Olight M3XS-UT Javelot
Reviewer’s Overall Rating: ★★★★★
Summary:
Battery: 3x CR123A, 2x 18500: 4x CR123A, 2x 18650 w/adapter and/or sleeve
Switch: Tail Clicky w/Low Voltage LED Side Switch
Modes: Basic Modes L-M-H-Tur available from Clicky at tail And through the side switch
On/Off controlled at tail, Moon accessed by holding e-switch WHILE engaging On at clicky.
LED Type: Cree XP-L Factory De-Domed
Lens: AR Coated glass coated 2 sides
Tailstands: Yes
Price Paid: Listed at $149.95
From: Olight M3XS-UT Javelot at GearBest
Date Ordered: Received for review on June 12, 2015 via DHL
Pros:
Factory De-domed flashlight featuring Cree XP-L emitter, very cleanly done
Excellent Build Quality
Outstanding Anodizing
AR glass lens coated 2 sides
Large Diameter very thick Copper mcpcb with Direct Thermal Path
Tactical grip
Tail stands
Tail clicky affords tactical mode settings, Side Switch for easy mode changes with a red LED in the center to indicate Low Voltage Warning
Fantastic throw right out of the box
Regulation circuitry shows me almost identical readings whether using freshly charged pair of 18650’s or an old pair partly used. Same thing for cheap lap pull Sanyo 18500’s. It works great, excellent output of ~4A to the emitter regardless of what cells I test it with.
Cons:
Struggling with this one, really don’t see anything I don’t like about this light!
Features / Value: ★★★★★
We’ve grown to expect high quality builds and finishes from Olight, and this light is no exception. Fit and finish is superb, anodizing is the typical flat black found with HAIII coatings. The design is very nice on this Javelot, with cooling fins along the sides of the e-switch area. I’d liked to have seen the side opposite the switch filled with these cooling fins also to aid in finding the side switch with your fingers in the dark, but all in all the ergonomics are really nice.
The M3XS-UT came in a fitted plastic carry case, padded with cut out foam lining that have fitments for the accessory o-rings and such. Nice package, pertinent information is on the cardboard like outer coverings on the box. The light came with no dents, dings, or scratches.
Olight has been paying attention, and this light really rocks straight out of the box!
I measured 2A at the tail on the pair of LG HE-4’s I tried, rested and partially used. Fresh cells show 1.95A at the tail, similar readings on the 18500 flat top lap pulls.
My light box shows…
3 lumens at an almost un measurable 0.01A that fluctuates to all zeroes
99.36 lumens with a tail reading of .07A
651.36 lumens with a tail reading of .73A
and 1252.35 lumens with a reading of 1.95A
These almost exactly mimmick Olights claims and are exceptional for the de-domed XP-L emitter. Tint on mine is a slightly warm white without green or rings. Very nice!
Throw measures out to 251.25Kcd on my meter, matching the claimed 250Kcd from Olight.
And at 610 yds…
Design / Build Quality: ★★★★★
Design on this light is unique. Futuristic even, and may not appeal to everyone. But it’s strong suit is that Olight did the legwork for us, initially. As far as I know, this is the first factory de-domed Cree XP-L light. And it’s done very cleanly! The addition of the low voltage warning light and side mounted e-switch makes for very easy operation.
Notice here that the bezel is unusually thin, allowing for the largest possible diameter reflector. Also note the invisible AR coated glass lens. Even though this light is similar to the legendary HD2010, and the head diameter is almost exactly the same, the reflector is significantly larger in diameter and really shows when looking at the business end of this light! Well done Olight, very nice touch!
A closer look at the factory de-dome. Yes, the beam color does show that it’s de-domed, but it’s one of the more subtle de-domed tint changes I’ve seen.
Notice that they didn’t put a colored finish mask on the top of the fire retardent g10 layer on the mcpcb, not necessary I suppose on a proprietary use item.
Sure makes it necessary to keep the black plastic centering ring though, or the aluminum reflector would short out on the exposed traces. ;
The overall size and fit in the hand is very nice. With the large block portions for grip as well as the tactical ring I don’t expect this one to have any issues with slippage in use. I wish the tactical ring were in a fixed position or threaded on tight, but it rotates freely, albeit not loosely.
