It’s a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
It’s a great time to be an EDC flashlight enthusiast. Lights like the new Nitecore MH12 Pro come from a long line of solid everyday lights and continue to innovate, with substantial improvements in maximum brightness and runtime coming together in an easily pocketable package. The switch to larger battery platforms and from micro-USB to USB-C charging has made it easy to keep lights like the MH12 Pro topped up and able to generate massive output with minimal hassle.
The MH12 Pro is the latest in a long line of handheld lights in the MH series, bringing a new, in-house designed UHi 40 LED module to the mix. This LED module gets you up to 3,300 lumens of maximum output out the front at 552 yards or a solid half-kilometer. At this brightness, you get up to 30 minutes of performance (which you should expect will degrade during use to prevent overheat and damage) if you use the included 21700 rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Still, the light is also compatible with 18650 cells or even R/CR123As, which is quickly becoming a rarity for handhelds when it comes to fuel sources. Just be sure to check the battery compatibility chart on Nitecore’s product page.
You have access to eight modes via both a tail and side switch on the regular Daily user mode, but you can also switch it up to Tactical and change the order of levels to start at Turbo and remove Strobe and Beacon. Handy indicators for both output level and battery straddle the side mode button for at-a-glance convenience.
Another welcome feature to the Nitecore MH12 Pro is a built-in optical sensor that reduces the brightness of the light when it detects that it’s close to something else. The optical sensor makes it less likely to burn a literal hole in your pockets like other lights can if you forget to lock it after use or if you accidentally forget you left it on Turbo and then turned it on while facing a wall. Not great for your night vision, to say the least. Special 1mm-thick knurling for grip and IP68 water resistance round out the MH12 Pro’s solid features.
What we like: At 5.45″ inches long, the Nitecore MH12 Pro is not too big for your pockets and is an excellent option for all-around everyday carry torch use.
What to watch out for: Read the manual to ensure you’re in the correct programming mode for the light and compatibility and voltage checks for the batteries you intend to use, especially RCR123As in sequence. Don’t try to charge lithium primary CR123As, either!
Final verdict: The Nitecore MH12 Pro is a continued winner from one of the best pocketable everyday carry illumination manufacturers.
