Review: Solarforce M8

Is Solarforce's Top Flashlight All That?

Yes.

Its $75 price gets you two different torches, both of them outstanding. I've wanted this light badly from the day I first saw it, when it came out nearly a year ago. (I think it was a year) I don't remember there being as many XM-L throwers available then as there are now but even if this category is more crowded, the M8 is a versatile XM-L powerhouse that is more than just a big thrower.

I tend to ramble so, here it is in a nutshell: In the 2 x 18650 configuration with the single mode tactical switch, the M8 can put an enormous disc of light on something 50 to 75 yards away and with (Solarforce rated) 780 lumens, can significantly illuminate a target at 100 yards. With a single battery and the included A.I. switch, the robust M8 becomes a compact thrower able to deliver 500 lumens on high (Solarforce specs) yet can still power down to 40 lumens on low. The A.I. switch also has a fast strobe for some insanely stupid reason but the advantages of the M8's flexibility are many. From 780 to 40 lumens, the Solarforce M8 can fill a variety of roles and is a top quality, high performance flashlight that might cost double if "Olight" were printed on the side. Lucky for us po' folk; it's a Solarforce.

What I like:

- one or two battery versatility

- "hybrid" reflector actually does offer a little spill despite how deep and smooth it is

- square threads

- solid tail-stander

- nice gift box with extra o-rings and GITD boot

What I do not like:

- fast strobe

- a medium setting and a lower low would have been nice

- was expecting a little brighter flashlight

Solarforce M8 XM-L/T6 Flashlight from solarforce-sales.com http://www.solarforce-sales.com/product_detail.php?t=LF&s=26&id=186

$74.99

emitter: single XM-L/T6

tail cap regulated, direct drive on high, 2.7 - 9.0 volts

batteries: 1 x 18650 or 2 x 18650 or 2 x 16340/CR123

T6061 T6 aluminum alloy, "HA III"

waterproof, rated IPX-8

what comes in the box:

- single 18650 flashlight

- extension tube

- single mode "tactical" tail cap switch (tail stands)

- 3-mode "A.I." tail cap switch (tail stands)

- adjustable lanyard with quick-release

- extra o-rings (3)

- GITD boot (1)

- magnetized gift box

A few tail cap measurements . . .

with single mode tactical switch:

2 x 18650 unprotected Panasonic 2350 - 1.57 amps (approx. 3.14 to emitter)

1 x 18650 unprotected panasonic 2350 - 2.26 amps

1 x 18650 protected Solarforce 2400 - 2.40 amps

(I don't know how to measure amps with the A.I switch screwed on)

This is what you get and yes, the metal parts are free to bang against each other all the way from Hong Kong. Even though it's "HA III" my M8 arrived "pre-distressed" with a (very) slight anno rub-off on the head. Also, below is how my package arrived:

When I turned it ripped-side-down, my SST-50 drop-in dropped out on my foot. Foy is not impressed, Solarforce packers. This is the thanks I get for spreading as much Solarforce love as I do? Good thing I already drank the Kool-Aid. On with the show! Let's talk about looks:

In single or two battery configuration, the M8 looks butch. Crenulated "bezel" actually forms the top part of the head with the lower edge screwing down well past the top of the reflector. Anti-roll whatchamacallits only work on table's edge, with the flashlight head off the table. Otherwise, the flat tail cap surfaces do their best but it's usually not enough - the M8 rolls around a lot. Also, I prefer to regard the pretty scalloped bezel not as a flesh-shredding facilitator, but rather a handy means to know if the light is on while resting lens-down. Passive cooling solution screws into the head and contains the pill, which seems to be pressed into the large heatsink, into which the forward battery tube screws. Let's tear this baby apart!

The reflector fits snug around the little ridge that surrounds the emitter and there seems to be no way to peer inside, short of bricking my brand new flashlight.

This is the other end that screws into the forward battery tube. Solarforce conveniently put their web site address on the PCB for handy reference - for those moments we all experience; not remembering where we bought the dang flashlight. Simply disassemble and there it is. Easy.

Here's the reflector. It's 52mm wide at the top and 50mm deep.

Solarforce calls this a "hybrid" reflector. The area up about 12mm from the base is OP before angling wider and mirror smooth the rest of the way.

Here it is with the head and tube installed. Typical Solarforce machine work; spectacular. I like the blocky "knurling" mostly because it's different. Functionally, I'm not sure if it's better or worse than a traditional grip, whatever that may be. Also; I sometimes laugh when I see cooling fins on a flashlight because it's usually the manufacturer implying the need for extreme heat management. That may be the case with the M8 as well but I will say this; I left it standing on its tail on high until it dimmed and it hardly got warm. (single Solarforce 2400 pulling 2.40 amps) Was it the fins? I'll let you decide.

Square threads, folks. Make fun if you want but it does matter, especially long term and it's normally not found on less expensive lights. The M8's threads feel silky smooth.

