Acebeam Terminator M2-X Flashlight Review
The Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight in MAO offers an e-switch for swapping between a bunch of emitter options. There are some fun RGB modes, too! Read on!
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a referral link to the Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight product page at killzoneflashlights.com.
Versions
Two emitter versions of the Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight exist. There’s a cool white (6500K) and this Nichia 519a option, too. The other “M2” version is still available and offers differences you can read about below.
Price
The Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight starts at $139.90 and is available now at killzoneflashlights.com.
What’s Included
- Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight
- Acebeam 3100mAh 18650
- Charging cable
- Lanyard
- Manual etc
Package and Manual
Build Quality and Disassembly
The Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight is in the same vein as the Terminator M1 and practically the same as the M2. This M2-X offers a different way to switch between emitters though.
Acebeam designed the Terminator M2-X 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.
Notably, this version I have is the Micro-arc Oxidation (MAO) version. I love the Acebeam version of this finish – it really seems less fragile than other MAOs!
The tail end is fairly simple – just a tailcap to remove for cell access and an e-switch.
Here’s one of my biggest complaints about the Acebeam Terminator M2-X 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!
Inside the cell tube, you can see a spring – in fact, there are springs on both ends of the cell tube.
Size and Comps
Size: (Length) 95.4mm / 3.76” x (Head) 48.5mm / 1.91 ” x (Body) 29mm / 1.14”
Weight: 197.2g (6.95oz.) 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).
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!
Dimensionally, the Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight is the same size as the other M2, but it’s ever so slightly lighter.
Retention and Carry
A lanyard is included for carrying the Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight.
That lanyard attaches through this very sturdy hole in the tail end of the light.
Unlike the M1, the M2-X gets a pocket clip, too! 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.)
Power and Runtime
Power to the Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight is from a single lithium-ion cell. My package included a cell, and this cell is included in the purchase price. The cell is a 3100mAh 18650.
The cell is installed into the Terminator M2-X 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.
If you forget how to insert the cell, you can check this little icon near the cap.
Below are a number of runtime tests. The light shuts off when the cell voltage is low (around 3V).
Charging
The Acebeam Terminator M2-X 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-X. 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.
A USB to USB-C cable is included.
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.
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Both | 2200-750 | 50s-1h15m | 1659 (0s) 1537 (30s) |
8.10 |
| Spotlight | 900-400 | 50s-1h50m | 591 | 4.51 |
| Flood Turbo | 2000-800-35 | 110s-1h10m-25m | 1779 (0s) 1625 (30s) |
7.87 |
| Flood High | 800-35 | 1h15m-25m | 674 | 1.85 |
| Flood Med2 | 350-35 | 3h-25m | 285 | 0.71 |
| Flood Med1 | 150-35 | 7h-25m | 118 | 0.31 |
| Flood Low | 35 | 18.5h | 27 | 0.11 |
| Flood Moonlight | 1 | 38h | 0.32 | 0.05 |
Pulse Width Modulation
The Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight does not have PWM in any mode! That’s great. And one of the things I love about Acebeam flashlights.
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
A lot about using the M2-X is the same as using the M2. They both have tail e-switches.
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.
Here’s the big difference in the M2-X and M2. This other (or “updated” or just different?) version uses an e-switch instead of the more binary switch on the M2.
It’s a fine switch and fairly easy to find without looking or feeling around on the light too much.
The downside of this switch versus the selector switch of the M2 is that it’s only possible to change the emitter selection when the light is on.
Here’s a user interface table! There’s only one mode for “both” emitters and one mode for “spot.”
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Any action on side e-switch | No change |
| Off | Click tail e-switch | On in mode memory and emitter memory (except “both”) |
| On | Click tail e-switch | Off |
| On | Hold tail e-switch | Mode advance for flood (increasing) |
| On | Double click tail e-switch | Flood Turbo |
| Turbo | Double click tail e-switch | Previous mode |
| Off | Hold | Flood Moonlight |
| Any | Triple click tail e-switch | Strobe (both emitters, always) |
| On | Click side e-switch | Switch emitter (Flood to Spot) |
| On | Double click side e-switch | Both emitter sets (flood and spot) |
| On | Hold side e-switch | RGB (Seven-Color light automatic cycle mode -red -green -blue -Green signal (locator) -red sos) |
| Off | Hold tail e-switch >3s | Lockout (indicated by 3 flashes of the toggled light source) |
| Lockout | Hold tail 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-X 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.
Surprisingly, these options can be used at the same time! (Just one mode, though).
One neat improvement of the M2-X is that there are indicators for both battery level and which emitter options are active. I appreciate the battery indicator but there’s a much simpler way to see which emitter option is active. (That’s by either observing flood vs spot or just looking at the front of the light.)
The battery indicator can be green, red, or red flashing.
Green: >20% power
Red: 10-20% power
Red flashing: <10% power
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 always have 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. These photos are taken around 18 inches from the door.
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-X 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.
If this is an upgrade over the M2 is really for you to decide. The MAO is certainly more fun than the standard black anodized finish, and again, Acebeam’s MAO is fantastic.
The Big Table
| Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | (Both) |
| Price in USD at publication time: | $149.90 |
| 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 | No |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 2200 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 1537 (69.9% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 26.15 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 440 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 1021lux @ 6.274m = 40190cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 400.9 (91.1% of claim)^ |
| Claimed CCT | – |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 7300 Kelvin |
| Item provided for review by: | Acebeam |
| All my Acebeam reviews! | |
| Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | Nichia 519a (Flood (High CRI)) |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 2000 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 1625 (81.3% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 3.31 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 178 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 275lux @ 4.651m = 5949cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 154.3 (86.7% of claim)^ |
| Claimed CCT | 5000K |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 4600-4900 Kelvin |
| Item provided for review by: | Acebeam |
| All my Acebeam reviews! | |
| Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | (Throw) |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 900 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 591 (65.7% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 92 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 500 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 1663lux @ 5.718m = 54373cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 466.4 (93.3% of claim)^ |
| Claimed CCT | – |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 7600 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 about the Acebeam Terminator M2-X flashlight
- 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
- MAO finish!
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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