What should i replace a faulty Utorch 01 with?

I’ve been bitten by the bug recently and of all the torches I’ve bought ( Convoy S2+, A6, C8 and a few more) it’s easily my fave. All you really need brightness wise in a beautifully​small package.Love the front clicky as well and that it runs so well on eneloop style batteries.

Hopefully I’ll get another from gearbest but there are now also a Mi7 on the way, a Lumintop tool, a Worm v04 and a Astrolux A01 on the way to try.

I think i better calm down or I’ll be divorced and broke by summer.

This for sure.

They are known for bad switches.

Bob

Anyone care to speculate how the switch will hold up to long term usage? Educated guessed better than wild ones of course :wink:

Just order 3 replace switches
Gonna last for a long

Where did you get them from?

I will defintely try and replace the switch at some point. I’m not going to throw the unit away but obviously ive got to take it apart to measure the existing switch before ordering a new one, there are loads of diferrent sizes and height of these switches.

I have finaly got a message back from Gearbest after sending them a video of the unit. The have offered a replacement or cash, so its good to see they are doing the right thing there.

I am undecided what to do.

I would also like to know where did you get it from.
This post: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/43176/163 mentions TL3340 part number.
Is there anybody who has successfully replaced faulty Utorch UT01 switch? You will be my hero if you post a tutorial with pictures. :slight_smile:

I’m going to have a go at stripping mine apart this week.

I am guessing that since its SMT and the angle its at its more likely to be a solder crack issues than the actual switch. Thats what I am hoping, i’ll take it apart add plenty of lead solder rather than the crappy ROHS stuff and to the feet and see if that works. I would think some hot glue would really help in supporting the switch as well since its obviously on a vertical pcb.

If that doesnt work its probably dead since ordering the correct switches from digikeys etc would cost more than a new torch after shipping.

http://m.intl.taobao.com/search/search.html?q=Tl3340
I ordered from this site, just random pick seller
Tried to mod a switch, but failed, not enough space(i dont want to ruin waterproof, too)

Unfortunately I can’t order from taobo and i can’t find those switches on eBay or aliexpress. And €18 postage from digikey isn’t very economical!!!

It anyone’s guess really. I have used my Manker E11 daily / regularly around the house and as a nightstand candle since mid december and its been holding up fine. Similarly my UT01 gets used quite a bit, but its my main camping / backpacking light. I like its colder-brighter tint than the E11. So far I have had the UT01 on two different camp outs and its been just fine. Just this weekend it got a lot of use at night searching for firewood… constant ON- around 350L.

Maybe try an Olight S1A they are a bit more spendy but I am quite happy with mine. I picked up the UT01 but it had a faulty switch. Also picked up the Mi7, it is a nice looking light but I am not a big fan of the user interface on that one.

Thanks for the info. I have 3 of them and they all are working fine so far but of course that’s with limited usage. Too bad a switch replacement isn’t as simple as with tail cap switches.

^
What he said

Cool thing about the UT01 is IMHO its cheap enough to just buy multiples. Its a one of a kind UI. So you’re not going to find a direct exact replacement. I didn’t mention it earlier, but when I go backpacking and space/weight is a factor I will bring the UT01 as my primary light, and JUST pack the E11 head assembly in a small zip-lock bag as a backup. If the Utorch fails, I just swap heads… without having to pack the rest of the light.

I’d take the original E11 as the primary and pack the UT01 head assembly as the back up … you’d probably be far less likely to need to swap then :slight_smile:

I am ordering today from Digikey, maybe someone need one of those

You can believe that if you want, but theres no basis in fact for the belief. The truth is that they are the exact same light, outside of very minor cosmetic differences to the outer shell.

Just got back from another weekend camp out, the UT01 served me just fine with the E11 head as a back up. I ran IMR 14500 cells.

I have the Utorch 01 in NW and the Klarus Mi7. There is a lot to like about the Utorch. The mode spacing is great as is the UI. Being able to choose the amount of light for each mode makes it very customizable for each user. The NW tint is a little too yellow for me.

The Klarus Mi7 has far less modes and is very subject to accidental activation in your pocket as the switch is slightly raised from the body. The light has both electronic and physical lockout that can be used to prevent accidental activation.

I like the tint better in the Klarus than the Utorch in NW and the flashlight has a smaller form factor than the Utorch; which is why the Klarus goes in my pocket and the Utorch sits in a dresser drawer.

Bob

You could get the Manker version, or the Jetbeam E10R.