AardvarkSagus
Flashlight Enthusiast
Olight M20X-S - Submitted for consideration for the review forum
Olight has joined the ranks of companies that are upgrading their existing line to the latest and greatest in LED efficiency.
Olight M20X-S Warrior
Meat and Potatoes
The M20X-S is an advancement over Olights older M20 Warrior model in a number of ways. Most notably is that it has been upgraded to the current highest tier of energy efficient power LEDs, the Cree XM-L. This powerhouse is only moderately driven and yet still manages to crank out a searing 500 lumens out the front. Its really a shame that this level of output is getting so commonplace because it really is remarkable. It used to take a host of batteries and an abysmal runtime to achieve anything resembling 500 lumens and now it is becoming quite a regular occurrence to see it come out of lights like this sporting a meager pair of CR123A cells or possibly a single 18650.
The M20X-S’s LED sits at the bottom of a fairly deep but relatively narrow reflector that has been given a medium orange peel like stipple to help smooth out the beam. The resulting projected photons are arranged into what I would term an excellent middle of the road type beam. It’s not a floodlight, but it illuminates a wider area than any of the dedicated throwers I’ve seen. It does tend to reach out and light up things at distance still, but most of that is due to the sheer quantity of power emanating from the bezel. This balanced approach makes sense since this light is purported for tactical usage as well as general illumination. It does appear to use PWM for its lower output modes, but rest assured that it is definitely a high enough frequency to not be noticeable in real-world application.
Cree XM-L
The “S” appended to this warriors designator stands for “Special Operations” according to Olight. This addendum does not alter the number of modes available compared to the standard M20, but it does change method of access to those modes. The tailcap of the S model includes a separate, side-mounted switch that actuates all of the mode changes. I have spoken before about the benefits of tail mounted mode selection options, though this one is for the most part not independently selectable when the light is off. One appreciated fact is that the Strobe mode is not a part of the normal, constant brightness level progression. Instead it is separately activated by pressing and holding the side switch, rather than simply pressing and releasing. The M20X-S will enter strobe mode directly from either off or on, further promoting the Tactical image fostered by this torch. The UI features mode memory so once you select your desired output, it does not alter through any number of switch activations in any timing you may use, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally running into an undesired output level. I personally don’t encounter too many tactical usage scenarios in my everyday life, but I can vouch that this light does quite well when “tactically” lighting up a tent while camping, or “tactically” checking how toasted your marshmallows are when making s’mores around a campfire.
Fit and finish on the M20X-S is quite typical for what I have seen thus far with Olight. The light is covered with a fairly thick looking black anodizing that has a slightly glossy sheen to it. Machine work is quite well done and minimally invasive. The light is covered with larger rectangular knurlng that is pretty smooth, so it probably adds more to the aesthetics than the grip. The stainless steel bezel is an excellent indication of Olight’s machining capabilities though with no truly sharp roughness to it anywhere. Every edge has been given a once over to create a product that appears truly “finished”.
Olight M20X-S
Constructive Criticism
Tactical grip rings. I cannot deny their usefulness in providing that extra level of flashlight retention capability when using a torch with the cigar grip, but honestly I have only found a very slim few of them I can actually stand to use. The grip ring on the M20X-S is unfortunately not one of those. Its solid metal construction and severe angled proportions only serve to offer discomfort, rather than ease of use. This ring is threaded and thankfully can be removed, however so that leaves a section of fine threads exposed. I infer from past experiences tells me that there is likely a smooth thread protector ring that is available, but I was not provided with any accessories for this review, so I can’t speak to that. I would most prefer that manufacturers start constructing their grip rings out of some firm, but pliable rubber instead of these harsh metal ones so common to the industry.
Conclusions
The Olight M20X-S is a very capable duty light with an interesting and usable UI. There aren’t really any surprises in store, but instead a reliable and useful light.
Olight M20X-S
Provided for review by the kind folks at 4Sevens.
Olight has joined the ranks of companies that are upgrading their existing line to the latest and greatest in LED efficiency.
Olight M20X-S Warrior
Meat and Potatoes
The M20X-S is an advancement over Olights older M20 Warrior model in a number of ways. Most notably is that it has been upgraded to the current highest tier of energy efficient power LEDs, the Cree XM-L. This powerhouse is only moderately driven and yet still manages to crank out a searing 500 lumens out the front. Its really a shame that this level of output is getting so commonplace because it really is remarkable. It used to take a host of batteries and an abysmal runtime to achieve anything resembling 500 lumens and now it is becoming quite a regular occurrence to see it come out of lights like this sporting a meager pair of CR123A cells or possibly a single 18650.
The M20X-S’s LED sits at the bottom of a fairly deep but relatively narrow reflector that has been given a medium orange peel like stipple to help smooth out the beam. The resulting projected photons are arranged into what I would term an excellent middle of the road type beam. It’s not a floodlight, but it illuminates a wider area than any of the dedicated throwers I’ve seen. It does tend to reach out and light up things at distance still, but most of that is due to the sheer quantity of power emanating from the bezel. This balanced approach makes sense since this light is purported for tactical usage as well as general illumination. It does appear to use PWM for its lower output modes, but rest assured that it is definitely a high enough frequency to not be noticeable in real-world application.
Cree XM-L
The “S” appended to this warriors designator stands for “Special Operations” according to Olight. This addendum does not alter the number of modes available compared to the standard M20, but it does change method of access to those modes. The tailcap of the S model includes a separate, side-mounted switch that actuates all of the mode changes. I have spoken before about the benefits of tail mounted mode selection options, though this one is for the most part not independently selectable when the light is off. One appreciated fact is that the Strobe mode is not a part of the normal, constant brightness level progression. Instead it is separately activated by pressing and holding the side switch, rather than simply pressing and releasing. The M20X-S will enter strobe mode directly from either off or on, further promoting the Tactical image fostered by this torch. The UI features mode memory so once you select your desired output, it does not alter through any number of switch activations in any timing you may use, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally running into an undesired output level. I personally don’t encounter too many tactical usage scenarios in my everyday life, but I can vouch that this light does quite well when “tactically” lighting up a tent while camping, or “tactically” checking how toasted your marshmallows are when making s’mores around a campfire.
Fit and finish on the M20X-S is quite typical for what I have seen thus far with Olight. The light is covered with a fairly thick looking black anodizing that has a slightly glossy sheen to it. Machine work is quite well done and minimally invasive. The light is covered with larger rectangular knurlng that is pretty smooth, so it probably adds more to the aesthetics than the grip. The stainless steel bezel is an excellent indication of Olight’s machining capabilities though with no truly sharp roughness to it anywhere. Every edge has been given a once over to create a product that appears truly “finished”.
Olight M20X-S
Constructive Criticism
Tactical grip rings. I cannot deny their usefulness in providing that extra level of flashlight retention capability when using a torch with the cigar grip, but honestly I have only found a very slim few of them I can actually stand to use. The grip ring on the M20X-S is unfortunately not one of those. Its solid metal construction and severe angled proportions only serve to offer discomfort, rather than ease of use. This ring is threaded and thankfully can be removed, however so that leaves a section of fine threads exposed. I infer from past experiences tells me that there is likely a smooth thread protector ring that is available, but I was not provided with any accessories for this review, so I can’t speak to that. I would most prefer that manufacturers start constructing their grip rings out of some firm, but pliable rubber instead of these harsh metal ones so common to the industry.
Conclusions
The Olight M20X-S is a very capable duty light with an interesting and usable UI. There aren’t really any surprises in store, but instead a reliable and useful light.
Olight M20X-S
Provided for review by the kind folks at 4Sevens.
