kj75
Enlightened
It's always nice to try out a light of a "new" brand. The Niwalker-family is often discussed at forums, so I was happy that I got the chance to test one. Special thanks to theoutdoorsplus, who sells a lot of quality flashlights and shipped the MM25MB to me. So, in this review we'll have a closer look at the brightest Niwalker at the market, that is named M(ini)M(ax)25M(onster)B(right). I'll show you the light and give you my impressions, we'll see also the MM25MB compared to some other big output-lights; and I'll show you how it performs outside. Let's kick off!
the output-king of Niwalker
the MM25MB
powered by three XHP70 LEDS
soda-can sized….
but impressive performance
up to 7600 lumens!
To start with, the features and specifications here, given by Niwalker:
• Utilizes 3 U.S. made Cree XHP70 LED chip.
• Maximum output up to 7600 lumens.
• Working voltage 12.1~16.8V.
• Light orange peel reflector creates great throw distance and beam pattern.
• Aircraft grade aluminum, mil-spec hard anodized for maximum wear.
• Toughened ultra-clear tempered glass lens with anti-reflective coating.
• Large cooper heat sink pad for superior thermal conductivity.
• High efficient circuit design offers longest possible runtime
•Intelligent circuit to prevent possible damage from overheating also for safety purposes
• Uses Four 18650 batteries for extended period runtime .
• Low voltage warning to alert user to recharge batteries in time.
• Waterproof: To IPX-8 standard
• Impact resistance: 1.5M
The dimensions:
• Length: 129.56mm
• Head Diameter: 64mm
• Body Diameter: 52mm
• Weight: 390g without battery
And the output specs:
Unboxing:
I was little surprised: I didn't expect such a compact box. The sturdy, light brown carton is really compact! No specialties here, only a silver sticker on it that shows the MM25BB and the output and runtime specs. Inside we find besides the light a nice black holster and a good hand strap in green color. Also the manual and a spare O-ring can be found. No, not an over-complete package, but it looks all neat, and except cells all we need is in. Scroll down for some pictures!
a very compact, sturdy carton here
the output and runtime specs mentioned at the silver sticker
unboxed: the light, holster, lanyard, manual and spare O-ring
Impressions:
The MM25MB (full name is Mini Max 25 Monster Bright) is a rather heavy, but compact "soda-can-sized" flashlight in matte-black color. It has powerful appearance, and the "rings" at the body give the MM25MB its own looks. Striking detail at the light is the big, illuminated power button. The build-quality is very good, also a good job at finishing and anodizing. Only thing I detected is that the gripe with Niwalker engraving isn't aligned to the power button. As expected, the MM25MB has stable tail- and head-standing. What I don't like is that the torch misses an anti-rolling design; it rolls easily of the table. In my opinion, manufacturers should better take care of this. Looking unto the lights' head, we see a grey bezel and a black edge around the reflector. I like this combination! The glass lens is clean, the orange-peel reflector without defects and the three XHP70 emitters are well-centered. When opening the MM25MB by unscrewing the lights' head the threads run smooth; they're also lubed well. Inside the head it looks ok, I only detected some solder rests at the spring here. Also the tube's inner is clean. The MM25MB has a separate battery-magazine that looks sturdy and durable. But the finishing at the magazine is less than the other parts of the light. But it's still ok to me. Summarizing, we can conclude that the MM25MB is built and finished very well, I couldn't find any shortcomings. Please have a look at a bunch of pictures that I took of the light. Scroll down for more impressions!
the Niwalker MM25MB
powerful looks and its own looks
mind the "rings"
stable tailstand
not palm-sized, but very compact
nice details on the lights' head
the gripe and the power button are not aligned
the three powerful XHP70 LEDS
orange-peel reflectors without defects
the engraving is well-done
a close-up at the tail
three "quad" LEDS
well machined and lubed threads
a look into the head
the tube contents a battery magazine
the magazine can be inserted at two ways
the MM25MB can run on protected High-Drain cells!
the lanyard added-on
fits well in the holster
always stand-by when mounted at your belt
a close-up to the battery magazine
the LEDS are well-centered
a close up to the powerful emitters
the button gives information about battery conditions
if red, the voltage is low; time to recharge
User interface:
Because of the four cells that you need to feed the MM25MB, the light has a rather thick body that needs a man's hand. Thanks to the texture at the middle of the tube, the MM25MB has enough grip. Also the bigger head prevents against slipping out of your hand or gloves. The big power button is very easy to locate, and stays on as long as the light is on. If the voltage is low (that can be seen firstly when shining around in higher modes) the button lights up in red instead of green. A nice option, but it's not possible to know the accurate voltage.
