Preface
The Hound Dog 18650 XT is part of the HD (Hound Dog) Series and is the updated variant of the original Hound Dog 18650 model.
The “XT” in the Hound Dog 18650 XT name most probably stands for “eXtra Throw”.
Hound Dog series are mostly reserved for the larger sized “thrower” flashlight from the Malkoff Devices lineup.
Notes:
- This review is based on the so called “non-Turnkey” version. There is a “Turnkey” version that includes a 18650 battery (e.g. Button Top KeepPower protected 18650) & Xtar VC2S Battery Charger and USB Wall Adapter.
- There are 2 diffuser polycarbonate (PC) sheets that are included – 1 degree & 5 degree. The 5 degree diffuser PC sheet comes pre-installed.
- This review has come at the request of our loyal readers, we hope that you guys/gals find it useful for your purchase decision-making process.
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- Packaging is fairly minimalist with the signature “Malkoff” box, bubble wrap and “ziplock” bag.
- The “ziplock” bag comes labelled with the model of flashlight purchased (Hound Dog 18650 XT).
- A separate “ziplock” bag containing the 1 degree diffuser PC sheet, comes labelled with “1° , 5° INSTALLED”.
- The threads and o-rings were mildly lubricated. Threads were smooth and clean (no gritty feeling).
- Anodizing of the light is uniform without any missing specs.
- The shrouded/recessed tail switch utilises the McClicky switch, which requires a fairly light press to activate.
- Momentary activation is still easily accessible with this shrouded switch, for those who prefer even easier access can opt for the optional TriCap Tail Switch instead.
- Fully potted electronics for hard usage and will withstand abuse from recoil (if attached as a weaponlight).
- There is no pocket clip included but there is an optional Titanium Pocket Clip available. That said, this light is probably a little too large to fit most pocket (unless it is a coat, overly sized/baggy pants or shorts).
- No holster and/or lanyard are provided.
- Battery compartment is able to take a KeepPower 18650 3500mAh battery with some room to take a slightly thicker battery width. Fatter protected 18650 3500mAh batteries should be able to fit without issue as well.
Box:
Side:
Box Contents:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Black HAIII Aluminium
- LED: No information provided (appears to be a Osram White Flat) @ 5700K
- Other LED options:
- Red
- Green
- Battery Format (Voltage Range: up to 6.0V): 1 x 18650 OR 2 x CR123A ONLY
- Output & Runtime (with 1 x 18650 3500mAh Battery):
- High – (700 lumens / 1 h) → followed by 45 minutes of tapering output till 100 lumens
- Low – (50 lumens) → Runtime is dependent on how often HIGH is activated
- Effective Beam Distance: ~365m
- Beam intensity:
- With 5 degree diffuser: 35,000cd
- With 1 degree diffuser: 70,000cd
- With no diffuser: 90,000cd
- Waterproofness: Rating not available
- Dimension: 152.4mm (length) x 45.72mm (head diameter) / 25.4mm (body diameter)
- Battery reverse polarity protection
- Made in USA. Some parts not domestically sourced.
- No PWM
- Accessories Included:
- 1*1 degree diffuser
- 1*5 degree diffuser
- 1*High/Low Bezel Switch
- Optional accessories:
- TriCap Tail Switch – MSRP: $44.99
- Titanium Pocket Clip
- Crenulated Malkoff Hound Dog Bezel
- Hound Dog Head O-Ring Set – MSRP: $2.00
- MSRP: $266.97
Notes:
- Since Voltage Range is stated for up to 6.0V, voltages greater than 6.0V may damage this flashlight.
- Extra caution should be adhered to when using 2 X CR123A batteries. Due to the CR123A battery current draw limitations, it is strongly recommended to avoid using HIGH mode and restrict to LOW mode usage only.
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is suitable for daily basis (EDC)/tactical EDC as it is extremely simple and straightforward to use.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the tail mechanical switch on the light, so momentary activation is possible.
Twist anticlockwise for HIGH (tighten head completely) and loosen clockwise slightly for LOW.
