[Review] Lumintop Tool AA 2.0: Small, simple and superb!

[GeraldL]

@bucky

I really like this light but the pocket clip is awful, does not work at all

Why is it awful? Hope to hear from you, and pass your feedback back to Lumintop

[GeraldL]

@EyeballFryer

I originally thought My Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 had no PWM either, even looking at some fan blades. But my phone camera is showing some kind of flickering on low, med, and high. Whatever’s happening must be very ultra high frequency PWM, or the driver isn’t fully turning off the LED. Whatever it’s doing is way better and almost undetectable compared to the 1st AA Tool, which had horrible PWM.

Same! I did both and just couldn’t notice it with my eyes. However, I could notice PWM on the Tool AAA on low mode. The Tool AA must have very unnoticeable PWM if it has it.

[X31 (-X3-)]

@GeraldL

@bucky

I really like this light but the pocket clip is awful, does not work at all

Why is it awful? Hope to hear from you, and pass your feedback back to Lumintop

Way too thin IMO. The clip is easily detachable from the flashlight, plus it’s too narrow so it won’t accept a jeans pocket for example.
Here is what I’ve done to mine :

[GeraldL]

@ZoomieFan

I’m a 18650, 21700 and 26650 freak but decided to buy the AA and AAA versions. I must say I’m pleasantly surprised. I only have the lights for less than a day so can’t say much yet.
Indoors they give more light than I would expect.
I also like the diffuser caps. A very smooth light, I don’t like hotspots of any kind. With the cap it’s zero

Yesterday I took my annual bath in pitch dark and read a book using the AA light with a cap standing about a yard away and a feet above me.
Must say it worked well. Very well.
Just as well as my regular 100 Watt bulb that’s positioned wrong for reading.

So if you take a bath once in a while and like reading get the light!
(a spark of insanity my be required for this kind of use,)

Yep, I love the soft white light that the diffuser gives out. Although I use it more frequently than an annual bath

[GeraldL]

@Robert Barr

Best place to buy? (Probably a matter of opinion, but…)

I have the first version, and there’s nothing I dislike about it. Since this one’s an improvement over an already excellent little product, perhaps I should have one just to compare. (For scientific reasons only, you understand).

Amazon or AliExpress but that’s dependent on a lot of factors.

I think we can all understand that you need to have the updated version for scientific comparison purposes. Go forth!

[GeraldL]

@lightboks

Too bad I missed the ultratac a1. This has no mode memory. For small edc lights with 14500 power and no shortcuts, I always prefer no mode memory now.

For the money I also prefer the convoy t2, which is available in warm white.

Both of these have the same mediocre clip as well. I guess I pass on the AA tool. I just bought a copper Tool AA which I kinda like. Except I also had to take of the clip. Also it is not CW.

Will the mode memory on the tool remember that it sits one position before strobe, or will strobe alwaysstay hidden behind 6 clicks?

Thanks for your comments! Seems like the clip is an issue for quite a number of people. I put it in my jeans pocket and it fits fine and hasn’t come off once.

I also don’t like mode memory (I wonder what’s the logic behind manufacturers including it??) but thankfully, strobe is properly hidden and will not be memorised.

[duvallite]

I’ve got one coming and need to get a couple of high mAh protected batteries for it. Any fit problem when using a protected 14500, like the Orbtronic or Keeppower 840 mAh?

[chadvone]

Thanks for doing this review. I have a version 1 on the way.

[GeraldL]

@duvallite

I’ve got one coming and need to get a couple of high mAh protected batteries for it. Any fit problem when using a protected 14500, like the Orbtronic or Keeppower 840 mAh?

Hey hi, I cannot say for sure because I don’t have those exact batteries to test it out but I believe the Lumintop 14500 that was sent together for the purpose of this review is protected so I believe you won’t have a problem with protected cells.

[GeraldL]

@chadvone

Thanks for doing this review. I have a version 1 on the way.