The tailcap and easily removable tactical ring. The tactical ring is also hard anodized aluminum. Not threaded but retained by the tail cap.
They say something about a new expandable switch contact for use of the various cells, I see the new mechanism but am not sure I should try to take this one apart. It works with the cells I’ve tried, and that’s the main thing.
The driver in this one is different than the one in the previous model, with a neat little spring plate to ensure a good solid ground, or so it seems…
The driver is a 2 board style, with a very hefty FET on it, like the one’s we used when we first build the FET drivers. Nice!
Square threads abound, and already greased as well, same as with other versions of these lights from Olight! Well done, nice touch.
And like the others, it has O-rings in all the right places. Nice fitment on them as well.No glue on any threads in this light, but the bezel was on so tight I was beginning to think it was glued.
I wonder how long I’ll be able to leave those 2 R050 sense resistors alone? Hmmmm……. Big smile
Battery Life: ☆☆☆☆☆Unknown at this time
Light Output: ★★★★★
I’ve got to say that light output is very nice on this one! With the current level at recommended max for the emitter, it’s really doing a good job getting the light down range. Well designed reflector as well as very well made and the high quality AR coating on the lens ensure this is true.
On the Box……………….My Measurements
High…1200 lumens…………….1252 lumens
Med……600 lumens…………….651 lumens
Low…….80 lumens………………99 lumens
Moon…….3 lumens………………2.86 lumens (:P)
1000M Throw………………………1003M Throw
250Kcd…………………………….251.25Kcd Lux taken at 5M
Summary: ★★★★★
All in all this is a very nice light. With a superior build quality and outstanding reflector, the factory de-domed XP-L is really cranking out the light. The new side switch is a very nice addition, although not made in a manner we’re familiar with. It’s center is filled with a red LED that warns of low voltage, also a nice touch but I have yet to run a cell down far enough to see at what point this function kicks in. Will try to do that and get back to ya with this information.
Battery run times are something people question, and it’s always such a variable… how strong is the light? How large the capacity on your choice of cell? This one, like all the rest, will run according to what you feed it.
I have to say that I give this light a big thumbs up. Highly recommend it!
Thank you Karen at GearBest.com for providing this light for review. Excellent service, quick delivery, well packaged with extra foam wrapping around the box. Well done!
Very pleased with the upgrades that Olight gave this light over the M2X-UT, nice step up in performance, UI and added features such as the low voltage warning. Glad to see Olight is paying attention! Thank you!
Dale
I took some measurements and Voltage/Current readings this evening, so here’s a bunch more pics as I went about doing this… (keeping them at the end for continuity )
The overall diameter of the head/bezel
Diameter of glass AR lens
Diameter of reflector
Height of reflector
Diameter of driver
And here’s the new trick in the tailcap, a thick gold plated wire that makes contact with the INSIDE of the battery tube. This allows the tail cap to have full ground at any position with the various cell combinations, instead of relying on it sitting on the end of the battery tube like most lights. Slick!
I slipped up and didn’t get a forward voltage reading for moon mode, here’s the current at the emitter in moon…
Voltage then current in the other 3 modes… Low first
Then Medium
Then High
All the forward Voltage and Amperage readings were taken with a pair of Samsung 26C lap pulls in the light, rested sitting at 4.15V. I soldered a 20ga lead in between the negative lead from the driver and the negative pad on the mcpcb such that a loop was formed (about a 4” length of wire) then read the current through my clamp meter. So this is actual current at the emitter, as is the forward Voltage with my leads on the soldered pads.
And here’s a shot of the Family, left to right… M3X Triton, M2X UT Javelot, M3XS-UT Javelot.
Sweet little lights one and all, with the Triton being converted to an MT-G2, the M2X-UT has an FET driver. All together still can’t touch the big brother, as my Olight SR-90 has an XHP-70 in it at 96CRI, making 4620 lumens. :bigsmile: Me? I’m liking my Olights, A LOT!