Big surprise to me is that my Olight protected High Drain Current cells fit into the battery magazine. These batteries with protection circuit fit exactly! Nice to know cells like these also work fine; this can be important information to those who don't like unprotected cells. To me, it was a reason to me to save my money, and not buying extra Samsung INR 30Q's (for example), and do my tests running on these Olights.
About the interface: it has its oddities. Simply click the button for on and off, the light will turn on in memorized mode, except the special modes. To cycle through the five normal modes, you have to react very quick: in about a second after turning on you can cycle through the modes (only up); if you hesitate or wait longer than a second it will be fixed; this means that the next click will shut the light off. So this means that you can't choose another mode when the MM25MB is on for longer than a second; to choose another level you have to turn off the light and start again. A strange interface to me, and I still don't understand the meaning. The strobe mode can only be activated from off by two quick presses. It has one frequency and is very blinding! The other special modes ( SOS and Beacon) can only be activated from on. A quick double press for SOS, and three fast clicks to enter Beacon. Cycling though the special modes isn't possible, next press will turn off the MM25MB.
So at the end of this paragraph I can tell you that the MM25MB feel comfortable in the hand and that the interface works without defects, but an interface like this will never get my favorite. By the way, after some exercise you can work and live with it, but I wish next update will get some changes here.
Modes:
The MM25MB has in total five normal modes, Niwalker names the modes L(evel)1 until L(evel) 5. The spacing is rather good, the biggest jump is between the fourth and the highest mode. The MM25MB misses a real low mode; 36 lumens is rather bright. But because this big light is made for search-jobs, I don't mind. A lower modes would give better runtimes in case of emergency. The special mode are STROBE (one frequency), SOS and BEACON (about three flashes per two seconds). There's an integrated voltage indicator in the button (green/red), that will light up continuously when the power is low. To LOCK-OUT, simple release the lights head a little. Summarizing: Nothing to complain about the modes on this light, most we need is there.
Size comparison:
In this comparison-shoot the Niwalker shown against some other compact "big-lumens" torches, the MecArmy PT60 and the Olight X7 Marauder. I will use these lights later too, when we'll have a look at the beamprofile and the output.
High Discharge Current 18650-cell, MecArmy PT60, Niwalker MM25MB and Olight X7 Marauder
MecArmy PT60, Niwalker MM25MB and Olight X7 Marauder
MecArmy PT60, Niwalker MM25MB and Olight X7 Marauder
MecArmy PT60, Niwalker MM25MB and Olight X7 Marauder
sixteen! XP-G2 S4 and two XHP70 LEDS
the tails: MecArmy PT60, Niwalker MM25MB and Olight X7 Marauder
Tint:
The MM25MB has a nice cool white tint, that is almost equal to the Olight X7 Marauder, that is powered by the same emitter. The tint of the Olight seems slightly greenish compared to the MM25MB, the MecArmy has a bluish tint. Not surprising, most XHP70 emitters I've seen until now have a tint like this. To me, its ok for cool white.
Beamprofile:
Three quad-LEDS in orange-peel reflectors will give the MM25MB a usable "mixed" beamprofile. A big hotspot, a little corona and a lot of spill. The MM25MB creates a very wide beam. The throw is rather good, lighting up a big area up to, let's say 150 meters, is no problem. I really was impressed by the total output of this soda- can-Niwalker. The beam is free of defects and artefacts, no PWM detected at any mode. The output is one of the strong points of the MM25MB!
