Recently Skilhunt launched an updated version of their compact EDC flashlight with magnetic charging connection, the Skilhunt M200 V4. The differences include a larger selection of LEDs, small improvements to the UI and better protection of the charging terminal.
You can find the German version of this review on my website: SammysHP Blog › Skilhunt M200 V4
The flashlight was provided by the manufacturer for this review. Thank you very much!
Skilhunt vs. ESKTE
Skilhunt is in the process of changing their brand to ESKTE, at least they list some flashlight models under both names. New packaging, same content.
According to the manufacturer, ESKTE is the stylized form of “SKT” and this name was also used briefly several years ago. Now try again in a slightly modified form. But whether it’s Skilhunt or ESKTE – this review will be about the product and not the name.
Overview
The M200 V4 comes in a colorful retail packaging. The accessories are in a separate box inside.
- Skilhunt “BL-135” 18650 Li-ion battery (3500 mAh, protected, button-top, 69.3 mm length, 3.53 V at arrival)
- Lanyard
- Separate dual-way clip
- 2x replacement o-ring
- Rubber disc to replace the magnet
- “MC-20” magnetic charger
- Manual (EN, CN, DE, ES, FR, IT, NL, PL, RU)
In terms of dimensions, everything has remained the same. It is compact and remains under 100 g even with the battery, making it an ideal EDC flashlight.
Length: 104.8 mm
Diameter (bezel): 23.5 mm
Diameter (head): 25.8 mm
Diameter (battery tube): 21.6 mm
Diameter (tailcap): 23.5 mm
Weight (without battery): 48 g
Weight (18650 battery): 50 g
Weight (total): 98 g
Due to the reflector, the M200 is slightly longer than the EC200, which has three LEDs with a TIR optic. With a length of just over 10 cm, the M200 is basically in the mid-range of flashlights with an 18650 battery.
Wurkkos WK03 | Skilhunt EC200 | Skilhunt M200 V4 | Skilhunt MiX-7 | Wurkkos FC11C
The design has not changed either: A finely ribbed surface on the battery tube ensures a secure grip even with wet hands. The flashlight is available in black, gray, blue and brown.
The cooling fins on the head are more of a decorative feature. The angular shape prevents the flashlight from rolling away. The black-coated stainless steel bezel has small crenelations so that you can see whether the flashlight is switched on even when it is upside down. Its edges are slightly sharp.
The dual-way clip can be attached either at the front or rear. In the rear position, the flashlight can be carried deep in the pocket and disappears almost completely.
A lanyard can be attached to the hole in the tailcap. However, the edge is very sharp and is likely to cut the cord quickly. I therefore recommend using a small key ring between the flashlight and the lanyard.
A magnet in the tailcap allows the M200 to be attached to magnetic surfaces. If necessary, it can be easily removed by unhooking the spring with a pointed object. The resulting gap can then be filled with a silicone disc that comes with the flashlight.
Opposite the button is a magnetic charging terminal that allows you to charge the battery directly in the flashlight. It requires a special charging adapter from Skilhunt, which is included with the flashlight, but can also be purchased separately.
A USB port is susceptible to water and dirt. It is therefore usually protected by a silicone cover, which is not only inconvenient to use, but can also easily be opened accidentally. Although there are also sealed USB ports, they are difficult to clean.
With a magnetic charging port, there is no need for this cover and dirt can usually simply be wiped off. It is only susceptible to metal shavings. Earlier versions of the Skilhunt charging connector were susceptible to leakage currents and only disconnected the contacts in the event of a short circuit (possibly with a few sparks). Skilhunt has now improved this and only a very small unproblematic voltage can be measured.
Of course, you always need the special charging adapter. On the other hand, it is also compatible with the other flashlights from Skilhunt and the convenience gain is great: you only need to bring it close to the contacts, where it automatically snaps into the correct position. If you get caught on the cable, it releases automatically and does not pull the flashlight off the table.
Charging with the “MC-20” (which presumably stands for “Magnetic Charger 2.0 A”) is easy. A red LED in the adapter indicates that charging is in progress and lights up blue when charging is complete. The charging process is only started below a battery voltage of around 4.0 V. This test can be tricked by briefly switching the flashlight on at a high level after connecting the charging adapter. During charging, the flashlight can be used with restrictions (on my example, the lowest level in each group remained dark).
