Hey guys. I got the Lumapower LM21 today and I seem to be the only one who has it so I figured I would tell you about it. I have never written a review before so…bear with me.
Initial Impressions: Machining and finish seem solid. The o-ring seems a little too big for the light. It sometimes binds a bit and it can get pulled off pretty easy. My package had a sticker that says I have a XP-G…but the manual and retailer sticker says I have a XP-G2 so I will believe I have the version two one.
Tailswitch is TERRIBLE. Worst ever…of all flashlights I have ever owned. The rubber is spongy. But the actual switch is also terrible. Sometimes it sticks down…click and it stays down half a second. The odd time it actually clicks and stays down and I have to bang it to get it free. I contacted the retailer and will see what they say.
Got my 10440’s working. They are protected and it made it too long so I had to put a paper clip spacer on it.
UI: I figured out the best way to do it. When it is not even on…half push off the start to cycle through the modes and once you find the mode you finish the click to “lock” it. So if you wanna start it low, full click. If you wanna start in high…half press, half press…full click. You get what I am saying boys? EDIT: it says this right in the manual but I somehow didn’t notice…geez…some people eh??
All for now. I gotta get back to school. I will try to add some pics and answer questions once I am back from school.
Messing around with the switch trying to break it in. Not abusing. Just turning on and off, switching through modes…and the switch stuck down…haha. I sent off an email to the people I bought it from. Also it seems like protected 10440’s are too long. Maybe I just have long ones. (grey ultrafire)
I had a long argument with someone on another site about whether this light has PWM, and I finally emailed Lumapower who confirmed that it does indeed have PWM.
This would almost be my perfect EDC if it was a little higher quality with a better driver.
Right now…no BUT: the tailcap still sucks, sticks regularly. If I get a replacement or something I will change my opinion because I feel like this light has great potential, but my tailcap sticks regularly and then I gotta take out the battery and smack it until it unsticks. Also I would get a unprotected battery and then it would seal and be waterproof.
I did a quick wall comparison. On Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries it is equally as bright as my Blackshadow Eva. With a whiter and tighter hotspot. But a bit brighter. Prolly 100 lumens? Or a bit more. Hard to actually tell with just a visual comparison. On lithium it is bright stuff!
are the threads that screw the head down anodised? If so, it might be that the head has to be screwed down completely to make electrical contact with the body. Try a round bended paperclip (or small key-ring if you happen to have the right size) between body and head to ensure contact and see if the li-ion works then..
Paper clip is a success! Now this sucker looks bright!! My switch still sticks down sometimes so hopefully that can be remedied. But I took out the remove polarity protector (plastic donut) and then fiddled around until it worked! Still doesn’t screw all the way down but that is ok I guess. I don’t know if I would trust it to be water proof anymore tho.
But on lithium the output is sweet. I wish I was still in the country so I could test it out better, the city has so much light pollution
Edit: I updated my posts to reflect new revelations haha
New switch is coming from Lumapower…whoop whoop! I may buy a efest 10440. Here is what IlluminationGear told me:
“The only battery we have found to give the LM21 full 1.5amp + amps needed for max output is an IMR/Li-Mn chemistry battery. (all other brand/type batteries we have tested provide less than 1amp)”
also…IlluminationGear….could not have higher praises for these guys! Highly recommended, top notch customer service
Got the new switch and put it in yesterday. Now all is well! I previously said I would not recommend this flashlight but now with the properly functioning switch I for sure do! Great little light. And great customer service from both lumapower and illuminationgear.
Now I just need an Efest 10440 so I can take advantage of the high mode…
