Review: Lumintop EDC05C (sample)

Okay, thanks.

It's a unique functional EDC light for sure - and love the compact size.

Interesting little light but I have to ask….: why the xhp35 when you can push it very hard and only getting under 500 lumens from it. there are plenty of lights with xpl emitters reaching 800 lumens in this size form……???

It sucks that I still have about a month to wait for the two that I ordered nearly a month ago.

Patience may be a virtue, but it’s not always easy.

The output is not the reason for sure. With a 12V LED though, the voltage matches up well with the side LEDs in series, and you can use the same boost circuitry to handle both. With a boost driver, the theory is better efficiency and better regulation than what you can do with a single LED and single cell. Basically the lower % of max you drive a LED, the more efficient it is in terms of lumens/watt, and using the XHP35 HI version that this light does, you get more throw - similar to an XPL HI. I'm sure the boost driver boosts the price as well, so explains why the cost of this light is relatively high.

To get the best consistent regulation from a single 3V LED and single cell, you really need buck/boost - buck for when the cell is fully charged, boost when the cell drains. With this light, boost only is needed. Only other reason besides the advantages of a boost driver would be marketing hype I would think.

I wish it was a little bit longer so I can be confident that common 14500s fit

button tops dont fit?

Did you read and see the pics about the 10 or so unique 14500 cells I tested in the OP?

Yeah, this is really a nice light!! I pretty much agree with everything you say except “the inability to change the battery in the field”.

While the tailcap is not typical, I have no trouble changing batteries anywhere I am or need to. Almost anything can be use to fit in the nail nick & open the tailcap. Keys, knife, a dime, etc., etc.

This is just a cool & handy little light. :+1:
…….

@ varbos & mortuus … I too have tried several brand 14500’s. They have all fit just fine. I did not try any protected cells. Varbos… not sure where you got your info that button top 14500’s would not fit?

They fit just fine. :+1:

Yes, you tested 10 and 5 did not fit properly or at all. Including the KeePower 840 - one of few 14500 cells available on Banggod.

The end cap sticking up like that is really not acceptable for me, or most people. Plus I would be worried about crushed driver.

Your review convinced me not to buy it, thanks :+1:

My reply wasn't meant for you, but to the member I was responding to. Whenever a light I'm reviewing has cell compatibility issues, I'll try to make that clear - I know it's a big source of frustration for some. I was initially under the impression they would include a battery so it's not such a big deal, but unfortunately they chose not to. For me, as you can tell, it's not an issue because I have plenty of cells that fit and work fine.

Funny, the retailers and manufacturers want us to do these reviews but I often feel they don't read them, or pay attention to what we are criticizing about them. They also provide us no reliable means to communicate to someone directly about issues.

Neal sells a 14500 cell, the Shockli 660 mAh, that I would hope fits and works in the EDC05C he sells, but he doesn't make that clear anywhere. I just emailed Neal about this issue - I'll post more info when he responds, hopefully.

Dang, I guess I’ll wait to see if the two that I ordered do or don’t come with cells, since they’re not scheduled to ship until June 29th and they may decide to ship cells in those lights, if they read the confused and frustrated comments in the thread.

The only 14500 cell that I have is in my Wuben E05.

If I do have to buy cells, it will be from someone who can ship in a few days, since I will have already waited over six weeks for the lights.

Where did you buy from? There should not be any confusion if cells are included or not.

BG and Neal's listings say no battery included so from either of those sources, it should be clear.

While not impossible to change the battery in the field, it’s certainly not practical.

If most other lights die in the field, you can fairly easily change the battery just by feel while in pitch dark, no tools needed. I suspect if you tried that with the EDC05C, it would either be almost impossible, or would take a ridiculous amount of time (maybe 15 minutes).

It would have been so easy for Lumintop to make the tailcap unscrewable by hand, without changing any of the dimensions of the light.

I’m pretty sure that I ordered from one of them, so it looks like I’ll be needing to source two or more batteries. I wasn’t planning on that extra expense. Not really a better deal than the other options at the time. The ads were rather confusing at that time and so were discussions, so I guess I chose a less convenient option, since I don’t already have appropriate batteries.

Oh, well, live and hopefully learn.

Yea, I recall it was unclear. Not sure, maybe they changed the listings.

I think whether it is “practical” or not depends on the person doing it. This certainly varies from person to person. One ‘size’ does not fit all.

For me, and I suspect some others; while certainly not as easy as a conventional tailcap: it is not a big deal.

I took your challenge & tried it in a totally dark closet. :+1:

First time was 90 seconds (+ or - a couple). Used the end of a fingernail file on a pair of cheap nail clippers.

Second time was 74 seconds (+ or - a couple) using a spoon.
practice makes perfect :wink:

So the practicality question is not an issue for me at all. For some it would/might be.

In addition I doubt I’ll ever use this light in a situation where I have to change batteries in the dark. But… if I do, I find it easy enough to do.

ymmv

Added one of these to my basket whilst buying some stuff in the current BangGood sale - not that I need another light, but I have a spare 14500 battery, so I figured why not :slight_smile:

Does look like a nice little light and I really like the idea of the Nichia LED’s on the side, they look kind of handy!

Siftah, I’d love to see your thoughts on this light after you’ve got it.
I’m still on the fence.