[Review] Manker E11 XP-L AA/14500

LED Flashlights – General Info 1 x AA / 1 x 14500 Flashlights
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Manker always asked me to test and compare the Mi7 to the E11. Last week I received and tested a Klarus Mi7. Here I compare the plots. Keep in mind that the Manker E11 was tested with a Efest 14500 IMR V2 700mAh V2 and the Klarus Mi7 with a Efest 14500 IMR 650mAh (the latest model from Efest). A difference of 50 mAh should translate around a 13% difference in runtime.

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Thank you Budda, very interesting chart!

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Just received my E11.

My initial impressions:

  • tiny for a 14500 flashlight with sideswitch. Sure a Zebralight might be shorter, but the E11 is much thinner. I really like this tiny form factor.
  • Anti-roll is nice.
  • UI is ok, but not great. Needs a shortcut to max power instead of strobe. I understand Manker fixed this in their newest light (MK34). I’m also not a huge fan of holding the button to turn off. Works ok, but takes some getting used to.
  • Beam is quite floody. Not surprising given it is an XPL in a tiny OP reflector.
  • Bezel is not glued (yay for modding!)
  • Button protrudes and isn’t super-stiff. Accidental pocket activation might be a problem.

My conclusion: I like this light. It’s my slimmest AA-size sideswitch light. Very nice.

Of course as with almost every light I buy these days, I expect to mod it to my preferences.

Planned mods:

  • Driver swap to 15mm FET driver with moppydrv.
  • For the emitter I’ll probably replace with an XPL HI 5A2 tint on a direct copper MPCB.
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I’m interested… what’s moppydrv?

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http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=67_117&product_id=553

And read under “moppydrv Multi-Group Electronic Switch Firmware Option”

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Thanks, but doing so I’ll loose the good regulation with nimh battery. What a pity.

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Are these available anywhere with discount?

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^
Yeah can it be bought?

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on manker website or hk equipment

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I like the regulation of this E11 with NiMH, very good!!! for 14500 I prefer the Mi7. Both greatest lights!.

Thanks for the Job!

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/Manker-E11-CREE-XP-L-LED-AA-14500-Flashlight-Simple-Version-of-Manker-T01-/222135746300?var=&hash=item33b8527efc:m:mu2GT0dEYHSg68K1fga210Q

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Is the Mi7 brighter than the E11 on NiMH?

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no. Check the graph above

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Graphs and pure lumen numbers are not everything :wink:
Check THIS direct comparison GIF between E11 and MI7 on High with 14500
from the german TLF forum (from user kj75)
For me the “winner” is clear, much better EDC capabilities because of much broader spill.
YMMV!
K.

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wow… that was a big difference :open_mouth: .

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Would this be the same for the NiMH also?

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I have to wonder if the camera’s ISO, aperture, and shutter speed was fixed.

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In this image Klarus Mi7 looks so much better than Manker E11. How come the difference is so dramatic? I like the looks of Manker E11 much better, but Klarus Mi7 seems to be a better light and much cheaper too (in real life, not MSRP).

Update:
Here is the same Klarus Mi7 review by kj75, where the animated gif comparison comes from, this time in English.

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100% agreed.
UI, design, beam type, size, weight, price… all factor that should also be taken in consideration.

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I have both lights, and the differences between mine aren’t nearly as profound. In fact my Klarus is less flood… due to it’s tighter hot spot it seems a bit brighter.