Skilhunt has been making a steady advance in the flashlight community by launching a series of well-designed flashlights in the past few years.
The Skilhunt M150 was an EDC flashlight that delivered a solid performance. Recently Skilhunt updated the M150 with the M150 v3.
So does the update make the M150 an even better EDC flashlight? Or is it something that you can ignore and stick to products from brands like Fenix, Acebeam, and Lumintop?
Let’s take a closer look at the Skilhunt M150 V3 flashlight and find out.
Summary of Contents
Skilhunt M150 v3 Packaging Quality
The M150 V3 comes in a retail package with lots of information printed on it. Inside the box, you will find the following items.
- The M150 V3 flashlight
- 800 mAh Skilhunt 14500 battery
- Two spare o-rings
- Lanyard
- Pocket clip
- Magnetic charging cable
- Manual
The quality of the packaging is good, but not the best in class. Overall, it’s a ready-to-go package and you need not buy anything extra.
Skilhunt M150 Flashlight
The first thing that you’ll notice is how well-built the flashlight is. But considering the original M150 had a robust construction, that doesn’t come as a surprise.
The flashlight body is made from aluminum alloy and has type III anodization to resist scratches. It has an IPX-8 rating along with 1-meter impact protection. The matte finish along with the blue highlights around the lens and the side switch gives it a smart look.
Just like the M150, the M150 V3 lacks aggressive knurlings. But there are plenty of ridges on the body that make it easy to grip. The top portion has deeper ridges that work as the heat sink. Also, the lens is recessed to prevent accidental damage.
The flashlight body has mounting points for connecting the lanyard and the pocket clip, both of which are very well-made. There are two points for attaching the reversible pocket clip. And this updated clip won’t bend out of shape even if it comes under extra stress. The clip is designed for deep carry and you can connect it to a hat and use it as a headlamp if needed.
The operation is through a side e-switch along with a battery-level indicator. The switch is on the softer side but feels great. Every time you switch on the light, it lights up for five seconds in blue or red color to indicate the battery level.
Now some users may feel the lack of a tail switch. But I don’t mind using side switches in EDC flashlights. On the other side of the e-switch is the magnetic charge port that connects to the magnetic charger.
The light is turned on and off with a single click of the switch. It took me some time to understand the details of the customizable user interface by going through the manual. It’s not the simplest UI I have used, but it gets easier once you learn to use it.
Now I wouldn’t say the UI In the M150 is as complex as Anduril. However, if you prefer using an EDC flashlight with a simple UI, there are better options.
M150 Flashlight Specifications
Skilhunt has not bumped up the lumen output of the M150 V3. The max output is 750 lumens in turbo mode, which is pretty good for a compact EDC flashlight. The maximum beam distance is 110 meters. The peak beam intensity is 3000 candelas.
The M150 V3 comes with a single 14500 800 mAh rechargeable li-ion cell. However, the flashlight is compatible with alkaline or Ni-MH AA batteries and also with a 1.5V lithium battery. You can’t use AAAs though.
While that gives you great flexibility, the peak performance and runtimes will vary depending on the lithium-ion flashlight battery size. The best output is available only with the 14500 battery. If you use a Ni-MH battery, the turbo output drops to 240 lumens.
The Skilhunt M150 V3 has a flat tail cap with a removable magnet. Simply stick the magnetic tail to any ferrous surface to keep your hands free. Considering the performance, the M150 V3 can be counted among the best magnetic flashlights on the market.
Skilhunt M150 Features
The M150 also has intelligent temperature control technology that prevents the light from getting overheated in turbo mode. I never found the flashlight getting uncomfortably hot. The circuit also has reverse polarity protection. Another practical feature is a location indicator that will flash if the light is in lockout mode.
Basically, the M150 is not a high-lumen LED flashlight. But for me, anything between 750 to 500 lumens is good enough for regular and occasional outdoor use. Most importantly, the M150 has a compact form and delivers a steady output which is just what I expect from a typical EDC light.
M150 Modes
The M150 V3 comes with 8 lighting modes including strobe.
| Mode | Output in lumens (14500) | Runtime |
| T1 | 750-340-200 | 1+30+60 minutes |
| T2 | 480-340-200 | 3+30+60 minutes |
| H | 340-200 | 30+65 minutes |
| M1 | 100-50 | 2.5+2 hours |
| M2 | 15 | 25 hours |
| L1 | 1.5 | 100 hours |
| L2 | 0.2 | 50 days |
The 750-lumen peak output lasts for one minute and is then stepped down to 340 lumens. This output lasts for a respectable 30 minutes before it comes down to 200 lumens. Skilhunt has incorporated two low modes which is a practical feature.
