Acebeam Terminator M2 Flashlight Review

Acebeam Terminator M2 Flashlight Review

The Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight offers a Nichia 519a flood channel and separate throw channel, as well as RGB! It runs one 18650 (included, with charging).


Official Specs and Features

Here’s a referral link to the official product page at killzoneflashlights.com.

Versions

Two emitter versions of the Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight exist. There’s a cool white (6500K) and this Nichia 519a option, too. Other markets may have an “M2x” – I’m not sure what the differences are.

Price

The Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight comes in at $139.90 and is available now at killzoneflashlights.com.


What’s Included

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight what's included

  • Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight
  • Acebeam 3100mAh 18650
  • Charging cable
  • Spare o-rings (2)
  • Lanyard
  • Manual etc

Package and Manual

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight box

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight box

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight manual

Build Quality and Disassembly

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight

The Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight is in the same vein as the Terminator M1. They are similar in a few things; great build quality, side-by-side flood and throw output, and general shape. They actually end up being quite different though, I’d say.

Acebeam designed the Terminator M2 as a rectangular flashlight. That makes it nicely anti-roll! It also fits in hand nicely, in a way that a tube light never does.

The tail end is fairly simple – just a tailcap to remove for cell access and an e-switch.

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight tail end view

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight tailcap

Here’s one of my biggest complaints about the Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight. The tailcap must be removed to charge the cell. And the tailcap is the kind that you can’t avoid touching threads on when removing. You may have the skill and it’ll all be ok, but for me, this is annoying. Annoying, especially since Acebeam has shown such great usage of onboard charging on other lights – just throw a USB-C port in here but still give us access to the cell!

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight tailcap removed

Inside the cell tube, you can see a spring – in fact, there are springs on both ends of the cell tube.

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight showing springs

Size and Comps

Size:  (Length) 95.4mm / 3.76” x  (Head) 48.5mm / 1.91 ” x  (Body) 29mm / 1.14”
Weight: 201.1g (7.09oz.) w/ battery

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).

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight in hand

Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+. The version you see below is a custom Convoy S2+ host that’s been laser engraved by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full post on an engraved orange host right here! Or just 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!

Here’s the Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight alongside the Terminator M1.

Retention and Carry

A lanyard is included for carrying the Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight. Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight lanyard

That lanyard attaches through this very sturdy hole in the tail end of the light.

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight lanyard hole

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight lanyard hole

Unlike the M1, the M2 gets a pocket clip, too! That works on the M2 while I don’t think it’d have worked at all on the M1 (because of the bigger head on the M1). The pocket clip has three Hex screws. I do not know if this is the “standard” knife-clip hole pattern (but probably; it looks like it.)

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight pocket clip screws

Power and Runtime

Power to the Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight is from a single lithium-ion cell. My package included a cell, and this cell is including the purchase price. The cell is a 3100mAh 18650.

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight with included 18650

The cell is installed into the Terminator M2 in the usual way – the positive terminal toward the head. In case you forget that, there’s a little silk-screened icon near the tailcap. There’s also a battery indicator on the side of the light.

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight with included 18650

Below are a number of runtime tests. The light shuts off when the cell voltage is low (around 3V).

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight runtime chart

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight runtime chart

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight runtime chart

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight runtime chart

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight runtime chart

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight runtime chart

Charging

The Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight itself does not offer built-in charging, but the included cell does. You won’t often hear me fuss that a light doesn’t have built-in charging, but I think it would really work well on the Terminator M2. I really dislike having to remove this type of tailcap, so charging would be very welcome.

Anyway, the included cell has a USB-C port on the positive end.

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight included 18650

A USB to USB-C cable is included.

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight charging cable

When charging, the LED indicator lights red. When charging is completed, this turns green.

Charging is quick at around 2A and finishes in around 2 hours.

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight charging graph

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight charging graph

Modes and Currents

Mode Mode Claimed Output (lm) Claimed Runtime Measured Lumens Tailcap Amps
Both 2200-750 50s-1h15m 1765 (0s)
1685 (30s)
9.80
Spotlight 900-400 50s-1h50m 629 5.17
Flood Turbo 2000-800-35 110s-1h10m-25m 1781 (0s)
1620 (30s)
8.11
Flood High 800-35 1h15m-25m 655 2.04
Flood Med2 350-35 3h-25m 281 0.79
Flood Med1 150-35 7h-25m 89 0.35
Flood Low 35 18.5h 21 0.12
Flood Moonlight 1 38h 0.33 0.06

Pulse Width Modulation

The Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight does not have PWM in any mode! That’s great. And one of the things I love about Acebeam flashlights.

For reference, here’s a baseline shot, with all the room lights off and almost nothing hitting the sensor. Also, here’s the light with the worst PWM I could find. I’m adding multiple timescales, comparing them to the test light will be easier. Unfortunately, the PWM on this light is so bad that it doesn’t even work with my normal scale, which is 50 microseconds (50us). 10ms. 5ms. 2ms. 1ms. 0.5ms. 0.2ms. In a display faster than 0.2ms or so, the on/off cycle is more than one screen, so it’d just (very incorrectly) look like a flat line. I wrote more about this Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight and briefly explained PWM.

