[New + Review] YLP Unicorn 1.0 (1x18650, LH351D, backlit side switch, magnetic tail, TIR lens, ramping)

No clue, I didn’t open up the head yet. The body is glued to the head.

Can you describe the UI a bit more. It was unclear to me.

There are 4 UIs. The first is the standard Olight/Thrunite/Acebeam UI. Perfect for me.
There are two with ramping, and a 4th with more options. Is there anything specific you’re wondering about the UI? I’m not sure how else I can describe it better than the manual already does.

Thanks bm, posted in the YLP coupon thread.

thought you mentioned the ramping changed direction. High to low and back?

Edit. Ok. Read the manual. Not quite as simple as zebralight but ok.

No video ?

Who do you think I am, VOB? In all seriousness, I don’t have the tools or the skills to make a video that anyone would want to sit through. And I don’t enjoy listening to my voice.

Sort of. If it reaches the end of the ramp, or if you release and press quickly, it will change direction. Otherwise it always starts high to low. I quite like it, actually. There’s a long enough pause at the end of the ramp that it won’t bounce you back if you want it at max.

Just saw your comments on reddit, how do you find the beam compares to your S2+?

It’s not really a reasonable comparison since my S2+ has an XP-L HI in a smooth reflector, so a much throwier beam, but a picture is worth 1000 words so:

Yeah, they’re not directly comparable but very useful as a point of reference, thanks :beer:

I’ve been using mine for a few days

It’s a nice flashlight, well built, nice knurling, It’s a pity that the clip comes mounted, I damaged the ano by removing it

I measured 880lm and a first stepdown after two minutes to 567lm

The stock lens makes some rings in the beam, it improved a lot by swapping it with a 5 degree yajiamei

I didn’t like the yellow/green tint from the 4000k LH351D so I swapped the led to a XPL HI V2 5D. With this led I had to put back again the stock lens

With the XPL HI V2 5D and stock lens I measure 238m throw

Here is a picture with my SC64W HI

Thanks for your thoughts as well! Since you swapped the LED, is the bezel press fit? Any images of the insides?
The raised switch section also has the benefit of keeping the light from rolling even if you choose not to use the clip.

What are your thoughts vs a zebralight? I’m pretty interested now!

I don’t have a Zebralight, but I’m sure the build and driver aren’t likely to be quite up to snuff based on the price - but also the ZL won’t have a magnet or a lanyard loop, and may not fit protected cells.

bezel is screwed, it isn’t glued. There isn’t any glass between bezel and TIR lens

mcpcb has very small diameter, but is copper and is thick

about the SC64w comparison, well, the zebra has an efficient boost driver whereas the Unicorn uses a FET based driver with Attiny25, Unicorn’s temperature regulation doesn’t work as smooth as the zebra’s but I think the Unicorn works very well considering it costs a lot less

I prefer the beam from the SC64W which is very good for a reflector light, The Unicorn is floodier and makes some rings around the hotspot, which can be improved by swapping the TIR lens with a 5 degree yajiamei.

The unicorn also fits my longer protected and micro usb rechargeable 18650 cells, whereas the Zebra doesn’t, and the Unicorn has a magnet.

The only thing I miss in the Unicorn is a real moonlight mode, because 4.5lm isn’t low enough

thanks bmengineer for your very professional review!

And thank you so much for your input! I’ll have to see if I can unscrew mine somehow.

Does the ramping UI mode not go lower than that? I thought I read there were a bunch of configurable settings.

According to the manual, the lowest ramping brightness is the same (rated 3 lumens).

Where are good places to get the yajiamei optics?