KLARUS MiX7 Ti
LED: CREE XP-G2 CW
Battery: 1x AA
Modes: 4 (High, Medium, Low, hidden Strobe)
Switch: Digital, side.
Date: May 2015
Links:
GearBest · Klarus · RdL · ForoLinternas
INTRODUCTION:
The first Titanium flashlight which came into my collection was the Klarus MiX6 Ti, a small AAA flashlight with a very peculiar and unique design, which I still keep in great condition even after having been carried long on my keychain and used almost daily .
Klarus just released a similar version, but this time for AA batteries, retaining much of the essence of the original model, and implementing a digital switch on the side of the head.
As in MiX6, the MiX7 is available in two versions, one ordinary in anodized aluminum and “deluxe” a version in polished shiny titanium. Today we will be reviewing the Ti version.
Product packaging is quite elegant, with the flashlight in a small telescoping cardboard box in which inside just found the flashlight perfectly housed in a foam padding cut. Under the foam we found a user manual and a plastic bag with two spare o-rings and a small ring for keychain.
EXTERIOR FINISH:
Undoubtedly, the external appearance of the MiX7 Ti is very unique and distinctive. Roughly the flashlight is much like the previous MiX6 Ti, only on a larger scale to accommodate a single AA battery.
Its dimensions are contained, but I’ll not define it as an extremely compact flashlight, mainly for two reasons: the extra space required by the electronic switch on the side of the head and charismatic anchoring system for the ring in the tail. With a length of 95.5mm, a maximum diameter of 17.5mm on the bezel, and a minimum of 16mm in the center of the body and a weight of 33g (without battery) is a flashlight that falls well in hand.
The grip is quite slippery, and utterly devoid of any kind of knurling, being completely machined TC4 Titanium with a fairly polished finish.
Engravings are found on the center of the tube, which discreet blend in with the reflections produced by the shiny metal finish.
The light optics has a flat bezel, glass lens with AR treatment, smooth reflector and an XP-G2 (bin unknown) perfectly centered.
The interior of the head has a unique design, with a foam coated ring that acts as a protective mechanism against reverse polarity, and also will avoid the battery rattle driver. This system is most commonly used in twisty flashlights in which the housing for the battery can provide some room for ranttle by unscrewing the head, and in this flashlight may seem unnecessary.
Threads, unlike his AAA sister, are machined in titanium, so we have the typical gritty feel produced by titanium when screwing and unscrewing.
The tube design is also very original, since Klarus has chosen a biconcave design, being the central part of the tube the slimmer of the entire flashlight.
The tail design is common to the one found in the MiX6 Ti, with a very robust latch which prevents tailstanding. Noted as at near the end there is a mechanized track, I do not know the usefulness beyond keeping certain aesthetic similarity with the aluminum version of this Klarus.
USER INTERFACE:
The mode selection is also somewhat peculiar. It has a simple digital switch by which we will carry all actions to control the flashlight:
- On and off: The MiX7 Ti activates by holding the switch for about one second. (The activation is instantaneous, but if we release the switch before the first second, the flashlight goes off. See “momentary activation”). To turn off the flashlight, just make a simple click on the switch.
- Changing Modes: To change modes, with the flashlight on, hold down the switch for about one second. The order of the modes is descending (High-> Med-> Low)
- “Momentary activation”: Even since I wouldn’t call it a tactical feature, this MiX7 Ti allows us to make small momentary activations, if you press the switch and let go before the second required for the flashlight stays on. This mode can be very useful for short (1 sec or less) bursts or Morse code signaling.
- Memory: The light remembers the last mode used, and will turn on in it in successive activations. “Momentary activation” function uses the stored mode.
- Hidden Strobe: A double-click on the switch, both with the light on or off, will activate a variable frequency strobe mode.
(All measurements are taken following the procedure ANSI NEMA FL1, taking the highest reading between 30 and 120 seconds after activation. More details here)
The modes are pretty well balanced for an urban EDC flashlight, with a low of around 1.5LM, which will be very useful if we want to, per example, move in bedroom without disturbing others who are resting, or without blinding ourselves much when we have dark-adapted vision. The Med mode, with 23LM (45 according Klarus) is the most versatile mode to close or indoor environments, and finally the high mode with a 170LM (180 according Klarus) will give us an extra helpful boost when we use the light outdoors or in very large rooms.
PERFORMANCE:
The performance of this MiX7 Ti is quite discreet, with a decent regulation. Efficiency is far from expected, but still seems a pretty good curve for this kind of light.
Compared with other similar flashlights, we see how performance is somewhat behind other brands reference flashlights.
BEAM PROFILE:
Although it hasn’t an oversized optical, the smooth reflector and small light emitting area of the XP-G2 can still offer a pretty throwy beam, of course taking into account the size of the flashlight.
Smooth reflector produces a well-defined hotspot, with a smooth transition to spill light. No artifacts or aberrations in the beam are appreciated.
The tint is really good, cold white without a definite trend.
PERSONAL CONCLUSION:
This flashlight, for its peculiar and unique design, is one of those that you either love or hate. While we are accustomed to “tactical” designs with sharp edges and bright machined cooling fins and aggressive straight lines, the MiX7 Ti offers just the opposite: An elegant flashlight, with discrete curves and smooth lines, without any aggressive element.
Eagletac D25A Clicky (2012) · Klarus MiX6 Ti · Sunwayman V10R Ti (w/ AA extender) · Jetbeam TCR10 (w/ AA extender)
Negatives: From a strictly personal point of view I do not see the sense of mechanized track near the tail of the flashlight. At first I thought it was the housing of an optional clip, which would have a sense, but the lack of clip leaves me rather perplexed. I’m sure Klarus has sought a smooth and shiny this design on purpose, but it’s perhaps exceeding since the flashlight, while maintaining good proportions to be comfortable to operate, it is certainly slippery. The user interface is relatively simple, but differs from the most widespread in which to change modes a simple click does the job, so if, like me, you use different lights every day you may find yourselves the subconscious plays with you tricks. I would have also liked that the mode order was ascending. Finally, although I understand that it will less attractive, tail design does not make much sense because hardly anyone will use this flashlight size on a keychain.
Positives: Although as I said I wish flashlight had a better grip, I like the way Klarus has managed to differentiate themselves with a unique and elegant design. The flashlight has a very personal aspect, very elegant. The beam profile is excellent both in form and tint. Having remained a close design to his AAA sister design makes it special, almost a collectible.
