Hugsby ML-8
Reviewer's Overall Rating: ★★★★★
Summary:
| Battery: | 2x 18650 |
| Switch: | Reverse Clicky Tailcap Switch |
| Modes: | 4: High, Medium, Low, Strobe |
| Memory: | No (Always starts on High) |
| LED Type: | 1 x XM-L2 (Pure White) |
| Lens: | AR coated Glass |
| Reflector: | Mild Orange Peel Texture |
| Tailstands: | Yes |
| Price: | $34.99 Shipped |
| Provided by: | AirsoftPeak.com (Free Worldwide shipping on all products) |
| Product Link: | http://www.airsoftpeak.com/hugsby-cree-lumens-2x18650-flashlight-black-p-13395.html |
Pros:
Good machining
- Not perfect as there are some very faint machining marks under some of the anodization.
- Great trapezoid cut threads, very smooth threading.
- All edges are smooth.
Anti-reflective coated glass lens.
Nicely spaced modes.
Uniquely smooth anodized finish (Described below).
Cons:
Threads between the Bezel and Head as well as the Battery tube and head are glued up tight.
Function/UI:
Tailcap current (Amps):
| High | Medium | Low |
| 1.520 | .255 | .064 |
(2x Protected Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh)
| Flashlight (Reflector Finish) | Throw measurement (cd) |
| Convoy C8 (Mild OP) | 18000 |
| Tangsfire C8 (Smooth) | 28000 |
| Uniquefire UF-V8 (Smooth) | 30000 |
| Hugsby ML-8 (Mild OP) | 40000 |
| XinTD X3 (Smooth) | 41000 |
Measurements taken at 30sec from a distance of 7ft calculated to cd at 1m.
Standard reverse clicky switch operation.
Click on. Half press for mode change. H-M-L-Strobe
Strobe is a fairly fast, constant-rate strobe.
Pictures:
The Hugsby ML-8 arrived in an extremely well packed corrugated cardboard box. Inside the cardboard box was a thin, white cardboard box (thicker than your standard flimsy white box); the white box was wrapped in 2 layers of foam sheet. Inside the white box was another layer of foam sheet wrapped around the bubble sleeve which contained the ML-8. They did an absolutely fantastic job packing this flashlight! And finally we get to the flashlight!
Some Close ups:
The knurling on the head is not too aggressive and provides some grip. The logo is quite crisp and cleanly done.
You can see some very faint machining marks on the machined out divots in the head of the flashlight. Apart from that the machining is very good.
The anodization is peculiar. No other flashlight in my collection has this type of finish. That is not to say that the anodization is bad, on the contrary, it is absolutely awesome. It is far and above the smoothest finish I've ever felt on a flashlight. I've let a few family members and friends play with it a bit and the most common comment is something to the effect of "This is very smooth!" It doesn't feel at all cheap or like paint like some very low quality flashlights I've come across, and it doesn't feel faintly 'grainy' like the high quality non-budget-friendly flashlights. It is unique in my experience. Having described how smooth the finish is, grip may be a problem for some. I feel that the flat machined portions of the battery tube and the tailcap provide enough grip that it isn't a problem for me.
The tailcap has machined portions for easy access to the reverse clicky switch and 2 slots opposite each other for lanyard attachment.
The rear battery tube threads. They're trapezoidal cut and lubed from the factory. The backside edge of the thread was not finished and looks a bit unsightly; however, the tailcap threads on smooth all the way and seats firmly over the O-ring.
A couple pictures from the front. The XM-L2 emitter is slightly off center. Mild OP finish on the reflector. AR coating can faintly be seen in the shot on the right.
On the left is a stock X3 with a plain glass lens, the bulbs in the fixture are warm white. On the right is the stock Hugsby ML-8 with its AR coated lens (Notice the light blue hue on the light bulbs).
Comparison & Beamshots:
Some mid-range throwers for comparison.
From left to right.
Tangsfire C8, XinTD X3, Hugsby ML-8, Uniquefire UF-V8
The ML-8's reflector is slightly wider and slightly deeper than that of the X3.
In the following series of mouseout/mouseovers, the mouse over is the Hugsby ML-8.
Mouse Out is a Convoy C8 (OP Reflector).
Mouse Out is a Tangsfire C8 (Smooth reflector)
Mouse Out is XinTD X3.
The Hugsby ML-8 has a similar beam profile to a XinTD X3.
Conclusion:
This is a great flashlight.
The very faint machining marks in the cutouts on the head, and the glued portions of the light are the only faults I can find on the Hugsby ML-8.
The ML-8 boasts a butter smooth beam with its orange peel textured reflector while still maintaining a respectable amount of throw for its size. The XM-L2 led sees an average 3 amp drive. It comes stock with an AR coated lens which is fairly uncommon for a budget light in this price range, and the ML-8 is topped off with a superb anodized finish.
I rate the Hugsby ML-8 a 5 out of 5.
