Review: Olight M2T (Tactical, 1x18650, XHP35 HD)

I received the Olight M2T for the review from Olight.com

The M2T Warrior is the latest tactical 18650 powered flashlight from Olight. It features a XHP35 HD emitter and it features some resemblance to the previous model, the M2R, and some differences: at the tailcap it has a rubber protruding, dual stage, switch; and doesn't have the integrated recharging feature of the M2R.


For the M2T, Olight changed the design of the box: a little more design-oriented. It's a very nice beige white box, with raw a texture on the surface… but I bet you are more interested in the content: the M2T (and all the accessories: two way clip, holster, 2xCR123 cells, manual, warranty card, lanyard).








The big, protruding and super easy to access switch at the tailcap




The inside of the light has the same double walled construction as the M2R, and the tailcap has a lanyard hole.



On the head of the light there's the classic electronic switch with a LED that acts as battery indicator



The ease of access to the tailcap switch is much higher compared to the almost recessed one of the M2R; also size are comparable (25x24x130mm, 135g).



The sheath of the M2T is made of cordura, and compared to the one of the M2T it has a regular cordura construction





Output and runtime
Tested both with an Olight IMR 18650 3600mAh PCB battery (not included with the M2T).





Beamshots
1 m from the wall








My thoughts
The light is well built and finished.
The levels are well spaced and the regulation flat on all tested outputs.
I like the UI with direct access to last used mode, low, turbo, strobe. In particular, I like that using the electronic switch you still have access to all the above and you can use the light as if it is a regular EDC, with a EDC interface. Using the tailcap switch you will only have access to turbo (either momentary or constant on) and strobe, a more "tactical" use.
The tailcap switch will IMHO allow for a better use of its 3 functions: momentary-on turbo (soft press); ON/OFF (medium press); momentary-strobe (deep press).
The beam it's toward the flood type, with a big bright spill and a spot that disappears after a few tenth of meters, and an actual, real throw, of around 100 meters.
Compared to the M2R, the M2T loses the integrated charge and the magnet in the tailcap, in favor of a more UI friendly big "tactical" tailcap switch, no free 18650 (although the M2T comes with 2xCR123 cells), and an increased frequency of the strobe (from 10 to 13Hz). The sheath is also simpler but is well made.
The M2T is also 30$ cheaper compared to the M2R.

I'd like to see a NW version of the light, maybe with a dedomed emitter that will give more throw.
Thanks to: AntoLed for the camera help and the luxmeter.

I've heard that the rubber tail switch can be a bit finicky when trying to access the 3 diff modes. What's your experience with this?

you have to not be afraid to push. not because it feels flimsy (it doesn't), but because
- to engage the soft press (momentary turbo) you can press from very lightly to lightly and there is some travel possible (although the light turns on at the lightest pressure ie movement of the switch)
- to engage the "hard press" (constant turbo) you just need to press all the way without any fear of missing a click or an intermediate position, when it reaches the bottom of the travel the light is on

it needs a moment of getting used to it

Excellent review as usual Budda. Have you thought about reviewing theNexttorch TA15, the one with the Rotational Magnetic Switch? I've been really interested in that one. Thanks.

Thank you very much for the review, but strange that they call this UI "Tactical". For a tactical light accidental "discharge" is very unwanted feature. And highly sensitive tail button leads directly to negligent activation.

Can't do a protruding tail switch every time I sit down in my security truck I'd blind myself :-(

Thanks for the review!

vadimax said:

Thank you very much for the review, but strange that they call this UI "Tactical". For a tactical light accidental "discharge" is very unwanted feature. And highly sensitive tail button leads directly to negligent activation.

Click to expand...

Personally I don't agree. If you are afraid to accidentally activate your light you can lock the M2T with physical lockout or with electronic lockout.

Budda said:

Personally I don't agree. If you are afraid to accidentally activate your light you can lock the M2T with physical lockout or with electronic lockout.

Click to expand...

Well, imagine you are a LEO, for example, and you are approaching an area where a bad guy may be hiding, but you do not want to expose yourself early. And suddenly you touch your gear with the tail of the light or your fingers contract a bit because of stress...

How lockout feature would help in the situation?

This would open a big discussion, as safety features are integrated on several equipment, like car and guns.
there are also guns with no apparent safeties (like glock, that feature internal safeties that gets deactivated when the user effectively pulls the trigger).

in the end what matters is training training training.