REVIEW MANKER E03H XPL

REVIEW MANKER E03H XPL

Manker E03H

Manker sold a successful model of flashlight in L or frontal. The Manker E02H powered by a AAA battery of a multipurpose character and a very attractive appearance. Following this success, a new variant was developed that will be analyzed in the following review, the E03H.




PRESENTATION

The Manker E03H comes very well protected inside a colored satin box with a plastic window that allows us to see the flashlight. Inside the box the contents comes in a protective blister. In the box we can see the engravings, data of the mark and the model. The presentation is quite correct.



Once the wrapping is opened, we find complete accessories. A good lanyard, a clip, diffusers specific to this model in red, green and white, O'ring, instruction manual and a headband. Good quality in general.




The headband was incorporated in the E02 in a second moment, with the denomination E02H, and also has been used, varying the support of the flashlight in this model. Being very portable light, manker has thought of making a headband according to the characteristics of flashlight and has omitted the part of the tape that usually carry other models above the head, also using a much narrower tape. This makes the tape very portable too and quick to use, but we can not wait for the touch and the docking of the headband that incorporates the upper tape. One tip I will give to anyone who uses it is to try not to over-adjust it, which is what is tended in the first minutes, because it will end up bothering you. If we use it with little pressure the tape is well held, and does not disturb.
Manker could have used a softer material, but I do not know if that material omitting the top of the headband would adjust with the same precision. As is evident with the headband we will not be able to have the clip installed in the flashlight.




CONSTRUCTION

The flashlight is elegant, not as much as the EO2H, but it is, especially if we remove the diffuser and put the clip. It is also very compact. This model is only black anodized and differs from its small sister mainly in the thickness of the tube to accommodate the battery AA and in the slides of the diffusers. The body includes a fine knurling quite effective. The tail has trapezoid forms that make it much easier to unscrew it in order to install the battery. Of course just like his little sister includes a powerful magnet, and the head has dissipating fins and engraved with the serial number and model that also make a decorative function.




The diffusers are hard plastic and once placed they will not fall. It is not easy to remove them (that is why they are not going to be lost), and are fastened and moved through lanes in the head of the flashlight, also having tabs to facilitate the process. The diffusers move correctly but offer resistance. It is convenient to move them from your midline. As for the magnet is very powerful and allows the location of the flashlight in almost any position.



The threads are of good quality and come clean and greased. The XPL LED is well located centered on an OP reflector after the anti-reflective lens. At the top we find the gummy button millimetrically located in line with the shape of the head. His touch seems to me perfect for this type of flashlight. It is surrounded by a stainless steel protector.


Apart from sharing aesthetics with the E02, there are parts that without disassembling seem to be identical, so we have to assume that they are common parts, pushbutton, pushbutton protector, bezel, lens, reflector, are some of them.




SIZE AND WEIHGT

As expected, we are facing one of the front flashlight of smaller size and weight. Few more L flashlights will find this size, weight and similar features combining power and runtime. If we find them, they will be at higher prices. In the box puts that it weighs 80 gr, but this is the weight in my scale whit AA battery. Very good.


As for size is shown compared to her small sisters and other models to have a clear reference.




USER INTERFACE.

The flashlight has the usual manker UI in recent times and can be clearly seen in the scheme that the brand offers.

OFF -> PRESS-> Moonlight -> Press->Cycle (low -> Mi -> Hi -> Mi -> Low)

OFF-> Long Press-> Last Mode -> Press -> Cycle

Off or On -> Double Press -> Especial Modes (Turbo -> Strobe -> SOS -> Beacom).

lock/unlock -> One press -> 2 press -> 3 Press

This model has the engineer mode in which we can configure the ML mode as we want. Ideas of what should be a ML there are for all people, so, whit this model we can get the ML Mode that we want.



POWER, RUNTIME, Y REGULATION

My unit for whatever reason and although it presents data very equivalent to the officers, has arrived with a turbo mode less powerful than it should. Beyond this the modes are very well distributed, I think better than in the E02 to have a way more. It is inevitable not to start comparing her with her little sister E02. In fact one aspect that can make us choose the E03 in front of the E02 is its high mode that doubles to the E02 offering thanks to the AA battery a very good runtime with a temperature that is not a problem.





As for the runtime, the data are very similar to those obtained by the brand and I think they are quite good. Being a model thought to use among other things, with a tape on the head, as it is regulated its power when used only with Nimh, the temperature is not a problem at any time.




PROJECTION

Due to the type of model it is, I thought that the best images of your projection would be against the wall on a porta angles, and in the hallway of the garage that we remember has an approximate measures of 96 meters long, by 6 wide. I have used other different fronts, and in the most powerful I have used the most similar mode, so that the projection is appreciated in the most correct way possible.