Beamshots:
Let's have a look now how the Niwalker MM25MB performs! As we're used of, starting by projecting the light at a white wall; the distance is about 1,25 meters. Note: I "renamed" the output modes into Lower to Turbo instead of Mode 1 – Mode 5.
Camera-settings: ISO100, F/2.7, WB daylight, 1/125 sec, 35mm
GIF-picture:
Going outdoors now with the Niwalker MM25MB now! I turned the light because the green button is rather bright; so it would disturb my shots. Therefore the tripod lights up in green… Starting by showing the five output modes on a road with some trees at left and a wall at right side.
Camera-settings: ISO100, F/2.7, WB daylight, 4 sec, 35mm
GIF-picture:
I'll show the MM25MB against the other lights we seen earlier here in this review. Keep in mind that both competitors are in the 9000-lumens-class; so they should have more output than the MM25MB. But the comparison shots show that the MM25MB performs well against the Olight and the MecArmy. First location: a road with some trees and a wall at right side.
the MM25MB against the Olight X7 Marauder, both at highest level
the Niwalker MM25MB against the MecArmy PT60, both at highest level
Second location: a tree line at about 125 meter away.
the MM25MB at maximum output
the MM25MB against the Olight X7 Marauder, both at highest level
The third location is a tree line at about 150 meters away. The MM25MB shown against the MecArmy PT60 here.
the MM25MB against the MecArmy PT60, both on highest
Conclusion:
The Niwalker MM25MB is a great light that has surprised me. Strong points are the impressive and steady output and the good built quality. It's no problem to use this light for minutes on highest mode; I can't give you exact parameters about, but can tell you that the MM25MB will stay for longer time on highest than the other lights I used in this review. That's the advantage here (I think) of less lumens, although 7600 is still impressive. This makes the MM25MB a winner for longer search jobs.
Overall, the interface is not my favorite: It has strong and weak points to me. The momentary-turbo is a good one, but selecting your output level is only possible within a second after turning on. Also Strobe is only available from off. I like the illuminated switch, but would see a location beacon built-in here. I was very happy that the MM25MB works fine on protected HDC-cells.
Overall, this is an impressive member of the soda-can-sized class that I will pick often when I'll need big output that can be carried in my pocket!
Special thanks to the Outdoorsplus who provided me the light for testing!
the output-king of Niwalker
the MM25MB
powered by three XHP70 LEDS
soda-can sized….
but impressive performance
up to 7600 lumens!
To start with, the features and specifications here, given by Niwalker:
• Utilizes 3 U.S. made Cree XHP70 LED chip.
• Maximum output up to 7600 lumens.
• Working voltage 12.1~16.8V.
• Light orange peel reflector creates great throw distance and beam pattern.
• Aircraft grade aluminum, mil-spec hard anodized for maximum wear.
• Toughened ultra-clear tempered glass lens with anti-reflective coating.
• Large cooper heat sink pad for superior thermal conductivity.
• High efficient circuit design offers longest possible runtime
•Intelligent circuit to prevent possible damage from overheating also for safety purposes
• Uses Four 18650 batteries for extended period runtime .
• Low voltage warning to alert user to recharge batteries in time.
• Waterproof: To IPX-8 standard
• Impact resistance: 1.5M
The dimensions:
• Length: 129.56mm
• Head Diameter: 64mm
• Body Diameter: 52mm
• Weight: 390g without battery
And the output specs:
Unboxing:
I was little surprised: I didn't expect such a compact box. The sturdy, light brown carton is really compact! No specialties here, only a silver sticker on it that shows the MM25BB and the output and runtime specs. Inside we find besides the light a nice black holster and a good hand strap in green color. Also the manual and a spare O-ring can be found. No, not an over-complete package, but it looks all neat, and except cells all we need is in. Scroll down for some pictures!
