Review: Haikelite MT07 Buffalo

Haikelite MT07 Bufallo

The flashlight was bought from Banggood with my own money no support from Haikelite nor support from any Retail stores.

Update: wrong title *oops. :smiley:

Review:
At the time i received the light this was my first Haikelite branded flashlight, i was looking for a short tube thrower with multiple 18650s so it is managable without long battery tube like the Convoy L6. i prefer this form factors over the 2 or more cells long tube configurations.

Lets move on to the light itself.
The light came with a rather plain cardbox box, if you are not familiar with the brand the box could have been mistaken for anything. No mention of what inside the box is written on the outside. No specification, no figures just a Chinese address where the Haikelite is at (i supposed). Oh there is a a white sticker with “CW” written on it to indicate probably for the worker at the Haikelite that this is the “Cool White” version of the Haikelite MT07.

This is a budget flashlight with Good quality, cheap doesn’t mean bad there are touches here and there which indicate that Haikelite is serious with their flashlight. It is cheap in the sense this is not a cheap junk, this light is cheap for what it delivers. The flashlight itself look hefty and well built they add a stainless steel bezel on the head, that little touches that make the light standout and look more expensive that what it is, even before switching the light on you know you are in for a treat.

Here are the specs:
There are 5 modes: 50L, 450L, 1200L, 2300L,5000L with separated Super Low mode by double clicking the top button twice (0.3Lumens)
I am not sure how useful a moon mode in the flashlight this big, it is barely visible but welcomed nonetheless as this mode is separated from normal cycles.

Turbo can also be access directly while the flashlight is off by double clicking the mode(top) button which lights up when the flashlight is on with blue light.

Inside the box are a piece of a supposed to be a lanyard :person_facepalming: and a 4 spare o-rings
I have seen other received a proper braided lanyard with the light, i guess Haikelite decided it is too expensive.

A photocopied 1 sheet 1 A4 paper manual.

The BOX.

The flashlight, clean anodizing and smooth machining.
My unit is not perfect though i got a slight dent that exposed the inner aluminium not sure what caused it maybe inperfect process Haikelite needs to improved their QC for sure it definately ruins the otherwise a good looking flashlight.

The white mark is from my finger, the knurling is making the light hard to clean especially on white marks such as in the pictures probably need a needle to clean it.

Haikelite brand on the tail, with their serial number on it. Not sure if the serial is a true serial number or not.

Compared with my other lights, Convoy L6, Imalent DN70, Fenix UC30, Nitecore EC11

The MT07 came with OP reflector, the typical “cross” is still visible on the beamshots even with OP reflector.

Compared to my Other lights length-wise

I have to add a solder blob to my Samsung 30Q otherwise the positive end will not make contact as shown in the next picture.
The positive terminal is recessed to mechanically protect from reverse polarity, but the downside is you need a button top 18650 or just add solder blob on your batteries another solution is to remove the plastic spacer it is just lightly glued but i choose to solder blob mine as i am not sure if the light is electronically protected from reverse polarity or not, better safe than sorry.

The Tailcap with rotating end, it has 2 pins with different sizes so it can only go in one way not the other. There are two matching hole on the tube end that matches with the 2 pins.

Inside of the battery tube, this light is using a 2S2P battery configuration.

A strong square thread, but i found that it still easy to cross thread if i am not careful. Some of the anodizing had come off because of that.
The light can also be mechanically lockout as the thread is also anodized, you need several turns before it is mechanically lockout.

Front side of the battery carrier. You dont need to remove it to insert batteries.

Everything is removable without being glued, even the stainless steel bezel.

A thick spring, Haikelite said this is a copper spring with coated metal (i forgot what the called it silver?)

Clean inside the reflector i found no dust.

A possible ways to hold the light, your finger lays naturally on the two buttons as that is where the CoG is.

Beamshots from my Imalent DN70 Review

Comparison to some of my other XHP70 lights
Haikelite MT07

Imalent DN70

Convoy L6

Summary
Overall this is a a good flashlight, you could pay triple the amount for similar output from more established brand. If you looking for a “budget” solid light that delivers this is the light. There are some minor disappointment but i will give Haikelite more praise since they are relatively new player in the field.

Pro:
Button is easy to find in the dark.
Cheap for what it is.
Overall quality is good.
Handles heat really well.
Tripod mount
Modders friendly light.

Cons:
Heavy.
UI is not universal across Haikelite product range but so other manufacturer, i think the MT02 UI with one button is simpler.
Came with slight ding in the anodizing.
Cross thread is possible if not careful.
Accessory is minimal such as lanyard and manual and the box is ugly.

Video Review

Thanks for this review. I’m trying to decide on a high lumen thrower. The Buffalo was one of my top choices and also the 3xXHP70 lights. Looks like the Buffalo is the one and with the group buy discount help. Thanks for the awesome review!

Matthew

No problem. i am glad i could help.