KronoReview: Manker Torch Club (Dawut?) 18650 Flashlight

KronoReview of the Manker Torch Club flashlight . This item was provided by Neal/BangGood for review.

★★★★1/4 out of ★★★★★


^ Product page/website pic. ^

Manker is a new flashlight company. In Chinese, ‘Manker’ means walking in space/a space, or walking outdoors. The owner was formerly with NexTorch, a quality company, but decided to leave them to start his own company and design his own lights. Their first light was designed and tested with help from the ‘Torch Club’, a Chinese flashlight forum, probably similar to BLF. This light was designed by, and to be used by, demanding enthusiasts. A little info from BangGood before we get to the review:

BangGood regular price: $42.59.

Specifications (From BG product page):
Product name: MANKER Cree XM-L2 U2 LED Flashlight
Brand: MANKER
Emitter Brand: Cree
Emitter BIN: XM-L2 U2
Modes: 6 modes
10lm-100lm-300lm-600lm-900lm-Strobe
Material: 7575 Aerospace-grade aluminum alloy body
Military Specification Type III- hard anodized
Brightness: 900lm
Runtime: Max.72H
Distance: 230m
Battery Configurations: 1 x 18650(included) [Note: Not included in my sample]
Switch Type: Clicky
Switch Location: tactical tail switch and side switch
Reflector: OP Reflector
Waterproof: IPX 8,underwater 2 meters
Impact resisitance: 2m
Color: Black
Weight: 160g
Size: 139mm(Length)x36mm(Head Dia.)
Features:
Utilizes a CREE XM-L2 U2 LED, delivering a maximum output of 900 lumens, giving you more brightness and safe
Tactical tail switch accesses ON/OFF,side switch accesses different modes and functions
Double-click the side switch access to strobe, Press the side switch for a while access to turbo,900 lumens.
Detachable stainless steel strike bezel protects the lens and can be used for self-defence
Anti-roll, slip-resistant body design
Premium Type III anodized anti abrasive coating
Easy to carry every day.

Package included:
1 x MANKER Cree XM-L2 U2 LED Flashlight
1 x Battery
1 x Lanyard

MY ADDED SPECS:
Lens material: Polycarbonate
Weight: 163g (5.7 oz) w/lanyard, 210g (7.4 oz) w/lanyard and battery
Overall Length: 144mm (5-11/16”)
Head Diameter: 36mm (1-7/16”)
Battery Tube Diameter: 27mm (1-1/16”)
Lens OD: 30mm (1-3/16”)
Lens thickness: 1mm (~1/32”)
Mode/amps: Moon - unknown amps, Low - .2 amps, Med - .5 amps, High - 1.4 amps, Turbo - 2.3 amps.

KRONOREVIEW:

The Manker Torch Club is a single 18650 flashlight with a single XM-L2 U2 emitter. The flashlight comes with a standard lanyard and Chinese instructions inside a very nicely logoed box. It also comes with a battery, although my advanced sample did not. It is shipped with decent protection. On/Off is controlled with a tailcap forward clicky that also utilizes momentary on. Modes are selected via an attractive clicky with ‘Manker’ logo plate. The SS plate is fastened down with four torx screws around the switch. There are 6 modes, and UI order is Moon/Low/Medium/High (4 regular modes). There are 2 hidden modes, Turbo and Strobe. Simply execute a long press while in any mode for Turbo, and quick double press for strobe. The Manker Torch Club uses last mode memory. It has a SS bezel, polycarbonate shatterproof lens and a OP (Orange Peel) reflector.

HI-LIGHTS:

Most solid construction I have ever seen. Body is only two pieces (heady/body and tailcap). Tough as nails. There are several videos on the ‘Torch Club’ website showing durability, including being dropped on concrete, run over by a car etc. I will see if they will let me post them here.
Last mode memory.
Turbo mode is interesting in that you can access it almost instantly from any mode with a long press and hold. Once you let go of button, Turbo disengages.
Shatterproof polycarbonate lens. Manker claims it is more reliable and suitable than acrylic for outdoor use.
Plenty of knurling and ridges for grip.
Excellent HA-III matte black coating.
Ultra-buttery, smooth beam pattern with nice spot and very usable spill.
Reverse polarity protection (confirmed).
Anti-roll design.
Anodized threads enabling lockout for travel safety.
Beefy, square threads, and plenty of them.
Superb solder joints and adequate wire size.
Fits protected or un-protected 18650s.
Cutouts on tailcap also allow for use with gloves.
Forward clicky with momentary on.
Hidden blinkies.
Plenty of thread lube.

LOW-LIGHTS:

Does not tailstand.
Turbo only engages when side clicky is pushed and held. It disengages as soon as you let go.
Polycarbonate lenses are approximately 88% effective for light transmission (acrylic approx. 92%).
Flat portions on tail, body and head do not line up. Some find that look non-traditional, I rather like it.
One lanyard hole.
Somewhat heavy.

PICTURES




Standard packaging.



