Hey my friends!
Abbie from Lumintop sent me a new Tool AAA for a review - and she added a surprise:
a vacuumized, silver bag together with a Tool AAA box
i ripped it open and... WOW!
a (PRE-release!) Tool AAA made of 100% uncoated copper!!
besides its aluminium, black annodized twin:
3 days later - already a bit less shiny, but more rosy-golden:
that looks nice also....
if someone gives it away (as a gift for example) i recommend to unpack and put the light into the box...
only 2 additional Orings are included (and the premounted clip of course)
perfect laser engraving
since copper is a rather "soft" metal there are some scratches showing up fast - but a copper light have to look used...
with clip:
the (unfortunately very prominent) black covered switch (great on a AAA light btw!) prevents tailstand.
OP reflector with good AR-coated lens
and here you see a gem in that gem: a nichia 219B LED
the battery tube can be reversed (without and advantage)
a look at the driver (which i did not pull) - remarkable: in all Tool AAA the negative is NOT connected with the metal of the head
but i disassembled the Tail switch....
when you put the light together again pay attention to the Oring (that its lubed...)
another look into the reflector shows the (not centered) nichia 219B
lets add a bit UV-light
some size comparisons:
Olight S1 (RCR123A) - Lumintop Tool AAA - Tool AAA copper - Manker Boney AAA - Acebeam L10 (AA)
handy...
LEGO time!
more UV fun...
both have GITD Orings behind the Glasslens
a bit UV added...
et vóila!
but what is so special about that nichia 219B ???
-> the high color rendering index! (CRI)
some pictures to give you a imagination of that: (i adjusted the brightness to nearly the same Lumens..)
as .gif
and all together.. (click into the pic for larger view)
the same 5 flashlights towasrd a wooden plank
Tool AAA XP-G2 - Tool AAA - nichia 219B - BLF A6 SE with Cree XP-L in 1A tint - 3D tint - 5A tint
indoor beamshots:
(Sony NEX-F3 @ ISO400 | F5.0 | 1/50 sec )
Nichia 219B
Cree XP-G2
i was told that the new driver does not have PWM - and i can´t see any
TO BE NOTED!
- the flashlight i got for this PREview is a engeneering sample - but close to the final version (which is expected soon!)
- it is not 100% spoken if a nichia 219B or a 219C will be used at release
- the CREE XP-G2 numbers and screenshots have been with the black tool - which should not be different to a copper light with same LED/driver
- the packaging will be different too
technical data (from manufacturer)
1) Utilizes High CRI Nichia 219 LED or CREE XP-G2 (R5) LED with 50,000-hour lifetime
2) Output mode/Runtime:
CREE-Type: High: 110 lumens/30 Minutes, Mid: 32 lumens/10 hours, Low: 5 Lumens/60 hours
NICHIA-Type: High: 80 lumens/30 Minutes, Mid: 18 lumens/10 hours, Low: 3 Lumens/60 hours
3) 3 modes: Mid-Low-High; Two ways to change modes: press the clicky switch or tighten/loose the head
4) Runs on: 1 x AAA (NOT included)
5) Dimensions: Length: 3.2" (81.5mm); Head Diameter: 0.57" (14.5mm); Body Diameter: 0.57"(14.5mm); Weight: 1.06oz(30g) (excluding battery)
6) Max Beam Intensity and Distance
CREE-Type: 553cd, 47 meters
NICHIA-Type: 304cd, 32 meters
7) High-efficiency digitally regulated circuit to maintain a constant brightness as battery life diminishes
8) Solid billet ultra conductive pure copper construction with polish finish, and packed in vacuum package preserve polished finish
9) Glow in the Dark front O-ring around reflector
10) Precision micro-textured reflector creates smooth, optimized beam
11) Double-side AR coated, tempered window resists impact and thermal shock, maximizes light transmission (99% light transmittance)
12) Reverse polarity protection to protect from improper battery installation
13) Multi-Function, clicky switch provides one-handed operation and easy access to all functions
14) High quality detachable stainless steel reversible clip makes it durable and keeps a firm grip on your pocket or hat
15) Impact resistance to 1.5 meters and waterproof in accordance with IPX-8 (submersible to 2 meters)
the User Interface
using the rear (rear clicky) switch you turn the flashlight ON
it always starts on MEDium (last mode memory within 1,5 seconds)
then there are two ways to operate the Tool AAA:
either tap the switch to toggle to LOW and HIGH (med-low-high...)
or losen and tighten the head to toggle the modes
lockout is possible by loosening the head 1/4 turn
NO disco modes (fortunately)
my numb3rs:
| Tool AAA copper nichia 219B | Tool AAA Cree XP-G2 | |||
| Low @Alkaline | 0,021 A | 1 Lm | 0,022 A | 2 Lm |
| Med @Alkaline | 0,17 A | 20 Lm | 0,175 A | 26 Lm |
| High @Alkaline | 1,0 A | 82 Lm | 1,0 A | 106 Lm |
| Low @NiMh | 0,026 A | 1 Lm | 0,027 A | 2 Lm |
| Med @NiMh | 0,200 A | 20 Lm | 0,210 A | 26 Lm |
| High @NiMh | 1,165 A | 82 Lm | 1,160 A | 106 Lm |
my setup is not very accurate in absulute numbers - but the lights / cells seem to be compareable and match the manufacterers data
since the Light is only certified for primary cells i did not try Lithium cells for this preview
my conclusion:
+ i like the looks of the copper very much!
(i will add some pictures in the future hoe the Patina / wear alters the looks...)
+ can be operated as twitsy also
+ nichia LED !!!!
+ new driver without noticeable PWM!
+ great build quality - nice knurling
+ clip is reversible - capmount is possible
~ the tailswitch ist quite hard to press, but that also prevents accidentially activation
~ you need at least two of them... - one two wear and one to preserve on the shelf
~ the clip is good - but the black kinda breaks the clean copper look
- no tailstand
- no magnet cap instead the switch
- mode oder should be L-M-H
last word:
i want a AA Version!!!
UPDATE:
thats what 15 days do to the looks of the light (i buffed the head up to show the difference)
