Nitecore MH12 Pro | Expert Review door Koen van der Jagt
Earlier this year, after a period of drum rolls, Nitecore released their very own light source called UHi LED. This ultra-high intensity LED module is smaller, round and more powerful than equivalent LEDs. There are several versions of this LED, like the UHi20 and the UHi40, which are adapted to the torch that houses them. Of course, I was excited for the release of the first product equipped with this LED: the MH12 Pro. In this review, I will test this newcomer and share my findings!
Contents
First impressions
The MH12 Pro is packaged in a yellow-black cardboard box on which most of the torch's achievements are pictured or described. Opening the box proved quite the challenge for me, the cardboard flaps rip easily. The box is well-stocked, including a high capacity 21700 battery, holster and a charging cable. One thing I would have liked to be included is the charger adapter, though I know many households have them simply lying around.
When unpacking the MH12 Pro, I immediately ran into the first surprise: although the MH12 has been around for years and has since been released in several variants, this is not just an upgrade but a completely new design! The first thing that stands out is the upgraded structure of the body. Deeper grooves and sloping lines ensure an improved grip. As with most Nitecores, the sturdy clip can be attached below the lamp head but also above the end cap. The slightly raised side switch also immediately catches the eye with its angular shape and updated structure. Both to the left and right of the switch, we see a row of four indicator lights that tell you which light mode the torch is using and how much battery power is left. The edge of the lamp head has been redesigned and now has small notches, which allow you to physically defend yourself if necessary. The rather shallow reflector is smooth in texture and, unlike previous MH12 models, does not fully close around the light source. The round UHi 40 LED is neatly centred and stands out because of the square indentation around it. Nitecore claims to create a more even and round light beam this way than with a square light source. There's a little hole next to the LED, that's the proximity sensor. This is a new feature on the MH12 Pro, it's meant to protect both the user and the torch. The edge on the back has several large holes so you can easily attach the supplied lanyard. The MH12 Pro can only stand on a very flat surface. The rubber switch does not visibly differ from previous Nitecore models and is easy to find by touch. Gone are the days when you could take apart a Nitecore in multiple sections: you can unscrew only the battery cap. Inside, it looks fine, the battery contacts bounce along, so the battery can also absorb shocks well.
In short, I can say that Nitecore has managed to achieve a high level in terms of build quality and workmanship. The MH12 Pro has made a great first impression on me!
When and how
Looking at the size of the torch and the two modes (Daily and Tactical), it's clear that the MH12 Pro was meant for a variety of situations. . I do have to make some comments, though. For everyday use, the bright hot spot and focused beam can sometimes be less practical, especially when using it for short distances. In tactical mode, I would have preferred to be able to operate the torch with one hand. Its size, available light modes and interface make the MH12 Pro a real allrounder with great endurance.
Controls and comfort
In my opinion, the MH12 Pro is the perfect size for a torch: it is small enough to easily fit inside your pocket, but large enough that it won't slip from your hands. Thanks to the improved grip, there is no slipping, not even when wearing gloves. Charging the battery takes a maximum of four hours with a fully discharged battery, but in practice will often take less time. In fact, it has no adverse effect on the battery to charge it when it hasn't gone fully 'dead' yet. The battery indictor will show you the charging progress.
You switch the torch on and off using the main switch, or you select momentary-on by pressing the switch halfway. Light modes and special light options are controlled via the side switch. Both switches have a good grip and a clear pressure point. The switches are too far apart to be able to operate them both with one hand. You'll need both hands to switch the torch on and off and choose light modes.
The MH12 Pro has two user modes: Daily and Tactical. Switching between these modes is done in the same way as switching on Ultralow, except for the fact that you have to hold down the mode switch. When the torch gives a light signal once or twice, you can see which mode it is in. The main difference between these modes is that in Tactical Mode the torch always starts in the highest mode and in Daily Mode it always starts in the light mode last used. When switching modes, you go from high to low in Tactical and from low to high in Daily. With the MH12 Pro, Nitecore has chosen not to include the Ultralow mode in this 'cycle'. This means you can no longer re-select this mode when the torch is switched on, meaning you have to switch off first and then use the shortcut again. Another difference: in Daily Mode, there are three flashing modes (Strobe, Beacon, SOS) but in Tactical Mode you only have Strobe. Of the flashing modes, only Strobe has the memory function, for Beacon and SOS (in Daily) you have to start from scratch again. I find it interesting that the indicator only has four lights while there are five light modes to choose from. As a result, you can't tell whether the torch is in Ultralow or Low when you look at the blue indicator light.
