Olight Warrior Mini 2 won't hold turbo?

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

So I picked up one of the limited edition, “royal blue” Warrior Mini 2s back in April. Besides the length, it is an improvement over the original Warrior Mini in every way (including not turning on by itself!) There’s just one problem I’ve been experiencing…

When engaging turbo, either through the tail switch or a double click on the side switch, it starts out nice and bright. But within five seconds, it throttles down to high output. This is what it’s supposed to do after four minutes! The light hasn’t even had the chance to build up any heat yet.

Now, if I shut it off and turn it back on, it will be brighter again, but not near its maximum - closer to 1200-1300 lumens instead of 1750 (comparing it to the Baton 3, which is rated at 1200 lumens but seems to be brighter than that). It will stay at that output for several minutes before dimming down.

I thought it was the battery being unable to support the draw of full turbo at first, that maybe I got a bum battery. I tried a different one (the one from the Warrior Mini 1) but got the same result. But if I turn off the light before it’s dropped to high mode and then turn it back on, it starts in full turbo again and then properly stays at that level for several minutes before throttling back to high (as it is supposed to).

Has anybody else had this experience? Any ideas what may be causing it? I sent an email to Olight’s customer service about this, and I’m interested to see what their opinion is too.

2

I would think it’s the battery but you said you had similar results with another one. Could it be the proximity sensor picking up the light and then dimming down?

3

Try a cell from the Big Five: Sanyo/Panasonic, Sony/Murata, Samsung, or LG and see what you see.

Olight has had some issues with their branded cells in high drain lights.

Chris

4

I’d try a different battery, but Olight uses their annoying proprietary battery for this light. And besides, there are times when it will sustain its turbo like it’s supposed to. Just fiddling with it, having it on medium for a minute or two then activating turbo resulted in full power with no throttling down for at least thirty seconds (until I was convinced it wasn’t dimming).

I thought it might be the sensor too at first, but when the sensor is blocked the light drops immediately to around 200 lumens. This is a clear ramping downward, as if the throttling back the light is programmed to do after four minutes occurs in five seconds.

5

Never buy a light that uses a proprietary battery.

Never.

Chris

1 Thank
6

I have the exact same problem with mine. If I turn it off and back on again, it will return to a higher brightness but not full turbo (just like yours). I also considered the proximity sensor, so I opened it up and plugged the light pipe (thereby disabling the proximity sensor) and it made no difference.

The first day I carried the light, I had it turn on in my pocket several times, even with the lockout mode activated. The side switch stands too proud and is much too easy to activate. It must have been held down while I was sitting or something.

I’ve had enough issues with it that it’s now relegated to the shelf. This light was an unfortunate waste of money in my opinion.

7

Have you checked the threads are clean and making good contact?

8

This was Olight’s suggestion. I cleaned the spring in the tail and the contacts in the head. Still same problem. Olight’s other suggestion if that did not work was to send it back for repair. I might do that, so long as they can confirm repair and not replacement, as it is a limited edition version.

9

I have been very vocal about this on BLF. Olight and any company that uses proprietary batteries puts our hobby back in time.

In the 80s, Eveready used standard batteries.

In the 90s, Maglite used standard batteries.

In the 2000s, Nitecore and Fenix used standard batteries.

Why the hell would you not use standard batteries today.

Makes no sense.

10

So I’m reviving my dead thread because I finally sent the light back for repair (good thing they have a five year warranty, because it took me a year to send it!) Olight’s didn’t communicate to me what was going on, but even though they didn’t send me and information, they worked on it and shipped it back quite quickly. And for a whole two days, I was satisfied… until it started doing the same thing - turbo fading to high in around five seconds. I contacted them again and they said return it for a replacement.

I’m impressed with their customer service. The only thing that bums me out is that my version is the Regal Blue limited edition and is really pretty. A replacement is great… but won’t be blue and gold.

1 Thank
11

It’s likely accounted for by the combined effects of the increased prevalence of Li-ion, in-light charging, and liability.

12

Well, Olight sent me a brand new light. Surprisingly, it’s a Regal Blue one! I guess, even though it was a limited edition, they kept some with that anodizing. And happily, after charging the battery, it maintains turbo (for at least thirty seconds - that’s all I tested it for, as once it passed the five second mark, I was pretty happy).

I had heard some bad reports about Olight’s customer service, but I must say I am quite satisfied.