Skilhunt Mix-7 Multi-color 18350 Flashlight Review
The Skilhunt Mix-7 multi-color 18350 flashlight offers red, green, blue, UV, and three high CRI emitters in one package! It uses one 18350 and has charging!
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a link to the Skilhunt Mix-7 multi-color 18350 flashlight product page.
Versions
There are a few versions! First here are body colors. Carbon black, olive green, vibrant orange, dark blue, and MAO white. There are also two white emitter options: Cree XP-G4 (cool white) and Nichia 519a (4500K, High CRI). The package is available (in theory) with and without a cell, too (but I can’t select “without” in the drop-down.) (Just buy the cell, it’s good).
Price
The price varies based on which options you pick. The high CRI version is the most expensive, at $77.90 (with battery) (and I don’t see a way to exclude the battery). The Skilhunt Mix-7 multi-color 18350 flashlight (higher output) option is $71.90.
What’s Included
- Skilhunt MiX-7 Multi-color Nichia Flashlight
- Skilhunt 1100mAh 18350
- Charge cable (USB to proprietary magnetic)
- Lanyard
- Pocket clip
- Mesh pouch
- Magnet removal blank
- UV filter that fits atop a reflector for the UV
- Spare o-rings (2)
- Manual
Package and Manual
Build Quality and Disassembly
Skilhunts are usually well-built lights, and this one is no exception. The design language between this Skilhunt MiX-7 Multi-color Nichia flashlight and the other M-series lights is very consistent! That’s nice, even if this MiX-7 doesn’t have the naming convention (unless the M is the carryover and the model is sort of “iX-7” – possible, I guess.) This is a very MAO finish, too. There’s an appropriate amount (but not too much) of chalkiness.
Other M-lights (M300 V2 for example) also have a blue bezel. On the Skilhunt Mix-7 multi-color 18350 flashlight, the bezel is sort of “enhanced” and bigger. I like this one way better!
The threads are square-cut and lubed an appropriate amount. There’s a magnet in the tailcap. You can remove it, and if you do, you should use the rubber spacer in place of the magnet. That’ll keep things snug!
The head end has a spring, too.
Size and Comps
78.8mm x 32.5mm x 23.5mm and 63.5g (excluding cell)
If the flashlight will headstand, I’ll show it here (usually the third photo). If the flashlight will tailstand, I’ll also show that (usually in the fourth photo).
Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+. The version below is a custom laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full post on an engraved orange host right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to buy your Convoy S2+ now!
Also above is the light beside a TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light. I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats. I also reviewed that specific edition, the “Oveready BOSS FT Collector Vintage Brass” 35. I love it!
Retention and Carry
A pocket clip is included. It’s a pretty nice friction-fit clip.
This clip is long on the tiny MiX-7. It’s not a problem, but, well, it’s a long clip. This is a two-way clip and lives only on the tail end of the Skilhunt MiX-7 Multi-color Nichia flashlight.
Also included is a lanyard, which attaches either through the pocket clip (less recommended) or the tailcap, where there is a hole for this express purpose.
As mentioned above, the tailcap has a magnet. The magnet is sufficiently strong for holding the MiX-7.
Skilhunt included (separately) this little nylon pouch. I like this more than I figured I would, but since it was separate I’m not really sure if it’s included with all purchases or not.
Power and Runtime
The Skilhunt Mix-7 multi-color 18350 flashlight runs a single lithium-ion cell. My package included an 1100mAh 18350 button top cell.
The cell goes into the light in the normal way: positive end (button) toward the head.
Inside the cell tube is a sticker indicating that the cell should go with the positive end toward the head.
Below you can see three runtime tests. Performance is very good. There’s a big stepdown from T1 Turbo fairly quickly but after that, output is very stable at the “T2” level.
Low voltage protection was observed in every test.
Charging
The Skilhunt Mix-7 multi-color 18350 flashlight also has built-in charging. There’s a connector opposite the switch. One end is a USB plug, and the other is a proprietary magnetic connector.
