Ultrafire M2 Cree R5 5-Mode 280-Lumen Memory LED Flashlight (AA)
Ok its 6 mode really . This sample came from Manafont , and took some 2 Weeks after receiving the shipment notice to get to my letterbox .
Ok , I have wanted one for a while , and now I have at last the M2 Ultrafire in my hand , and I have to say what a nice light it is , I dont think the pictures do it justice , but it has to be one of the best sub $20 AA lights available [ havent tried a 14500 yet ] . Now the only issue I have with is the 5 mode description , its 6 mode ! Hi-Med-Lo-Strobe-2 flash beacon-SOS .
So far I have found nothing to fault [ havent tried 14500 yet ] , the light has just been a nice solid performer , the XP-G emitter throws a very nice beam , there is no battery slop , the clicky is as close to just right as can be , the threads are ever so well machined and smooth . The anodizing is nice and even , and the only thing I can complain about is the Clip , it needs to be made of a little thiker wire to stiffen it up , it just feels ............ weak ! [ still better than no clip at all ]
If you look at the pictures you may pick up on the fact that the body is just a little thicker than your usual host built on this platform , and with a AA there is little if any heat issues , and I expect this may have been done to better handle a 14500 .
Lets check out some AA performance :
Nimh @ 1.43v High = 118L - 1.99A , Med = 61L - 0.97A , Low = 25L - 0.39A
Coles Alkaline , High 123L - 1.99A , Med 65L - 0.98A , Low 28L - 0.41A
Varta High Energy , High 113L , Med 60L , Low 26L
Dry Cell 1 , High 39L , Med 17L , Low 11L
Dry Cell 2 , High 65L , Med 37L , Low 20L
Dry Cell 3 , High 43L , Med 27L , Low 15L
The performance on Nimh and Alkaline is rather good , but as expected you take quite a hit with dry cells which simply cant provide the current needed for higher output . Now I quite like the low mode , around 25L it is just right for me , but I can think of a lot of people that want less than that . 5 or so hours run time in low mode is just right for me , it offers just the right amount of light for around the back yard , and helping to avoid walking on creepy crawly things that go squish when you step on them .
AA Conclusion :
I have to say , I like this one , two things I would like to see changed , one is the clip , thicker wire to stiffen it up , and a 3 mode version , Hi-Med-Low would be the bees knees ! I am very impressed with this light , it really is one of the better AA lights that you can buy .
Well Made [ It really is , right up there with my Akoray ]
Glass Lens
OP reflector
XP-G R5
6 Mode
Nice even anodizing
Well machined
Well cut threads - smooth
O rings where there needed
Tailstands
Clip - [ bit weak ]
PWM - Medium and low [ low is quite slow ]
If I may suggest , this one costs a few dollars more , but you also get more , so far there has been no need to adjust or tweak anything , it has performed very well for the last 3 days or so [ used it as often as I could ] , nothing was lose [ often the case ] , and I if this sample is the norm , you may want one in your collection [ lets see what happens with the 14500 ] , but with the AA , its been 100% so far . I will update with 14500 results soon .
AA beams = Low - Medium - High [ was a low cloud rainy evening so lots of light bounce from city lights ]
14500 , Low - Medium - High
14500 Performance :
14500 @ 4.05v
High = 265L - 0.94A
Medium = 134L - 0.44A
Low = 53L - 0.17A
With so many problems with cheaper lights I thought I would see how the M2 went on a not fully charged 14500 and I have to say Im impressed , I could see no issues , so it looks like the driver can handle the 14500 just fine [ So far ] . I will run it with the 14500 some more to get some time under its belt , but so far looking good .
I have to say I like the current draw on this one , 265L @ 0.94A is very nice , seems the more I use this light the more I like it , well the M2 certainly makes for a nice change from the usual run of So So .
Whether you chose to run AA or 14500 , it looks like the M2 has something to offer , and I have to call this a really good buy , so far two thumbs up for the Ultrafire M2 from Manafont .