Clicking the switch 4 times when the flashlight is off will activate the lockout mode. It also has an automatic memory function that remembers the last used setting. Besides, there are shortcuts like double click to turbo and triple click to strobe.
Other than that, the flashlight has three strobe modes. The S1 mode is the normal disorientating strobe, The S2 and S3 modes are for SOS and beacon respectively. In the beacon mode, the flashlight blinks at a high mode at around one-second intervals.
Lens, LED, Bezel, Reflector, and Beam
Skilhunt has used a U.D.O.C reflector along with an AR-coated glass lens that delivers a good beam output. The lens has a high light transmittance value of 99%. The constant current circuit ensures a steady beam. In addition, the circuit is designed for high thermal conductivity.
The beam has a great mixture of flood and spot which makes it great for household use as well as for outdoor activities like camping. It has a bright hotspot and PWM is absent.
Unlike the original M150, the V3 comes in three versions that use three different emitters. These are the CREE XP-L2 CW, Samsung LH351D 90CRI, and the Nichia 519A High CRI. For newbies, making a pick from the three options can be a tough task.
The Nichia 519A is a personal favorite of mine for its eye-pleasing rosy tint and high color rendering index (CRI) of above 95. While it’s not as floody as the Samsung LH351D, it allows you to better distinguish colors in nature, which, for me, is a big plus. The LH351D has a slightly greenish tint as well.
On the other hand, the CREE XP-L2 is a cool white light and delivers a relatively higher lumens-per-watt. If you prefer bright cool white lights over warm lights, you can go with the XP-L2.
Dimensions and Weight
The M150 V3 has a length of 3.30 inches (84 mm) and a body diameter of 0.71 inches (18 mm). It weighs 1.20 oz( 34 grams) without the battery. So, in terms of size, it remains the same as its previous version.
I compared it with the Sofirn SP10 V3 which has similar features and found the M150 to be slightly smaller and lighter.
Admittedly, the M150 is a pocketable flashlight that’s easy to carry around. And even though it’s one of the lightest EDC flashlights on the market, Skilhunt has not compromised with durability.
Batteries and Charging
The 14500 800mAh battery shipped with the M150 is a solid performer in terms of runtimes. But even with the 14500 battery, the brightness levels do not match the specified numbers and remain on the lower side.
Note, Skilhunt doesn’t mention the LED variant they have used in their light output tables. Now that’s a letdown.
The proprietary USB magnetic charging cable connects easily. However, the other end of the charger offers USB-A connectivity and not USB-C. Charging the 14500 battery with the cable takes about an hour. There’s a charging indicator light that glows red while charging and blue once charging is complete.
While I like using magnetic charging, losing the proprietary cable means you will need to buy a new one.
Price of the M150 v3 Flashlight
The M150 V3 is available on Amazon at less than $50. When you compare it with products like the Olight S2R Baton II or the Fenix E30R, I think Skilhunt has priced it right. While it is not the most powerful beam thrower, it has some practical features that are a plus.
Note, Skilhunt offers 15 days of free replacement and 24 months of free repair with the product.
Pros
- Three LED options
- Can be used with multiple batteries
- Good beam profile
- Great build-quality and durability
- Built-in magnetic charging
Cons
- The UI can be a hit or miss
- Uses only the proprietary charging cable
- Lower than specified output
FAQs
Is the flashlight good for EDC?
Yes. The Skilhunt M150 V3 is a good EDC flashlight.
How do I disable lockout mode on the M150 flashlight?
Once you are in lockout mode, you can press the e-switch four times to exit the mode.
How do I turn on strobe mode?
You can turn on the strobe mode by triple-clicking the switch when the flashlight is on or off. Shifting between the three strobe modes is done with a quick double click.
What type of batteries does the Skilhunt M150 flashlight take?
Apart from the Li-ion 14500 battery, the Skilihunt M150 V3 can take 3 types of batteries. These are the 1.5 V alkaline AA battery, the 1.2V Ni-MH AA battery, and the 1.5V lithium battery.
Final Thoughts
Do I recommend the Skilhunt M150 V3 flashlight over the other EDC options on the market?
Yes and no.
Don’t get me wrong. The M150 V3 is a reliable performer with a great beam profile and easy-to-use magnetic charging. The design and build quality are great too. You also get plenty of options in terms of batteries and emitters.
That being said, some users may not like the UI. Moreover, the output is on the lower side compared to similar products. While Skilhunt has provided buyers with multiple emitter options with the V3, choosing the right LED can be an issue for casual users. Also, you may prefer using flashlights with more powerful 18650 batteries in them.
So, I’d suggest that you look at the top EDC flashlights in the market before making the choice. It all depends on your preferences and the type of performance you are seeking from a flashlight.