[Review] Olight M2R Warrior (1x18650, tactical, USB rechargable)

Hello everyone, today I'll be reviewing the M2R Warrior, sent for the occasion from the store Olight ® Direct IT whom I thank for the opportunity and confidence given to me.



CLICK HERE to go to the official page on the Olight's website.

I want to clarify that the reviews are done at the amateur level and without the aid of scientific instruments or test in secret Labs cutting edge therefore, between the lines that follow, there will also be my humble observations.


Official Olight's Features:

- high voltage 3500mAh 18650 lithium ion battery included, delivering a maximum output of 1,500 lumens.
- comfortable and firm grip with ergonomic knurling allowing the user to operate the tailswitch naturally without even looking at it due to it's smooth, barrier-less tail cap.
- aside from momentary or constant turbo from the standard operation mode, the light also features an enhanced tactical mode for one click instant access to strobe.
- compatible with all conventional 18650 batteries.
- rechargeable through the included 5V 750mAh OLIGHT USB magnetic charging cable or the optional OLIGHT Micro-Dok (II or above).



Where to Buy

The flashlight in question can be purchased easily on the amazon page of Olight ® Direct


The Packaging and the Accessories

The M2R Warrior comes in a hard box, placed inside a paperboard box.
Externally, on the main frontpage, there are the photo on the flashlight, the writings Olight M2R Warrior and the more salient technical specifications.




At the back we find the description, the features and the specifications in details of the product.



On one side, besides the written Olight, there are references to the application of this flashlight.



Once extracted all from the box, to close the protective packaging and as additional protection, there is a clear plastic sheet that reveals the product on one half and on the other half is well explains how to use the flashlight.
Specifically, there is the warning that should be removed the plastic film that protects the cell before you can use the flashlight, the note about how to access two modes of flashlight (Standard and Tactical) and hot to operate with the tail button (we'll see later).




Under the plastic sheet there will be the flashlight inserted inside a specially shaped compartment and, next to it, the accessories.



Once extracted everything from various magazines, we have:

- the M2R Warrior
- the clip
- a 3500 mAh nominal 18650 battery (inserted inside the flashlight)

- the USB cable (a little more than 50 cm long) with the proprietary magnetic base at the end, typical of the latest Olight models, for charging
- a lanyard
- the scabbard

- an advertising leaflet
- the manual in several languages, including English




Externally the scabbard is maded of cordura but tp the touch, unlike the other models, this appears more thick... as if it were slightly padded.
Unlike other scabbards, and to stay in scabbards theme, this has the opening with a whisper-quiet pressure clips instead of noisy velcro. On it there is a strip of cordura.
Sideways, on the left, sticks out a strip on with the inscription "Olight".




At the rear there is a plastic D-rings and two passers-by, one is for the belt while the other is for the M.O.L.L.E. attack, whose closure is managed by a press stud.



On the bottom there is an eyelet.



The flashlight can be inserted in both directions and I haven't encountered any difficulties whatsoever.





Here's the clip closed. The flap of cordura was shifted momentarily below.



With a slight pressure, falls on plastic "tooth" and gets run off. The action can also be performed with one hand.



The scanning of advertising package





and the only parts in English and Italian of the manual that can be viewed and/or downloaded (for free) directly from Olight by going to THIS page.




The Flashlight

The M2R Warrior is the new compact Olight tactical flashlight.
The body, especially the central part, presents some of the new aesthetics seen in recent models (e.g. in the H2R NOVA) and I mean the large rectangular horizontal knurling.
Even head and tail, albeit minimally, have vertical grooves that
slightly slim the shapes.
The details are always in electric blue that characterizes new products Olight.


Overhead stand out the name Olight



and the name M2R Warrior. This lettering and those which we'll then present no smudging.



Along the body, located in the thickest part near the head of the flashlight and surrounded by grooves that improve the dissipation, there is one of two electronic keys of the flashlight. With that you commands the UI for normal uses of the flashlight (I refer you to paragraph "how it works" for more information).
The button protrudes slightly from the body and at the center has a dot, further raised, which facilitates easy detection in the dark. Behind that dot there is a small red LED that lights up to inform us when the battery voltage is at low levels and/or critical.
The button is surrounded by an electric blue ring, its run is very short and the click is moderately noisy.



