“REVIEW”: Wuben E05 V1.0 – AA/14500 battery – XPL2 LED - 900 lumens [PIC HEAVY] [***MODDED WITH Luxeon V]***

LED Flashlights – General Info 1 x AA / 1 x 14500 Flashlights
2

Part #2 : BEAMSHOTS & CONSIDERATIONS

On this part I will show how this flashlight illuminates and express my comments/ considerations about this flashlight!!

Let’s start to say that there is no PWM on this flashlight (from Low to Turbo):

I will start by saying that the beam produced by this flashlight is quite large, it is kind of throwy (due to the SMO reflector) and also…has a yellowish shift that marks the corona and, in some part, the hotspot. XPL2 Leds tend to do this (at least from my experience from other flashlights).

This is mostly noticed against a white wall or object, but it can also be noticed outside, in some occasions against non-white objects. Please note that this photo doesn’t make entire justice to the beam as it is, due to the photo and the upload itself!

These are some attempts to show the beam pattern! :smiley:
Left – Inside the light box w/ lights out /// Right - Over a white plastic board

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TINT COMPARISON

Let’s proceed with some tint comparison!!

(Left) Manker E11 > Wuben E05 > Sofirn SP10A (w/ XPL-HI U6-3A)
(Right) Wuben TO10R (XP-G3 CW) > Wuben E05 > Wuben TO46R (XP-G3 5000K, 90CRI)

( L ) Zanflare F1 (CW) > Wuben E05 > Amutorch AX1 (XPL-HD NW)
( R ) Manker E11 > Zanflare F1 (CW) > Wuben E05 > Amutorch AX1 (XPL-HD NW)

( L ) Convoy T2 > Wuben E05
( R ) Nitefox ES10K > Wuben E05

( L ) Convoy S2+ (XPL-HI U6-3A) > Wuben E05
( R ) Olight M1T Raider > Wuben E05

( L ) Amutoch S3 (Nichia 219C w/ diffuser) > Wuben E05
( R ) Amutorch S3 (w/ XML2 T6-4C) > Wuben E05

( L ) Amutoch S3 (XP-G3) > Wuben E05
( R ) Olight M2R Warrior > Wuben E05

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BEAMSHOTS

Now, some beamshots inside home, with 14500 Li-Ion and with AA Alkaline batteries!! (photo quality decreases a lot with GIFs and upload :person_facepalming: )

Please note that in all the photos the 14500 Li-Ion (4 modes) is on the LEFT and the AA Alkaline (3 modes) on the RIGHT !!!

@ 1,7 m (indoor)

@ 2 m

@ 8m

@ 16 m


@ 25 m

@ 40 m

Only with 14500 Li-Ion battery:
Left - 6 m /// Right - 15 m

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BEAMSHOT COMPARISON
I decided to pick 2 other flashlights that attain more or less the same amount of lumens on max (900 lumens) and compared them with the Wuben E05 (always with 14500 battery). Those flashlights are the Manker E11 and the Olight S1R Baton (I).

So, now we will have the sequence:
Left – Manker E11 >>> Middle – Wuben E05 >>> Right – Olight S1R Baton

18 m (tree) >>> 20 m (bottom of tree) >>> 40 m (white factory)

@ 40 m (trees on the back)

@ 65 m (tower on the back)

@ 75 m (house)

@ 80 m (tower on the back)

The three flashlights have different types of beams, and on max/turbo they reach almost the same distance! The Wuben E05 has a larger beam and is, at the same time, very throwy, what gives a good sensation while trying to illuminate wide ranges!

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CONSIDERATIONS

My opinion about the Wuben E05 (and package) after using it and “testing” it on the last days!

WHAT DO I LIKE?

1) I like the machining, the design, the feeling of this light in the hand! It is really well made, with no machining flaws and has excellent quality, and is…classy !!!

2) I like the form factor and “ergonomics”, as it is thinner in the body and larger in the head and tail, allowing a good grip!

3) I like the shortcut to Turbo and Strobe/SOS from ON or OFF, and also the lock/unlock feature!

4) I like the way the pocket clip helps to locate the switch! Yeah, seems awkward, but the fact that it doesn’t move, helps to locate the switch better!!

5) I like the max output of this flashlight and the mode spacing it has! Wuben never lets down on this :wink: (well, at least in the 3 Wuben flashlights I have)

6) I like the magnetic tailcap, always handy :smiley:

7) I like the accessories it brings, specially the diffuser and the pouch :heart_eyes:
Well, the USB-rechargeable 750mAh 14500Li-Ion protected battery is also very good, specially because it is possible to recharge it with a powerbank, and because otherwise I would just use Alkalines, not proofing from the full potential and power this light has :stuck_out_tongue:

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WHAT I DISLIKE & WOULD CHANGE…

1) There is no direct access to Low mode, what would be a big plus in this flashlight as it is used for small ranges as well and would avoid accidental blindings. However, I do like the fact it has memory.
MY SUGGESTION: implement direct access to Low even if it implied changing the way to access Turbo from OFF.

2) The tint shift: the yellow shift on this light is not good, and is noticed –sometimes – in outdoor use. The XPL2 Led is capable of this even with Orange Peel reflectors, so with a SMO and AR Coated lens, the yellow shift will appear, even being a Neutral White LED.
MY SUGGESTION: change the type or bin of LED for one that gives a good output with less tint shift. (another possibility is to mod the flashlight, either adding a diffuser or changing the Led :p)

3) The pocket clip, although being good, I would prefer it a deep carry pocket clip, aligning it to the bezel. A good example is the one of the forthcoming TO50R.
MY SUGGESTION: change the clip and make it deep carry !

