Review: Olight X7 Marauder (3x XHP-70, 4x 18650) 9000 Lumen Flood Monster.

I’m curious if you had something in mind; what kind of Olight are you looking for? I personally consider Olight a respectable brand, and also consider the X7 an extremely good light… but… it’s just not “me”. I’m more into Thrunite I guess. I wonder whether Thrunite is going to bump the output of the TN36-UT to something like 10000 lumens to compete with newer generation triple XHP70 lights…

I like their look, I like their branding (all their lights fit together, they have similar style and functions), I like their consistent quality and decent value for what you get. I want to like their lights, but I just don’t. I don’t like their UI very much (or eswitch-only lights much at all), I don’t like their new habit of TIR’s in small lights, I don’t like how thin their construction is, or how they are essentially useless for modding other than an emitter swap. Love/hate. I like looking at pictures of them, but have never liked the ones I’ve owned.

I hope one day they will make something I like, but it would go against their entire design philosophy.

I digress. (you asked :wink: )

Interesting,

I think I have a similar vibe. I only own the SR51, which is a good light, but somehow I’m not convinced. The block-grip is really aggressive and nice, but wall thickness is indeed… thin… The lens is plastic like thin as well… The light feels thin. I also keep looking at Olights… admiring them… That’s it. Thanks for answering :-).

That’s fair. Not all UI’s are desirable for everyone. I wanted a meteor forever, but its UI stopped me every time I was about to buy it.

I personally love Olight’s UI though… direct access to turbo and moon, smart mode memory, and pretty well spaced modes.

Btw, added turbo runtime, beamshots, comparison pics… probably some other stuff. :wink:

I’ve had the M2X, M3X, M23, SR52, SR52UT, S1, and X7. My favorite out of all of them is the S1. The X7 is ok, it’s not as impressive as I thought it would be. I like the Meteor a lot better than this light. I might even try to trade for one since I sold mine a while back. If not…I’ve already removed the bezel once just to see if it’s glued and it’s not. Maybe I can stick a fet in it and get around 15,000 lumens out of it.

^ That’s interesting… do you like the meteor more because of the UI, performance or …?

I have 2 Meteors and was planning to sell one to get a X7, but I’m afraid to regret it later. I don’t like the meteor UI at all, much rather prefer the Olight UI. But performance wise I don’t think anything this size can match.

I love the UI of the meteor. It took a little bit to get it down pat but I liked to keep mine on user mode 3. I also like the form factor of the meteor a lot better. The meteor also had quite a bit more throw compared to the X7 which came in very handy. The X7 does put out more light but it’s too dispersed for me. I’d like there to be more of a hot spot. The meteor is the only light that I’ve ever regretted selling, lol.

I can see that. The X7 is a flood monster. Turbo S blasts out a wall of light usable out to 50-70 yards or so.

Short story/confession…
The new area I cleared out for beamshots is terrifying at night. I’m a chicken in the pitch black even with my 1911 on my hip. The whole time I was out there I’d hear coyotes howling in the distance and twigs breaking in the woods around me. The way in I used my headlamp since I was carrying two tripods and a bunch of large flashlights. On the way out the headlamp was not enough. I somehow carried everything with one arm and held 9000lumens in my other hand. It’s a lot nicer with a wall of light versus a 1000lm headlamp. :stuck_out_tongue:

I hear ya. I’m a wimp sometimes… But the woods are perfect for playing with big lights :-). With a Convoy L6 you get a lot of light… but… it’s all pointed in front of you. The direct left and right side of you remains dark. And being the little wimp that I am occasionally, I sometimes fear that someone or something is going to jump at me from there; at least you see that in movies. But with the Noctigon, therefore with the X7 I presume, the direct vicinity around you is perfectly lit which is not the case with the L6, even if that pumps out 4000 lumens. So with a floody light, your view is much more soothing and comforting in the woods, because there are no dark spots on the direct left and right side of you. You don’t even need the 9000 lumens; even 2000 lumens will probably do the job. I see the 9000 lumens as a cherry on top. The X7 pumps out 4000-ish lumens continuously, which is also very impressive…

Perfect explanation. :slight_smile:

And the continuous output is indeed impressive. Even just the 3000lm in high mode for 2 and a half hours is pretty nice. Just like you said, Turbo S is like a cherry on top. Really nice to have, but the rest of the light is what you’ll be eating/using the most. :stuck_out_tongue:

She’s definitely pretty :heart_eyes:

Can flat top 30Qs be used?

(I hope so… because I prefer not to use magnets or solder blobs)

I don’t believe the 30Q has enough of a protrusion to make contact.

Nope, you need button top batteries for sure

Here is a great price on some button top Samsung 30Q cells: 4PCS Samsung INR18650-30Q 3000mAh Unprotected Button Top 18650 Battery
https://banggood.app.link/vwgGguthVx

Hello unknown00101,

Excellent, comprehensive review.

The pictures show you charging the batteries listed at 3.6V to 4.2V.

I was worried about this. I charged mine to 3.6V by specifying that they were of type LIFePO4. However, I am unable to access either turbo mode.

Have you had any issues letting the charger identify the batteries and charge to 4.2V? What made you charge them to 4.2V (other than the fact that you don’t seem to be able to access turbo otherwise). Mine charged to 3.6V in 1.5hrs. How long did they take to charge to 4.2V?

Many Thanks,

Anthony.

Hi Anthony,

Thank you for the compliment.

With regards to Lithium Ion cells, 3.6v is the nominal voltage. Liion cells are nearly empty at that level of charge. The cells are likely unable to maintain the current required to run Turbo/TurboS at that low of a voltage.

Acceptable full charge voltage is between 4.15v and 4.25v. Lower is okay, you’ll get less runtime, less turbo activations, etc. Higher can potentially damage cells and cause failures.

Full charge from (essentially) empty at 3.0v to 4.20v is about 5 hours with the Kit charger (Miboxer C4) in 800mA charge mode, which is pretty reasonable. It’s not a slow charge, but also not a fast charge.

I’ve recharged the Olight set of cells around 10 times since I received it. Ive charged a few other 18650’s with it. So far it has been very consistent in its performance.

Here’s some great information on Liion cells.

Brilliant review unknown00101 - a good read. Thank you.

SP

Hello Unknown00101,

Thanks for your swift response and the information provided.

I understand now that the 3.6V written on the outside of the Olight cells is not the full charge voltage. I was initially worried that charging a cell stamped with 3.6V at 4.2V would damage it. However, you have put my mind at rest. I have used the C4 charger on the 4.2V setting and 4 hours later (cells partially charged by the earlier charge at 3.6V) the cells were fully charged. I can now access both Turbo modes and am very pleased with the light output!

Thanks again for your help. I really am very grateful.

Regards,

Anthony.

Luckily, these chargers are smart enough to charge the cells appropriately (to 4.2V). If you have more questions feel free to ask. I’m sure Unknown00101, myself, and many other members are glad to help. Enjoy your amazing light and cheers!