880arm
Flashlight Enthusiast
At SHOT Show SureFire announced upcoming changes to several of their high-output lights and it looks like the M6LT Guardian is the first to receive a makeover. I was fortunate to receive a review sample from SureFire which I have been running through the paces for the past couple of weeks. :twothumbs
Overview
If you aren't familiar with the M6LT, it's a single output mode searchlight that measures just over 8" long and weighs a little over 1 pound when loaded with 6 123A lithium primary batteries. It is not intended to be a "jack of all trades" and does not include any of the gee whiz features we're accustomed to seeing on today's "tactical" lights. This latest version bumps its rated output up to 1200 lumens, a 33% increase over the previous 900 lumen model.
Designated as the M6LT-B, the new Guardian is essentially the same as the previous M6LT with the only visible differences being some slight changes in the laser engraving (the serial number on the body is gone as with many of their other recent lights) and a change in the head designation from KX9T-A to KX9T-D. The 2.5" TIR optic appears identical to the "open window" design on my older M6LT.
The window is coated which makes a clear shot of the LED difficult (for me at least) but the "secret" to the upgrade is clearly a new emitter mounted on a silver colored chip, which would appear to be a Cree XM-L2.
The 1.75" body still features the prominent grooves and knurled ridges as its predecessors, going all the way back to the incandescent M6. It's a classic design that has endured for over a decade and is one of my favorites. The design provides plenty of grip and is surprisingly comfortable to hold.
Hanging out at the rear of the light is the large tailcap and protruding tactical switch. Operation is identical to several smaller SureFire lights with momentary mode activated with a press of the switch and constant-on available by tightening the tailcap. The included welded steel lanyard ring is removable if desired.
Everything about the M6LT is overbuilt, even the removable battery magazine which holds 6 123A lithium primary batteries. Batteries are held very securely between the heavy steel clips and contacts.
When installed into the light, the battery magazine is supported by springs at both ends. The inside of the tailcap has an impressive looking solid aluminum slug that completes the electrical circuit when the switch is activated.
Performance
The M6LT-B produces a strong beam with a clearly defined center hotspot and a larger surrounding secondary spot. From there the output tapers into a fairly broad but much less intense spill beam which allows for some peripheral vision of nearby objects. The main spot is able to provide every effective illumination beyond 250 yards and even the somewhat less intense secondary spot is good for more than 150. The beam is very different from the original SureFire 2.5" TIR lenses which provided a tight center spot with virtually no secondary spot.
The beam has an overall cool tint with center portion of the beam having a creamy white appearance with very little of the green or yellow sometimes present with the XM-L2. The spill beam is noticeably cool.
The following beamshots were taken at a distance of 100 yards to the building and show the UB3T Invictus (800 lumen with the "old" TIR lens), the M6LT-B Guardian (1200 lumens) and its predecessor the M6LT-A (900 lumens and also with the "open window" TIR lens).
Side-by-side beamshot comparisons with several other lights can be viewed in my full M6LT Guardian Review.
These beamshots illustrate the much broader beam of the "open window" optic and also how similar the output the outputs of the M6LT-A and M6LT-B really are. The M6LT-B is more powerful but it is more obvious on paper than in real life.
In addition to 123A lithium primary batteries, the M6LT may also be powered by six LFP123 rechargeable cells such as those from K2 Energy. Runtime testing was conducted with both types of batteries with no external cooling provided.
With both types of batteries, the M6LT starts out with a huge burst of light followed by a rapid decline over the first minute of operation. The rechargeable batteries sustained this lower level of output for 50+ minutes before beginning a rapid decline as they were depleted. The Battery Station 123A primary batteries lasted for just shy of 2 hours before beginning a long tapering decline.
It's interesting to note that the M6LT merely becomes warm during extended operation. The large cooling fins do a nice job of taking heat away from the LED and electronics while the 6 battery configuration keeps the current draw reasonable and reduces the amount of heating from the batteries.
Conclusions
It's good to see the M6LT receive an upgrade to a newer emitter with the corresponding bump in output. The incremental increase in output isn't anything that will immediately stand out to owners of the previous M6LT but it's nice to have nonetheless.
A light like this certainly isn't for everyone but when it comes down to simple operation, rugged construction, and throwing a bunch of light downrange for a prolonged period of time, it's just the ticket.
