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. 
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
Waiting on mine from hkequipment now. :)
Small GITD addition. :-)
Regards,
Swindiana
I like!
Where do you buy GITD orings?
This is paint. :-) You bake it off at 160° C for 4 minutes and it becomes hard, rubbery if you don't. Local hobby shop brand but I'm sure you could find some online.
Regards
Swindiana
Considering this light over the Zebra H53w. The only ding against the Manker for me is the magnetic tail cap. Don’t ask why, I don’t want a magnet.
Is there another tail cap, aftermarket or not, that will fit the E03H?
Anyone used 14500 batteries in these?
Yes, look at post 18.
saw that but was unsure if used a mod or was factory….hence the question
So can someone confirm if it will safely use a 14500 out of the box or that I need would need to mod it to run 14500?
If it requires modding then what other options is there for a AA/14500 headlamp that you would recommend?
Mine works with a 14500. But the lowest mode is too bright with the lithium, so I’ve gone back to keeping an eneloop in it.
How’s the long term quality with these?
I’ve heard some lights just quit.
I have 2 of these, one Nichia and one Cree. The Nichia has worked with no issues for almost a year now. The cool white Cree I got around Christmas. I bought it to mod, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I use the nichia frequently for night reading. I’ve been very impressed with the runtime off of one eneloop pro.
My Nichia version has been great. All this winter it’s been under my helmet lighting the bike lock under the bike lid, and then in beacon mode for the ride to the train station or bus stop. It’s had several months of EDC/bike winter usage with no issues yet. Just one anecdote.
Welp, I ordered one, so we’ll how I get on with it. I’ve been without a quality headlamp for a few years.
For anyone wondering about the E03H and whether or not it runs on 14500, I can say definitely that the Nichia 219C version I purchased new recently will NOT support 14500.
It seems to run on the 4-basic levels but just a short burst on Turbo or attempting to enter program mode will fry emitter. 
Nothing wrong with NiMH performance at all, quite nice as is, curiousity just killed the cat.