Practical difference between Gerber Ultra and Ultra-M?

Think I will give some of these out for Christmas this year, and wondered if there was (for non-flash-addicts) any practical differences to these 2 lights, ie., run-time, light quality in real world, etc.?

Thanks!

Go with the regular ultra. The ultra M costs more, has a lense over the front that significantly reduces output and shapes it into a spot pattern. However, it is made in the USA, has a slightly more durable pocket clip, and is considered more waterproof. The Ultra has more output, an exposed, but recessed LED with a nice floody beam that is 100% more useful for daily tasks. Hope this helps.

Thanks, exactly what I needed!

That covers it quite well and agree with the suggestion of the regular Ultra for most folks. The Ultra-M is also harder to twist on because it has a second o-ring on the body to improve water resistance. This basically eliminates the momentary mode that you can do on the regular Ultra by pressing the tailcap down.

nmiller said:

Go with the regular ultra. The ultra M costs more, has a lense over the front that significantly reduces output and shapes it into a spot pattern. However, it is made in the USA, has a slightly more durable pocket clip, and is considered more waterproof. The Ultra has more output, an exposed, but recessed LED with a nice floody beam that is 100% more useful for daily tasks. Hope this helps.

Click to expand...

Is this true at all?

greenlight said:

Is this true at all?

Click to expand...

Which part do you question? I can't verify or refute the "Made in USA" part (that would surprise me, but might have been required for some military contract), but everything else reads right to me.





The beam on the Ultra-M is something of a choked spot; it doesn't have the instensity or color of a properly focused led, and has very very little spill light. The lens doesn't focus the led at all, it just shields it, and the lens and led are set deep in behind the shield/opening, so you are just getting some of the light coming out of the very front of the led.

Everything is true but they are not MADE IN USA. They are ASSEMBLED IN USA and meet the requirements to sell to the U.S. military.

Ok, that sounds more reasonable. I really couldn't see Gerber actually manufacturing all the parts here.