This is as far as I'm willing to tear it down, for now. I would like to see how the emitter is mounted but, oh well.

All beam shots are 1/4 second @ f2.8 and this is looking down the side of the new Foybezels, Inc.™ world headquarters.

First up, we'll use a 2011 version L2 stoked with an UltraFire 3-mode XM-L purchased last April. Battery is an unprotected Panasonic 2350.

Now the M8 with 2 x Panasonic 2350.

Here they are side by side because I've yet to discover how to do the mouse-over thing.

The L2/UF XM-L is on the left and the M8 on the right. More spill, of course with the L2 but the hot spot is more intense with the M8.

This is the M6 with an UltraFire 3000.

Here they are side by side; M6 on the left, M8 on the right.

This is the UltraFire UF-980L with a Solarforce 2400 battery.

Side by side again with the 980L on the left and M8 on the right. At this range, it's not even a contest; the 980L spanks the M8 and puts it to bed with no dinner. Although the 980L actually does have a quite impressive throw, the M8 kills it after about 30-40 yards.

And, while we're here, let's have some more fun with the 980L . . .

This is my TrustFire F-15 T6/E1320 edition with a Panasonic 2350 battery . . .

The F15 on the left, 980L on the right and remember, the F15 has an OP reflector while the 980L is SMO. Even though the F15 lights up more of the roofs, the 980L is still brighter.

I hesitate to post these next few because they do not show how these lights throw as well as I'd hoped. I'll put them up I suppose and take whatever I got coming . . .

This is a Solarforce Masterpiece Pro I (XR-E) with 2 x Panasonic 2350 at . . . let's call it 60 yards.

Here's the M8 with the same batteries.

Here they are side by side with the MPP I on the left and the M8 on the right. At this distance the M8 does seem to light up a bigger area but anything farther than this and the MPP I out throws the M8 significantly. Amazing what a properly focused/driven WC-R2 can do.

This is a Masterpiece Pro II (MC-E) with the same 2 x Panasonic 2350 setup.

And again, side by side with the M8 on the right. Who says an MC-E can't reach out and touch someone? This is interesting too, when you consider the MPP II has a full OP reflector. As bad as these throw pictures are, the above does correctly show the M8 putting more light, farther away.

This is the Skyline I with 2 x Eveready CR123 primaries.

Skyline I on the left and the M8 on the right. The Skyline I can out-reach the M8 but at that distance, the amount of light on the target is minimal.

The neighbors started looking at me at this point and the place I'm shining the lights on is a patch of grass reserved for dog squatting. Apparently, dogs don't like to do their business in the dark under a spot-light and their owners seem to prefer the dog get on with what they need to do, rather than staring and barking at a guy with a flashlight. Ergo, Foy concluded his business.

I'll leave you with this final shot of the M8 and my cat "Ted" looking on with overwhelming disinterest. Ted is definitely the alpha of our two cats and however alpha the M8 appears, I have at least one light that can out-perform it in terms of throw (MPP I) or overall output. (980L) Why the M8 may be a better flashlight than those two examples is its versatility. The M8 can hang with some of the best throwers available and 700 plus lumens is certainly not dim. For its intended purpose, the Solarforce M8 is one of those lights you'll never regret buying.

thatnksforwatchingFoy

Great Review Foy! Cant wait to see the beam shots.

I'm not a fan of M8 but this is a great review! I'll wait the "part two"!

You review is great (like every review you do). I think part 2 will show us some beamshots or not?

Thanks for the great review , Foy .

I NEVER regret entering a Foy thread.

Thank you for the review :)

I thank you for another fantastic review! However, I do not thank you for further tempting me on this light when my college wallet is damn near empty:( lol.

Thanks Foy! Always a quality review, and quality photography!

any comparison with catapult v3?

Excellent photos as always!

If I had a V3 I would love to compare it.

thanksforthenicewordsFoy

AWESOME light. Congrats

nice one foy another one on the list

Very nice,.... i will add this and m6 to my basket for next month

The M6 review is coming next.

Foy

Foy,

Do you happen to have a Jetbeam BC40? If so, what are your thoughts on them relative to each other? I can't decide between the two. Thanks, and thanks for the great review!

Mike

Don't own the Jet Beam . . .

wouldliketoFoy

Jetbeam is smaller, just a little bit brighter and has simplier modes, M8 is bigger and easily outthrows BC40 thanks to big reflector.

Thanks. Still unsure though... If only the laws of physics were inverted so that smaller reflectors could have more throw..

Ooops, sorry I'm so late to the party. Excellent review as usual Foy! It's finally Sticky and Frontpage as it deserved from the beginning. :) It somehow slipped by me. My apologies.

No problem. With the way this forum is growing, it must be a challenge sometimes to keep up. A good problem to have . . .

Foy