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

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.

Where did you bought it? do you know of any good price maybe?

Bought locally here in Manila.

The Fenix protected 14500 does not fit. I have to remove the protection circuit to properly use it with the T01.

For some reasons using a 14500, it cycles through each function and programs without any hitch except that whatever I program in the pro mode gets carried to the general mode. I understand that the general and pro modes are independent of each other. The general mode is L1, M2, H2, T3 and the program mode should be what I programmed it with. But if say I program L3, M3, H3, T3 in pro mode, that same modes appear in general mode.

Also, I can’t seem to make it work with Eneloops. I only get moonlight and another level of brightness plus the SOS, Beacon and Strobe. What gives? Is there any way to reset the FL to factory/default settings?

I think the general and pro modes are programmed together. At least, mine works the same way as yours. So, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with yours on that issue. The only thing pro mode does is give you access to more stuff.

On your other issue, it has some quirks when the battery gets low (I use Eneloops in mine), and modes won’t work properly and it won’t shut off, etc. But removing the old battery and putting in a fresh one has always worked for me. Are you sure you’re using a good Eneloop, with a good charge?

BTW, there is a hidden engineering mode. I don’t think it will “reset” your light, as it’s used to program the brightness of moonlight mode. I forget the sequence to get into it, but a search should turn up the post from Manker explaining it. You could always give it a try.

I see, thanks

Gearbest sells it, but, at full price. I don’t know if there’s a discount code for it, but I recall that Manker complained when it was originally being sold at discount. Manufacturers don’t like distributors to sell below MSRP, unless authorized.

Thanks for the reply and for the clarification about the different modes and programming. Really appreciate it!

I am using the white Eneloops (1900mah), they are fully charged but a bit dated. I’ll try to get my hands on the black ones and see if it works.

About the engineering mode, I read about it and tried it but it does’nt work with 14500. Reports say you can get into it with AAs only.

Thanks!