Review: Lumintop EDC05C (sample)

Didn't test equally with the GT Micro but the Micro has a very similar brass button contact point, raised solder points around the button as well -- same as the EDC05C. I guess they used the button instead of a spring to keep the length as short as possible, and improve conductivity? I dunno....

Of course doesn't matter to me... I got lots of solder top cells in 18650 and 26650 sizes.

I just want to make it clear to buyers -- must use the proper cell with these lights and the manufacturer fails to mention it. Hhmmm, Lumintop in both cases....

i wonder how many will buy this light and use whatever cell and be suprised it wont come on… it shouldnt be like that, any cell should work imo flat or not depends where u live it can be an issue for some get certain type of batteries also.

Can't imagine the Amazon comments, and resulting returns. Amazon buyers will expect anything that fits to work, period, no matter what is said on the listing.

Only clear, absolute best thing to do is include the cell. I'd include the new 1000 mAh rated cell, like the Vapcell, but it's available/sold under other labels. If you include the battery that works with it, guaranteed - no one can legitimately complain about the light not working out of the box. Wish I had direct contact with Lumintop to tell them this...

Lumintop -- are you listening? Please include a cell that fits and works! I really like the new 1000 mAh rated 14500's for this light.

Maybe I should add this to the OP...

yeah battery would be a good idea, i mean a few bucks more but any user can use the light out of the box and have that battery as a reference if wanna buy more later on or so.

try to tell Neal...

OK - will do, thnx!

OP reflectors barely reduce throw (single digit % reduction) but smooth out the transitions in the beam with even a domeless emitter like the Cree HI versions.

I had a C8 w/X-PL HI that was still had a ringy beam with artifacts despite the tint being perfectly consistent to my eyes.

Well, in this video at the 3:33 mark, VOB shows the SMO reflector substitution in a Convoy L6 went from 130 kcd to 164 kcd:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRp8WxJsivw

That's a 26% bump. I thought my reflector swap from OP to SMO on the L6 was in that neighborhood as well. I'm sure there's factors involved, like the particular LED and degree of OP.

Tom, do you think Lumintop needs to use a tiny bit taller button on the driver?

Looking closely at your picture, is there a raised ring around the button acting as polarity protection?


.

Well, yes, there is a ring, but there's also those 4 solder points, similar to the GT Micro. Didn't test the flat top cells in the Micro, wondering though. It's easy to get to the driver in the Micro, not so easy in this one because the one piece body.

I think they are planning to selling the light with a proper cell - just not sure.

I think this light will sell well, not too bright for kids and for gifting muggles.

Kind of weird that they went for the XHP35 here, I see no advantage over a XP-L or XP-L Hi. Perhaps the need to boost the voltage makes it easier to regulate the output?

I tested a 80CRI E17A actually 3 years ago: Nichia E17A/E21A series (April 19th: updated with output tests in the OP) . And Clemence sells some neat colour versions of the E17A.

Nice djozz! Ohh, funny, I don't think I even searched BLF for the E17A. I would think the 4 E17A's in series, and the 12V main LED was done for a reason - both can be driven at the same voltage level. At the low amps this driver puts out (1.0 amp), guess a boost driver is reasonable.

Updated the OP with the E17A name and link to your review.

Got my EDC05c this week.

My impressions:

  • Great shape for EDC. Narrow body with grippy rubber from the switch, side LED, and USB cover. Feels good in the pocket and great in the hand.
  • Good job on the USB cover - it holds securely in place. Not like some other lights where the cover falls out and flops around.
  • Side LED is a nice touch.
  • Front LED is adequate but not great, but at only around 400 lumens is a bit dimmer than I’d like. I wish this light had a turbo mode capable of 800 or 1000 lumens. Also, I’m not a fan of cool white. Front LED would be better with a warmer tint.
  • This light uses a boost driver, but is so low powered I’m not sure it’s gaining any benefit. Wouldn’t it have been better to just use a linear driver and an XPL HI?
  • I don’t like the “built-in” battery. Would have taken pretty much zero design or manufacturing effort to give this light an endcap that could be unscrewed by hand without the tool that came in the box. And that would have been much more convenient for those who like to swap in a spare cell.
  • my Efest 650 mAh 14500 flat tops work fine. But my flat top 1000 mAh Vapcells do not work. The positive contact at the driver isn’t tall enough to clear the retaining ring for a completely flat top.

Nice thorough review Tom, thanks.

Too many fails for me, it’s a no go. Neat design efforts, cute light, the boosted 35 and ornage peel reflector were, to me, bad choices. So I’ll take the pass and wait for a more reasonable LH351D offering.

Ooops, thanx! Missed these 2 last posts. Yes, some quirky issues, agree, but didn't expect much honestly. Definite Lumintop quality though, but better choices could get the price down too.

It is selling well!!!

I just got mine and I’m very impressed. I’m considering the Lumintop FW3A and it’s available in a few different color temps. So, I’ve been trying to figure out what the different temps look like. On this light, the side LEDs are Nichia NCSLE17. From Nichas’s site: product data page the color temp is listed as 3000k. If this is correct, it would place the side LED’s in the WW warm white range, rather than neutral. Is what a warm white LED would look like, similar to the Cree XP-L HI 7A?

Yes similar to Cree 7A tint, just like a halogen bulb light.

Be careful here... The optics/diffusers/etc. makes some big differences. 2700K or 3000K I love for house indoor lighting. 2700K in a flashlight looks dramatically different to me, all depending.

To me there's dramatic differences in LED bulbs and other indoor lighting fixtures vs. our flashlights. In fact I think CREE and others are designing the new LED's more for their fixtures than our flashlights.