We will start with the pictures on the wall.






Then the images in garage.



Pictures whit Diffusor.




CONCLUSION

The E02 has been a success on the part of Manker. Can we say the same of E03 ?. A priori I expected something similar to E02, a little bigger and with better performance. I think what Manker has done is just that. So the question could be E02H or E03H?

They are two models that have specific characteristics, under size and weight, correct performance, good regulation, and in a way are multifunction flashlights. Neither is the flashlight in L more comfortable to wear in the head many hours, nor is the best model to carry it as EDC in a pocket, but without being the best, they do many different things well at the same time.You can carry them in a pocket comfortably, put them on the hood of the car using your magnet, or on your tape to see the screws you're removing, or leave it on a table focusing where you want ...... This is what we have than to be clear. So we must think that we value more.


CASE 1: If you want to use it as EDC, you want the best benefits, but above all it is lighter (and more beautiful), The E02H.

CASE 2: If you prefer more runtime and a high mode much more powerful (because the turbo is also more powerful, but lasts few minutes) your flashlight is the E03. If you also use the diffusers, with more reason.

Assumption 3: If you are an alcoholic flash, buy both.

Nice review.

I was waiting for that light. E02 has a good size but the capacity of the AAA cell is just too low for a work light. 930 mAh (AAA) vs. 2500 mAh (AA).

The diffuser looks a bit cheap but the design is so simple that it could actually work. I hope Manker will sell diffusers as spares.
You could make your own color diffusers with filter film. Or make a longer diffuser that has red and green if you need that.

Thanks for the excellent and informative review!

Thanks for the great review!

That.Looks.Nice!!
Thanks for the review!!

I have the AAA version and it is one of the absolute favorites of ALL AAA lights I ever had.
I rarely even use it as a headlamp, hahaha

It has it all: Nichia, no PWM, pretty good mode spaces, magnet+clip…
It just ticks all the boxes. Must have this too :wink:

Thank you for the review. I have tested the light on night hikes for a couple of weeks. So far I do not like the headband as it is too floppy. I replaced with a zebralight band which is much more stable. My only real compliant is that the switch cover collapsed soon after I got the headlamp. the button is a bit small for guys with bigger fingers. I do like the beam pattern and tint. The diffusers are nearly useless and will likely be broken or lost soon. I have no regrets with this torch.

Can someone please post the weight in grams of the flashlight body/unit without battery? Would also appreciate the weight of the strap+rubber holder.

@marsalla, were you able to fix the switch boot?

I just bought one of these from manker on ebay. I plan to mod it with a dedomed XPG2 and FET driver and use it as my EDC (clipped to inside front pocket).

Without battery 48 grams (with diffuser). Strap+rubber holder 23

Thank you!

sorry if this was answered in the review but to confirm does the pocket clip have to be off for the E03H to go into the headlamp piece?

Yes.

Great review, thanks!

Think I will actually buy this one… The E02H version looked nice, but runtime was too short.

This version looks the best.

Also, I have the Manker E11, and love it… I think this is just an “angled head” version of that.

Great review. Thanks!

I took my E03H 219c outside for the first time tonight, and decided the diffusers were not meant for headband use. Or maybe that just applies to glasses wearers.

I slid the diffuser into position to use it, and I went blind. So much light was bouncing back onto the back of the lenses of my glasses, I couldn’t see a thing. Promptly removed it since I will mostly use it as a headlamp.

I LOVE this light, and might even EDC it for a while just for jollies. Besides the diffusers, the only thing I’ve been (very mildly) disappointed with is how high moonlight mode is with a 14500. I guess if I’m camping I can use an Eneloop in it at night. Or just stick with the E02H for camping, since I like it, too.

Do NOT use 14500 batteries in this light, you Will damage your headlight!Working voltage is only between 0.6 and 1.8V.

Strength of moonlight mode can be set in engineer mode and can be set to extreem low, something I really like in this headlamp

If a 14500 didn’t immediately fry it I’m sure it’ll be fine.

Look on the bright side , if it does fry then it’s a good excuse to get a zebra. :smiley:

I’ve been using it for a while with a 14500. Based on this comment, I figured it was pretty safe.

I’m guessing Manker has done some upgrades, because mine works almost perfectly with a 14500. I even have all the modes, not just 1-mode turbo/dd. But moonlight was too bright. I’ll probably keep an Eneloop in it most of the time, just for proper moonlight mode.

For half the price of a zebra, I’m more than happy with my E03H.

I’m thinking about getting this one too. :)

Whats it like, using the 219c version?

Got mine, Nichia version. Excellent! I might have to get the AAA too. My first Nichia LED, love it.

Regards,

Swindiana