Thanks for dropping by and for your kind words! I hope you enjoy version 1 enough to get a version 2

[GeraldL]

@djozz

D#rn, mode memory :weary: I just bought one and for some reason assumed it has no memory. Ok then, this one will get no use, I hate brightness lottery.

I totally agree! Why do manufacturers put mode memory…

[GeraldL]

@~~X3~~

@GeraldL

@bucky

I really like this light but the pocket clip is awful, does not work at all

Why is it awful? Hope to hear from you, and pass your feedback back to Lumintop

Way too thin IMO. The clip is easily detachable from the flashlight, plus it’s too narrow so it won’t accept a jeans pocket for example.
Here is what I’ve done to mine :

Wow that’s a mean looking clip! Now I can understand why you said the default clip is too thin and not strong enough. I’ll feedback this to Lumintop. They’re very accepting of users’ feedback and improving their lights based on feedback

[Nev]

@duvallite

I’ve got one coming and need to get a couple of high mAh protected batteries for it. Any fit problem when using a protected 14500, like the Orbtronic or Keeppower 840 mAh?

I use Fenix & AW protected cells in mine.

[lightboks]

Yeah. Tell them we want proper deep carry clips. Too many lights with the same crappy clips

[lightboks]

Yeah. Tell them we want proper deep carry clips. Too many lights with the same crappy clips. Clips can make a difference

[GeraldL]

@Nev

@duvallite

I’ve got one coming and need to get a couple of high mAh protected batteries for it. Any fit problem when using a protected 14500, like the Orbtronic or Keeppower 840 mAh?

I use Fenix & AW protected cells in mine.

Thanks for chiming in, Nev! I love AW batteries too

[GeraldL]

@lightboks

Yeah. Tell them we want proper deep carry clips. Too many lights with the same crappy clips. Clips can make a difference

I hear you! And I will pass on the message

[MascaratumB]

@~~X3~~

Way too thin IMO. The clip is easily detachable from the flashlight, plus it’s too narrow so it won’t accept a jeans pocket for example.
Here is what I’ve done to mine :

Hum, any info on how did you this X3?
Any specific drill thickness? Did you use bolt and nut?

I am thinking about getting a new Tool AA 2.0 and the clip is always the headache in this light :person_facepalming:
Not sure if I will be doing something similar to what you’ve done, but I appreciate any info on this :innocent:

[X31 (-X3-)]

@MascaratumB

@~~X3~~

Way too thin IMO. The clip is easily detachable from the flashlight, plus it’s too narrow so it won’t accept a jeans pocket for example.
Here is what I’ve done to mine :

Hum, any info on how did you this X3?
Any specific drill thickness? Did you use bolt and nut?

I am thinking about getting a new Tool AA 2.0 and the clip is always the headache in this light :person_facepalming:
Not sure if I will be doing something similar to what you’ve done, but I appreciate any info on this :innocent:

Drilled two holes, then tapped them with a tap at work… Alignment is not perfect but it does what it’s supposed to.
I didn’t use any bolt, but I grinded the stock alu washer in the tailcap because the screws were a bit long

[MascaratumB]

@~~X3~~

@MascaratumB

@~~X3~~

Way too thin IMO. The clip is easily detachable from the flashlight, plus it’s too narrow so it won’t accept a jeans pocket for example.
Here is what I’ve done to mine :

Hum, any info on how did you this X3?
Any specific drill thickness? Did you use bolt and nut?

I am thinking about getting a new Tool AA 2.0 and the clip is always the headache in this light :person_facepalming:
Not sure if I will be doing something similar to what you’ve done, but I appreciate any info on this :innocent:

Drilled two holes, then tapped them with a tap at work… Alignment is not perfect but it does what it’s supposed to.
I didn’t use any bolt, but I grinded the stock alu washer in the tailcap because the screws were a bit long

Thank you very much for your answer mate
I guess I will try first on my “old” Tool AA, so that I can perfect it when I get the new one! And eventually with a new type of washer
I liked this method and if you don’t mind I may borrow it!