On the back, on the opposite side of the button, there is the inscription CE. Little higher, you may notice better the horizontal grooves to dissipate.



As stated previously the flashlight arrives with pocket clip already attached. Its peculiar shape allows us to grab the flashlight upside down and up without having to move it.
The double clip has a good grip on the dresses.



Overhead there is the XHP 35 HD LED, well centered in its seat and surrounded by an OP parabola. Our LED flashlight has a CW tint but this flashlight is also solded, although are few, with an LED with NW tint. Obviously these models with NW tint are very rare, when not impossible to find, in Europe.



The glass above the parabola has the anti-reflective and is surrounded by a slightly serrated bezel in the classic blue coloration.



Queued, sideways, there is a drawing that explains that the second key, electronic, always can be pressed slightly ("tap") to perform the momentary ON or fully pressed to turn on the flashlight or activate the strobe. I refer you to the section "How does".



Small digression: next to the picture is the hole where the wrist strap can be fitted.



The strap comes out of the box and can be inserted with ease thanks to the metal pin present and that, after inserting the wire into the hole, will be removed.



Returning to the button, it is fully metallic and is convex in the middle. Even the ring that surrounds it is metallic and both, once connected to the magnetic charging base, helping to recharge the battery inside.
The magnet in the tail allows you to attach it on metal surfaces, both horizontally and vertically.
The tail bottom is completely flat and allows flashlight tailstand.

Even this key has a short run and, despite its two functions (tap and click complete) sounds very muffled.



To the flashlight you can just unscrew the tailcap, whose thread is lubricated, glides well and is anodised. Then you can do the physical lock-out.
The first time that we unscrew it, we will have to remove the plastic film that protects the battery from any stray discharges and prevents accidental starting.

As per Olight's tradition, the cell is inserted reversed instead but, unlike the other models, it's a standard cell and not an owner of the brand with the double pole to the positive.



Extracted cell, leaps to the eye a picture depicting the battery and, most importantly, the direction of the polarity.



Close-up of the inside of the tailcap which at its center is present the double golden spring a the positive pole. Doodles with the "+" sign around the springs and, outside there is a contact



contact that brings power to the negative pole. In the image below you can see that the cell is surrounded by 2 circles. The inner brings the current and the outer is the flashlight body.



And here's a view of the negative pole inside the body. It consists of a golden double spring.
Given the presence of springs on both poles, flat top batteries are accepted as long as you respect the polarity.




The Battery and the Charging System

The battery that we find inside the flashlight is a 18650 protected button top with high discharge capacity (10 A) covered with a sheath owned the House that shows, in addition to the commodity code (ORB-186S35), the various cell data such as its capacity rated at 3500 mAh. I ignore the base cell. The cell comes with a voltage of
3, 6V.
N.B. If you want to replace the cell with a non branded Olight, at the time of purchase (the unprotected aren't required) we will have to keep in mind that the flashlight need to undermine 6A to operate the Turbo optimally.

In a test with the Opus it have the real capacity of 3422 mAh.




To follow, various positive poles picture (in the first picture was joined the battery with double pole (left) to the one with the classic pole(DX)),





the negative,



and of all writings and information printed on the sheath.











As I told you, when the cell reaches the low voltage, the LED underneath the button along the body lights up red to indicate that it is time to put the flashlight in charge.



Charging that you can make with the special charger included in the package. One side has a classic male USB plug and the other is the proprietary base that deals with recharge the cell at a speed, according to the manual, of 0.75A.
Into the header, where is the cable entry, there are two colored LEDs (one red and one green) that inform about the progress of charging.




The base in question is magnetic and, as you can see from the picture below, the golden external baseplate fits the external flshlight's metal disc while the golden central part matches the convex side of the key.



Once connected the flashlight to the base, will start charging at a speed of just under 0, 80A. The red LED located under the power base will turn on to warn us that charging is in progress.



While will become green when the process comes to an end. Process that will take 6 hours to finish. The cell will have, at the end of charge, a voltage of 4, 22v.




