Hi All. Olight sent me the highly anticipated M2R (I asked for the neutral white version) to test and review so I wanted to provide my thoughts here.
The next step in tactical flashlights is here! A dedicated turbo button! More specifically I’d call them “Boost Buttons” which allows you to temporarily bump up the power for a short time. I’ve seen may lights with a dedicated strobe buttons but the boost button on the M2R is also user programmable to be momentary/latched turbo or momentary turbo with momentary strobe. Besides this unique UI and updated look, an upgraded LED and magnetic charging help set this light apart from the others. Say hello to the Olight M2R.
SPECS
Below are specs copied from the manufacturer’s website.
| Mode | U.LOW | LOW | MID | HIGH | U.HIGH | TURBO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumen | 1 | 15 | 60 | 250 | 700 | 1500->(700) |
| Duration | 25D | 70h | 20h | 6h15m | 2h | 3m->(1h50m) |
GENERAL DATA |
|
|---|---|
| Beam Distance (ft) | 682 |
| Beam Distance (m) | 208 |
| Max. Performance (lumens) | 1500 |
| Charge type | Magnetic USB charge base |
| Compatible Batteries | 1 x 18650 or 2 x CR123A |
| Light Intensity (candela) | 10880 |
| Light Form | Standard hotspot diameter with impressive distance. The perfect all-around beam profile. |
| Lens / Reflector Type | Orange peel reflector (central area and flood area). |
| Mode Operation | Dual Switch |
| Form/Size Factor | Medium size (Permanent Marker) |
| Series | Series M (Tactical, Military) |
| Unique Characteristics |
|
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS |
|
|---|---|
| Waterproof | IPX8 |
| Weight (g / oz) | 149 / 5.26 |
| Length (mm / in) | 130 / 5.12 |
| Head Diameter (mm / in) | 25.4 / 1.00 |
| Body Diameter (mm / in) | 24.4 / 0.96 |
| Led | Cree XPH 35 HD (available as CW or NW) |
| Packaging | Carton box |
| Use | hunting, tactical, military, security and protection, police, EDC, outdoor, professional activities, police; |
| Package Contents |
|
LOOK & FEEL
The light has a very unique ribbed knurling style, similar to the previous H1, H1R and H2R, which is overall very smooth and allows for free rotation but makes it harder to slip out of your hand. I do wish the tail cap had a bit more knurling similar to the H2R which would help with a tactical grip and for physical locking out the light.
I love the two-button operation and that they have different purposes. After using the light a while the smooth metal “turbo” button plus the smaller electronic switch makes this feel more like a no-gloves kind of light.
Also, the included holster is definitely worth a mention. It has some awesome materials including a fine-weave cordura exterior with a soft microfiber interior. The flap is secured using a plastic buckle and the bottom buckle is up held in place with cordura, super cool! On the back there are three options for attachment, belt-through, snap over belt, and a D-ring option; no Velcro here! There’s even metal grommet at the bottom for an air hole or rain drain.
BEAM PROFILE
The light uses a orange peel reflector which is a bit smaller in diameter but has some good depth. Overall, this light has a little more flood that I though it would have having a total spill angle about 70 degrees with a total spot angle of about 30 degree total angle. The beam seems to be free of artifacts and has a smooth transition between spot and fill. Below are some wall beamshots with the neutral white M2R.
Below is the light going through all the brightness modes. I think the sand trail makes the light look just a tad warmer than it really is.
USER INTERFACE
As mentioned before, the light has 2 different buttons but for pretty different things, which I like. The one on the tail end is basically a dedicated turbo/strobe button and the other, side switch, is an all-purpose button. The UI is pretty similar to the H2R, despite having 2 buttons instead of one, but has a few tricks up it’s sleeve. Overall, the UI can be a little complicated for most. Below is a diagram that I’ve concocted, hopefully it helps make things a little more clear.
My specific thoughts on the UI:
- Love the “Warrior” profile with momentary turbo and momentary strobe
- Love that in the “Turbo” profile, turbo can be latched but is only applicable if the light is already off, bummer.
- General EDC users might not like that if the light is on and you do a half press on the tail switch for momentary turbo and then release, the light turns off; I think think most would expect it to stay on and go back to the previous mode you were in.
- Similarly, if the light is on and you do a full press on the tail switch, the turbo does not latch, it is only momentary, and when released the light turns off again.
