Putting the 12V XHP-35 into a single cell smallish light with a large enough reflector for good throw was obviously a design goal. You can’t count losses when the goal is achieved. If the goal had been maximum lumens, or maximum lux, or minimum voltage, well you get the drift. They wanted the light to have this new popular emitter and they made it happen. That’s success.
Somewhat similar to how Chevrolet sells thousands upon thousands of Camaro’s that DON’T have the high performance engine. All those people driving a 6 cyl Mustang, an underpowered Camaro or even Corvette, they got what they wanted at the price level they were willing to pay, that’s not losses that’s a win win.
The complaining is usually because an individual wanted a different parameter considered for the design, like a multi-tool that never has the right combination of components. But it’s an impossible task. The manufacturer would have to offer up a special order with ten’s of thousands of options available to be able to please everyone, then assemble the product to the desire of the customer…and even then some would have issue. And the price would soar, so more would have issue.
I think Manker did a nice job on this U21. I think the Utorch UT02 is also a very nice light. When you look at what they do, how they’re made, the fit in hand and overall performance (including the charging performance) they’re a win at the price point. Remember that the base price has a narrower margin of difference, base price is $50 vs $65, between the two. The gap comes in with Manker’s refusal to do a group buy for us here at BLF.
FWIW, Vinh’s driver is Richards driver. In other words, Vinh mods a light in much the same way as you and I. He’s OCD about the emitter choice, he’s willing to buy a lot of emitters and cherry pick what he wishes to use, other than that and his attention to detail in focusing, he’s just like the rest of us. The high prices come with all the non-cherry emitters and time spent. Trust me, if you put in the effort and time on a build like Vinh does, you too would charge the premium.
Lexel, I recommend that you purchase the Utorch UT02 in this group buy. Play with it, get a feel for it, and if it doesn’t satisfy your needs then do what BLF is known for… modify it.