User Interface and Operation

Here we get another big departure from the M1. The M1 features a toggle to switch between the two LED options, and to control the output level, there’s this tail e-switch.

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight e-switch

People have tended to fuss over this switch, but I like it just fine. It’s in a reasonable spot, and I do like that it’s a tail switch.

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight e-switch actuation

Here’s a user interface table!

State Action Result
Any Flip toggle between Floodlight and Spotlight Respective emitter option is selected (can be done in off or on state.)
Off Click e-switch Toggle is on Spotlight: Spotlight on
Toggle is on Floodlight: Floodlight on (mode memory, excluding Turbo and Moonlight)
Off Hold e-switch Toggle is on Spotlight: Spotlight on
Toggle is on Floodlight: Floodlight to Moonlight
Floodlight on Hold e-switch Floodlight advance (ascending, excludes Turbo and Moonlight)
On Click e-switch Off
Any Double click e-switch Toggle is on Spotlight: Spotlight on
Toggle is on Floodlight: Turbo
Turbo Double click Iterate between turbo and memorized mode
On Triple click Flood and spot on at the same time (there is only one mode)
On Click 4x Flood and spot on at the same time in strobe
Off Hold e-switch >1s RGB activate
RGB active Hold e-switch Advance through RGB options (Red / Green/ Blue / Green-signal / Red-SOS cycle)
Off Hold e-switch >3s Lockout (indicated by 3 flashes of the toggled light source)
Lockout Hold e-switch >3s Unlock (indicated by 3 flashes of the toggled light source)

LED and Beam

Two emitter options are available on the Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight. First is the floody Nichia 519a triple, which is 5000K and high CRI. The other (right side) option is an unstated LED (not LEP like on the M1), which is for spotlight/throw action.

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight dual emitter array

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight flood emitters on

Surprisingly, these options can be used at the same time! (Just one mode, though).

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight both emitters on

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight flood emitters on

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight spot emitter on

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight both emitters on

LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)

There’s no claim made about the spotlight (or the “both lights” option) but the claim of 5000K and High CRI for the flood channel is accurate. I read it as a bit warmer than 5000K, but that is generally a welcome difference. Anyway, if you want cooler, there’s a cool white option!

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.

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

I loved the throw and general setup of the Acebeam Terminator M1, but in my opinion, the Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight is the more practical option. It’s notably smaller, still has great throw, and is just a solid little light. I also love the RGB options, even if their actual utility is fairly limited. I also like that the cost of this light (especially compared to the M1) is much more approachable.

The Big Table

Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight
Emitter: Spot and Flood (Both)
Price in USD at publication time: $139.90
Cell: 1×18650
Runtime Graphs
LVP? Yes
Switch Type: E-Switch
Quiescent Current (mA): ?
On-Board Charging? Yes
Charge Port Type: USB-C (on cell)
Charge Graph
Power off Charge Port
Claimed Lumens (lm) 2200
Measured Lumens (at 30s) 1765 (80.2% of claim)^
Candela per Lumen 33.97
Claimed Throw (m) 460
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) 1641lux @ 6.061m = 60283cd
Throw (Calculated) (m) 491.1 (106.8% of claim)^
Claimed CCT
Measured CCT Range (K) 6600 Kelvin
Item provided for review by: Acebeam
All my Acebeam reviews!
Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight
Emitter: Nichia 519a (triple) (Flood, 5000K, High CRI)
Price in USD at publication time: $139.90
Cell: 1×18650
Turbo Runtime Graph High Runtime Graph
LVP? Yes
Switch Type: E-Switch
Quiescent Current (mA): ?
On-Board Charging? Yes
Charge Port Type: USB-C (on cell)
Charge Graph
Power off Charge Port
Claimed Lumens (lm) 2000
Measured Lumens (at 30s) 1781 (89.1% of claim)^
Candela per Lumen 3.31
Claimed Throw (m) 164
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) 280lux @ 4.554m = 5807cd
Throw (Calculated) (m) 152.4 (92.9% of claim)^
Claimed CCT 5000
Measured CCT Range (K) 4600-4900 Kelvin
Item provided for review by: Acebeam
All my Acebeam reviews!
Acebeam Terminator M2 flashlight
Emitter: Unstated (Spot)
Price in USD at publication time: $139.90
Cell: 1×18650
Runtime Graphs
LVP? Yes
Switch Type: E-Switch
Quiescent Current (mA): ?
On-Board Charging? Yes
Charge Port Type: USB-C (on cell)
Charge Graph
Power off Charge Port
Claimed Lumens (lm) 900
Measured Lumens (at 30s) 661 (73.4% of claim)^
Candela per Lumen 102.32
Claimed Throw (m) 500
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) 1564lux @ 6.027m = 56812cd
Throw (Calculated) (m) 476.7 (95.3% of claim)^
Claimed CCT
Measured CCT Range (K) 6900 Kelvin
Item provided for review by: Acebeam
All my Acebeam 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

  • Very throwy on the throw channel!
  • Flood is high CRI and 5000K
  • Great build quality
  • The RGB emitters are neat (they’re center-channel, which means they don’t have any weird beam artifacts!)
  • Both emitter options can be used at the same time

What I don’t like

  • RGB is underutilized
  • Just one mode for the spotlight and also only one mode for the “both” option

Notes

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