Thanks for a very useful video. Just side story, last weekend I went to a garage sale, saw the guy got a few flashlights for sale, one of it is a brand new Fenix HT30r, he listed for $150 but I only got $100 at the moment, I asked him to hold the light for me so that I can go get more cash. Surprisingly the guy said “You can have it for $100”, What a experience. 😄
@1lumen Wow!!! I watched this video looking for a reason NOT to buy the HT30R and as I already suspected, it gave me none. Simply stated, the Fenix was the ONLY serious LEP shown. No inflated numbers, unparalleled build quality, a successful company with a great reputation and a reasonably fair (but still painful) price tag. Im glad I watched this video even though it failed to give me any good excuses NOT to cough up the 280 bucks for the HT30R. It did, however, lead me into reading the comments where I read your story. You gave me that excuse I was looking for...I'm going to wait until I find a deal like the one you ran into! Lucky dog. I'm jealous. 🤨 LOL.
@@1lumen Funny thing was to see this after buying the ht30r, well at least the gut feeling that it is good light actually realized. I have had 4 previous Fenix lights, the tk40, tk11tac, pd35ue, hm65r särmä and some hm50r that was a mistake to buy.
@@1lumen Not really, i have bought utilitarian stuff, if i find something that works, i don't collect variants of a same thing. Flashlight wise, i wanted to have a great headlamp for hands free use with red light, also the superraptor helmet mounts were the thing for me. the best edc light for me was pd35ue, insanely long battery time for the light that is practical and small. and the tk11 is just floodlight, but it does heat up pretty fast, so that is a small disappointment. and for the most recent laser, i wanted to have longest possible throw, with no bleed to sides. So laser was thing to go. I hope my flashlight needs would be met for a while. Maybe, next i need cpm-s45vn steel spyderco, because my native 1 is getting worn a bit. and who knows, better hardshell clothing and shoes. You rather enjoy being out there not being cold and wet.
I have both models from WelTool the W3 pro Tac and the W4 pro Tac two very well constructed lights . I have to admit that WelTool in my opinion is the best option out there if you’re willing to pay a premium for your lights. My Thor 3 a great value for the money.The AceBeam W35 has a very unique design with its lens . The M1 that I purchased also have a very unique configuration with its side-by-side design .Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this project you’re work helps me and others in their choices that they eventually decide 👍🔦
I feel very lucky to have bought my Thor 2 V1 when I did. There's nothing about the V2 I like more than the V1, and yeah it was obviously the best of this size at the time, seems to still be. It also looks the coolest imo.
Awesome review, extremely thorough with real measurements! Really looking forward to lep development, some of the coolest flashlight stuff going on right now. Wish the loop was better, seems to be the first zoomable lep I've seen that doesn't take multiple rotations. Dang shame. Have you tried the titanium antman/mini thor? I grabbed one a while back, and thankfully it doesn't have the horrid parasitic drain the regular version has. Left a 15500 in mine over the summer (3 months) just to confirm, battery was at 3.7v when I checked it a few days ago. May be worth a look sometime! Good work, great vid, and keep these manufacturers honest!
Thank you. Yeah, they are definitely one of the most interesting developments in the world of flashlights. I have never gotten my hands on a titanium Antman, but Gabriel just finished reviewing the Maratac Mini LEP Cosmos, which is also an upgraded (and cheaper than the Ti) version. It's also performing much better than my Ant Man.. Here's the review: 1lumen.com/review/maratac-mini-lep-cosmos/
@@1lumen That is super cool, it looks like they took all the good from the titanium version, threw it into a better aluminum body, and made the strobe not ridiculous to get to for just $100! My friend has been wanting a 15500 lep after seeing the TI ant, I'll send him that and we can compare. Thanks!
I was looking at the Weltool W3Pro Tac and the Fenix HT30R. For shorter term usage the Weltool is nice, but for longer run time at better brightness and distance, it’s definitely the Fenix for me. Awesome vid dude! Sure appreciate your in-depth review on these. I actually was thinking it was a toss up on the ones of interest for me. Now it’s crystal clear, who is getting my green…
Amutorch BT35, bang for the buck. Will get it for just $90. I think the most bang for the buck 18650 LEP is either BT35 or WP4/FW2. But it's hard to beat BT35, especially if you'll able to acquire it below its price. The tailcap guards and options of pocket clips, simple UI, and it leaning towards tactical, is truly amazing. Beam color is also consistent white. The only LEP flashlight I was interested with is the BT35, all aspects is balanced especially the price aspect.
