[Review] Manker T01 (XP-L HI V3, 1x AA / 14500)

On mine that I just rcv'd from BangGood, the reflector is not threaded. I just tapped it a few times on the table on the front edge after removing the bezel, and the reflector just popped out.

Gearbest gave me a whole new light. Love it. Any ideas how to rig up some spring so can have both running at the same time. Now I switch tailcaps. In the original post it shows some kind of tab sticking out from the spring assembly. What’s with that. How can it fit in the tailcap? Mine is not marked Godmes.

Any deal for the t01? :slight_smile: I’d like a good 14500 light and this looks One of the best around

They recently announced the release of the T01 II which is why I suspect the original T01 was being blown out at suck a great deal. Bummed that I didn’t pick up another one, but I guess that means more funds available for the T01 II, when someone finally has it in stock and hopefully a GB deal comes up. :smiley:

Actually, I looking forward to the T01 II as it is supposed to be more forgiving with regards to the length of the cells. My 14500’s are actually 50.9 MM and that extra .9mm means I’d have to crank down pretty hard on the tail cap, something I have no desire to do.

TBH, pretty happy with the output I’m seeing just from Sony and Energizer NiHM’s. Can only imagine what it would be like with a 14500. It’s my new favorite AA thrower and does a great job as a general area light when ceiling bounced.

Very nice review !
Is almost incredible what technology can do, from one AA cell to get 4-500 lumens, 10-15 years ago we can not imagine this.

Hope to grab the second version in short time, is an incredible flashlight.
In fact I’m impressed by all Manker lights till now, almost best balance price/quality/performance.

I’m also amazed with the Manker design and performance. T01 is the light that started my “flashlight sickness” :slight_smile: However we know that price or quality control of Manker could be better…or preferably both. That leaves the space for other companies to jump in, as it already happened.

I receive the T01 II.
What a flashlight…I love it !

Incredible power light on AA NiMh battery, I find it more useful on AA NiMh configuration than 14500 because is real bright and have better runtime.

But, take care about button top battery (NiMh or 14500 ) is a tight fit ! sometimes don’t work. With flat battery is ok.

I used an unusual method to fit the button top NiMh, I smash the button with a hammer (but with max precaution ) and now is real ok, works great.
Don’t do that with LiIon battery !!! :laughing:

If would have also a mini usb charger on board was great, but anyway I’m impressed, nice little light ! My sample have a neutral light which I like.

No other comments for the moment, good built quality, nice finishing, nice throw, even nice form factor with the big head comparing with the body :slight_smile:

LOL That’s like “I kicked in the door gently” :smiley:

As others have posted, the price is a deal breaker for me.
I definitely want one…yet the recent (Manker/UTorch) driver fiasco set the perceived value of this physical size/battery chemistry for me with all other parts being mere commodities save a LED soon copied somewhere in other lights.
Saying that, I would sell it at the same price point given the outlandish MSRPs currently being sought by much more well known manufacturers.
Nice job, Manker (again) and belated thanks for the review.

I don’t have any problems with Eneloops. Those should fit perfectly, as I’m sure the light is designed for Eneloop cells. Mine has a little over 1mm of clearance between the cell and the end of the tube.

I can understand a button-top 14500 cell might be an issue, as most of those are longer than 50mm. An Eneloop is 50mm long, so any 14500 cell longer than 51mm would have a problem.

I haven’t had any issues with NiMH’s or primaries, however my Xtar 14500’s are 50.9mm and I don’t feel comfortable applying what I feel would be the necessary force to seat the tail cap. Paperclip mod should work for cells in the close to 51mm and up range. I bought some unprotected Sanyo UR14500, which are 49.5mm according to the data sheet. They work fine.

I didn’t tried primaries and my NiMh are Tronic 2500 mAh. Maybe Eneloops are a little shorter, enough ti fit properly.

But anyway, I have now two 14500 Manker 750 mAh (seems to have great capacity) , one Xtar 14500 –600 mAh (all flat) and one Efest 700mAh V2 -last one a tight fit, but works all ok :slight_smile:

I like the flashlight a lot, my sample is very well made, no defects in functions, no other defects, led is almost perfectly centered (doesn’t seem to affect the beam profile ) , in hands feels very sturdy and high quality light.
I like also how it works on NiMh, a lot of light from a single AA battery.

Yes, the only 1xAA light I have that beats it in output is the Zebralight SC5w.

However, the Zebralight is a little more finicky about having a fresh quality cell in it to produce full output. If the cell is old, or it’s getting depleted, the Zebralight will step down from ~500 lumens to ~300 lumens. It’s a very sudden step-down, so it’s very noticeable.

In contrast, the Maker T01 doesn’t have a sudden step-down. It will gradually ramp-down if it can’t produce full output. You can most easily measure this in the special full-output mode. After about 10-15 minutes, it’s only producing about half the output from when it started. But it’s hard to tell, because it’s very gradual. I think I prefer this.

How do they compare in terms of beam pattern …. I’m guessing the ZL is much more flood in comparison to the throw on these

Yes, the Zebralight is much more floody, and doesn’t throw nearly as far as the Manker. I think the Zebralight makes a much better EDC, but the Manker is great for carrying a small pocket thrower when you need one outside.

I still use the Manker indoors, but strictly as a ceiling-bounce light. The beam is too narrow for direct lighting at close range.

When I cycle at night, I normally mount the Zebralight on my handlebars, and carry the Manker in my hand for spotting things outside the illumination of the zebra headlight, or further away than the zebra reaches.

I found mine quite sensitive to whether NiMH’s are freshly charged … has anyone else found this as well???

Also … has anyone seem an estimate of run times with a 14500 anywhere … I’m guessing it’d be a bit over half the run times of a AA but be good to know roughly before I get “caught short” somewhere.

Indeed, the step down I noticed that is gradually, also with 14500, is only noticeable when you know how powerful it is with a fresh cell.

But is matter of taste, I would prefer to be like at Zebra, one single step down when can not maintain the level, and not gradually.

Normally, yes, I prefer the zebra approach too. However, the SC5 demands a really good cell to maintain the max output for most of the run. Otherwise, it drops down when the cell still has well over half its energy left. It’s probably best run on Eneloop Pro’s. I use regular Eneloops in mine, and on my older cells it drops down pretty quickly.

Is there any GB or deal you know about? Unfortunately the T01 doesn’t seem very popular on shops. I like it but the price is a bit high for my standards and I was waiting for a deal… that maybe will never come again :frowning:

Also I liked the grey colour better, but the version II is black only, too bad.

Just got this little jewel (version 2 in neutral white) and am impressed with the build quality. I haven’t tested it yet and I am hoping my Fenix 14500 will fit in.

My 1st post BTW.