Review - Olight PL-MINI (gunlight, Li-Ion owned battery, 400lm)

Hello everyone, today I'll review the Olight PL-MINI VALKYRIE, sent for the occasion from the store Olight ® Direct IT, whom I thank for the opportunity and trust given to me.



CLICK HERE to go to the official page on the Olight website.

I want to clarify that the reviews are done at the amateur level and without the aid of scientific instruments or test in secret cutting edge Labs therefore, between the lines that follow, there will also be my humble observations.


Official features taken from Olight:

- compact and lightweight, width and lengty perfect for compact pistols making it easily concealable.
- 260 mAh built-in lithium polymer battery pushing a maximum output of 400 lumens.
- incorporates the OLIGHT signature magnetic charging system for maximum convenience. Can be powered by all common USB power sources.
- manual quick attach and release mounting system.
- both Glock rail (adapter installed on the product) and Picatinny rail compatible (included in the package).
- low power warning indicator.
- hit hte switch downward to turn on minimizing accidental triggering when put into a holster.



Where to buy it

The flashlight in question can be purchased easily on the amazon page of Olight ® Direct.


The packaging and accessories

The PL-MINI Valkyrie arrives, like the other products of the PL series, in a paperboard box. In the front, along with the name of the brand and model, we find the photo of the flashlight and the prominent features.



At the back we find a description of the product and all features of the model in detail.



Once removed everything from the box, we find a clear plastic blister that enclosing, like a matryoshka, the flashlight and all accessories.



Once extracted all from the various blister, we will have:

- the flashlight
- the USB cable (long about 50 cm) with at the end the magnetic base typical of the latest Olight models
- L T6/T8 Torx key
- the adapter for Picatinny rail (or MIL-STD-1913) and one for the Glock (already attached to the flashlight)

- 2 spare screws
- the manual in several languages, including english




To follow the manual scan.




The flashlight

The PL-MINI Valkyrie is the brand new flashlight that fits on the gun from the brand Olight.
Compared to previous models, and as the name suggests, this PL-MINI is the most compact of the category (I refer to models built from the Olight). All this is made possible thanks to the use of a proprietary and not removable battery of 260 mAh, rechargeable thanks to the charger in the package.

The body of the flashlight is minimal. Of aesthetic, has only two horizontal grooves running across the hips close to which there are the name of the model and brand.
In the upper part of the body there is an attachment for the rail of the guns and on the left side of the flashlight there is the lever that manages the coupling and uncoupling of the clamping system.




To the left of the Olight inscription on the other side, there is a small red LED that warns when the battery is running low and the flashlight is about to go off.



In the tail there are 2 electronic buttons made of rigid plastic that allow you to interact with the UI, adapting well to the handle of the left-and right-left-handers. To turn on/off the LED you need to push down the button, which will be done in complete silence as these keys do not emit noises. The rush of these keys is short.



In fact the actual switch is located inside the rubber component between the flashlight body and key.



On the keys there are some vertical grooves which should offer a greater grip.



The bottom of the flashlight is completely smooth and, in addition to the written CE, hosts the magnetic Olight's connector which will recharge the battery.



On the front of the flashlight there is the XP-L HI LED with solid CW tint, which is surrounded by a parable of type SMO.



The whole is surmounted by a lens with anti-glare treatment. The 2 torx screws that are also present, along with the other two placed on the opposite side over the keys, allow you to dismantle the flashlight block system
Action I do not recommend to do in order not to void the warranty.




The flashlight comes with the adapter for Glock inserted. But replace it with Picatinny is an easy task to perform.



Simply unscrew the Torx screws with the key that come with the accessories and replace it, this slot will accommodate both adaptors without problems.



Here is a side by side view of the two adapters. Apart from the different thickness, are the same size. On them is the written 1913 to indicate the Picatinny and GL to indicate the Glock.
In addition to the key that you need to unscrew and screw up all, there are also 2 screws.




The lever with five vertical lines you see in the image below, adjust the tightening of the flashlight on the rail.



That is how is the closed attack.