In my experience companies like Weltool, Fenix, And Olight tend to be fairly conservative with their specs ensuring that even though every single light is its own unique monster in regards to variance, their lights generally meet their listed specs (or come very VERY close)
Yes, they are usually pretty consistent. Weltool has used our testing results for some of their specifications. But we can only tell they are trustworthy by testing.
It's great to see these comparisons. One thing I would say is that price is also an important metric, and if say that the metaminko at around $100 is great value baring in mind the price of the others. Personally, I have the thor 3 for throw, tm20k for flood, fexix pd35 for general usage and nitecor tini2 for edc... It's getting hard to justify buying any new torches at this point😢
That's totally correct. I mentioned the price in the video quite a few times, so that's why the Natfire SF2 could be a good deal, if you don't care about the cons. Same goes for the Mateminco FW2 and FW3, even though I would recommend the FW2 over the FW3 because of the UI, look and feel. I hope the video was helpful
Regarding the intial green tint of the Weltool W3 Pro Tac. I was shocked at first, but then I thought, lets run it 20min on trubo…and now its ether less annoying or it really helps to warmen the color again.
I like my thor2 v1 for a serious distance thrower but its not really practical to carry around so its limited to occasional fun off my balcony and the rare overnight trip out to the mountains. I managed to find a decent deal on a sandblasted ti model as they were being discontinued. Still the most I've spent on an LEP.. Definitely packs the WOW factor though and I'm glad to have one in my collection! Also my only "mirror" model My overall most practical is probably my skylumen mini.. 21700, 1200m, 3-400lumen, Very clean white light. Unfortunately there arent too many of these out there.. I can literally find only two or three different examples of them online and one of them is the one I own. From what I can tell, there were maybe two small batches of these produced, Perhaps only one.. each consisting of MAYBE 50. probably fewer. too bad because it's a pretty great
@@1lumen sure cool lights that definitely have their place, albeit a small one.. It seems like there was a big boom of leps a few years back and progression/improvement has mostly slowed since then. Like they discontinued the antman and replaced it with the mini which just kind of seems like a worse version of its predecessor.. no pocket clip, worse UI, same performance as the ti model..
Very well made, Marco! 👍Camera Quality is excellent, there is only one small cut, which was a bit too soon (2:36). Great work! You have jump marks in your video, reduced the endless amount of specs to a brief overview, the beamshots are very comparable. I like the graphs, these are great to get a overlook and compare specific models at specific criteria. I think, this is very helpful, not only for flashaholics, but especially for peaple, who are quite new in this flashlight-world. Every time I see these Weltool lights, I get the feeling that I have to get one ;) The quality seems to be top notch,, but they are a bit pricey..
Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I also noticed that part afterwards :) I hope this can be a great guideline for people who are new to LEPs or who are looking for their next one. Yeah, the Weltools are great, lovely quality, but pricey.
I'm in a lucky position right now... ex addict, downsized my collection to one light two decades ago, recently fell off the wagon and feel like a kid in a candy shop. Back in the day my 200 lumen (low candela) $250 EDC was top of the line... today it leaves me lacking. So, my focus is on replacing that light, for a fraction of the cost... which allows me to buy multiple lights! I mean, might as well spend a few hundred right? Those will tide me over until I decide to lay down for a nice LEP. (Weltool ♡) The Amutorch BT/XT35 models seem great for my needs, but I have at least a dozen other lights that are equally suitable. My biggest concern is knowledge. I've been out of the game for so long that there's yet much to learn.
The BT35 is a nice little, and quite an affordable LEP flashlight. LEPs are the new thing, especially if you haven't been into the world of flashlights recently. So many interesting lights out there
I'm quite into LED torches, they fulfill my needs perfectly. I have no need for an LEP, but boy oh boy do I want one after watching this ! Considering the Neals 26650 as an introduction to LEP's after reading your website, have you done any video reviews on it ?
Thanks Marco, that is pretty well made video. A lot of interesting informations. I am looking forward to new inovations, which will make it even better and worth of money for me (next generations of LEP, better batteries etc. ) But if I will not care about money, I would probably buy that bigger Lumintop or Fenix, that looks really great. And also like that combination of LED and LEP, and if someone make it in compact size ... One side of flashlight LED and second one LEP with some protecting cover? 😃 yeah I dont understand to technical problems, but if something like that will be possible than hell yeah 🤟😃
Thanks for the comments. All LEPs are different, and I hope this video will clear quite a bit of misunderstanding. Not all lights are equal. The Fenix HT30R is definitely a nice one. The Thor 4 is great because of the LED and LEP option....with the current prices at least.