- Another oddity is that the light has both physical and electronic lockout. For physical lockout you unscrew the cap a quarter turn and done. Plus if you electronically lockout the light but then loosen then tighten the tail cap the electronic lockout gets automatically unlocked. If there is going to be both, the electronic lockout should be more of a added security measure to the physical lock out.
- When unlocking from electronic lockout, the light will come on into ultra low but does not continue to cycle even though you are still holding down the button; normal expectation would be it would continue cycling.
BATTERY
For being a top tier flashlight maker, I’m impressed that they have included a non-proprietary “high discharge current (HDC)” 10A 18650. It a 3500 mAh as well! These batteries just keep getting better. The model number it ORB-186S35. It also has an updated look.
CHARGING
Another fantastic feature is the built-in charging system. With a couple of tests, I’ve found that it takes about 7.5 hours to charge the 18650 battery that comes with the light, so it’s not the fastest but works for charging overnight. As the light is charging the indicator is steady red and when it is fully charged it will be steady green; perhaps for color blind folks the red should slowly blink while charging.
Regarding this type of system, many will be-moan the need of a proprietary charging cable but firstly you know what you’re getting into before you buy, secondly, it’s the same cable used in all the new recharging Olights, such as the very popular H2R, H1R, S1R, S2R, S30R, and so on, so maybe just pick up a few more Olights, lol, thirdly, if you are investing in this light then buy an extra charging cable and keep one in your car and the other at your desk.
Another neat feature is that you can turn on the light into any brightness while still charging the light. Obviously, the higher modes will still drain the battery faster than it charges.
WARRANTY
The warranty for Olight headlamps is for 2 years for free repair with a limited lifetime warranty. Olight’s batteries are covered for 1 year. Buyer is responsible for return shipping costs. After the warranty has ended, send the light in and a repair fee will be estimated and sent to you. Make sure you only buy from an authorized dealer (you can contact Olight’s customer service to find one) or you will possibly waive your rights to the warranty. Also, take care to store your light properly, as the warranty does not cover damages caused by batter leakage. Check their website for their full warranty information.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Dedicated turbo/strobe tail switch is really neat
- 1.5k lumens and available in neutral white
- Magnetic charging cable make it once again super easy to charge the light
- Magnetic tail cap for mounting the light on something metal
- Great new looks, I love the ribbed knurling style
- Great optics, the beam pattern is really smooth
- Very useful and strong two-way belt clip
- Uses non-proprietary 18650’s
- Standard package comes with a high-drain battery
- Not likely to turn on in your pocket thanks to the slim profile buttons
- Can stay in turbo for longer than expected
- Artistic crenelated bezel
- Battery diagram on the inside of the battery tube helps with orientation, amazing attention to detail!
- Premium holster included
OBSERVATIONS
- There is no usable battery indicator; the red led in the side-switch will only notify you if you have 10% battery remaining. Would have liked it to always check when the tail cap is loosened and then tightened.
- Has electronic lockout when physical lockout is already my preferred method. Perhaps electronic lockout could have been an extra layer of protection such that when you tightened the tail cap back on you would afterward hold down the side-switch to completely unlock.
- The UI is overall a bit complicated at first but this allows for better control of the light but there are a few pit falls:
- After pressing the tail switch the light pretty much turns off no matter what, I think that if the light was on already, and if you activate a momentary turbo, when releasing it the light should go back to the last mode you were in.
- When electronically unlocking the light, the light goes into ultra low mode then stops even though you continue to hold the side-switch, this causes confusion not knowing if the light is unlocked or not; you have to release the side-switch then press again to keep cycling
- When the light is on and you do a full press of the tail switch, turbo will not latch, and then the light turns off
- Tail cap is a bit smooth, could have used some knurling for a little more secure grip, similar tot he H2R (pictured below)
- Probably not a glove-wearing light due to the small side-switch and the smooth metal tail switch
- The lanyard is a bit short for me
IN-USE
All the pictures below are taken with the light in Turbo. I’ve also included my beamshots preview which goes through all the output levels to help you get a real-world feel.
PRICE
The current price for the light is about $100 USD . If you appreciated my review and would like to support me, feel free to check out this product on amazon using my affiliate link (does not cost you more, amazon gives me very small % of their profit):
Olight M2R Tactical Flashlight 1500 lumen with 0a hdc 3500mAh 18650 battery & usb magnetic cable
THANKS FOR READING!
Disclaimers:
- CivilGear Reviews received this product for testing and providing an honest review.
- CivilGear Reviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com