To loosen his grip and allow perfect positioning of the flashlight on the gun simply rotate 180° tab.



Here is what it looks like the loose coupling.



Once we make sure that we put on the right adapter for our gun (between 1913 and GL), we can proceed to plug the flashlight under it as close as possible to the trigger



closing then the tab for propping up completely.



Small digression for friends who practice Airsoft: not all guns are 1:1 replicas of the real thing. For example, in my tests, the rail of some guns was totally off the charts. Or was too wide or recesses under the barrel did not have the proper depth to allow proper tightening of the flashlight. Inform yourself well before making a purchase.

To follow some photos taken from different angles of the PL-MINI mounted on a gun for Airsoft. With this model of gun, the flashlight does not protrude beyond the barrel.








The charging system

As anticipated, when the battery is running low, the red LED will light up on the side to let us know that we have to put the flashlight in charge. Of course we can also recharge it before, no one forces us to having to wait until the LED lights up.



To do this, you must use the charge cable coming out of the box. It at one end will have the typical USB slot and ate the other end will have a circular base that will attack, thanks to a magnet, to the base lies on the flashlight.
I want to clarify that we can only use this type of cable to recharge the flashlight despite having the same dimensions as those we find bundled with other products Olight. This is necessary because this flashlight requires low currents and use other cables/charging bases would damage the product. To identify the correct base, in which case you have more than one, simply look for the one with the inscription SPECIAL under the logo Olight.
Even this baseplate, like any other, has LED that indicate if the charging process is in progress or if it is terminated.



Here are side by side the charging base and the flashlight.



Once connected the flashlight to the base, will start charging at a speed of just under 0,40A. The red LED will light up the base to advise that charging is in progress.



Led will turn green when the charging comes to an end. The whole process takes to complete, with the flashlight fully discharged, in about one hour.




How does that work

The Olight PL-MINI Valkyrie has only one brightness mode.

According to official data, the mode has 400 lumens. Since it does not have the strobe, the UI is easier to learn than the two models of the same series previously reviewed.

When it is off, a single click either button will light the flashlight. Another click, again by either button, make it turn off.

When it is off, a long click with either button will turn on the momentary on. When you release the button the light goes off.


Dimensions: dimensions and weight

The flashlight measures 6.15 x 2.70 x 2.60 cm (not including the tongue). Weighs 65 grams in total.

To follow the photos for a dimensional comparison between BIC and 18650.







Lumen, runtime, candles and beamshot

N.B. The tests to follow were made with rechargeable battery integrated in the flashlight. The whole thing was done in a homely environment at 21° and, depending on the test, with and without forced ventilation.

The following values were taken with the proprietary rechargeable battery charge and are considered peak.



The following values were taken with the proprietary rechargeable battery charge and are considered peak.

N.B. Discharge curves are obviously indicative and the result may vary in either positive or negative depending on the batteries used by the end user or by the conditions of use, which may vary from mine during my tests.

Any read discrepancies about the tests made on the same level are due to a different positioning of the measuring equipment.





The following values were taken with the proprietary rechargeable battery charge and are considered peak.



The following photo was taken at a distance of 20 cm from the wall.



Beam width.



Photo taken at one level available. The tree line is at 25 meters.



The House at the end of the street is at a distance of 70 meters.




Personal considerations

This PL-MINI is small and light. The rechargeable battery is another convenience but made this flashlight less powerful than the PL-1 II and PL2.

Given the compact dimensions, it was necessary to find an alternative method to interact with the UI. UI that was deprived even of the strobe when compared to "Big Sisters".
The keys were scaled down and it was necessary to change the turn on/off system.
The only improvement that I'd like to see is about keyboard anti-slip lines. If they were horizontal, probably would offer more grip.


Lagging in key theme, I want to specify that is totally changed the action that needs to be done to drive the LEDs. Action that seemed slightly more detrimental and slower than that required to perform the same actions but with the other two previous models.
Obviously intended as a subjective criticism towards the system adopted originated solely by my feelings. It may be that another user might prefer this system to another.




What do you think about? The would you buy?