The connection works well. Notably, this is the “MC-10” charger, which peaks at around 1A.
While charging, the charger blinks red, and when charging is complete, the charger uses a blue indicator.
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | 2300/680 | 1m+55m | 1948 (0s) 1842 (30s) |
5.48 |
| T2 | 1250/680 | 5m+55m | 1100 | 1.97 |
| H1 | 680 | 60m | 596 | 0.92 |
| M1 | 230 | 180m | 213 | 0.29 |
| M2 | 65 | 9h | 62 | 0.10 |
| L1 | 6 | 28h | 7.5 | 0.03 |
| L2 | 1 | 180h | 2.65 | [low] |
| Red 1 | 165 | 165m | – | 0.64 |
| Red 2 | 20 | 12h | – | 0.07 |
| Green 1 | 340 | 70m | – | 0.82 |
| Green 2 | 70 | 10h | – | 0.08 |
| Blue 1 | 45 | 65m | – | 0.81 |
| Blue 2 | 7 | 9h | – | 0.09 |
| UV 1 | 1000mW | 140m | – | 0.47 |
| UV 2 | 200mW | 9h | – | 0.10 |
Pulse Width Modulation
There’s no PWM at all on any mode.
Here you can see a “baseline” – a chart with almost no light hitting the sensor. Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has some of the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so bad that I used a post about it to explain PWM! Here are multiple timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make comparing this “worst” PWM light to the test light easier. That post also explains why I didn’t test the WF-602C at the usual 50us scale.
User Interface and Operation
There’s a single switch on the MiX-7. It’s a side e-switch, with an indicator in the center. It’s a big secure switch, with a very positive but quiet click. I very much like this switch. The switch seems unchanged from the previous iterations of the M-series.
The cutout for the switch in the head is the same size as the charge connector, and while it’s hard to distinguish between the two while holding the light, I found that it didn’t matter; I’ll just pinch the light with both spots between my fingers, and activate the light.
The user interface could be a bit daunting, but it’s very straightforward when you get used to it. It’s also very logical and provides access to low from off, which is as close to a requirement from a user interface as I have.
Here’s a UI table!
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Hold | Low (Memory between L1 and L2) |
| L1 or L2 | Hold | Advance between different emitters (White > Red > Green > Blue > UV) |
| Low Group (“Low Color Group” in manual) | Click 2x | Iterate between L1 and L2 of all modes in low group. |
| Off | Click 4x | Lockout (Three blinks of main emitters to confirm and the switch turns red briefly) |
| Lockout | Click 4x | Unlock to Low group (memory, can be L1/L2) |
| Lockout | Click 2x | Iterate lockout indicator^ |
| Lockout | Hold | Momentary Output (Appears to be approximately L1) |
| L1/L2 | Click | Off |
| Off | Click | On in “Main Group” (Mode memory M2/M1/H) |
| Main Group | Hold | Mode advance (M2 > M1 > H) |
| Main Group | Click | Off |
| Main Group or Off | Click 2x | Turbo Group (Mode memory T1/T2) |
| T1/T2 | Hold | Iterate between T1 (higher) and T2 (lower) output |
| T1/T2 | Click | Off |
| T1/T2 | Click 2x | Main Group (memory output) |
| Main Group or Off | Click 3x | Strobe Group (with memory) |
| Strobe Group | Click 3x | Previous Group (T1/T2 or M2/M1/H, depending on how you accessed Strobe Group)^^ |
| Strobe Group | Click 2x^^^ | Strobe Advance (S1 > S2 > S3 > S4)† |
| Strobe Group | Hold | No result |
^ Lockout indicator blinks a red switch every 2-3 seconds.
^^ Aside from just general mode memory (which you know I don’t like) this seems to me to be the only place where you may need to immediately remember what mode you were in so you have the experience you expect. However, the difference is getting the two highest white outputs or the three main white outputs – it won’t be that dramatic even if you don’t remember. Also note that if you access the strobe group from off, triple-clicking will not return to off. For continuity, it should! In fact, if you accessed the strobe from an off state, a triple-click sends the light to the Main group!