a very compact, sturdy carton here
the output and runtime specs mentioned at the silver sticker
unboxed: the light, holster, lanyard, manual and spare O-ring
Impressions:
The MM25MB (full name is Mini Max 25 Monster Bright) is a rather heavy, but compact "soda-can-sized" flashlight in matte-black color. It has powerful appearance, and the "rings" at the body give the MM25MB its own looks. Striking detail at the light is the big, illuminated power button. The build-quality is very good, also a good job at finishing and anodizing. Only thing I detected is that the gripe with Niwalker engraving isn't aligned to the power button. As expected, the MM25MB has stable tail- and head-standing. What I don't like is that the torch misses an anti-rolling design; it rolls easily of the table. In my opinion, manufacturers should better take care of this. Looking unto the lights' head, we see a grey bezel and a black edge around the reflector. I like this combination! The glass lens is clean, the orange-peel reflector without defects and the three XHP70 emitters are well-centered. When opening the MM25MB by unscrewing the lights' head the threads run smooth; they're also lubed well. Inside the head it looks ok, I only detected some solder rests at the spring here. Also the tube's inner is clean. The MM25MB has a separate battery-magazine that looks sturdy and durable. But the finishing at the magazine is less than the other parts of the light. But it's still ok to me. Summarizing, we can conclude that the MM25MB is built and finished very well, I couldn't find any shortcomings. Please have a look at a bunch of pictures that I took of the light. Scroll down for more impressions!
the Niwalker MM25MB
powerful looks and its own looks
mind the "rings"
stable tailstand
not palm-sized, but very compact
nice details on the lights' head
the gripe and the power button are not aligned
the three powerful XHP70 LEDS
orange-peel reflectors without defects
the engraving is well-done
a close-up at the tail
three "quad" LEDS
well machined and lubed threads
a look into the head
the tube contents a battery magazine
the magazine can be inserted at two ways
the MM25MB can run on protected High-Drain cells!
the lanyard added-on
fits well in the holster
always stand-by when mounted at your belt
a close-up to the battery magazine
the LEDS are well-centered
a close up to the powerful emitters
the button gives information about battery conditions
if red, the voltage is low; time to recharge
User interface:
Because of the four cells that you need to feed the MM25MB, the light has a rather thick body that needs a man's hand. Thanks to the texture at the middle of the tube, the MM25MB has enough grip. Also the bigger head prevents against slipping out of your hand or gloves. The big power button is very easy to locate, and stays on as long as the light is on. If the voltage is low (that can be seen firstly when shining around in higher modes) the button lights up in red instead of green. A nice option, but it's not possible to know the accurate voltage.
Big surprise to me is that my Olight protected High Drain Current cells fit into the battery magazine. These batteries with protection circuit fit exactly! Nice to know cells like these also work fine; this can be important information to those who don't like unprotected cells. To me, it was a reason to me to save my money, and not buying extra Samsung INR 30Q's (for example), and do my tests running on these Olights.
About the interface: it has its oddities. Simply click the button for on and off, the light will turn on in memorized mode, except the special modes. To cycle through the five normal modes, you have to react very quick: in about a second after turning on you can cycle through the modes (only up); if you hesitate or wait longer than a second it will be fixed; this means that the next click will shut the light off. So this means that you can't choose another mode when the MM25MB is on for longer than a second; to choose another level you have to turn off the light and start again. A strange interface to me, and I still don't understand the meaning. The strobe mode can only be activated from off by two quick presses. It has one frequency and is very blinding! The other special modes ( SOS and Beacon) can only be activated from on. A quick double press for SOS, and three fast clicks to enter Beacon. Cycling though the special modes isn't possible, next press will turn off the MM25MB.
So at the end of this paragraph I can tell you that the MM25MB feel comfortable in the hand and that the interface works without defects, but an interface like this will never get my favorite. By the way, after some exercise you can work and live with it, but I wish next update will get some changes here.
Modes:
The MM25MB has in total five normal modes, Niwalker names the modes L(evel)1 until L(evel) 5. The spacing is rather good, the biggest jump is between the fourth and the highest mode. The MM25MB misses a real low mode; 36 lumens is rather bright. But because this big light is made for search-jobs, I don't mind. A lower modes would give better runtimes in case of emergency. The special mode are STROBE (one frequency), SOS and BEACON (about three flashes per two seconds). There's an integrated voltage indicator in the button (green/red), that will light up continuously when the power is low. To LOCK-OUT, simple release the lights head a little. Summarizing: Nothing to complain about the modes on this light, most we need is there.
