I remember (now) once buying/trying an AW IMR unprotected cell in a ZL that I had and why.
What threw me was my ZL SC52 L2 putting out 300 lumens using an Eneloop and 500 lumens using a protected 14500 (which seemed almost impossible not long ago)….vs the UT01 putting out 500 lumens (AA) and 700 something using the unprotected cell.
Whatever I gained by using the protected cell seemed worth it for whatever the lumens turned out to be north of 500 (which seems twice as incredible as I thought the SC52 to be using an Eneloop driving 300 lumens).
Received it today, unfortunately the switch on mine is very bad. It only works if I press it in a special way with the nail of my finger. So far it is unusable. I hope I can get it fixed.
Please keep us updated and thanks for the heads up.
I would also like to hear from anybody on the difference in output between protected and unprotected cells if they (both?) fit in your light (thanks in advance)…
With a Xtar 14500 protected , i read about 100 lumens less than using the Efest .
(For all batteries : )
Also , highest mode seems to be able to perform better , it is programmed in the 1st or 2nd level from the factory ( from the 3 output leves of the highest mode , see “Light has programmable output levels for every mode” section in the OP ) .
I have been on holiday travel spending time at various relatives houses the past 1.5 weeks with the UT01 and its been great. I have my modes set up for the two lowest modes and then the two highest modes. Perfect for me… CANDLE > LO > HI > TURBO. So I don’t really have a MED mode. Love the cream white, green-free tint. Of all my NW cree tints this one has the least yellow too… which is good. My cousins friend has a black lab and we went out on a night hike along one of the local creek-side trails, and the UT01 did a great job. I mostly had it on hi and used turbo for short bursts, where it doubled up as a hand warmer too. (win-win !!!)
Travel rig. Solid performer with eneloops too, particularly around the house and I don’t need that much light.
EDC, compact and lightweight with a 14500 cell.
Size comparison with other lights I brought with me, thorfire TG06, 4Sevens Quark AAT.
IMHO they should delete all those disco modes and isolate the battery status indicator by itself, so its out infront of the program mode. That way you can double tap to check the battery and double back out.