REVIEW: OLIGHT I3E-CU EOS 1xAAA
This review covers the OLIGHT I3E-CU EOS, copper edition. I received this light in a giveaway from Olight Direct, and I've written this review as a courtesy. I have aimed to be as objective and honest as possible. If you see any incorrect information, please let me know.
LED Light Choices
The choice for small LED lights that use AAA batteries has become enormous, with prices ranging from a few dollars (and often cheaply made) to over $50 dollars (for luxury options like titanium construction), depending upon your budget and needs. The general intention for an AAA sized light is for pocket carry, usually attached to a keychain or clipped to a pocket. These are the lights you rely upon for immediate needs, to shed a little light on something you are doing. These lights don't have to be fancy or sophisticated, but rugged enough to survive being carried in your pocket, rubbing up against keys, coins, and other hard objects.
Some people need multiple modes, some want strong brightness, while others want just one mode and enough light for the job (task lights). The Olight i3E fills the economical single mode requirement, but does a great job of providing an excellent cost/value ratio.
OLIGHT - A Little History
Firstly, Olight is a leading manufacturer of affordable LED lights. They got started in 2006 and have been working hard to create usable LED lights for their customers. Having bought my first Olight flashlight back in 2011, I've paid attention to the brand since then and have been very impressed with their progress. For me, the most impressive step forward was their introduction of the Baton series. These are terrific lights for the price. Next, I learned about the i3 series, based on a design from the acquired ITP company. The i3 EOS comes in basically two main model offerings -- the i3E and i3S. "E" is for economy. This means a lower priced quality light with one mode. The "S" is for special, where more functionality is included at a higher price. Both are very well made.
The I3E EOS
The i3E is available in a wide range of colors. You can also get it in standard black for a more attractive price, if you're not particular about colors. The black and colored models are all 90 lumens. There's also a silver model having 120 lumens. Olight has recently started offering copper editions for several light models (the Baton series has two of them as of this writing). Copper is more for aesthetics, because the lights end up heavier than the standard aluminum alloy models. But wow... if you have never seen a copper light in person, they are beautiful to behold. Copper will look rather clean and shiny at first, but then will gradually develop oxidation and a patina, showing a more "earthy" appearance (if the light is not coated to protect against oxidation). This copper version produces 120 lumens.
While the i3E Cu copper edition is heavier than the colored i3E models (0.4 oz versus 0.28 oz), it is not appreciably heavy due to the small size. It feels "just right". The color shade of copper is almost bordering on "rose gold", perfect for accompanying someone in formal attire.
AFAIK, the colored i3E models come in blister packs. The i3E-Cu comes in a plastic case with foam inserts and an alkaline AAA cell. The light was heat sealed in a thick plastic sleeve, very well protected.
There are multiple retail channels where Olight lights may be purchased, including Amazon and Amazon UK.
CONSTRUCTION:
SOLID! This light is very well made and feels like it will hold up well over time. The lubricated screw threads reveal copper as well, so the body is made completely of copper (not a copper layer). I've been told by Olight that it is pure raw copper, not protected, so it will oxidize. Everything is machined very cleanly and the surface is completely smooth, free of artifacts. Note the square threads as well, which helps ensure ease of head attachment when changing batteries. Weight-wise, the i3E-Cu is less than half an ounce, at 0.4 oz.
DESIGN:
This light is very small, not much larger than the AAA battery inside it, an impressive feat of engineering. It works simply by twisting the head, and feels very smooth (lube + smooth surface). A very slight rotation turns it off, so this helps provide excellent protection against water or moisture ingress. The tail end has a small post for using a key ring, so it will not tail stand. But, for very small AAA lights this is rarely needed. There are a few engraved lines spaced along the head to help with rotation, which work well (some lights use knurling, which doesn't look as attractive). Note that the o-ring is clear, which is a thoughtful touch as it avoids breaking up the copper color (as would happen with a black o-ring).
BEAM:
This little light is BRIGHT! It is rated at 120 lumens, powered by an efficient Philips LUXEON TX LED. The beam tint is excellent, very neutral. I have an old Fenix L0D rated at 85 lumens and an Astrolux A01 rated at 100 lumens. Comparatively, you can see the i3E is brighter and notably neutral in tint. [I will try to follow up with some beam shots.] There are some slight symmetrical beam artifacts, but it's only noticeable on blank walls up close. Overall, there's a nice hotspot with generous spill (due to the PMMA TIR lens). Heat management seems quite good. I left my light on for 5 minutes and it was reasonably warm (not hot). Note that the silver and copper i3E models project 120 lumens, while the standard i3E throws 100 lumens. These days TIR lenses are becoming popular in small lights, as they can illuminate more nearby in sacrifice of some throw. The TIR lens in the i3E works very well, providing ample spill while still reaching over 40 meters in projection. Note that it is made of a plastic material, instead of mineral glass. But there is a lip extending around the edging of the head, which helps ward off possible scratching.
Some comparative photos:
Some owner photos:
(please pardon the dust and fingerprints)
Opinion:
For myself, I prefer a small keychain EDC light to have at least 2 modes - low and high. It's nice to use a light this size in dark places to navigate around without disturbing others (such as navigating through a dark theater or reading a menu in a dimly lit restaurant). That's where the i3s comes in as it has 3 different modes plus strobe, but at the sacrifice of adding extra length. But if one mode is all you need, generally it's nice to have a bright beam. You can always cup your hand around the light and narrow the beam. Also, if you have some thin white porous paper, just make an impromptu diffuser by tearing off a piece and covering the front of the head. I've tried this and it works well with the i3E.
Suggestion:
There is not much more Olight can do to improve this light, as it is so well designed. But if I had my wish, it would be the introduction of a low beam mode, maybe a few lumens above your typical "moonlight" mode (it would be the default). A simple quick twist of off/on again from low would turn on high. This would facilitate low light use and extended run time, making the light more versatile. The 2 modes would not displace the need of the i3S, as it provides 3 brightness levels with strobe and a clip design with optional key chain (plus the i3S-Cu edition puts out 180 lumens). I think this would be worthwhile to introduce in the next version.
Wrap up:
Overall, I'm very pleased with the i3E, especially for the size. The copper option causes the light to cost double that of the black i3E model, but I think it's worth it for the fine quality of construction and additional 30 lumens. If you've been wanting a copper light and have hesitated because of the cost, the i3E is a very affordable option. If copper doesn't interest you, then get the i3E standard, as for the price you simply can't go wrong for such a small AAA light. My Fenix L0D has been my dependable EDC for quite a few years (the scratches tell all), but the Olight i3E will likely displace it. The reduced size plus copper construction make it hard to resist. Thank you for reading my review and feel free to comment below. :)
This is my first review on BLF. I will try to post more reviews in the future.