xevious
Flashlight Enthusiast
Olight M20 mini-review with photo comparison to Surefire U2:
The M20 is Olight's latest LED flashlight introduction with the new Cree R2 emitter. It's a tactically oriented light that is intelligently designed and quite robust. I think you'd agree from the photos below, the form factor is very comparable to the U2. Light engine wise, they're quite different. If you're not familiar with the U2, it has 6 levels from 2~100lumens (published, but witnessed as higher) selected by a bi-directional rotator ring at the base of the head. Implicit memory by ring selection which can be changed with the light off (something the M20 can't do). No strobe. If you're thinking of a U2 or M20 as your next light, the $179 MSRP price difference might sway you to the M20. But I recommend reading up on both before making a decision. With that... here are the form factor photos:
Left
Right
Heads
M20 - U2
Tails
M20 - U2
Caps
U2 on left, M20 on right - notice the spring vs. post
Fit, Finish, Form Factor
Everything is professionally machined--threads are clean, tight, and not unduly sharp. The HA III anodizing is really top notch.
The crenelated stainless steel bezel does easily unscrew and can be tightened nicely, as Greyhound mentioned. And it's one of the most cleanly machined pieces I've seen. Beautiful!
I don't know why the crenelated tail cap wasn't extended slightly more so that the light can tail stand. But that's definitely no deal breaker. It screws onto the main tube smoothly and is sealed using double o-rings--nice!
The light feels like it is slightly heavier than a U2 and the balance is superb.
Features
Forward clicky with momentary on, for your beaming pleasure. The click switch is very, very nice. There's no exposed spring inside it either--there's a spring driven metal post that looks cleaner than any other tail cap I've seen. It operates flawlessly.
The head rotation mode selection (sequential only) takes a little getting used to when you're more accustomed to single hand selection via a click switch. Assuming low was the last setting you used, it is low->med->high->strobe. I'd like to be able to switch from normal beam to strobe single handed and outside the level selection as the T20 does (because you have to step through it every time you cycle levels), but I have to say the head rotation works extremely well--nicely defined. And the memory is useful--you select a mode and the light remains on that every time you switch the light off and on again.
The 3 beam settings (7, 90, 250, strobe) are well chosen, IMHO. The model I bought has an OP reflector. There is an intense noticeable spot in a warm creamy color. The very usable spill has some ring artifacts and fades from yellowish in the center to more whitish towards the perimeter. The strobe is quick, similar to the rate seen on the NovaTac EDC-120P.
The tactical ring forward of the tail cap unscrews out, so you can easily remove it if so desired. The clip can also be removed as well.
The batteries can be encased in an optional retaining capsule (included) that is light but well made. If you purchase extras, it makes battery swaps extremely fast and avoids multi-cell fumbling--something appreciated in a tactical situation. FYI, you can load the batteries without the capsule and there's no rattling.
One other nice feature I noticed listed is reverse polarity protection, in case you put your batteries in the wrong way--the light simply won't go on (I tried it).
Beamshots
I've never done this before, so please pardon my substandard photos. I locked in a manual setting for aperture and shutterspeed, but the results didn't come out exactly as planned. The high beam setting of the M20 is definitely brighter than the U2. In my high beam shot the U2 spot looks brighter than it really is. The M20 spot is noticeably more intense. So, these aren't completely accurate for a totally fair comparison. I do have to say that in direct visual comparisons, the U2 appears brighter than the stated lumens, but I think it's a foregone conclusion that Surefire underestimates the power of their lights.
Low (M20 - 7lm; U2 - 2lm[1])
Focal: 13mm; F:8; Exp: 1/30sec; ISO-50
Medium (M20 - 90lm; U2 - ~50lm[3])
Focal: 13mm; F:8; Exp: 1/60sec; ISO-50
High (M20 - 250lm; U2 - 100lm[6])
Focal: 13mm; F:8; Exp: 1/60sec; ISO-50
Accessories
In the box you get a GITD switch cover, extra o-rings, adjustable lanyard with metal clip, and a battery tube. But the real kicker is the holster. It's clearly top quality, made of firm nylon webbing with two side slots for carrying extra battery tubes. The design is head down, with a hole in the flip cover that goes over the tail cap. The usual velcro closures are used. You'd expect to pay about $25 for that holster separately, so it's a nice bonus.
Improvements
If I could recommend any improvement, it would be the beam. It's somewhat ringy and multi-colored (can't really see them well in the photos, but they are more pronounced than shown). You get a creamy yellowish center that becomes whitish into the spill, and it's a little "blobby". White wall comparisons next to an Olight T20 and U2 make this more pronounced, as the T20 and U2 beams are extremely smooth and ring free. Of course, this isn't a deal breaker--"white wall" comparisons aren't real-world, and the M20 does just fine on non-uniform colored surfaces.
Value
The Olight M20 premium is about $100, while the Surefire U2 is $279. There's no question that the M20 is an excellent value, whether you got a discount in the initial release or bought it at full retail. I find the spill quite usable and the intense focus beam to be a nice bonus. And I think Olight made a great choice on the intensity settings. They are very nicely spaced apart. The 90 lumens middle setting is bright enough for most purposes, making it a phenomenal step up from other lights in that beam class given how the M20 has a 4 hour runtime. Of course the beam is the most important part (like sound is from a speaker), but the set of features in this well thought out design is very easy to appreciate. Olight has a definite winner here, in my book.