The charging current is reduced relatively early, which is why the charging process takes a little longer. This may be due to a voltage drop caused by the protection of the charging contacts, which means that the battery reaches its target voltage much earlier from the charging adapter’s point of view.
Both unprotected flat-top batteries and protected button-top batteries (such as the BL-135 included with flashlight) can be used. Springs on both sides provide the necessary tolerance. Two CR123A batteries can also be used.
According to the specification, the MiX-7 is IPX8 waterproof and should withstand drops from up to one meter. Apart from the sharp edges around the bezel and the hole in the tailcap, the build quality is excellent.
User interface
The matt black button with a hard surface sits slightly recessed in a screwed bezel. When you press it, you hear and feel a precise click, no matter where or from what angle you press it.
The UI follows Skilhunt’s usual scheme: one group each for low, medium and high brightness and one group for the blinking modes. There are several levels in each of these groups, which can be switched by holding the button. The selection is memorized separately for each group.
| State | Action | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Off | 1C | Turn on (previously used in H1/M1/M2) |
| Off | 2C | Turn on (previously used in T1/T2) |
| Off | 3C | Turn on (previously used in S1/S2/S3/S4) |
| Off | 4C | Lockout |
| Off | 1H | Turn on (previously used in L1/L2) |
| L1/L2 | 1C | Turn off |
| L1/L2 | 2C | Switch to previously used in T1/T2 |
| L1/L2 | 3C | Switch to previously used in S1/S2/S3/S4 |
| L1/L2 | 1H | Switch between L1/L2 |
| L1/L2 | 2H | Switch to M2 |
| H1/M1/M2 | 1C | Turn off |
| H1/M1/M2 | 2C | Switch to previously used in T1/T2 |
| H1/M1/M2 | 3C | Switch to previously used in S1/S2/S3/S4 |
| H1/M1/M2 | 1H | Switch between M2 → M1 → H1 |
| H1/M1/M2 | 2H | Switch to previously used in L1/L2 |
| T1/T2 | 1C | Turn off |
| T1/T2 | 2C | Switch to previously level |
| T1/T2 | 3C | Switch to previously used in S1/S2/S3/S4 |
| T1/T2 | 1H | Switch between T1/T2 |
| S1/S2/S3/S4 | 1C | Turn off |
| S1/S2/S3/S4 | 3C | Switch to previously level |
| S1/S2/S3/S4 | 1H | Switch between S1 → S2 → S3 → S4 |
| Lockout | 2C | Turn button indicator on/off |
| Lockout | 4C | Unlock and turn on in L2 |
| Lockout | Hold | Momentary L1 |
There are two small improvements compared to previous version: Switching between blinky modes is now also done by holding the button instead of double-clicking. In addition, when switching from the low group to the main group via 2H, it doesn’t use the previously used brightness in the main group, but its lowest level (M2).
The blinky group contains a strobe alternating between 6 and 14 Hz, a beacon with 1 Hz, an “SOS” (more of an “S-O-S”) and – added in this version – a really nice beacon with a period of two seconds.
After turning on the flashlight, an indicator LED in the switch shows the approximate state of charge of the battery for five seconds. On very low voltage, the indicator will blink in red as long as the light is turned on.
| Color | State of charge |
|---|---|
| Blue | 80% – 100% |
| Blue blinking | 50% – 80% |
| Red | 20% – 50% |
| Red blinking | < 20% |
When locked, the button blinks every two seconds. This makes it easier to find the flashlight in the dark. The indicator light can be switched off and on with a double-click, but is reactivated each time the flashlight is locked. Of course, the flashlight can also be locked by loosening the tailcap.
As the head of the flashlight is symmetrical and the button and charging port feel very similar, the button is a little difficult to find in the dark. However, it usually works quite well to press the opposite sides together with your thumb and index finger.
Illumination
The M200 V4 is available in three LED variants, which differ in terms of color, brightness and range.
- “TN” LED: brightest model, but mediocre color rendition
6000 K | 1900 lm | 10800 cd | 207 m | 5.7 cd/lm - Luminus SFT-25R: most throw
6000 K | 1350 lm | 28800 cd | 339 m | 21.3 cd/lm - Nichia 519A: good color rendition
5000 K | 1200 lm | 7800 cd | 176 m | 6.5 cd/lm
So you have to choose between brightness, range and color rendition. In my opinion, the SFT-25R is interesting because of its good throw and the 519A because of its excellent color rendition. Unfortunately, I was unable to find out which manufacturer is behind the “TN LED”.
