{"id":69578,"date":"2019-01-21T15:36:00","date_gmt":"2019-01-21T14:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1lumen.com\/?p=69578"},"modified":"2024-03-20T21:58:26","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T20:58:26","slug":"nitecore-mh25gts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1lumen.com\/review\/nitecore-mh25gts\/","title":{"rendered":"Nitecore MH25GTS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Brand\/model<\/th> | Nitecore MH25GTS<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> |
---|---|
LED<\/td> | CREE XHP35 HD<\/td><\/tr> |
Lumens<\/td> | 1800 lm<\/td><\/tr> |
Beam intensity<\/td> | 23,100 cd<\/td><\/tr> |
Battery config.<\/td> | 1*18650 \/ 2*CR123<\/td><\/tr> |
Material<\/td> | Aluminum<\/td><\/tr> |
Modes<\/td> | 5<\/td><\/tr> |
Blinkies<\/td> | Yes<\/td><\/tr> |
Reflector<\/td> | Smooth<\/td><\/tr> |
Waterproof<\/td> | IPX8<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIntroduction:<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSince I was going to list the best Tactical Flashlights currently available, I wanted to buy one of the best tactical flashlights currently on the market. I bought my copy on Aliexpress, but it looks like I received the Chinese version of the packaging instead of the English version. Fortunately, the manual is still in English. The parcel was a little damaged, and I received the cool white version. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What you’ll get:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n Handling of the light<\/h3>\n\n\n\nCompared to the Jetbeam TH20 I reviewed earlier, the Nitecore MH25GTS is quite a bit smaller, about the size of the old Sunwayman V20C. I will show some comparison pictures below. It’s still rather a long flashlight compared to my other 18650 flashlights. These days, manufacturers tend to make shorter and shorter flashlights, but this is still quite long. The mechanic tailcap switch is a forward clicky (like all tactical flashlights should have) and besides the button you can find the USB port for the built-in charge function. The switch isn’t sticking out as much as the Jetbeam TH20 which makes it more difficult to use with gloves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Holster:<\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe first time I tried to insert the MH25GTS into the holster it felt like it didn’t go any deeper, so I took of the pistol-grip ring, but then it went too deep. So I tried it again with the pistol grip ring attached, and pushed a little harder.. then it worked. But when I did that, I cut the thread that attaches the velcro part to the holster.. I don’t think it was supposed to do that. So that was way too weak! At the moment it happened it felt like it was a magnet attaching both ends.. but it wasn’t I snapped the string that kept both sides together. See the picture below for more clarification. Should the middle flap be attached to the holster??<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tailstanding?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Anodization is the coating of a flashlight, and the MG25GTS has a proper coating all over the flashlight. No color variations or missed spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The build quality is great. Unfortunately, though, the parts of the flashlights seem to be glued. I couldn’t unscrew the head from the body. So if I ever had to change the driver, that could become a nightmare. So I hope I never need to replace the LED, though. The edges on the flashlight are rather sharp, not cutting sharp, but still unpleasantly sharp. It should help with the grip though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The knurling is done well and a bit rough, meaning the edges are a bit sharp. Again, this could be a Pro in some situations where you want the maximum grip! And on one side I think that is a good decision. The prints on the MG25GTS are also crisp and clear, no complaints there either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I can only check the threads near the tailcap. These threads are bare, with lots of lube. When the battery is inserted the tailcap needs to be pushed down quite a bit in order to catch the threads of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reflector is probably made of aluminum and has a smooth finish. This means that the reflector has a tight beam that throws farther than an orange peel reflector, where the beam tends to be wider and has a less obvious hot spot in the middle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The MH25GTS includes a strike-bezel that, according to their explanation, can break windows and help as a self-defense ‘weapon’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Nitecore MH25GTS uses the CREE Xlamp XHP35 HD LED. The XHP35 LED is a 12V LED but with the same size footprint as the XML and XPL LEDs. This HD LED has a dome (that’s probably where the D comes from). The HI version of this LED has no dome but a flat silicon layer on top of the LED. HI probably stands for High Intensity. The one I received has a cold white emitter. It’s not my favorite! But I couldn’t choose a tint when I ordered it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out the pictures below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Nitecore MH25GTS flashlight has two types of switches: the main switch at the tailcap and one side switch for changing modes. The main switch turns the flashlight on and off, and the side switch changes modes. When you use it as a momentary on, you can change the modes, so the Momentary on works with all modes, including strobe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultra low-Low-Medium-High-Turbo <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s not really a Turbo, meaning that it is accessible by a double click or anything. However, it does have the highest output. Check out the details below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the OFF position with the mechanic tail swtich:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n From the OFF position with the side switch:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> when you press and hold the side switch +click the tail switch, the light will be in ultra low mode<\/strong>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n From the ON position with the side switch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n PWM:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nitecore included a 3500mAh button-top battery (protected!). It’s an NL1835HP 3500mAh 8A. Which means it should be able to deliver 8A continuously. Unfortunately, I can’t test that. Flat-top batteries will work as well because, on both sides, there are springs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The included USB cable lets you charge the battery within the flashlight, so you don’t need to buy a separate charger. This could definitely be a PRO when you gift it to someone. The port is a micro-USB port. And according to my little XTAR USB voltage meter it charges at 0.6 Amps, which means it would take 6 hours to charge a depleted Nitecore NL1835HP (included) battery fully. The specs, however, say it takes 8 hours to charge, so I guess it will reduce the charge current towards the end of the charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Charge level indicator \/battery level indicator:<\/p>\n\n\n\n I couldn’t get any readings on the tailcap, and I don’t really know why. Also, since the head is glued, it’s impossible to measure the Amps at the LED.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For this runtime test, I used the app Ceiling Bounce, which was made by a BLF member to measure throw, ceiling bounce, and runtime. It’s a great little app for Android! After the runtime test, the battery was 3.07 Volts (10 seconds after taking it out of the flashlight).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The runtime below was taken with a Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh (unprotected) battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After exactly 3 minutes, the light starts dropping its output to about 700 lumens, until it runs out of juice after 113 minutes, which is close to 2 hours of runtime out of 1 battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Measured in a homemade integrating sphere, numbers calibrated with a Convoy S2+ at 137 lumens. Nitecore claims and my measurements are rather close.. See all the details on Nitecore’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Test of Nitecore MH25GTS and included battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n |