How Does It Work

The M2R Warrior has eight selectable modes, one of which is special (the strobe).

According to official Olight's data, normal modes have the following characteristics:

-Turbo 2-> 1500 lumens

- Turbo 1-> 1000 lumens
- High-> 700 lumens
- Med 1-> 250 lumens
- Med 2-> 60 lumens
- Low-> 15 lumen
- Moon-> 5 lumen


The two electronic keys of the flashlight can be used in two different ways, like he had two souls. The Standard and the Tactical.

We start by analyzing the tail button. It has two modes called standard operating modes (MOS) and improved tactics mode (MTM). The two modes can be chosen at will and will have the following characteristics:
- MOS: momentary ON with the Turbo 1 (1000 lumens) with tap, Turbo 1 turned on by holding down till the end (stays lit to the release);
- MTM: momentary ON with the Turbo 2 (1500 lumens) with tap, Strobe by holding down the button til the end (shuts down to the release).

There are two ways to select one mode or the other.
The first is to press and hold in the tail button until it stops and then press the key on the body once. To select the mode, just release.
The second is to hold down the side button, with flashlight tirned on, and let him run 3 looping through all modes until, still holding down, the LED will alternate between STROBE and Turbo. We must leave on one of 2 modes. In fact the first will trigger the MTM, according to MOS.


Let us now see the functioning of the button on the body.

With a single click turns on or off the flashlight to the last selected mode (have memory).

When it is off, by holding the button, you log on to the moon. This mode can only be invoked this way.
From the moon you can cycle the modes (holding the button) or off the flashlight (press once). The memory recalls this mode.


Normal modes are Low, Med 2 and 1, and High. Holding the button will cycle between them. Press once to turn off.


A double click from turned off flashlight will immediately invoke the High. Double clicking with turned on flashlight will turn on the Turbo, whose power depends on the selected mode (if we activate the MOS, we will have a turbo with 1000 lumens while with the MTM will have 1500 lumens).


When it is off or on, with a triple-click, we will access the Strobe.

If the flashlight is switched on with the button on its body and then will be invoked the turbo or the strobe with the tail button, the flashlight will go off to the release of that.
This behavior is not a defect since, if you are using tactical button, the flashlight is coming to be used in quick steps.
This is because the UI tactical takes precedence over the classic one.

The flashlight can be electronically locked.
To lock it we will have to hold, to flashlight snuffed, the side key. The Moon lights up and then goes off. At this point both keys will not work if pressed.
To unlock it you will need to press and hold the side button.


As a viable alternative to the electronic lock, there is a physical block (simply unscrew slightly the tailcap).


Dimensions and Weight

The flashlight is 12.98 cm long and have a diameter range from 2.29 to 2, 53cm. The thickest part though, the one with the dissipating fins, size 2.64 cm.
The battery is long 6.88 cm and has a diameter of 1.85 cm.
The only flashlight weighs 95 grams that become 105 gr with clip and reach 154 grams with the battery that alone weighs 48 grams.

To follow the photos for a dimensional comparison between a big BIC lighter and a 18650




and a Olight S30R Baton III.




Lumen, Runtime, Candles and Beamshot

N.B. The tests were conducted to follow with 18650 Olight exit from the box. The whole thing was done in a homely environment at 21° and, depending on the test, with and without forced ventilation.

The following values were taken with 18650 charged and are considered peak.



The following values were taken with 18650 charged and are considered peak.

N.B. Discharge curves are obviously indicative and the result may vary in either positive or negative depending on the batteries used by the end user or by the conditions of use, which may vary from mine during my tests.

Any read discrepancies about the tests made on the same mode are due to a different positioning of the measuring equipment.





The following values were taken with 18650 charged and are considered peak.



The following photo was taken at a distance of 20 cm from the wall.



Beam width.



Photos taken at modes Turbo 1, High, Med 1 and 2. The tree line is at 25 meters.
With the arm bent at 90° and the spot aimed at infinity, the spill is about 1 meter and half from my feet but there is an under spill that compensates a bit.









The house at the end of the street is at a distance of 70 meters. Turbo 1 and High modes. I apologize for the headlights behind the house, but were lit because it was supposed to land an air ambulance.