The newer Owleyes W Pro with the 3x 21700 battery pack looks like it could take the enthusiast tag out of the LEP and replace it with duty use. If it really is 4MCP flatline for 150mins without stepping down, that's Coast Guard/USFS/SR duration and dependability.
@@1lumen Can't wait to see how its extended runtime performs like. I've been wanting a more portable comparable companion to the Maxa Beam. Hoping this v2 Owleyes is it.
@@FalconFXICCY I was just checking the maxa beam website, and it says 12 million candlepower and 3500 meters reach. They don't add up. Do you know if it is supposed to reach 3500 meters? That's not 12,000,000
Are there any small LEP torches which can be used with a remote switch (‘rat-tail’ or ‘whip’ type) currently available? I bought a couple small Acebeam W10 a couple of years ago and they’re great for my use, but just wondered whether you know of anything similar on the market? Thanks for any response, and for your great and very thorough research, and answering all the questions people have in mind! 🏴
There are a few that have 'optional' remote switches. The Trustfire T30R, Olight Odin Turbo, FireFlyLIte LEP01 and LEP02, Nitecore P35i.. Not small LEPs though..
Thanks! Don't know about the Trustfire in particular, but these 22 will give you a good indication of what is out there, which are popular, and choose from these. I would not Trust the specifications on the Trustfire.. :D and I hope this video helps you with understand that :D
Yeah, I agree. It's not a very good tool, but could be an interesting toy with the fidget options. Still, I can't wait for LOOP Universe's next flashlight.. they already have an LED version of this model, but I'm talking about a real new model.
@@1lumen It's almost impossible to screw up an SFT-40 implementation. That LED alone instantly makes the LOOP somewhat usable again. LOOP pigeon-holed themselves in when they went with the 18350 battery. That's what crippled the LEP, and it's showing with the SFT-40 being heavily under-driven. Once they committed to that battery base, it won't matter what else they can interchange with emitter options at the head. Imagine trying to run an SBT90.2 off that 18350.... Hopefully their next flashlight iteration would start with the 21700 base.
Not that I'm doubting what you say but, these look more like LED and not LEP as far as light color and beam shots. Acebeam has the W35 LC DEL Zoom LEP Flashlight and the beam is much more intense and laser like and no blue or green color and it is around the same price point.
They look like LED, yes!. But they are LEP :D We reviewed about 60 LEP flashlights on 1Lumen.com and I personally own about 55 LEPs at the moment. Other reviewers on our website also own a couple so we have quite extensive experience with LEPs.. I also own the Acebeam W35, and 54 others ;)
No, if you purely look at Lumens, you better forget about LEPs. You can compare some of our reviews on our website in the 21700 category. Take an average LED, and look at graph with 500 lumens or below, and compare it to one of an LEP with 500 lumens. The LEP will run much shorter.
Yeah, the Thor 3 smokes all smaller LEPs.. These 22 are regarded 'small'. And the Thor 3 is regarded 'big'. It just means that the head+lens are larger.
Yep he messed u not including it. It's not big, it's a medium with a 21700, and fine, bit larger lens, but it murders this lot on candela output and beam distance. Should have been in this comparison.
that's impossible to say.. You'd have to look at the bigger LEPs we reviewed, which throw much farther than these. But from these, the video explains it all. It gives you enough information to make an informed decision..
Hi there, I need your help. On your website I found review for JetBeam RRT-M1X LEP flashlight, you disasembled it. When you took of the bezel first there's the regular protective glass and about 1 cm inside is optical lense, how did you get this lense out to show the diode? Thanks
hmmm can't remember for sure.. But I guess I tapped it on a soft fabric laying on my table, or tapping it against the palm of my hand... not sure anymore
Because it doesnt fit in this list. These 22 are small (pocketable) LEP flashlights. I also did a video with 10 bigger head LEPs, where the W4 fits in. Here's the video. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6jmPsEAc_d8.html
@@1lumen ah i just got one on order and was wondering how it stacked up. was hoping ya'd throw it in here with the others. not a lot of people talk about that light :)
@@mdlassel the NlightD belongs in a totally different category! We wrote an extensive review on it, where you can compare it to other LEPs in the same category! This video is about small LEP flashlights. Not the bigger ones. We also have another comparison video with bigger LEPs on our channel
Thanks for all your research. I work with live but low budget local entertainers and am looking for the brightest "zoomable" flashlight powered by AA batteries to use as a portable spotlight during musical performances. I always carry plenty of AA alkaline batteries for wireless audio gear so am not interested in anything rechargeable as I may need the light on short notice and always have plenty of AA Alkalines handy. I am not lookling for anything to be used continuously. On a given night I may use the light for twenty to thinrty total minutes. What do you suggest? Happy to order one or more through you ( some nights I need two at the same time )
I don't know of any good quality 'zoomable' AA flashlights! I would also not recommend buying zoomable ones. Do you really need to have this feature? Most zoomies are cheap and low quality, plus, they normally take 3AAA batteries. Sorry I can't really help with this.
