A-MAC
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2014
- Messages
- 4,371
This light was provided to me by FastTech at a discount in exchange for an objective review.
For Olight fans this light will see familiar but really is something different. Familiar in the sense that the features, function, fit, finish and operation are the same as most other Olight flashlights. Different because Olight normally produces black coated aluminum lights with the special editions coming in titanium, brass and copper. It's not often that they produce a stainless steel light. This particular light has a very cool thunder grey coating. I am a fan of plain knives and lights, with my favorite finish being bead blasted titanium or simple black coated aluminum. The thunder grey coating is plain enough for me to keep this one around and the blue bezel and button accents give it a little flash with out being flashy (pun intended).
Like most of Olights recent releases this light is very compact with a side switch being one of Olights most notable features. The TIR optic produces Olights almost signature beam pattern, not too floody or spotty. It's great for up close and distance work. The pocket clip is solid but also easily removable and allows for quick attachment to the brim of a hat for an impromptu head lamp when both hands are needed. The pocket clip fits in machined grooves in the body which keeps it from spinning and while it does clip into the pocket optic up/out it rides very low. Lanyards can also be attached to the picket clip in two places. The SMINI doesn't have a magnetic tail cap, my guess is that it was eliminated to help save space. A single CR123, RCR123 or 16340 runs this tiny powerhouse.
Like other models a single switch press turns on the light memorized to the last mode used. Pressing and holding the switch while on changes modes (high, medium, low). From off pressing and holding the switch puts you in moonlight mode. Pressing and holding form off and through moonlight mode locks the light preventing accidental activation. While locked pressing the switch yields a quick flash in moonlight to let you know its locked. Simply press and hold until moonlight mode is activated to unlock the light. From off a quick double tap puts you immediately in high mode, which ramps down from 550 lumens after 1.5 minutes to 300 lumens to keep the light from overheating. A triple click from off activates strobe mode. Instant access to just about any mode from off and an electronic lock is what makes this light one of my new favorites.
As you can see from the pictures the packaging is simple. A padded box holds everything together. The owners manual rides in the flaps in the top of the box keeping it out of the way and it comes with an Olight CR123, non rechargable battery. Unlike most other lights the negative end of the battery goes toward the led/optic and the threads on the tail cap are buttery smooth. The stainless body adds a little heft to the light but in my opinion it's a good heft. Overall this is a great light to carry to the office as it would dissappear in just about any outfit but I wouldn't be afraid to carry it to the jobsite either. I do both daily and haven't had any problems so far. Olight really hit it out of the park with this one and the SMINI series in general. The stainless version runs a few dollars less than the TI or CU making it a great value.
For Olight fans this light will see familiar but really is something different. Familiar in the sense that the features, function, fit, finish and operation are the same as most other Olight flashlights. Different because Olight normally produces black coated aluminum lights with the special editions coming in titanium, brass and copper. It's not often that they produce a stainless steel light. This particular light has a very cool thunder grey coating. I am a fan of plain knives and lights, with my favorite finish being bead blasted titanium or simple black coated aluminum. The thunder grey coating is plain enough for me to keep this one around and the blue bezel and button accents give it a little flash with out being flashy (pun intended).
Like most of Olights recent releases this light is very compact with a side switch being one of Olights most notable features. The TIR optic produces Olights almost signature beam pattern, not too floody or spotty. It's great for up close and distance work. The pocket clip is solid but also easily removable and allows for quick attachment to the brim of a hat for an impromptu head lamp when both hands are needed. The pocket clip fits in machined grooves in the body which keeps it from spinning and while it does clip into the pocket optic up/out it rides very low. Lanyards can also be attached to the picket clip in two places. The SMINI doesn't have a magnetic tail cap, my guess is that it was eliminated to help save space. A single CR123, RCR123 or 16340 runs this tiny powerhouse.
Like other models a single switch press turns on the light memorized to the last mode used. Pressing and holding the switch while on changes modes (high, medium, low). From off pressing and holding the switch puts you in moonlight mode. Pressing and holding form off and through moonlight mode locks the light preventing accidental activation. While locked pressing the switch yields a quick flash in moonlight to let you know its locked. Simply press and hold until moonlight mode is activated to unlock the light. From off a quick double tap puts you immediately in high mode, which ramps down from 550 lumens after 1.5 minutes to 300 lumens to keep the light from overheating. A triple click from off activates strobe mode. Instant access to just about any mode from off and an electronic lock is what makes this light one of my new favorites.
As you can see from the pictures the packaging is simple. A padded box holds everything together. The owners manual rides in the flaps in the top of the box keeping it out of the way and it comes with an Olight CR123, non rechargable battery. Unlike most other lights the negative end of the battery goes toward the led/optic and the threads on the tail cap are buttery smooth. The stainless body adds a little heft to the light but in my opinion it's a good heft. Overall this is a great light to carry to the office as it would dissappear in just about any outfit but I wouldn't be afraid to carry it to the jobsite either. I do both daily and haven't had any problems so far. Olight really hit it out of the park with this one and the SMINI series in general. The stainless version runs a few dollars less than the TI or CU making it a great value.
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