And here's the flashlight attached to the hood due to the magnet in the tail. Useful in case of need. The mode is High.




Personal considerations

I loved this flashlight for its UI that is different from other multikeys flashlights I've seen till now. It is suitable both for peaceful uses and for tactical scope although I would have preferred a different handling of the two Turbo modes with the button on the body, perhaps similar to that of X7R where it was enough to run a second time a double click. Into the dagger grip is convenient to tap the button in the queue but I found slightly awkward holding down. Comfortable even the double "S" clips.
The LED has a tint that not showing chromatic aberrations and gives the flashlight a decent shot. An additional point earned because you can find, outside of Europe, both in CW and NW tint.
I also liked the scabbard, quite unlike any other, has been specially designed for stealth.
All in all, except for some small shrewdness of which does not feel the lack, is a flashlight very handsome but at the same time practical, ergonomic, lightweight and versatile as it can be used either as a traditional flashlight and, with the necessary accessories that we will see in the near future, mounted on guns or as bicycle headlight.


What do you think about it? Do you would to buy it?

I’m not sure what your tactical training is, but this thing doesn’t appear to be very “Tactically” thought out, it’s going to be way to slow in that “Oooh $h!t” moment from the pocket. Getting it to turbo mode in a high stress situation from an E-lockout is not going to be much fun… if even at all possible.

It may be a very nice little EDC light, and a little brighter. but it’s no way tactically as good as the M1X.

M1X - $60.00 = Tactically Very GOOD
M2R - $100.00 = Tactically Not so much

You do the math.

You are absolutely right.

He nailed it. Tail switch should only ON/OFF or light press ON/full press STROBE. Nothing else, side switch does everything else. Tail switch always works regardless of lock out electronic side switch. Keep It Simple. In a truly Tactical situation, flashlight modes rank near bottom of things to do list. ArmyTek got this one right, tighten head and tail switch is ON/OFF only. Loosen head a fraction and you can play mode medley on the switch to your hearts content.

The M2R isn’t Tactical at all, but is versatily for normal use and Tactical situation.
Depending of the selected operavire modes, the Tailswitch can easly activate the 1000/1500lm modes fixed or on momentary-on and the Strobo.
The E-lock affect only the side switch (for daily usage) so the tail switch will work even with the flashlight locked. So you should be quite to use it safety in tactical situation with a “dagger grip”.

Been carrying this light about a week now and didn’t even know it had a lockout. Don’t lock it and everything will be fine. Can unholster it and activate it simply enough.

Neil

You are right about one thing “The M2R isn’t Tactical at all”.

Check again. According to every other review I’ve seen, that just is NOT True.

Illuminati

If I were you, I’d reread the instructions, before you find out the hard way about the lockout. Needing your light for a self-defense situation is not a good time to find out about the new features. :slight_smile:

Neil

Here is a review that seems to disagree with you about the e-lockout:

Here is a quote:

And:

If this is true I would have to agree, it’s flawed.

I know about it now lol. None-the-less, I use the holster. I’m guessing they intended the lockout to be for those who keep it in their pockets. The lockout feature seems like a logical thing to add for that instance. People who put it in their pocket then put other things in there with it will likely have an accidental turn on of the light. Not sure how else they could have done the lockout any better, other than perhaps allow the tail switch to unlock it as well. As I don’t have to worry about this, I’m not going to use the lockout.

The lockout locks both as Deputy Dog’s reply indicates. It is completely unusable until you unlock it.

I’m sorry, but I didn’t remember well.
Is true, the E-Lock affect both buttons… But no one say to you have to E-Lock it if you know that you could be in a situation that require a fast flashlight’s answer. :wink:
If is not E-Locked, you have only to take it from your pocket with a dagger grip and push the tail button to blast a Strobo or a Turbo 1/2 on the threat. :smiling_imp:
The Physical Lock is another choice, ever much faster that unlock from E-Lock.

Like I’ve said, I’m sure this is a nice EDC light. I just can’t understand why Olight decided to market it as a Tactical/Combat light.

I see this much as a firearms safety issue. It’s just like mixing dummy rounds or blanks with duty ammo. If something can go wrong it will go wrong.