Skilhunt M200 V4 vs Acebeam Rider RX
Quick take: The Skilhunt M200 V4 is brighter (1,200 vs 650 lm); the Skilhunt M200 V4 throws farther (176m vs 96m); the Skilhunt M200 V4 runs longer on high (2.5 vs 1 hrs).
| Spec | Skilhunt M200 V4 | Acebeam Rider RX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $50 | $50 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | EDC | EDC |
| Lumens | 1,200 lm | 650 lm |
| Candela | 7,800 cd | 2,300 cd |
| Beam distance | 176m | 96m |
| Runtime | 2.5 hrs (high) | 1 hr (high) |
| Battery | 18650 | AA/14500 |
| LED | Nichia 519A 5000K | Nichia 219F 5000K |
| Beam type | Balanced | Flood |
| Modes | 4 Stepped | 4 Stepped |
| UI | Skilhunt UI | Simple |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| CRI | 90 | 90 |
| Weight | 1.6 oz | 2.9 oz |
| Dimensions | 4.1 x 0.9 in | 3.8 x 0.7 in |
| Warranty | 2 Year | 5 Year |
What owners report
Skilhunt M200 V4
- ✓Among the slimmest 18650 lights available, carrying nearly flush in a pocket
- ✓Excellent pocket clip, low weight and a wide choice of emitters
- ✓High-CRI variant available
- ✓Magnetic charging that works reliably
- ✓Real sustained output for a light this slim
- ✗Proprietary magnetic charging rather than USB-C
- ✗Tint goes greenish at lower levels
- ✗The side button is hard to locate by feel, and can switch on in a pocket
- ✗No tail switch
- ✗Blue anodising chips more readily than the black or grey
Acebeam Rider RX
- ✓High-CRI Nichia 219F in an AA/14500 light
- ✓Bolt-action fidget clip that some owners find genuinely calming
- ✓Type III hard-anodised aluminium with good heat dissipation
- ✓1,000 lumens from a widely available cell format
- ✓Rated 4.5 out of 5 by a reviewer despite the regulation criticism
- ✗Output isn't regulated on 14500 — it dims as the cell drains
- ✗Every mode uses PWM, though it's well implemented
- ✗Forward-clicky tail makes mode changes awkward with the light on
- ✗Longer than most of its direct competition
- ✗Not enough texture for wet or gloved hands, and charging is slow