seen, but, for the rest, I didn't like the light. Somewhat poor built quality, very power hungry, not regulated on 3 x CR123A and big!

I also sold my M20-R2, but just because I got a Titanium SST50. That's my light! The throw's also behind the R2, but the hotspot is great, much spill around, a real allrounder and much less hungry than the M30. Multi-die emitter have become obsolete with the appearence of the SST50 (The SST90 will be a whole other category though and blas everything away...).

If I had the choice between the M30 and the M20-R2 it would be the M20 for sure. I had teh SMO installed, but it performs overall better with the stock OP. It's still one of teh best lights in its category, if you like the UI, I preffer not to have to turn and twist the head.

 

[tsask]

I sold my M30... OK, the hotspot was the biggest I've ever seen, but, for the rest, I didn't like the light.

If I had the choice between the M30 and the M20-R2 it would be the M20 for sure. I had teh SMO installed, but it performs overall better with the stock OP. It's still one of teh best lights in its category, if you like the UI, I preffer not to have to turn and twist the head.

Thanks for the info. I've been thinking about the M30 for my outdoor light. Sounds like the M20 would be better. My current belt carried "interior light" is a Nitecore PD20 Q5...It's great!!! Thank you 4 Sevens!!!!!!

 

[jahxman]

:thumbsup:

Yeah I think that the M30 will become my work light and the M20 my scope light for hunting.

Yes, this is what I was going to suggest, I know that many LEOs on here like the M30 for their duty light, and many are also waiting for the smooth tailcap that will make it easier to holster.

The M20 is definitely a thrower, making it well suited to hunting in generally, while the M30, like most MC-E lights tends more towards flood and lots of light output, good for blasting thru tinted windows in traffic stops and room clearing. The instant momentary access to strobe might find more applications for a LEO than the regular citizen, as well.

 

[js-lots]

I think the moment you picked up the m30 and pressed that button, you should have said Holy cr*p. That was the feeling I had along with coworkers when I lit up my Mte p7 direct drive. I am also in law enforcement and was used to those stingers all those years. I found this site and bought a tiablo A9 to replace the old workhorse. Even that was a huge improvement. Then I bought a quad die, and I dont want to turn back. I do alot of car stops and close quarter warrants, so for my purposes, I like the flood of the quad die emitters. With the introduction of the sst50 and sst90 you might be able to have the best of both worlds, throw and flood. Enjoy the M30, for now. From what I hear it is a nice light. Dont worry, since you found this site, you will be buying another flashlight before you know it.

:thumbsup:

Yeah I think that the M30 will become my work light and the M20 my scope light for hunting. I really like the M20 belt holster whereas the M30 holster is very poor. I have heard that there is a rounded tailcap coming out for the M30. This will enable the M20 holster to be used with the M30 light. Placed in tail down. ATM Im using the M20 at work because of the excellent holster. I have a spare couple of batteries in a magazine in their too. Awsome stuff for operational Policing, especialy in remote country areas:thumbsup: Its crazy that this little M20 is far brighter than our old 4 cell mag light clunkers. Let alone the spread of the M30.

I did further testing tonight indoors. My testing last night was done in zero light conditions in the bush/fields, more like the huniting conditions I experience. Tonight used the M30 around the town and scrub, certainly lights a greater area up. I'm massivly impressed with these lights compared to the ones the Police supply us with.

 

[DimeRazorback]

You should get a Malkoff M60 for your 6P aswell :thumbsup:

You will never look back!

 

[Robert_M]

I second that ... once I bought the Malkoff M60 and placed it in my SF Z2, I was hooked!