Normal Operation
From OFF:
- 1/2 Press – Direct access to MOMENTARY MODE (LOW or HIGH); depending on position of the head.
- 1 Click – Direct access to ON (LOW or HIGH); depending on position of the head.
From ON:
- 1 Click – Light will switch OFF.
Form Factor
For flashlights that are intended to use on a daily basis (EDC)/tactical EDC and for possibly a slightly long period of time, form factor is extremely important.
This light feels relatively well balanced (slightly head-heavy) and the body portion fits perfectly in a clenched medium to large sized hand, leaving the thumb to fall onto the tail switch for easy activation.
The knurling and grooves on the body and head of this light enables it to be sufficiently “grippy”, even with wet hands/gloves. Switching between overhand and underhand holding method is fairly easy with its form factor.
The grooves on the head of the light enables for easy one-hand operation to switch between LOW and HIGH modes in both overhand and underhand holding methods.
With the shrouded tailcap, the flashlight can tail-stand perfectly without the slightest wobble, whilst still providing quick access for easy switch activation.
Side notes:
- The thick width of the battery tube (MD2) shown in pictures below definitely speaks volume of the inherent design of the Hound Dog’s rugged nature.
- Malkoff MD body nomenclature can be broken down to the following:
- MD2 – 2 x CR123A or 1 x 18650 (Recommended for this Hound Dog 18650 XT)
- MD3 – 3 x CR123A or 2 x 18500
- MD4 – 4 x CR123A or 2 x 18650
Bonus Size Comparison with a KeepPower 18650 3400mAh battery:
Swapping Diffuser
The beauty of this light is the ability to simply swap out the diffuser to achieve different beam profiles as required.
To change the diffuser, the following steps will aid in the process:
- Unscrew the bezel, whilst facing the head downwards.
- Carefully remove the 5 degree Diffuser PC sheet. If required, a toothpick can help but shaking gently is usually sufficient to dislodge the diffuser.
- If the lens gets dislodge with the Diffuser, gently put them back in place again and re-do Step 2.
- Place the 1 degree Diffuser with the textured side facing the LED.
- Screw the bezel back to the head with the head facing downwards as per Step 1.
- Repeat Step 1 to 5 to swap Diffusers or to use the light without a Diffuser.
5 Degree Diffuser (Ignore the pinkish reflection, photo was taken to best illustrate the textured diffusion):
1 Degree Diffuser (Ignore the pinkish reflection, photo was taken to best illustrate the textured diffusion):
With 5 degree Diffuser Installed:
With 1 degree Diffuser Installed:
Without Diffuser Installed:
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the TIR optic. The LED is mostly covered under the TIR (Total Internal Reflection) optic. With the LED used, the beam is “throwy” for recognising items in the mid to further range distance.
With 5 degree Diffuser:
With 1 degree Diffuser:
Without Diffuser:
The above beam profile is a rough interpretation of what is seen when white wall hunting.
The beam has a fairly distinct (somewhat circular) hotspot with some (squarish shape) corona and a fairly wide spill, with most of the lumens output focused into the hotspot. There are many beam artifacts in the spill beam profile (due to the TIR optic) when white wall hunting but not visible in real world usage.
- The usage of the 5 degree Diffuser helps to smoothen/clean out the beam profile but comes at the expense of less “throw”.
- The usage of the 1 degree Diffuser is the sweet spot for having a decent amount of beam artifacts whilst still retaining most of the “throw”.
- The usage without any Diffuser is meant mostly for those who require the maximum amount of “throw” at the expense of beam artifacts.
Ultimately, this light was designed and built to be a “thrower” flashlight which is meant mostly for outdoor usage, whereby having beam artifacts are usually not an issue. However, Malkoff Devices (Gene, Cathy and their team) came up with a brilliant work around to ensure that this light can be used indoors as well by including the 5 degree Diffuser or even 1 degree Diffuser options.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings (LOW: 0.5sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB and HIGH: 1/6sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB.
Some pictures have been adjusted slightly to depict as close as to what is seen in real life. The distance of the light from the door is 4.6m.
