Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1034474
Switching on and off is done with little, yet comfortable, sym- metrical switches on back of the body. Olight Valkyrie Mini works in null-full mode so it either works or not. There is no additional modes between, stronger, weaker, strobe. To turn it on just press down one of the switches on sides. Quick push turns the light on, longer push- ing and releasing is a momentary switch. It is mounted to a handgun with standard MIL-STD-1913 rail or Glock rail. The mount can be changed as it is attached with two screws (both mounts are in the box with a wrench). Attachment to rail is done with Olight QD mount with a lever. Frankly, that type doesn't fit that weaponlight completely as it is sticking out from the side. Better solution would be a simple mount with tightening screw as with the l i g h t o f such size, user would n o t take it off often. It can be even charged without detaching with provided docking station with USB cable. It's a pity that R&D team made such a compact light and then went easy and just added standard mount which is too big and clumpy. Small size means small lens. People who shoot a lot must re- member to clean it once for a while as every smudge of carbon build up limits light output. Despite those 400 lumens output it is worth to mention that light intensity is 1400 candelas. To compare, previ- ous gen of Surefire X300U with 600 lumens output has light intensity of 16500 candelas. What does it mean? It means that Olight Valky- rie Mini has an all-around beam of "cold" light perfect for illuminat- ing a room, but not for blinding an enemy. When choosing a weapon light we must remember not to fo- cus only on lumens but also check light intensity. Only those to pa- rameters give a real info how well the flashlight will work. Keeping in mind flashlights and lens size, beam width and its power is pos- itively surprising. Declared beam range is 75 meters, in my opinion it is 30-35 meters when we want to il- luminate object sufficiently (it may illuminate something on 75 meters, maybe). After 800 rounds, mount does not show any signs of being loose (in bigger Valkyrie 2 it got loose a little, but it isn't increasing so far). There aren't any other signs of wear or damages. It sits tight, pro- duce light the same as few weeks ago when I put it first time on. ACCESSORIES