Thx for the quick reply. I hate ALL AAA battery flashlights.I suppose I could use a rechargeable but I may have to buy two to make sure one is always available while the other is charging. Usually I am wanting to illuminate a 1 meter circle from 20-50 meters away. If I can manage that beam spread I don't really need a zoom feature. Anything come to mind?
You're correct. I guess I forgot to select all the columns for that particular graph. I hope I still shared enough information in the rest of the video to help out.
Oh, because that belongs in a totally different category. Here's the correct category video for the W4 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6jmPsEAc_d8.htmlsi=KfGT0i5GMpgovupX
This happens a lot with flashlights in general. Especially with smaller flashlight companies. There is tons of info in this video to help you decide for your next purchase, be it second hand or new
You didn't do the Nitecore p35i despite your photo showing it... Literally. The nitecorep35i is the only lep available from Amazon in the UK... Very disappointed.
It doesn't compare... the L2K is a much bigger light and throws much farther. See this comparison video instead: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6jmPsEAc_d8.html
@@1lumen I have the L2k and the nealsgadget LEP which is great in price/performance but L2k is still much better. One huge difference I noticed between the two is the lens. L2k uses multicoated aspheric. With light of this intensity, the anti reflective coatings make a humongous difference in both improving light transmission as well as cutting down on backscatter illumination into the flashlight body that re-emits as spill. The L2k has very little micro-spill which makes it look especially crisp. A high quality collimation lens is critical as well because small imperfections will turn into big aberration problems at distance. I always wondered how much performance can be gained by retrofitting better glass (larger diameter to cut down on divergence angle, high index of refraction, and super multicoated) into a lower performing light. I think some of the high lumen ones can be converted into top performers. The lens quality is extremely important for these lights.
Have been buying torches for long time had loads ,there are so many say lumens output is this but not case ,when buy torch stay away from zoom type torches as basically crap zoom is what base output on ,look for decent type led module cree brand cant go wrong if its genuine, need know what want torch for how long use all play into price high output causes alot heat and high price ,I buy torches around £15 -£50 pounds had 15 pound one many years price is still same no need high price torch unless use it for search rescue or similar job do homework look at reviews carefully
Awesome! Yeah, this video took a long time to make... Currently very busy with written reviews, so definitely keep an eye out on the 1Lumen.com website
@@kollapsis1 There is another video with the bigger lights, including the Acebeam W30. The W30 is a very nice light, but it has been surpassed by many others... Here is the video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6jmPsEAc_d8.html
No Lumintop Thor 3? Boooo, it kills the Thor 4 with 1.5 million candela! Heck it bests most of the others here, and yes it's a 21700 battery. Check it out please
Hey.. you're in the wrong spot. For the Thor 3 you have to watch another video.. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6jmPsEAc_d8.html This comparison video is only for small LEP flashlights :D The Thor 3 doesn't fit in here. We could also have tested the Weltool W4, W5, NlightD L1, Acebeam W35, Nextorch t20L, and many many more.. But aht's for another video. Btw.. we have about 60 LEP reviews on 1lumen.com, so all the information could be seen there as well.
I'd recommend checking out our website 1lumen.com for many more reviews.. We have about 60 LEPs reviewed.. indepth.. Then you can compare different lights, and see how they stack up againts eachother. You can't really compare a large reflector LED flashlight to a small reflector LED flashlight either.. So you can't really compare a small-head LEP to a large-head LEP. Desn't matter how long the flashlight is! Has nothing to do with it!
I bought a smaller LEP that weighs like 2oz and takes a 14500 battery so I mounted it on my handgun. It works very good, but I could understand why you think LEP is shitty in any other situation, especially with how good LED flashlights have become these days.
I disagree.....i think they are pretty freaking cool....if you got a ranch like myself 😊..... these lep light are a must....try lighting something up 150 yards or ao with your regular led flashlight..they are both needed in my life...for home use. Any regular Walmart led light does fine..
Maybe for every day use it's not good. But for having a light that fits in your pocket yet can throw multiple miles with no spill is something normal lights will never have. Even the TIR optic led lights have some spill, LEP has zero.