4) I would like to have some more information in the User Manual about some aspects, namely the LED, Reverse Polarity Protection and the body material.
MY SUGGESTION: please add it :smiley:

EDIT [the morning after :smiley: ]
5) I forgot to mention another thing that bugs me a little bit, that is…the long press for OFF. Yeah, it its longer that in other AA flashlights around (Manker E11, Sofirn SP10A/B) and it annoys.
MY SUGGESTION: change the way to switch the flashlight OFF. At least by reducing the time for pressing a little bit.

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So, my final thought is that this is very good flashlight! I like, and the minor things I mentioned do not take it any quality it has!!! Even compared with other “direct” competitors, it surely wins in some aspects such as form, power and “feeling”!

I want to thank Wuben again, for providing this light for review!
Thank you and keep up the good work!!

If you have doubts or comments, let’em come!

Best regards :+1:

3

Awesome review!

4

Thank you offline! :wink:

BTW, I edited post#2 with something I forgot to mention when I posted the review, in the points I don’t like that much or would change.
Here it its:

:+1:

5

So, I decided to make some beamshots comparing the “normal” beam of the flashlight (with the yellowish shift) with the beam of the included silicone diffuser and then a diffuser sheet (not DC-Fox) similar to one that is sold by Boaz .

Here they are, pointing the flashlight to a white wall and then putting it along the wall.

Order (Left to Right): Silicone Diffuser >>> Normal (SMO reflector) >>> Sheet Diffuser

What did I notice? Nothing surprising, just the simple fact that the diffuser (sheet) annuls the tint shift and makes the beam more homogeneous; however, it loses some throw, of course. But, if using this flashlight in a closer range is a thing we like/ need, it will surely make the beam more pleasant!!

Again, the silicone diffuser is awesome, because it helps to irradiate light for a wide space! Definitely a plus on this package :wink:

I hope this helps any of you that may be interested in the flashlight :wink:
:+1:

6

Hey, a video review from Charles BridgTec!

Here we have the confirmation that this flashlight is not out for sale yet! When it does I will add the link for it on post#1!

7

I was looking to the review and noticed some things were missing!
Here they are :+1:

Weight:

Dimmensions:

8

Thanks very much to everyone who sends suggestions, bugs, ideas, and encouragement.

9

Is there a link to purchase yet? Thanks

10

Yes there is, I just received an e-mail from Jelina (from Wuben) with the link:
(non-affiliate)

Amazon.com

BTW, she confirmed that this V1.0 is the final version of this flashlight!!

Link added to post #1 :+1:

11

$40 :open_mouth: bit over my budget…

12

The light is available on Amazon for $19.97 from seller EDCTorch using coupon code L23HACLO. Ended up here to check out the review before ordering one, figured I would share.

13

Thanks, but I couldn’t find it! All the Wuben E05 I find are sold by Wuben directly, and twice the price you’ve mentioned! Maybe I should look better…

14

Looks like a pretty nice light, especially if it can be purchased for under $30.

I will say that I completely agree with needing direct access to low mode. I prefer that in every light up to a 18650. When you start to get into multiple 18650s or larger lights where you are likely using it for the very reason that it has a huge amount of light, then I don’t mind no direct Low mode. But in small edc type lights, direct to low is important.

15

Very nice review, thank you :+1:

16

Hum, I guess 25-30€ is a reasonable price for the quality you get here! I don’t see the Wuben lights giving much problems so what you get is reliable.
This is not Utorch UT01 or even Lumintop EDC05 that had some issues.
I can compare it to my Manker E11 (28 or 29 €) and I realize that the Wuben E05, even being thinner and longer, has the same good quality as Manker !
However, I do understand, that having similar lights in competition one can ask about the price to pay for this one. Still, I believe it has complete reliability, if compared with others.

And honestly, that shortchut to lowest mode would make it my EDC pronto !! I am on the same boat as you, direct access to ML is needed! That is why Olight lights have the “almost perfect” UIs. I do hope that Wuben manage to make UI changes from the TO50R production onwards, as that UI seems to be incredible :wink:

Thanks mate :slight_smile:

17

You have to add it to your cart and use the coupon code.

18

You are probably right and the light is good value at about the $45-50 mark. But if a group buy price or sale price were to hit $30-35, I would be exceptionally pleased and feel that it was a really good buy as opposed to just a good value for the money. Especially with no access to low. If there was direct access to low and turbo, I would probably happily pay the price knowing that it would be carried nearly every day.

Even if it had no mode memory and started on Low every time, then I’d be ok with it. But I use Low and Turbo the majority of the time. So I want those 2 modes easily available.
But a nice light and a good review. So thanks for putting it on my radar!

19

I completely got your point about value/quality and also the specs missing :wink: That specific direct access to Low could have been copied from Manker, but it wasn’t :zipper_mouth_face:
But it will still be a nice flashlight for EDC, as a spare one! (I’ll start putting mine on my backpack, the days are darker and 900 lumens with a large beam are handy when returning home at night :wink:

BTW, take a look at M4D M4X deals (and eventually freeme and Petemer), I guess I saw an offer for this, but I don’t know how much they were able to get :wink: Maybe it fits the budget!

Also, thanks for your words and if there is anything I can help with about the light, let me know :+1: :wink:

20

Today I modded the Wuben E05 replacing the XPL2 LED by a Luxeon V (from Led4Power)!
Here are some photos, before (left) and after the mod (right)!

The beam quality has improved and has lot less shift (the Luxeon V it still has some, due to the SMO reflector)!
The general perception is that there is a smaller output if compared with the XPL2, but I believe the beam quality will compensate that!

21

That swap looks nice! Wish I had the skills to do stuff like that.