Review : Nitecore MH20GT Xp-l hi v3

A few words for Nitecore MH20GT :

Made to fit in the palm of your hand, the MH20GT is an optimal choice for EDC, especially when used with the included DPC (Deep Pocket Carry) clip. A standard CREE XP-L HI LED emits beam-focusing 1000 lumens with plenty of reach and peripheral illumination for situational awareness. The MH20GT offers access to 5 useful output levels and 3 hidden special modes with a versatile side-switch. Resistant to water (2m submersible) and shock (1.5m), this small package is engineered with a whole host of features for virtually any outdoor scenario.

Overview/Specifications :

First Look :

Flashlight in it’s box , a customized box from Nitecore :

Package Contains :

  • Flashlight
  • Holster
  • User manual
  • Small Nitecore Catalogue
  • Lanyard
  • 2x O-rings
  • Extra charging port rubber sealing
  • Micro-USB cable
  • Pocket Clip

A closer look :

You can see the front side of the flashlight , with the e-switch visible .

Flashlight’s head :

Front side , with the e-switch . You can notice the bezel has a more shiny anodization :

Back side , with the USB charging port :

A close photo of the switch . I really like the design , it is easy to press , while it isn’t really easy to be pressed accidentally :

Some nice cooling fins , and the anti-roll design of the head :

Flashlight has a SMO reflector and AR coated lens . Notice the xp-l hi V3 too :

The battery tube . Nice knurling , very smooth in hand :

Tailcap :

Notice the lanyard hole :

And inside , the gold plated spring :

Nice , “square” & anodized threads . They were lubed but i would add some more grease :

Both unprotected and protected (even long batteries like Panasonic NCR18650B) fit without issues :


:exclamation: You need button top batteries for this light :exclamation:

And , driver of the flashlight :

Flashlight’s Holster :

Holster seems to be the same with MH20 , but flashlight fits without issues! :

Bonus : Short comparison with MH20

MH20GT is a little longer (6mm) :

MH20 left , MH20GT right :

How it works (&modes) :

The MH20GT utilizes a 2-stage switch. The light’s numerous functions are selected according to the depth the switch is pressed.

On / Off Operation :
Switch ON: Press the switch all the way down until a click is heard.
Switch OFF: Press the switch all the way down once again to switch the light off and enter standby
mode.

Standby Mode (OFF) :
When in standby mode, presssing the switch halfway will activate the blue power indicator to flash once every
three seconds, helping locate the MH20GT in dark conditions. Presssing the switch halfway again
will turn the power indicator off.

Brightness Levels :
With the flashlight switched on, press the switch halfway repeatedly to cycle through the following
brightness levels: ultra-low, low, medium, high and turbo.
NOTE: Flashlight has a memory feature. Upon turning-on, it will resume the brightness level
last used.

Direct Access to Ultra-low/Turbo :
With the light switched off, press and hold the switch halfway for over one second to access
ultra-low mode.
With the light switched off, press and hold the switch all the way down for over one second to
access turbo.

Special Modes :
With the light switched on, press and hold the switch all the way down for more than one second to
enter strobe mode. When in strobe mode, press the switch halfway repeatedly to cycle through
SOS, Location Beacon and Strobe modes. To exit, simply press the switch all the way down to turn
the light off. The flashlight does not have memory effect for any of these special modes.

Battery Indicator :

After battery installation, the blue power indicator will blink to indicate battery voltage . For example, when battery voltage is at 4.2V, the blue power indicator will blink 4 times, followed by a one second pause and another 2 blinks.

Usb Charging :

When you plug the USB cable , and battery is getting charged , indicator is flashing :

And when battery is full , it stays on :

Charging current : 0.50 A
Termination voltage : 4.17 V (Battery rested)

Measurements :

Sanyo NCR18650GA battery was used in all measurements

Lumens :

  • Ultra-low - 0,9 lumens
  • Low - 44 lumens
  • Medium - 268 lumens
  • High - 457 lumens
  • Turbo - 905 lumens

Tailcap measurements (amp draw) :

  • Ultra-low - 4.21mA
  • Low - 90.8mA
  • Medium - 0.57A
  • High - 1.02A
  • Turbo - 2.74A

Current draw , in standby mode (parasitic drain while flashlight is off) : 29 uA

My test , with thermal data :

Turbo mode :

Intensity :

Nitecore MH20GT : 35.8 kcd

Beamshots :

Control Shot :

Low :

Medium :

High :

Turbo :

House @ 110 meters . You could say this light throws :wink:

Conclusion :

A high quality pocket “thrower” from Nitecore . It is an all-in-one solution , that means you need only a battery and you are good to go and use the light :smiley: . Beam profile is smooth , and generally beam has a good throw and a useful spill . I think review covers the rest , and i totally recommend this light :beer: .

Comment if you want me to check something on the flashlight , or tell your opinion . Thanks !

Flashlight can be found on Gearbest : http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_353118.html

Reserved…

3/9 - Updated turbo runtime

Shaping up to be a nice review!

Always fancied that light, just not the cheapest unfortunately :frowning:

Running the run time now , and i have to take the beamshots, so it should be good tomorrow …

Should be updated (and completed) in ~24hrs :wink:

Updated thread with turbo runtime

Beamshots tomorrow …. due to rain :confused:

Edit : Beamshots added . Tomorrow i will update last thing in the review .

Wow great review so far G! :beer:

Great EDC light, got both CW/NW prefer the NW. Throws really well for such a small light, plenty of spill, flawless reflector with a nice tight hot spot. It’s a killer kit with all that comes with it, just add a 3500mAh battery!

This is such a great feature - Standby Mode (OFF) :
When in standby mode, presssing the switch halfway will activate the blue power indicator to flash once every
three seconds, helping locate the MH20GT in dark conditions. Presssing the switch halfway again
will turn the power indicator off.

Got a great deal from Martin “M4D M4X” too! Sold quite a few to friends, co-workers and family members, my buddy is getting a bunch for his Hunt Club members!

Thanks KWB !

Mh20 is a great light , and i think now mh20gt has the perfect setup !

MH20 is a great little light, no doubt about it, but the MH20GT is a “Killer” little light!!!

Review is done :wink:

Very nice review as always. This light is definitely on my wish list.