The Nitecore MH12 is an ultra-compact, high strength USB rechargeable flashlight offering reliability and performance that defies its size and weight. Whether you’re hiking after dark or before dawn, and your headlamp simply isn’t enough, the MH12 just might be your solution. Maybe you’re hiking in a pitch black cave or cloud-covered night. Whatever the darkness, the MH12 puts out plenty of light to handle any situation with its 1,000 lumens CREE LED. It’s also great for safety with its strobe, SOS and beacon modes.

Disclosure: BestLight Marketing contacted me to try the Nitecore MH12 Flashlight at no cost to me. My only responsibility was an agreement to complete this review after trying the item. I was not pressured in any way to make a positive endorsement.

The Nitecore MH12 uses a lithium-ion battery that is rechargeable via included USB. Connect it to your computer at home, the charging port in your car, or to a portable battery pack on the trail, and you will have hours and hours of powerful light.

The CREE XM-L2 LED generates up to 1,000 lumens of almost blinding light. With four distinct settings, and three distress signals, this flashlight is multi-purpose. The lowest setting of 1 lumen is perfect for searching for something lost in the bottom of your pack, and you will get 520 hours of operation on a full battery charge with this setting. Next is the 70 lumens setting, ideal for dusk or dawn hiking and 28 hours of continuous operation.

The two brightest settings put the MH12 right up there with the big boy flashlights that are 10 times the size and 40 times the weight. At 240 lumems, you can use the flashlight for six hours. I found the amount of light cast to be plenty for most any requirement. But if you need a super-bright, lengthy light then turn the MH12 to the 1,000 lumens setting. It will throw a light more than the length of two football fields, and do so for 75 minutes. Just a word of warning, though. When operating at this intensity, don’t point the MH12 directly at your eyes… but you already knew that, right?

The MH12 also has three distress modes that can be used if you are lost or injured in the wilderness. The strobe is a high-intensity, quickly flashing light that could be used to dissuade predatory wildlife. The SOS signal is an internationally recognized call for help, and the beacon is an ultra-efficient mode that signals your location to rescuers.

Nitecore MH12 Specifications

Testing the Nitecore MH12 in the Field

The Nitecore MH12 is used by tactical police forces so you know it has been put through rigorous field testing. I’m just a simple hiker, so I’m sure I didn’t try everything that the developers do, but I tested some of their claims. The manufacturer claims that this flashlight is quite durable, able to withstand being dropped from heights of 1.5 meters without breaking. That would be about chest height on the average person. I dropped mine on the sidewalk from about waist height without an signs of damage. No broken glass, no dented canister, and it still operated without a hitch.

The manufacturer also claims the MH12 is waterproof, and completely submersible up to two meters depth. Well, I didn’t throw mine in an alpine lake, but I did put it in about four inches of water in a cascading Pisgah National Forest stream. Once again, no apparent damage to the flashlight. A week later, it still continues to operate just fine.

The first time I tried the MH12 in the dark I was astounded at the fire power of this flashlight. I cycled through each of the four settings, going OK fine, that’s pretty good, this is definitely usable, to WOW! – this thing puts out a cannon of light. If you need more brightness than the capability of this flashlight, then you’re doing things on the hiking trail that I have never even pondered.

Perhaps the best thing about this remarkable flashlight is it’s size and weight. At only 5.5 inches in length and 7/8 inch diameter, the MH12 easily fits in the palm of your hand, and won’t take up valuable space in your pack. Even better, it only weighs 3.1 ounces. That’s just 88 grams for those of you quickly doing the metric conversion in your heads. In this day of packing ultralight for long distance endurance hiking, the MH12 won’t add much burden to your load.

The Nitecore MH12 comes with a number of accessories including the 3200mAh lithium-ion battery. It comes with a USB charging cable, and holster and clip for wearing it on your belt or shirt pocket, and a lanyard if you want to wear it around your wrist. Also included are spare parts just in case of loss or accident: switchcover, o-ring, and USB port cover.

How to Get One

Manufactured by Nitecore, the MH12 Flashlight retails for US$79.95 and can be purchased from BestLight or from Amazon. BestLight is offering you, the Meanderthals readers, a 5% discount by entering the code “MeanderthalsReaders” at checkout. While the MH12 flashlight may seem a little pricey, it comes with a complete 5 year warranty, and may be the last flashlight you will ever need to buy.

In addition to the included accessories, there are a number of other optional accessories available for purchase. These include red, green, and blue light filters; replacement batteries; and AC wall outlet chargers for quicker recharging of the lithium-ion battery.

Nitecore flashlights offer the widest range of product choice. Military / tactical, law enforcement, outdoor / camping, hunting or search and rescue are just some of the applications. My Nitecore MH12 is now a regular utility item found in my backpack. After using it, I have concluded that this is a remarkable device, and recommend it to you as well.

