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Available from BrightGuy.com
The Pelican M8 LED model 8020 is a unique departure
from most other lights in that it uses a Luxeon
high dome LED which points back at the user. The light
is then collected by a solid reflector which projects
the light forward. It essentially works like a satellite
dish. It is rated for some hazardous environment use and
is fairly tough overall.
The M8 LED has a polymer octagonal shaped body
which is available in bright yellow or black. The body is constructed
of GE Xenoy resin with a polycarbonate
shatterproof lens with an ABS shroud. All very tough stuff.
Surrounding the battery tube is a thick ribbed vinyl cover to aid with
grip. The light operates on 3 C batteries that can be placed in a (thankfully!) optional
carrier which provides polarity protection and is included with the light. Access to the battery
compartment is via the removable tailcap. Operation of the light
is via a textured switch on the side of the light below the head. Inside
the light are catalyst pellets to prevent the buildup of
hydrogen gas which is a natural byproduct of battery use.
The bezel and reflector design is where you find the majority of the
innovation is on this light. Basically it works on the same principal
as a radar or satellite dish. The Luxeon LED sits
on a bar that spans the front of the reflector and points
backwards, toward the reflector. The reflector is one
piece and collects all of the light from the LED and
projects it forward past the LED. All of the light is concentrated
into a relatively small area making this one of the few LED lights
able to illuminate targets at a rather long distance.
Output is in the form of a tight square beam (which
results from the fact that it is an exact reflection
of the square emitter in the LED element). Distance
illumination ability is quite good, but there is very
little spillbeam around the central hotspot. I also
noticed that the hotspot in the center of the square
beam was very slightly off center in this light, which
is no big deal. The color temperature of this sample
could be considered fairly "warm" for an LED. Good color
rendition with no noticeable tinting.
Beam at one meter at target center.
The runtime plot shows a real regulator is at work
here - it drops to about 75% starting output in the
first 1/2 hour, then remains there for about another
5½ hours. Very nice! After that you get about
1 hr of low diminishing light.
Runtime
completed with Rayovac C alkaline batteries. More information
on runtime plots is available HERE.
Switch: On the side of the light just below the head
is a rubber covered clickie switch. The cover has a
bullseye pattern for grip. Press in partially for momentary
operation, press fully until it clicks for constant
operation. Both auditory and tactile feedback are provided
when the switch activates. There does not appear to
be a lock-out ability built into this light.
Seals: Large O-rings seal the light. It is
"water resistant" but I'd call it "dunkable". Shake it off and
keep going if it gets wet.
Ergonomics: Comfortable in the hand, easy to use. The switch
is easy to locate and operate in the dark. No issues here.
Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light
Three C cells are used to power the light and they
are not included. To change the batteries, remove the
tailcap completely and drop out the battery tray. If
you have to maintain the light's hazardous environment
use ratings, then you're stuck with using the tray as
it prevents the light from operating if any of the batteries
are inserted with reverse polarity. If not, stomp on
the battery tray repeatedly and discard... No, seriously,
throw it the hell out. You don't need it for the light
to operate. The battery tray was broken in the light
received, anyway. Place the batteries in the light,
positive toward the head (if not using the tray) or
place them in the tray the same way and insert the tray.
Replace the tailcap, shout "LOCK AND LOAD!" at the top
of your voice (optional) and hit the switch. If you
get light, you did everything right. If not, follow
your standard misfire procedure to clear the jam. (Been
a while since I threw a little comedy into the ol' reviews,
hasn't it!) Note that without the battery tray the batteries
will rattle a little in the tube, but it works fine.
What I Liked: Waterproof, Tough/impact
resistant, Good battery life, Regulated, Bright, Innovative
reflector design, Good output, Battery tray does not
need to be used, No annoying Pelican clip on the side.
What I Didn't Like: Not much at all
Other Things I Noticed: Nothing.
Conclusions: Great output, very
innovative reflector design, executed fairly well. Good features
in a pretty good package. I'm SO happy the battery tray is not
needed for the light to operate. After the 2020 and 2010 I wasn't
sure that I would like any of the polymer Pelican Luxeon LED lights.
I'm glad I can finally say that I actually do like and will use this one.
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