For this review, I have opted for the version with the Nichia 519A, as I prefer a good quality of light. The following section therefore refers to this version.
A slightly textured reflector is used, at least in the 519A version. It is protected by a glass with a bluish-magenta anti-reflective coating.
The compact spot is evenly illuminated and is surrounded by a diffuse corona. The spill has a slightly cooler color.
Thanks to the narrow spot, the M200 achieves a quite decent range even with the 519A. At very short distances, for example when reading, the spot is too narrow for my taste, but beyond that it can be used quite universally.
In comparison, the beam of the EC200 is much more floody and the difference between spot and spill is less pronounced (also in terms of color). Here are comparison pictures with the EC200, taken with the same settings as above.
![[ 1 ]](https://www.sammyshp.de/betablog/uploads/20250503_Skilhunt_M200_V4_P1050831_a.jpg){kind=link}
![[ 2 ]](https://www.sammyshp.de/betablog/uploads/20250503_Skilhunt_M200_V4_P1050873_a.jpg){kind=link}
![[ 3 ]](https://www.sammyshp.de/betablog/uploads/20250503_Skilhunt_M200_V4_P1050834_a.jpg){kind=link}
![[ 4 ]](https://www.sammyshp.de/betablog/uploads/20250503_Skilhunt_M200_V4_P1050925_a.jpg){kind=link}
![[ 5 ]](https://www.sammyshp.de/betablog/uploads/20250503_Skilhunt_M200_V4_P1050927_a.jpg){kind=link}
The decision between the M200 and the EC200 is not easy for me – depending on the situation, both have their strengths. The M200 scores points with its better throw and magnetic charging, while the EC200 impresses at close range and can be charged via USB-C.
Driver and runtime
Depending on the LED variant selected, there are differences in brightness. However, the runtime always remains the same. A total of seven brightness levels are available.
| Mode | Brightness¹ (Nichia 519A) |
Runtime¹ | Intensity¹ (Throw²) | Current³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | 1200 lm / 550 lm | 1 min + 130 min | 7800 cd (176 m) | 6.00 A |
| T2 | 550 lm | 135 min | 1.44 A | |
| H1 | 300 lm | 260 min | 0.66 A | |
| M1 | 125 lm | 12 h | 0.25 A | |
| M2 | 21 lm | 60 h | 0.05 A | |
| L1 | 2.5 lm | 150 h | < 0.01 A | |
| L2 | 0.2 lm | < 0.01 A | ||
| Off | 16 µA |
¹ According to manufacturer ² ANSI FL1 ³ Measured
For the Nichia 519A, with 6 A the LED is operated almost at its limit, which can have a negative effect on its lifespan and also reduces the efficiency. I would have preferred 4 to 5 A.
The brightness is kept constant almost to the end in all levels except T1. At the end, the brightness gradually decreases until the flashlight finally turns off.
After one minute, the brightness in T1 is automatically reduced to T2. With a little cooling, the temperature stabilizes at around 45 °C. Most people find this temperature still acceptable, so that the M200 can be operated at its practical limit with constant brightness.
Without cooling, however, the temperature continues to rise at the two highest levels. After half an hour, I stopped the test at over 60 °C. Although temperatures below 80 °C are unproblematic for the electronics and the battery, they can cause burns in humans after a short time in this range.
IR image with Zoyi ZT-R01
All levels are regulated by the buck driver without PWM. Only in M2 the measurement with an oscilloscope has shown minimal ripple, which is completely invisible to the eye.
Below a battery voltage of 3.0 V, the status LED in the button flashes continuously in red while the flashlight is in use. At a voltage of 2.6 V the flashlight turns off automatically to protect the battery from deep discharge.
Conclusion
It’s the little details that make the fourth version of the Skilhunt M200 a successful update. With three LED options, users can now choose between high brightness, long range, or accurate color rendering. The improved charging port should eliminate issues with water or metal shavings. And the already great UI has been further improved.
There’s not much to complain about. The slightly sharp edges on the bezel and the tailcap could be improved. In the version with the Nichia 519A, the LED is pushed to its limit in Turbo mode, which could affect its lifespan in the long run.
All in all, I’m very satisfied with the Skilhunt M200 V4. While there’s no compelling reason for V3 owners to upgrade, one of the other LED variants could still be an appealing addition.
Got curious? Take a look at the Skilhunt M200 V4 on the manufacturer’s website.