I received the Klarus Mi7 from GearBest for the review.
Here are Klarus specs for the Mi7
• CREE XP-L HI V3 LED, up to 50,000 hours life
• Maximum output 700 Lumens; Maximum runtime 67 hours.
• Small and lightweight for everyday carry (26.4g without battery.)
• Battery Capacity Indication displays remaining power for easy monitoring
• One Touch Access to Moon-light and High output levels
• Unique high efficiency circuitwith broad voltage range to accommodate both AA (Primary/Rechargeable) and Li-ion 14500 batteries
• Constant Current Control with no PWM flash; suitable for photography illumination
• Over-Discharge Protection automatically lowers output levels to protect rechargeable batteries
• Lock-Out mode specially designed to prevent accidental activation of the flashlight
• Reverse Polarity Protection for ease of use
• Exclusive Stainless Steel switch; Elegant, Ergonomic, Easy to use
• Aerospace grade Aluminum Alloy body; CNC precision machining; Military grade
Hard Anodizing (HAIII) protection; Superior heat dissipation
• AR (Anti-Reflective) coated MineralLens hardened for scratch resistance
• IPX-8 water protection (2 meters submersible rating)
• CREE XP-L HI V3 LED; 50,000 hours life
• 3 output levels，2 strobe patterns
• Voltage Range: 1.0V – 4.2V
• Battery：AA x 1; Li-ion 14500×1
• Color：Black, Red, Blue
• Reflector: Orange Peel
• Switch: Side Switch
• Dimension：Bezel19mm (0.75″); Body 17.6mm (0.69″); Overall Length: 87.2mm (3.43″)
• Weight: 26.4g (0.93oz) (without battery)
• Material: Aerospace Aluminum Alloy 6061-T6
• Protection: IPX-8 rating (up to 2 meters submersible)
• Lens: Hardened Mineral Glass; AR coated; Scratch resistant
The Mi7 is available in different colors:
The Mi7 comes in a clear plastic box.
Inside the box: the light, spare o-rings, lanyard, splitring, an 8 shaped spiltring connector, and the manual.
The distinctive look of the Mi7 is due to the rhomboid knurling on the body and the design of the head.
This is also one of the few lights that has a metal switch cover.
The XP-L Hi inside the small reflector.
The Mi7 comes with a free AA alkaline battery, and is protected from accidental activation with an effective plastic spacer.
The threads are anodized, so you can physically lockout the light if you want.
Size comparison with other AA lights: Manker E11, Manker T01, JetBeam Jet-I MK.
UI:
From off a single click turns the light on at high mode. To advance to med mode, click once. Click again to turn the light off (yes, you have to go through medium mode to turn the light off, and to go from medium back to high you have to switch it off and back on).
From off a long (2”) click turns the light on at low mode. Click again to turn the light off (yes, you can’t access directly to medium or high mode, you have to turn the light off and back on).
A quick double click will activate strobe mode (variable frequency strobe), and a following double click will activate SOS mode. When strobe or SOS are active, a single click will return to the last used level (either high medium or low).
A quick triple click will activate the battery reading mode (3 flash > 70%, 30%<2 flash<70%, 1 flash<30%), that works with Nimh and Li-ion batteries.
There is an electronic lockout: from off keep pressed the switch for 5” and the light will flash twice and will be locked. To turn off the electronic lockout, make a quick triple click.
Output and runtime
All the tests have been done using Eneloop Pro 2500mAh AA and a Efest IMR 14500 650mAh (with li-ion for getting best performance, I believe you should go for unprotected IMR cells)
Sampling rate is 6” for the high mode, and 90” for mid mode.
Some magnification and details of the plots
After the test at High mode I measured the resting voltage of the Efest IMR 14500: 3,01 Volts (safely above the minimum recommend Voltage level for an unprotected li-ion cell).
Beamshot at 0.5 m from the wall
Interesting that the Mi7 is the light with the widest beam despite having an XP-L Hi emitter.
My thoughts.
The light is well built and has a distinctive look, that I like. I would like to see Klarus make a clip for this light, because I tent to use them always and without it this light will roll. Also, the clip may help finding the small metallic switch which is not very grippy and not so easy to find in the dark.
The UI is fine. I like the hidden strobe and the hidden battery indicator, but if you need to frequently change the levels while you are using the light, you will have to switch it off and back on some times.
The output and the regulation is fine both for AA and 14500 cells.
The light features protection against over discharge of the batteries, so you won’t have to fear using unprotected li-ion batteries (my 14500 says thanks).
Thanks to: AntoLed for the luxmeter and the camera.
Thanks for reading.