Size comparison:
In this comparison-shoot the Niwalker shown against some other compact "big-lumens" torches, the MecArmy PT60 and the Olight X7 Marauder. I will use these lights later too, when we'll have a look at the beamprofile and the output.
High Discharge Current 18650-cell, MecArmy PT60, Niwalker MM25MB and Olight X7 Marauder
MecArmy PT60, Niwalker MM25MB and Olight X7 Marauder
MecArmy PT60, Niwalker MM25MB and Olight X7 Marauder
MecArmy PT60, Niwalker MM25MB and Olight X7 Marauder
sixteen! XP-G2 S4 and two XHP70 LEDS
the tails: MecArmy PT60, Niwalker MM25MB and Olight X7 Marauder
Tint:
The MM25MB has a nice cool white tint, that is almost equal to the Olight X7 Marauder, that is powered by the same emitter. The tint of the Olight seems slightly greenish compared to the MM25MB, the MecArmy has a bluish tint. Not surprising, most XHP70 emitters I've seen until now have a tint like this. To me, its ok for cool white.
Beamprofile:
Three quad-LEDS in orange-peel reflectors will give the MM25MB a usable "mixed" beamprofile. A big hotspot, a little corona and a lot of spill. The MM25MB creates a very wide beam. The throw is rather good, lighting up a big area up to, let's say 150 meters, is no problem. I really was impressed by the total output of this soda- can-Niwalker. The beam is free of defects and artefacts, no PWM detected at any mode. The output is one of the strong points of the MM25MB!
Beamshots:
Let's have a look now how the Niwalker MM25MB performs! As we're used of, starting by projecting the light at a white wall; the distance is about 1,25 meters. Note: I "renamed" the output modes into Lower to Turbo instead of Mode 1 – Mode 5.
Camera-settings: ISO100, F/2.7, WB daylight, 1/125 sec, 35mm
GIF-picture:
Going outdoors now with the Niwalker MM25MB now! I turned the light because the green button is rather bright; so it would disturb my shots. Therefore the tripod lights up in green… Starting by showing the five output modes on a road with some trees at left and a wall at right side.
Camera-settings: ISO100, F/2.7, WB daylight, 4 sec, 35mm
GIF-picture:
I'll show the MM25MB against the other lights we seen earlier here in this review. Keep in mind that both competitors are in the 9000-lumens-class; so they should have more output than the MM25MB. But the comparison shots show that the MM25MB performs well against the Olight and the MecArmy. First location: a road with some trees and a wall at right side.
the MM25MB against the Olight X7 Marauder, both at highest level
the Niwalker MM25MB against the MecArmy PT60, both at highest level
Second location: a tree line at about 125 meter away.
the MM25MB at maximum output
the MM25MB against the Olight X7 Marauder, both at highest level
The third location is a tree line at about 150 meters away. The MM25MB shown against the MecArmy PT60 here.
the MM25MB against the MecArmy PT60, both on highest
Conclusion:
The Niwalker MM25MB is a great light that has surprised me. Strong points are the impressive and steady output and the good built quality. It's no problem to use this light for minutes on highest mode; I can't give you exact parameters about, but can tell you that the MM25MB will stay for longer time on highest than the other lights I used in this review. That's the advantage here (I think) of less lumens, although 7600 is still impressive. This makes the MM25MB a winner for longer search jobs.
Overall, the interface is not my favorite: It has strong and weak points to me. The momentary-turbo is a good one, but selecting your output level is only possible within a second after turning on. Also Strobe is only available from off. I like the illuminated switch, but would see a location beacon built-in here. I was very happy that the MM25MB works fine on protected HDC-cells.
Overall, this is an impressive member of the soda-can-sized class that I will pick often when I'll need big output that can be carried in my pocket!
Special thanks to the Outdoorsplus who provided me the light for testing!
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