Disclosure: BestLight Marketing contacted me to try the Nitecore MH12 Flashlight at no cost to me. My only responsibility was an agreement to complete this review after trying the item. I was not pressured in any way to make a positive endorsement.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Disclosure: Wojo Wallet, LLC contacted me to try their Wojo Wallet at no cost to me. My only responsibility was an agreement to write this review. I was not pressured to make a positive endorsement.

Their tag line pretty much describes it, “When all you need are your credit cards and cash, Wojo is the perfect solution. Cycling, hiking, boating, hunting, skiing, traveling, or a girl’s night out… Wojo is the wallet for you.”

Most of us only use 4-6 cards regularly, so simplify your life and carry only what you need. Get rid of your clumsy money clip, unfashionable binding clip, or that bulky wallet that’s giving you sciatica. Plus, you never have to transition to something different when you’re enjoying your favorite sporting activity. Protect your cards and cash from sweat, water, and the elements. Wojo may be the only wallet you’ll need.

Wojo snugly protects a single card slip-free, but expands to secure as many as a dozen. The silicone and neoprene layered shell stretches back easily to make sorting and selecting a credit card a breeze. A perfectly fitted outer band provides fast access to cash and a key. The two bands can even be slipped apart for separate use.

The Wojo Wallet floats (with up to 6 cards and cash). Get the freedom to enjoy all your activities, being stress free about your floating wallet. Whether it is parties at the beach or a fall in a creek while hiking, just indulge whole-heartedly, knowing that your wallet and its contents are safe.

Sleek, stylish and sporty, a Wojo Wallet is perfect for men and women. Get one in each of four colors to match a myriad of moods and outfits. Great for women who want to leave their purse at home.

Testing the Wojo on a Hike

Many years ago I changed from one of those folding leather wallets, for several reasons, but biggest among them was bulk. It simply took too much space in my hip pocket, was uncomfortable to sit on, and wore a permanent imprint on my pants pocket. So I’m already familiar with the concept of compact wallets. Wojo takes it another step further.

The Wojo wallet is quite compact and lightweight, weighing less than an ounce when empty. While it will stretch to hold more, I found that I only needed my driver’s license, one credit card, and my medical insurance card when I head out into the wilderness. Throw in a few bucks and the Wojo still comes in at less than three ounces.

I used to always worry about putting my wallet in a zip or velcro pocket when I’m out in the woods just to keep from losing it. That’s something I don’t have to concern myself with anymore.

Made out of neoprene, Wojo wallets are designed to keep your credit cards and cash safe. The stretchy material provides a snug fit for your valuables. The exterior grips clothing material, fits well into the smallest of pockets and never slips out. Whether it’s a pants or shirt pocket, or a pouch in your backpack, the Wojo will stay where you put it. I tested this by turning my pants upside down with the Wojo in a pocket. It works. No more zip pockets needed.

No more worrying about sweat, grunge, heat, humidity or even water ruining your wallet again. In fact, even with a half dozen cards the Wojo Wallet floats in water. That was another annoyance of the old style leather wallets. They did not like getting sweaty and would even begin to come apart after constant activity. Not so the Wojo. The neoprene material will withstand pretty much anything you can throw at it. Stock your ID, credit cards or cash in a Wojo Wallet and forget about damage by sweat or water. Your stuff remains dry and safe in the water-resistant wallet.

Will It Do What It Says?

Yes, the Wojo really does float. I filled a bowl with water, tossed in the wallet and right on the surface it stayed. Now obviously if you drop it in the Green River rapids the current will whisk it downstream. But hey! At least it will still be on the surface.

The design and slip-resistant cover makes it compact and easy to carry everywhere. It holds up to 10 credit cards without having to fold, but chances are if you’re out on a hike you won’t take more than 3-4 cards. A no-fold wallet, its neoprene and silicone layers keep it from slipping out of your pocket, and keep it thin and compact. So when you’re trying to lighten your pack load of every pound and ounce, why not consider your wallet as well.

Conclusion

The Wojo will now be my hiking wallet of choice. Not only that, but I’ve pretty much switched to it as my everyday wallet. Almost impossible to ruin or lose, I expect it to last a very long time. The compact and lightweight nature of the Wojo fits right in with my outdoors lifestyle.

The Wojo Wallet comes in four color combinations and retails for US$12.95. Order direct from the Wojo Wallet website and receive free shipping with a $35 order.

Disclosure: Wojo Wallet, LLC contacted me to try their Wojo Wallet at no cost to me. My only responsibility was an agreement to write this review. I was not pressured to make a positive endorsement.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.