[Review] Nitecore MH40GTR (Tactical, 1200lm, 252000cd, 1004m ANSI, XP-L HI CW, SMO, ATR, 2x18650)

Neil_Tennen · 2019-01-07T21:33:33.000Z

Hello to everyone
Thanking them for the trust, today we will review the MH40GTR which was kindly provided by Nitecore itself.

CLICK HERE to go to the official product page on the Nitecore website.

I want to clarify that my reviews are made at an amateur level, so without the aid of science fiction tools or tests in secret laboratories and cutting edge. Therefore, among the lines that follow, there will be my humble observations and even my humble opinions.

Official features:
- premium CREE XP-L HI V3 LED
- maximum output up to 1.200 lumens
- high efficiency regulation circuit for a maximum runtime up to 140 hours
- optimized ultra-precise reflector offers a beam distance up to 1004 meters
- intelligent charging circuit with voltage detection charges safely and rapidly
- onboard charging port sleeve protects the port from dust and water ingression
- fout easily accessible brightness levels
- user defined mode allows for quick access to the setting last used
- intelligent memory function stores preferred brightness setting
- broad voltage circuit accepts both rechargeable and non-rechargeable Lithium batteries
- waterproof in accordance with IPX8 (submersible to two meters)
- toughened ultra-clear mineral glass with anti-reflective coating
- constructed from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy
- HAIII military grade hard-anodized
- reverse polarity protection
- stainless steel titanium-plated clip
- anti-rolling design
- accessories: 2 x Nitecore 18650 Li-Ion batteies (NL1826), clip, tactical ring, lanyard, wall charger, holster, spare tail switch cover, spare O-ring
- specifications: length: 257mm (10"12"), head diameter: 70mm (2,76"), tail diameter: 25,4mm (1"), weight: 374g (13,19oz)

Where to buy it
The Nitecore MH40GTR could be purchased from NitecoreStore.com

The package and the accessories

I apologize but I have received the MH40GTR before its official release and without the packaging and accessories so I can not even review these latter.

The package for sale includes:
- the MH40GTR
- 2x18650 of 2600 mAh ( NL1826 )
- a clip
- a tactical ring for cigar-grip
- a wrist strap
- the wall charger
- the scabbard
- 2 spare rubber replacements for the button in the tail
- 2 spare O-rings
- the warranty card
- the multilingual manual

Although it was not provided to me, here is the manual that you can view (and / or download) by clicking HERE .

The flashlight

The MH40GTR is the new shooting flashlight from Nitecore, heir of the MH40 and "big sister" of the MT42 that we have already reviewed. It can be powered by 2x18650 (supplied in the package) or alternatively by 4xCR123A or 4x16340.
Its aluminum alloy body is obviously anodised and has very clean lines on the body except for the well marked grooves, useful for dissipating the heat produced but at the same time giving at the flashlight a bit of character, present on its head.
Also in the head, as well as in the central part of the body and in the tail, there are knurled areas to improve grip and facilitate the rotation of the body when changing the mode of use of the flashlight (we will see this detail later).

Below the central part we find the Nitecore logo and the model name together with CE and RoHS certifications.

On the other side there is the triangle that warns us that the surface can become hot

and the model identification number. All the texts do not have smudges.

Small note: before turning on the flashlight we must make sure to remove the protective film from the lens.

At the center of its deep SMO dish, well centered in its seat, there is a CREE XP-L HI LED with a cold tint that has no dominant details. The lens that overhangs the whole has anti-reflective treatment.

To protect this lens there is a bezel with a not too pronounced crenellation but it will be effective in self defence.

The head of the flashlight is distinguished by well pronounced grooves that dissipate the heat produced. A careful eye, however, can see how the design of these grooves is different. The lower part in fact is nothing but a protection for the charging circuit port that can be removed by simply unscrewing it.

The charging port is proprietary and circular, so we must use the charger that comes out from the package. Above this port there is also a small hole that hides a red indicator that will light up during the charging process. The thread that closes everything comes well lubricated as well as the O-ring that serves to maintain the water resistance according to the IPX8 standard.

Finally in the tail we find the only switch of the whole flashlight, consisting of a mechanical key covered by a rubber pad on which the N of Nitecore is impressed. The switch has a not too long stroke and an average noisy click.

The switch is protruding but is flush with 2 "wings" (pierced to insert the wrist strap) and thus allows the flashlight to keep the tail stand. Pay attention when you put it like a candle because the size of the flashlight can make it unbalance at the slightest shock.

The MH40GTR can be divided into only 2 sections since the tail is the only part that can be separated from the rest of the flashlight.
Note: the batteries in the picture are for illustrative purposes only because, as already mentioned, others that come out from the package are of 2600 mAh.

The thread is anodized (the physical lock-out is therefore allowed) and, together with the O-ring, they arrive well greased like those seen previously.

The negative pole consists of a single golden spring.

The spring is surrounded by a metal ring that has 2 small holes that allow us, by unscrewing everything, to have access to the switch's circuit and to the rubber grommet that protects the key.

Also the positive pole, like the negative one, consists of a golden spring but the circuitry is visible.

The charging circuit

Because I haven't received the charger supplied, unfortunately I can not perform extensive tests but I can tell you that, according to the manual, the full recharge of 2x18650 (2600mAh) should take, on average, about 5 hours.
To start charging, with the cable connected, turn on the flashlight. According to the manual, it is possible to recharge ONLY 2x18650 identical. It is therefore forbidden to use two different 18650 and it is NOT RECOMMENDED to try to recharge the 16340 or CR123A (also because the latter are non-rechargeable batteries).

