First Impressions:
The S18 is by far the largest light so far in the
Maelstrom line. The S18 looks like an X10
or S12 on steroids. The body is designed the same, and the knurling is
very similar, though it is much larger than the X10 and S12 so it looks
more aggressive. The stainless steel bezel gives it a great look and
surely makes the head much stronger. Certainly an impressive looking
light to see and hold.
Size/Weight:
The S18 is no small light and is pretty hefty, maybe
even alittle heavier than it appears to be, but this makes it feel like
its built like a tank. I don't have any personal experience with lights
that use 6 CR123A cells, the only other main one I can think of is the
Surefire M6. If I were to guess, the Maelstrom S18 is a decent bit
larger than the M6, but it also has more features such as multiple
output levels, SOS and strobe. I believe it is also brighter than an M6.
Grip/Handling:
I like the design of the S18 body and knurling, just
as I did with the X10 and S12 lights. It provided plenty of grip in any
situation. I don't want to say that you need large hands to hold the
S18, but it is a handful and has a fairly large diameter body due to
using 6 CR123A cells. The light does feel well balanced though
considering its size and weight.
The output modes are selected my rotating the end of the
tailcap, but not the tailcap itself. I make a point to say this because
if you do not tighten the tailcap itself on properly and leave it loose,
you can end up accidentally making it rotate loose when you are turning
the selector ring portion of the tailcap. This wasn't a big problem
though, it only happened once when I didn't really have the tailcap on
very tight. The selector ring feels very solid, and has some resistance
when turning it. This is why its possible it could rotate the entire
tailcap also. Normally I would not like this much resistance on a
rotating selector ring like this, but on a light this large I think it
suits it. This prevents the light from accidentally being switched to
other modes.
The modes are clearly marked on the circumference of the
tailcap and there is a click/clunk to the selector ring as each mode is
engaged. This gives you a pretty good tactile feel to changing the
modes.
The tail switch is very large, but proportional to the rest
of the light. There is no rubber boot, it is simply a metal button
switch. This gives it a different feel from what you might be used to in
a typical rubber boot covered switch. There is a bit of wiggle and play
to it, and there is quite a click/clunk as you press it.
My main complaint about this light would have to be operating
the switch. The light is too large to comfortably operate it like you
normally would a light with a tail switch. If you grip the light at the
end of the body so that your thumb reaches the switch, the light feels
very front heavy and just makes it feel a bit awkward to press the
switch and you may not feel like you have a really good grip on the
light. I found it easier to hold the light a bit differently so that I
was operating the switch with my index finger. Not a big deal, the
switch is at least easy to press down, its just a bit more cumbersome
than a typical tail switch given the lights size and weight. I would have liked to
have seen a side switch on a light this large. I find that much easier
to operate and hold. I think the team at 4Sevens was trying to keep this
like designed around a tactical frame of mind, hence the tail switch.
Plus if the switch was moved to the side I would think it would make
sense to move the selector to the head end of the light. Both of which I
figure would add a bit of extra bulk and length to the light, so that
may be a reason the light is designed as it is.
Build
Quality:
The Maelstrom S18 seems to be built like a tank. Its
very stout and I have no doubt you could bludgeon someone to death with
it. The tail switch is the only part that even hints to being lesser
quality, but as I said above I think that's mainly to due with the fact
that it is so large and does not have a rubber boot, it simply has a
different feel to it.
The battery holder seems to be well made also, it holds the
cells in place very tightly. Its not the easiest light in the world to
load, but that's to be expected when its packing 6 cells. The battery
carrier is also permanently attached to the tailcap. it comes out with
the tailcap as you unscrew it and remove it from the light. I would have
really liked to have seen a different battery option. perhaps 3 18650
cells. I am not a fan of using primary cells, especially 6 of them at a
time. There may be an issue with the amount of current the light draws
to prevent it from using a lower voltage battery configuration like that
though.
Features:
The S18 has 3 output levels, SOS mode and Strobe
mode. All these modes are selected by rotating the selector ring on the
tailcap to the corresponding marked position. The strobe mode is pretty
ridiculous with a light this bright. Would certainly get anyone's
attention, or make them want to run away.
Output:
The S18 is a pretty powerful light, rated at 1200 lumens OTF (out the
front) on high. I would say its a pretty good thrower but at over 80
yards its not a super tight beam. I would say in between a super throw
and a medium hotspot type of beam. At 80+ yards you notice the hotspot
open up a good bit, not what I would call a doughnut hole effect, but
you notice the center of the hotspot start to loose it punch. Still, in
my testing it was lighting up a hill side at about 200 yards with ease.
For example, as you can see in the beamshots when compared to
the Olight SR51, which is rated at just 900
lumens, the S18 barely out throws it due to having more overall lumen
output. The SR51 has a tighter beam, but the S18 is lighting up more
area.
I like the fact that they thought to give the S18 at least
the 3 output levels. Too often a high output light this size only has
one or 2 levels. I feel that giving the light a few lower levels can
really make it so much more useful. The 400 lumen setting is really nice
for general outdoor use. It can easily light up things across an average
yard, over to your neighbors house, etc. The 80 lumen setting is great
also, even though the S18 is way larger of a light than you would want
to use if you only needed 80 lumens, its nice to have the option. You
could easily use it to walk around camp or on a hiking trail without
ruining your night adapted eyes as much.
Pros:
Well spaced usable output levels
Built like a tank
Stainless steel bezel
Balanced when held toward the head
Forward clickie switch capable of momentary on
Cons:
Head heavy when held in order to operate switch
Switch difficult to operate one handed due to size and weight of light
No rechargeable battery option
Conclusion:
The Maelstrom S18 is certainly a big aggressive step
in the Maelstrom lineup from 4Sevens. There are not many lights that
fall into the same category as far as having this sort of output with
these features. At least none that I have seen that are built this
beefy. Though you pay a price for that in weight. The S18 doesn't feel
too bad in general use but I did find the tail switch a bit hard to
operate. I guess a light of this size serves a certain purpose and you
would not be turning the light on and off all that much, but still. I
cant really complain about it because it is designed and setup rather
well, its just that with any light of this size and weight, some things
are going to be a bit awkward or cumbersome. I would have really liked
to have seen some sort of rechargeable option for this light. I see it
as a good competitor to the Surefire M6. The S18 is nicer in many ways,
but with so many people out there begging for a rechargeable M6, the S18
could have been the answer to that. I don't know the specifics behind
the circuitry and current draws involved though, so its possible that
any rechargeable setup would have made the S18 much larger.
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