The M20 is Olight's latest LED flashlight introduction with the new Cree R2 emitter. It's a tactically oriented light that is intelligently designed and quite robust. I think you'd agree from the photos below, the form factor is very comparable to the U2. Light engine wise, they're quite different. If you're not familiar with the U2, it has 6 levels from 2~100lumens (published, but witnessed as higher) selected by a bi-directional rotator ring at the base of the head. Implicit memory by ring selection which can be changed with the light off (something the M20 can't do). No strobe. If you're thinking of a U2 or M20 as your next light, the $179 MSRP price difference might sway you to the M20. But I recommend reading up on both before making a decision. With that... here are the form factor photos:
Left
Right
Heads
M20 - U2
Tails
M20 - U2
Caps
U2 on left, M20 on right - notice the spring vs. post
Fit, Finish, Form Factor
Everything is professionally machined--threads are clean, tight, and not unduly sharp. The HA III anodizing is really top notch.
The crenelated stainless steel bezel does easily unscrew and can be tightened nicely, as Greyhound mentioned. And it's one of the most cleanly machined pieces I've seen. Beautiful!
I don't know why the crenelated tail cap wasn't extended slightly more so that the light can tail stand. But that's definitely no deal breaker. It screws onto the main tube smoothly and is sealed using double o-rings--nice!
The light feels like it is slightly heavier than a U2 and the balance is superb.
Features
Forward clicky with momentary on, for your beaming pleasure. The click switch is very, very nice. There's no exposed spring inside it either--there's a spring driven metal post that looks cleaner than any other tail cap I've seen. It operates flawlessly.
The head rotation mode selection (sequential only) takes a little getting used to when you're more accustomed to single hand selection via a click switch. Assuming low was the last setting you used, it is low->med->high->strobe. I'd like to be able to switch from normal beam to strobe single handed and outside the level selection as the T20 does (because you have to step through it every time you cycle levels), but I have to say the head rotation works extremely well--nicely defined. And the memory is useful--you select a mode and the light remains on that every time you switch the light off and on again.
The 3 beam settings (7, 90, 250, strobe) are well chosen, IMHO. The model I bought has an OP reflector. There is an intense noticeable spot in a warm creamy color. The very usable spill has some ring artifacts and fades from yellowish in the center to more whitish towards the perimeter. The strobe is quick, similar to the rate seen on the NovaTac EDC-120P.
The tactical ring forward of the tail cap unscrews out, so you can easily remove it if so desired. The clip can also be removed as well.
The batteries can be encased in an optional retaining capsule (included) that is light but well made. If you purchase extras, it makes battery swaps extremely fast and avoids multi-cell fumbling--something appreciated in a tactical situation. FYI, you can load the batteries without the capsule and there's no rattling.
One other nice feature I noticed listed is reverse polarity protection, in case you put your batteries in the wrong way--the light simply won't go on (I tried it).
Beamshots
I've never done this before, so please pardon my substandard photos. I locked in a manual setting for aperture and shutterspeed, but the results didn't come out exactly as planned. The high beam setting of the M20 is definitely brighter than the U2. In my high beam shot the U2 spot looks brighter than it really is. The M20 spot is noticeably more intense. So, these aren't completely accurate for a totally fair comparison. I do have to say that in direct visual comparisons, the U2 appears brighter than the stated lumens, but I think it's a foregone conclusion that Surefire underestimates the power of their lights.
Low (M20 - 7lm; U2 - 2lm[1])
Focal: 13mm; F:8; Exp: 1/30sec; ISO-50
Medium (M20 - 90lm; U2 - ~50lm[3])
Focal: 13mm; F:8; Exp: 1/60sec; ISO-50
High (M20 - 250lm; U2 - 100lm[6])
Focal: 13mm; F:8; Exp: 1/60sec; ISO-50
Accessories
In the box you get a GITD switch cover, extra o-rings, adjustable lanyard with metal clip, and a battery tube. But the real kicker is the holster. It's clearly top quality, made of firm nylon webbing with two side slots for carrying extra battery tubes. The design is head down, with a hole in the flip cover that goes over the tail cap. The usual velcro closures are used. You'd expect to pay about $25 for that holster separately, so it's a nice bonus.
Improvements
If I could recommend any improvement, it would be the beam. It's somewhat ringy and multi-colored (can't really see them well in the photos, but they are more pronounced than shown). You get a creamy yellowish center that becomes whitish into the spill, and it's a little "blobby". White wall comparisons next to an Olight T20 and U2 make this more pronounced, as the T20 and U2 beams are extremely smooth and ring free. Of course, this isn't a deal breaker--"white wall" comparisons aren't real-world, and the M20 does just fine on non-uniform colored surfaces.
Value
The Olight M20 premium is about $100, while the Surefire U2 is $279. There's no question that the M20 is an excellent value, whether you got a discount in the initial release or bought it at full retail. I find the spill quite usable and the intense focus beam to be a nice bonus. And I think Olight made a great choice on the intensity settings. They are very nicely spaced apart. The 90 lumens middle setting is bright enough for most purposes, making it a phenomenal step up from other lights in that beam class given how the M20 has a 4 hour runtime. Of course the beam is the most important part (like sound is from a speaker), but the set of features in this well thought out design is very easy to appreciate. Olight has a definite winner here, in my book.
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