Please feel free to check out the full M6LT Guardian Review at FlashlightGuide.com for more rambling, photos, beamshots, and stuff! :wave:
Overview
If you aren't familiar with the M6LT, it's a single output mode searchlight that measures just over 8" long and weighs a little over 1 pound when loaded with 6 123A lithium primary batteries. It is not intended to be a "jack of all trades" and does not include any of the gee whiz features we're accustomed to seeing on today's "tactical" lights. This latest version bumps its rated output up to 1200 lumens, a 33% increase over the previous 900 lumen model.
Designated as the M6LT-B, the new Guardian is essentially the same as the previous M6LT with the only visible differences being some slight changes in the laser engraving (the serial number on the body is gone as with many of their other recent lights) and a change in the head designation from KX9T-A to KX9T-D. The 2.5" TIR optic appears identical to the "open window" design on my older M6LT.
The window is coated which makes a clear shot of the LED difficult (for me at least) but the "secret" to the upgrade is clearly a new emitter mounted on a silver colored chip, which would appear to be a Cree XM-L2.
The 1.75" body still features the prominent grooves and knurled ridges as its predecessors, going all the way back to the incandescent M6. It's a classic design that has endured for over a decade and is one of my favorites. The design provides plenty of grip and is surprisingly comfortable to hold.
Hanging out at the rear of the light is the large tailcap and protruding tactical switch. Operation is identical to several smaller SureFire lights with momentary mode activated with a press of the switch and constant-on available by tightening the tailcap. The included welded steel lanyard ring is removable if desired.
Everything about the M6LT is overbuilt, even the removable battery magazine which holds 6 123A lithium primary batteries. Batteries are held very securely between the heavy steel clips and contacts.
When installed into the light, the battery magazine is supported by springs at both ends. The inside of the tailcap has an impressive looking solid aluminum slug that completes the electrical circuit when the switch is activated.
Performance
The M6LT-B produces a strong beam with a clearly defined center hotspot and a larger surrounding secondary spot. From there the output tapers into a fairly broad but much less intense spill beam which allows for some peripheral vision of nearby objects. The main spot is able to provide every effective illumination beyond 250 yards and even the somewhat less intense secondary spot is good for more than 150. The beam is very different from the original SureFire 2.5" TIR lenses which provided a tight center spot with virtually no secondary spot.
The beam has an overall cool tint with center portion of the beam having a creamy white appearance with very little of the green or yellow sometimes present with the XM-L2. The spill beam is noticeably cool.
The following beamshots were taken at a distance of 100 yards to the building and show the UB3T Invictus (800 lumen with the "old" TIR lens), the M6LT-B Guardian (1200 lumens) and its predecessor the M6LT-A (900 lumens and also with the "open window" TIR lens).
Side-by-side beamshot comparisons with several other lights can be viewed in my full M6LT Guardian Review.
These beamshots illustrate the much broader beam of the "open window" optic and also how similar the output the outputs of the M6LT-A and M6LT-B really are. The M6LT-B is more powerful but it is more obvious on paper than in real life.
In addition to 123A lithium primary batteries, the M6LT may also be powered by six LFP123 rechargeable cells such as those from K2 Energy. Runtime testing was conducted with both types of batteries with no external cooling provided.
With both types of batteries, the M6LT starts out with a huge burst of light followed by a rapid decline over the first minute of operation. The rechargeable batteries sustained this lower level of output for 50+ minutes before beginning a rapid decline as they were depleted. The Battery Station 123A primary batteries lasted for just shy of 2 hours before beginning a long tapering decline.
It's interesting to note that the M6LT merely becomes warm during extended operation. The large cooling fins do a nice job of taking heat away from the LED and electronics while the 6 battery configuration keeps the current draw reasonable and reduces the amount of heating from the batteries.
Conclusions
It's good to see the M6LT receive an upgrade to a newer emitter with the corresponding bump in output. The incremental increase in output isn't anything that will immediately stand out to owners of the previous M6LT but it's nice to have nonetheless.
A light like this certainly isn't for everyone but when it comes down to simple operation, rugged construction, and throwing a bunch of light downrange for a prolonged period of time, it's just the ticket.
Please feel free to check out the full M6LT Guardian Review at FlashlightGuide.com for more rambling, photos, beamshots, and stuff! :wave:
I own the Hound Dog, but that new M6LT looks awesome... Thanks for the review!
:shakehead