Packaged in very nifty, retail cardboard box with very attractive Manker logo. Adequately protected on inside with cutout foam. Light, lanyard & Chinese instructions are included in the box.



Chinese instructions.


Standing on bezel.


Sideview.



Logos. Laser etching is top notch.



Pics of side mode switch/plate with Manker logo. ‘M’ on rubber button.



Nicely squared threads. Absolutely no slop when tightening/loosening.



LED views.



In hand.


Tailcap end.


Tailcap/Thumb relief. Notice button extending past aluminum, which prevents tailstanding.


Comparo pic: BLF X6-SE/Manker Torch Club/LuckyFire D80…my 3 current favorite lights :bigsmile:

DECONSTRUCTION


This is as far as I can go, except the emitter down below. I cannot figure out how to un-solder internal wire to remove pill, thereby accessing driver/side-switch compartment. :~




Switch plate, rubber boot/switch and screws. Notice the rubber boot is one piece that extends under the plate, making this switch highly water resistant. Again, nice touch with ‘M’ on the switch boot.


Backside of rubber plate/boot. Screw holes do penetrate the inside of the shell, so rubber plate is a good thing.



Tailcap teardown.


Internal tailcap switch.



SS Bezel. O-ring and lens removed.



Reflector pics, O-ring on the side. Base of reflector screws into the pill, and tapered lower section fits snuggly into LED centering ring.




Emitter perfectly soldered, un-soldered, then removed. I hated to do it, considering the perfect solder joints to the emitter, but I just had to try to access driver/side-switch compartment.




Notice the flat pill surface and evenly spread, adequate amount of thermal grease there and on back of MCPCB. You can also see the tab that lines up to a channel deep inside head. This keeps the switch in proper location when installed. Very nice, tight tolerances inside. Very little play at all. Should have adequate thermal path as a result.


Inside battery tube. Anode spring.

BEAMSHOTS/NIGHTSHOTS:


Beamshot closeup on stained concrete floor.


Wallshot.


Control shot.


Moon mode. Amps not detectable on my DMM (CK modded Harbor Freight special).


Low mode beamshot. .2 amps.


Medium mode beamshot. .5 amps.


High mode beamshot. 1.4 amps


Turbo beam shot. Copious amount of light. 2.3 amps.

SUMMARY/CONCLUSION

This light is built extremely tough. It is heavy for it’s size, but purposely so. You will know you have a quality piece of equipment in your hands when you operate it…install a battery, etc. Quality HA-III anodization in matte black, square cut threads, lockout, 18650 battery, attention to detail/logos and machining quality…it’s all there in a serious package. The Manker is also very pocketable for a dual switch 18650 light. The UI is a little different, with hidden strobe and turbo. I like the option to access Turbo from any mode. However, I would prefer it stayed in Turbo mode when releasing side-switch button.

If you are seeking a bombproof flashlight, the Manker Torch Club should be at or near the top of your very short list. Overall, a fantastic, technically sound enthusiast light!

KRONOMETER patented rating: 4.50 out of 5.

Both from your description; can you say a bit more about the memory?

does it has PWM on mid and low modes?

It is definitely last mode memory…corrected…thanks Hank!

I don’t believe it does…at least it is not detectable using CPU fan technique…not even the moon mode.

Neal is running a special on this light.

Code MANKER discounts this light from $42.59 to $34.99. This is a great price on this light….Thanks Neal!

Manker Torch Club link here.

krono

Did they say how long the Torch Club argued over the specs?
Wanna make sure it was properly vetted :slight_smile:

Neat looking and a different flashlight with the best solder joints I have ever seen, excellent!
Thanks,
Keith

Heheheh…you funny. Thought never crossed my mind…nope…never…not even ever…
:stuck_out_tongue:

Thanks for the review.

All those pictures and no driver pics? :stuck_out_tongue:

That’s the second time I’ve seen mention of a reflector threaded into a pill.
Is this the new thing to do?

Nice review!

Very interesting and well built light. At first glance it looks to be huge until you place it next to the X6-SE.

Things I like are:

  • I dig the OP reflector as most lights like this are SMO.
  • I also like the Turbo activation from any mode even if momentary if for nothing else to avoid extra cycling (of course glad to see strobe is hidden also :) )
  • The BIG tailswitch button makes it easy if one is wearing gloves or or even has dexterity issues (I seldom if ever tailstand my lights even though many do).
    • I do wonder if the switch can be activated by pressing up against a hard surface?
  • Polycarb is tough as nails - no doubt. Looks like a simple lens swap would give the unit a boost in output.
  • I have a serious affection for lights that can be thrown from cars, run over, etc.

At $34.99 this light is a steal!

Kronos - How long is this code good for? A couple weeks? Christmas has done a number on me. LOL

Thanks bugs. I haven’t been given a timeframe. I’ll ask Neal. How long do you need it to be valid?

Well the price is upwards of $40 now, and the web page says they only sold one of them so far.

I was hoping the club that made this light would be able to access BLF and join the conversation here.
I’m really probably more interested in their next light, improving on the few things (tailstanding, for example) this one missed.