With 5 degree Diffuser
Control shot:
LOW (50 lumens):
HIGH (700 lumens):
With 1 degree Diffuser
Control shot:
LOW (50 lumens):
HIGH (700 lumens):
Without Diffuser
Control shot:
LOW (50 lumens):
HIGH (700 lumens):
Mode (Output) Spacing
Mode spacing appears to be progressively brighter to the eye and the modes are well spaced enough to be able to know which mode one is currently in. With that in mind, TLR tend to view mode spacing as battery life indicators (amount of runtime left) rather than the specific output (lumens).
There is no moonlight mode available as this is primarily a “thrower” flashlight for outdoor, S&R (Search & Rescue) or users who require a flashlight that can reliably provide output at a longer distance.
This light is primarily a dedicated “thrower” flashlight and those requiring a moonlight option should be looking at the MDC series instead, such as the Malkoff MDC HA 1AA.
Tint & CRI
Malkoff Devices, Inc. stated that the tint (color temperature) is 5700K but did not disclose the CRI (Color Rendering Index) for the LED used in their light. For this light, a guesstimate would be in the 70CRI ballpark.
There are tint shifts throughout the beam profile. The hotspot is almost cool white whilst the corona possess a slight yellowish tint; and the spill having a slight purple tint.
This is however, not as noticeable in real life.
Waterproofness
Even though there is no official rating for the light, we went ahead to test it like as though it was rated for IPX8.
The light was subjected to warm water submersion, followed by cold water submersion and left under room temperature running water tap whilst running on HIGH.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, switch or body was seen.
Note: Do tighten the bezel (if the diffuser has been swapped/removed) before attempting any form of water submersion or exposure.
Lockout Capability
No electronic lockout but mechanical lockout is possible when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
A three-quarter turn (clockwise) of the head from LOW mode will enable mechanical LOCKOUT.
Quick Comparison to Olight M2R Pro Warrior
| Description | Malkoff Hound Dog 18650 XT | Malkoff Hound Dog 18650 |
|---|---|---|
| LED | Osram White Flat (?) | Cree XP-L |
| LED Option | 5700K - Cool White | 5700K - Cool White 4000K - Neutral White |
| HIGH Output | 700 Lumens | ~900 Lumens (Initial)/ 800 Lumens (Sustained) |
| LOW Output | 50 Lumens | 30 Lumens |
| Effective Beam Distance | 365 meters | 182 meters |
| Length | 152.4mm | 154.94mm |
| Diffuser Option | Yes (5 degree and 1 degree) | No |
Scale Comparison (Ruler)
Summary
To sum up, we believe that the most important part of any review is if given the chance to purchase the same light for our own usage or to gift to our loved ones out from one’s pocket (wallet), would we still do it?
For this light, it is a definite YES, if a “throw”-orientated flashlight is suited for your usage.
The fully potted electronics (and its corresponding durability it provides), extremely straightforward UI, twist UI for LOW and HIGH modes selection, usage of McClicky switch, shrouded tail with easy access for activation, inclusion of 5 degree Diffuser and 1 degree Diffuser, ease of diffuser swap to provide and customise the required beam profile/”throw” and option to run 2 x CR123A batteries on LOW mode (recommended) if required are all plus points for this flashlight.
That said, it would be nice if the light came with a holster or an optional Malkoff holster accessory that will enable easy transportation in a bag, MOLLE or the likes.
Here is a bonus size comparison of other flashlights that are of somewhat similar size and the Malkoff MDC HA 1AA for those who require a smaller light from the Malkoff lineup that has a Moonlight mode and is suited for indoor usage.
From Left to Right: Malkoff MDC HA 1AA, McGizmo Makai with 2×123 body, Prometheus Alpha Blue Label, Olight Warrior X Pro, Malkoff Devices Hound Dog 18650 XT and Nitecore i4000R.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light was provided for by Malkoff Devices, Inc. for this review. No other compensation was provided.
Where to Buy Links
Disclaimer: The link to the MDC Hound Dog 18650 XT does not contain any affiliate or tracking links.
Malkoff Hound Dog 18650 XT
Malkoff Devices: Click Here
Available Discount Coupon Codes
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