There are certainly a lot of pleasant surprises with the Klarus Mi1c flashlight. I don’t know why, but I really hadn’t expected it to be as small as it is (it is smaller than my thumb). I didn’t expect the wonderful beam either – a very nice surprise. My biggest surprise came from the most unlikely source – the clip. I like clips on EDC flashlights; they come in handy for all sorts of uses, but I really never thought much about how they looked. Until the Klarus Mi1c that is; this clip really sets things off as it matches the bezel and switch ring to combine in a very nice contrast to the body color. It is a very nice looking little flashlight – one that immediately appealed to everybody I showed it to (men & women).
The packaging itself is very nice as well, it reminds me of a gift-box, thanks to the red ribbon pull that is used to slide the inner drawer out of the box itself.
Inside the box:
Mi1c flashlights
Spare O-rings
Stainless Steel Clip
16340 Li-ion rechargeable battery (micro-USB)
AC adapter
DC (vehicle) charger
USB cord
Owner’s manual
The Mi1c small in size – about 2 & 3/16th inches in length – but big on performance. It is a very nice looking flashlight, with checkered grooves (body) for grip, and deeper cooling grooves cut into the head. The switch is a side-switch located on the head of the flashlight; covered with a smooth, yet grippy, rubber and surrounded by a stainless steel ring. Thanks to the design of the head (round, with the side-switch located on a squared off section) I’ve had no difficulty locating the switch while in the dark. It also helps that I locate the clip so that it is directly opposite from the switch.
The clip is stainless steel and has three small holes located near the top of the head. It is removable, but is not designed to be reversed. The clip is affixed for a head-up carry: meaning the lens will be facing upwards while clipped in a pocket. While I prefer a head-down carry style while carrying a flashlight, I greatly appreciate the Mi1c’s ability to be clipped on a hat brim (so it is almost like having a headlamp) for those times when both hands are needed.
Both the head and the tail can be removed, and both ends feature fairly robust springs (decreasing the chance of damage should the flashlight be dropped). The tail features a stout magnet – another feature that I find to be wonderful in use.
The included battery is a 16340 Li-Ion battery. It is a Klarus branded battery; rated at 700mAh, and features a micro-USB outlet for recharging purposes. I did not time how long it takes to charge the battery, but it didn’t seem all that long to me. I’d guess a couple of hours, but that is only a guess. Not having to depend upon a charger is very nice – as long as you’ve got a USB cord and a means of power, you can charge up the battery.
Features
ITS – intelligent temperature protection system. It monitors temperature and adjusts the flashlight output to protect the internals and the LED.
Battery capacity indicator: lets the user discern how much battery life is left.
Low Battery warning
Reverse polarity protection
Lock-out mode
Fade in/out protection when flashlight is turned on/off in high mode (helps protect your eyes).
Memory
One touch moonlight mode
Military spec HAIII anodizing – helps protect against scratches and wear.
Compatible with CR123A and 16340 batteries
IPX8 – waterproof to 2 meters
Drop resistant to 1 meter
Professional optical lens design – provides for soft light and an evenly lit beam. Convex lens.
LED – Cree XP-L HI V3
5 year Warranty, limited lifetime warranty
To check the battery capacity: while off, press/release the switch three times. The flashlight will blink (count the number of blinks). Three blinks = 70% or more. Two blinks = 30% - 70. One blink = less than 30.
The Mi1c will flash twice every three minutes when battery level is less than 10% (16340 battery only). Replace/recharge battery immediately.
Lock-out mode – press and hold switch for five seconds. To unlock; press and hold until light comes on, then quickly click the switch three times – light will flash three times to indicate the change. If light flashes only two times, the flashlight is still in lock-out mode.
Modes/UI
There are four regular modes and two flashing modes. Moonlight, low, medium, high, strobe, SOS.
Figures below are for the 16340 battery. Numbers change if using a CR123A battery
Moonlight Mode – 1 Lumen and runs for up to 6 days.
Low Mode – 10 Lumens and runs for up to 32 hours
Medium Mode – 45 Lumens and runs for up to 5 hours and 37 minutes
High Mode – 600 Lumens and runs for up to 72 minutes
Click switch to turn the flashlight on, click and hold to turn the flashlight off. While on, click the switch to advance to the next mode – moonlight, low, medium, high, moonlight, low, etc…
The Mi1c has memory and will turn on in the last mode used. Example – the light is turned off while in medium, and will turn on in medium mode. The two blinking modes do not have memory recall – only the four regular modes.
To turn the flashlight on in moonlight (regardless of the mode it was in when shut off) – press and hold the switch until the flashlight turns on.
Strobe mode is reached by double-clicking the switch (on or off position). From the strobe mode, double-click the switch again to go into SOS mode. Click the switch to turn the flashlight off.
Beam
What can I say, but WOW!
If you like small, easily pocket-able, flashlights that have an immaculate flood beam; this is the flashlight for you. With the convex lens, the beam is full flood; any throwing ability (at all) is simply the result of a lot of light output, there is no focused beam. I wouldn’t say there is a hot-spot either – unless the entire beam is considered to be the hot-spot.
This isn’t the flashlight I’d choose if I wanted to illuminate some object that was 75 yards away, but it is the perfect choice if I want to softly illuminate everything (including peripheral areas) up to 20 or 30 yards away. It is difficult to convey, but while the Mi1c puts out a lot of light – it’s a softer light (almost as though it was filtered) and it is very easy to see really well with this flashlight.
To my eyes the light color is a very pleasing neutral – perhaps edging a bit more toward the warm side of things.
Conclusions
I really can’t find a flaw with the Mi1c. While I’d like to have a reversible clip (for head-down carry) it isn’t very important to me, and it would likely not improve a great flashlight. I do tend to like instant access to the highest mode, but how do I complain about having to click the switch four times?
This is a flashlight that should be in every home – it’s easy to use, it is convenient, and it does its job extremely well. For most people, the Mi1c could well be the only flashlight they really need; it is absolutely perfect for those everyday flashlight chores, and quite a few not so common flashlight chores.
The beam is fantastic, the build quality is great, and it is easily carried everywhere. It is also simple to use, but packed with features. I am very pleased with my purchase of the Klarus Mi1c.
Klarus Mi1c Owner’s Manual
I bought mine here.