How does it work

The Nitecore MH40GTR has six selectable levels, which two of them are special levels (Strobo and SOS).

According to official Nitecore data, normal levels have the following characteristics:

- Turbo -> 1200 lumens for 2 hours
- High -> 380 lumens for 6 hours and 15 minutes
- Mid -> 100 lumens for 27 hours
- Low -> 15 lumens for 140 hours

Each special level (Strobo and SOS) will use all 1200 lumens available to operate.

NW The stated durations have been recorded in the laboratory by Nitecore using two 18650 batteries of 3500 mAh (obviously) charged, the values can change when the conditions of use of the flashlight are changed or, more likely, if lesser capacity batteries are used.

Before reading the operation of the flashlight it is good to know that this MH40GTR has two modes of use: Turbo Mode and User Mode. In the first mode you will only have the Turbo level available while, in the other, we can use the remaining five levels.

Switch from Turbo mode to User mode

With the flashlight off or on, simply unscrew or screw the central part of the flashlight (not the tail) or the head to switch from one mode to the other. Once screwed up, we will have enabled the Turbo Mode, then simply unscrew a little the body to activate the User Mode.
NW Unscrewing the body will result in a stroke, it will be impossible to separate it from the head. As we have seen, the only part that separates is the tail.

Power on / off and momentaryON

With a complete pressure on the mechanical switch, we will turn the flashlight on and off.
With a half-press (TAP) you can use the momentary-ON.

Change levels

We can only change the levels if we had set the User mode. All you need to do is make TAPs continuously to cycle through all levels (including special levels), and to select the desired one by perform a complete pressure. You can also cycle the levels by performing rapid on / off or, with the flashlight on, unscrewing / tightening the tailcap. Remember that the Turbo is not part of the User mode. There is no memory and therefore, each time you turn on you will have a new level.

Quick access to levels

This flashlight differs from the others by its two modes. With the flashlight on (in User mode), we can quickly access the Turbo (from any level) simply by rotating the head in the right direction.
On the other hand, in Turbo mode, we can quickly access the Low or the Strobo (just to mention 2 levels) simply by rotating the head. All with the flashlight on.
NW Obviously the rapid "jump" on a given level is only possible if this specific level had been enabled before activating the Turbo.

Lock / Unlock

The MH40GTR does not have an electronic lock but, due the anodized thread in the tail, it is possible to use the mechanical block simply by unscrewing the tail by a quarter of a turn.

Dimensions: weights and dimensions

The Nitecore MH40GTR is 25.75 cm long and has a minimum diameter of 2.21 cm and a maximum of 7.01 cm. From empty it weighs 368 gr while with the 2 Nitecore NL1835 it weighs 466 gr. The single battery weighs 49 gr.

Here below there is the dimensional comparison with a big BIC lighter and a 18650,

with the Nitecore MT42,

and with the Klarus XT32.

Lumens, runtimes, candles and beamshot

NW The tests to follow were made with the Nitecore NL1835 , which I remember that aren't the batteries that come out of the package (the 2618 mAh NL1826 will come out instead). Everything was done in a home environment at 20 ° with and without forced ventilation.

The following values have been taken with the batteries charged and are considered to be peak .

The following values have been taken with the batteries charged and are considered to be peak .

NW The discharge curves are obviously indicative, the result could vary in positive or negative depending on the batteries used by the end user or the conditions of use that may vary from mine during my tests.

Any slight discrepancies related to the tests carried out on the same level can be attributed to a different positioning of the measuring equipment in my tests.

The following values have been taken with the batteries charged and are considered to be peak .

All the following photos were taken with the white balance set to 5200K.

This photo was taken at a distance of 40 cm from the wall.

Beam width

Beamshot at the Turbo, High, Mid and Low levels. The tree line is 25 meters away. The spill, with the spot facing the infinity on the horizontal plane, starts from about 2 meters but there is still a slight sub-spill that reaches about 30 cm from the feet.

The house is 70 meters away and I used the Turbo, High and Mid levels .

The trees at the bottom are about 150 meters away. I used the Turbo and High levels.

There is also a house about 490 meters illuminated by the Turbo level.

I also take this opportunity to attach a short video that will give you an idea of the potential of the flashlight.

www.youtube.com/embed/l082h_gemag

Personal considerations

With this MH40GTR the Nitecore further raises the bar about the throwing flashlightes powered by 2x18650 improving in fact the performance already obtained with the MT42.
The 7 cm diameter of the head can shoot the 1200 lumens of the Turbo to the considerable distance of about 500 real meters thanks to a good 252000 cd of intensity.
Its size is not too cumbersome and its weight, once inserted the 2 batteries, is well balanced.
The peculiarity of this flashlight is its dual mode of use. We can have an ever-present Turbo (although after the first 5 minutes it drops to about 900 lumens) and we can also have the other 5 levels easily exploitable. Although I would liked to see the special levels recallable separately (obviously IMHO).
The only flaw that this UI brings, in my opinion, lies in the fact that to switch from one mode to another it is necessary to use both hands.
For the rest it is a flashlight suitable for specific uses, useful for that users who need a product that have to reach long distances. In these contexts maybe having the only Turbo level available is almost a godsend, you do not have the other levels in the middle and you do not run the risk of finding yourself with the wrong level activated.

What do you think about this MH40GTR? Would you buy it?

will34 · 2019-01-07T22:36:27.000Z

Nice review, but I don’t see why a light of this size with this much mass needs to step down from 1,200lm, and even worse is the fact that fan cooling does nothing to the output, seems like nitecore ATR isn’t “active” at all…