The proximity sensor is a new feature, and it appears to be a practical addition. If you get too close to an object in High or Turbo, the torch will switch back to around 300 lumens until you are at a sufficient distance again. Not only is this good protection for your eyes, it also prevents the risk of burn marks on clothing or equipment. Thanks to this sensor, the Strobe mode also lowers the output (to 1200 lumens) but remains active and still works quite disorientating in practice. To activate the maximum output again, you need to switch Strobe on again.
The torch generates quite a lot of heat at the higher settings and has a head with a modest diameter, so the MH12 Pro gets hot quickly. The turbo mode is therefore not suitable for continuous use for long periods. Fortunately it has ATR: overheating is prevented by reducing the output a little when the torch gets too hot.
When transporting the torch, it is advisable to loosen the battery cover so the torch does not switch by accident. When not using it for a longer period of time, it is recommended to remove the battery from the torch completely.
The operation of the MH12 Pro works almost flawlessly. A minor downside, I find, is that the Ultralow setting doesn't remain in the cycle when switching between modes. However, I am otherwise pleased with this super-efficient and practical setting.
This is what I love about the MH12 Pro
The grip is excellent thanks to the updated knurling, there is no slipping! I like the battery capacity indicator in particular, it's a nice feature. Also, the MH12 Pro has a very good beam reach for a torch with a relatively small head. Endurance is impressive in the lower settings thanks to the high-capacity battery, at the lowest setting it can burn continuously for weeks! The proximity sensor is a useful new feature, especially as small torches are becoming more and more powerful.
This could be improved
It's a shame that the lowest light setting is remembered; you now always need two hands to activate it. The LED has so much power in the highest setting that the torch gets really hot in no time; this is the disadvantage of a powerful light source in a relatively small torch head. I would also like Nitecore to add an extra dot to the indicator so you can see exactly which low light setting is being used.
My conclusion
Weeks of testing grant me an overview of the torch's capabilities. The MH12 Pro has made quite the impression during these weeks. Compact size, excellent grip and easy to operate, especially for daily tasks. Thanks to the sizeable battery, the burn time of this torch is very impressive, most notably with the lower light modes. You could even use it for tactical purposes, though personally I think the switches are too far apart for that. The UHi LED has a clear light profile with an even and far-reaching hotspot. The performance of this LED is impressive, but the spot is quite defined compared to the rest of the beam, which is therefore less 'all-round' than you might expect. The compact lamp head means you can only use the turbo mode to a limited extent, the torch gets hot very quickly. I personally prefer the medium setting for the MH12 Pro; this mode also gives a lot of light, offers a good beam distance, and you can use it for long periods at a time. I highly recommend the Nitecore MH12 Pro for everyday users who are often in the countryside. This mainly thanks to its good beam distance, endurance and the available defensive flashing modes.
Light image and beam shots
After considering the specs, it is time for the most important thing: practical tests of the image and performance. Since Nitecore has clearly announced the arrival of their 'homegrown' light source, I'm expecting good results. What struck me during the first tests is that the light image actually consists of two segments: a huge and uniform hot spot in the middle surrounded by a very large ring of residual light, the spill. The transition between hotspot and spill is quite defined. In practice, the spill creates a wide 'ring' of light short distance but the focus is mainly on the middle of the beam. Considering the deep and wide hotspot, the torch seems to use a special lens that focuses the beam, a kind of zoom lens. As you can see in the photos, it is possible to look down a forest path quite a distance and thus keep an overview of what is happening at a distance. Personally, I find the light colour a bit less attractive on my torch, the colour leans too much towards a yellowish green, especially at the lower settings. This is more common with a new type of LED and often the manufacturer fixes it in subsequent batches.
During a walk or a drive during the day, my eye often falls on a suitable location to test a torch in the evening. A wide dirt track in a forest was a nice location for the MH12 Pro to show what it has to offer. The lowest light setting is, as expected, barely visible, but changing the setting to medium, you can see nicely the effect of the UHi light source: a large, round and very even hotspot with a good beam reach and also enough beam around it to keep the overview at shorter distances. Yet it is striking that there is little overlap between hotspot and spill.
Here are some more photos with the torch in hand, this way you can clearly see the proportions. Here you can also see how 'deep' the beam is.
As you can see below, the MH12 Pro also does an excellent job as a searchlight.
Koen van der Jagt
Ever since he could walk Koen has been interested in lights, wires and batteries. As a child he was always working with dyno torches, bike lights and electrical boxes. The krypton and halogen lights were replaced by LED lights. A couple of years ago he discovered the ‘professional’ stuff. His first brands were Led Lenser and Fenix. Photography is also one of his hobbies. In addition to nature and meteorology Koen loves to show others what a light can do and what its beam looks like at night. Koen’s reviews can often be found on forums such as candlepowerforums.com and taschenlampen-forum.de. Throughout the years Koen has collected lights in practically any category: from small and compact to enormous powerhouses.