^^^ Seems like the strobe group is the only group that isn’t advanced by a hold. Since there’s no hold anywhere else into or out of Strobe, I am not sure why that user interface continuity wasn’t maintained here.
† Strobes are like this:
S1: Disorienting strobe of White (turbo, ish)
S2: SOS (Red)
S3: Blinking (Red)
S4: Blinking (Red, Green, Blue)
LED and Beam
In this higher output version, Skilhunt has used three Cree XP-G4 emitters. They’re cool white, and like all of the other emitters, have a small orange peel reflector. There are a total of four emitter varieties here: white (Cree XP-G4, 6500K), Red, Green, Blue, and UV. The UV is dead center. The light ships with a little UV filter and the reflector for UV has a little lip where this filter sits. That’s a nice touch by Skilhunt and well-considered. (Also shipping this way seems to prevent some notable patent issues…)
Each emitter has a tiny little orange peel cup reflector.
Included in the package is a tiny filter for the UV emitter. Skilhunt smartly put a little lip in the reflector only on the UV area, and this little filter fits perfectly! That also explains why (or one reason) the bezel isn’t glued. It unscrews easily and the filter slips right in!
The secondary emitters are very bright (more on that in a bit).
LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)
The CCT is rated at 6500K; fortunately, it’s only 6500K at the highest level. That’s good for my preference, but if you’re looking for a very true cool white, this one might be warmer on the lower levels than you want. CRI is fairly low here, too.
Beamshots
These beamshots are always with the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away. I’ve captured all 7 outputs of the white emitter. Also included are both modes (low and high) for all the secondary options (4).
Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b version) (affiliate link)
I keep the test flashlight on the left, and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the right.
I compare everything to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!
Summary and Conclusion
First of all, right out of the box, I love the Skilhunt Mix-7 multi-color 18350 flashlight. It’s just a solid little light. That it also has high output and so many emitter options is fantastic, too. The user interface is familiar but breaks from the “M-series” tradition a bit (in at least one way that I don’t like.) The blue stainless steel bezel is very nice and overall, this is just a well-built, high-quality, interesting flashlight. This higher output version really is higher output (across the board) so if that’s what you need, it’s a better choice than the Nichia version.
The Big Table
| Skilhunt Mix-7 multi-color 18350 flashlight | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | Cree XP-G4 (Cool White) |
| Price in USD at publication time: | $71.90 |
| Cell: | 1×18350 |
| Runtime Graphs | |
| LVP? | Yes |
| Switch Type: | E-Switch |
| Quiescent Current (mA): | ? |
| On-Board Charging? | Yes |
| Charge Port Type: | Proprietary magnetic |
| Charge Graph | |
| Power off Charge Port | with cell: all modes except T1 without cell and/or tailcap: all modes except T1 and T2 |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 2300 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 1842 (80.1% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 4.1 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 182 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 434lux @ 4.841m = 10171cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 201.7 (110.8% of claim)^ |
| Claimed CCT | 6500 |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 5600-6500 Kelvin |
| Item provided for review by: | Skilhunt |
| All my Skilhunt reviews! | |
^ Measurement disclaimer: Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.
What I like about the Skilhunt Mix-7 Multi-color 18350 Flashlight
- Great build quality
- Nice looking little light
- Blue steel bezel has teeth
- High CRI output option
- Higher output version is actually higher output!
- User interface (despite foibles)
- Uses standard (maybe long?) 18350
- Indicating e-switch
- All the non-white outputs also have modes (2)
- Despite being “cool white” and rated to 6500K, it’s actually not 6500K til the very highest (hardest driven) level.
What I don’t like
- Inconsistency switching between levels within the Low group vs other groups
- Has UV (that’s a huge personal preference – UV here isn’t bad) (someone asked, so I’ll say it here: I’m very sensitive to UV and simply like to avoid it when possible.)
Notes
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