Review : Utorch UT02 Flashlight (XHP35 / 26650 / usb rechargeable)(in progress)

Utorch UT02 LED Flashlight - 1300Lm Cree XHP35 HI 2A Quick Charge
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Overview :

Brand: Utorch
Model: UT02
Lamp Beads: Cree XHP35 HI
Luminous Flux: 1300LM
Luminous Intensity: 124000cd
Color Temperature: 1A 6500K / 3D 5000K
Feature: Anti-Roll Rugged Design,Cooling Slot of High Efficiency,Lanyard,Lightweight,Low-voltage Warning,Pocket Clip,Power Indicator,Tail Stand
Function: Camping,EDC,Hiking,Household Use,Night Riding,Walking
Switch Type: Side Clicky
Mode: 7 (Turbo - High - Mid1 - Mid2 - Low - Strobe - SOS)
Battery Type: 18650,26650
Battery Quantity: 1 x 18650 / 26650 battery (not included)
Rechargeable: Yes
Waterproof Standard: IPX-7 Standard Waterproof

Power Source: Battery
Working Voltage: 2.8-4.35V
Reflector: Aluminum Smooth Reflector
Lens: Toughened Ultra-clear Double Glass Lens with Anti-reflective Coating
Beam Distance: 601-700m
Impact Resistance: 1.5M
Flashlight Processing Technology: Aerospace Grade Aluminum Body with Anti Scratching Type III Hard Anodization
Available Light Color: Cool White,Neutral White
Available color: Black

Product weight: 0.306 kg
Package weight: 0.470 kg
Product size (L x W x H): 14.80 x 5.90 x 5.90 cm / 5.83 x 2.32 x 2.32 inches
Package size (L x W x H): 24.00 x 9.50 x 9.50 cm / 9.45 x 3.74 x 3.74 inches

First Look :

Package Contents:
1 x Utorch UT02 LED Flashlight
1 x 18650 Battery Holder
1 X USB Cable
1 X Lanyard
1 x O-ring
1 x English Manual

Some more pictures :

Flashlight has a nice , kind of matte anodization :

UT02 length : 14.80cm

Utorch logo close-up :

Closer look to the e-switch :

Back side , with USB port :

And a closer (over-exposed) of USB port :

Very nice Knurling :

Square , Anodized threads :

And tailcap side :

Reflector :

Reflector is made from aluminum , and it has zero imperfections :

Parts & Disassembly :

Left to right : UT02 head , Battery Tube , 26650 battery , 18650 battery , Tailcap

Driver side : Double springs , gold plated

Tailcap : We have double springs here too , and springs are soldered on a pcb that makes contact directly with the battery tube

I think most long 26650 batteries fit (sorry , i don’t have longer than Basens) :

Bezel removed (no glue :smiley: ) . Reflector is threaded , and glass is AR coated :

Led is on DTP mcpcb (28mm ?) :

How it works (&modes) :

From off —> one short click turns the light on at the lowest level.
From off —> a long click turns the light on at the last used level (low mode does not count).

When the light is on —> a double click gives you strobe mode.
When the light is on —> a single click when the light is on advances in the next mode (low-medium-hi-turbo (if you are in the constant output mode) , strobe-SOS-“breath flash” if you are in the flashing mode).

Slightly longer click turns off the flashlight .

There is a shortcut for breath flash: from off make 3 double click.
When the light is on breath flash, a single click will activate the SOS, a double click will activate the last used mode.
In breath flash mode, the led under the switch will slowly turn on and off .

Measurements :

Using… Liitokala Lii 26650 battery

Lumens on highest setting (high mode) : Coming soon…

Intensity : 84kcd

Tailcap measurements (amp draw) :

Standby current (parasitic drain) : 0.007mA

  • Low – 109.7mA
  • Medium1 – 0.30A
  • Medium2 – 0.60A
  • High – 1.08A
  • Turbo – 2.60A

USB charging :

When you connect the micro-usb indiactor turns red , and blue when battery is full .
Charge current is 1.95 A . (Approx 3 hours for a 5000mAh cells) .

Beamshots :

Coming soon…

Groupbuy here : Click!

Hmm, so how hard would it be to get the driver out?

Thank you for the review, now I’m wanting one…

Once i take the last measurements we will see :wink: I think pretty easy …

Thanks for the review!

Hmmmmmmmm that looks awfully similar to my Manker U21vn!!!

Exact same tail cap assembly and spring assembly in the head w/ the same numbers,DL053/DL046.

Only difference is some knurling on the handle. :wink:

Looking really nice!!!

Just measured standby current (parasitic drain) : 0.007mA

Ok, good review so far... But those amp readings are very low. The XHP35 HI draws lots of power, much more than a 3.6V LED from a single cell (boost driver).

My Manker U21, and another I modded for Light Junkie, have dedomed XPL's in them, and it cranks in lumens and throw, support with the switch LED as a indicator LED, nas smooth ramping from Narsil. What did Vinh do with the U21?

Both mine and LJ's drivers crapped out, so not much choice but to mod it up.

I checked 5-6 times the reading in turbo (lii 26650 - 30q - vtc5a) , seems low to me , too . I’m using Uni-t clamp meter for the high modes .

Vinh did the same thing you did , dedomed xp-l and fet driver (without your awesome Narsil of course) .

How did you remove the driver on your U21 ?

Yes, it sure should look just like the U21. It's "disgusting" according to Manker, but no further explanation . We are trying to figure out if it's made in the same factory, same guys, same parts, etc., or is some level of a clone, or they simply fell off a truck and got some re-branding. I'm thinking GearBest got disgusted with Manker for enforcing MAPS, or some other pricing restrictions, so did some creative product procuring. Manker has been play'n hardball with pricing, no group buys, etc.

I wish some company would do a “re-brand” of the MK34. I really, really, really like that light but not the company behind it. What to do.

Ok, dang, I do need a better memory (mind?), I'm pretty sure it was lightly glued, and needed some pushing. I probably went from the top - used a solder pick to poke thru one of the LED wire holes and apply pressure on the outer lip of the dirver til I get some movement. Oh boy, let me check if I got pics.

I saw them Tom , in your review .
It’s the same way mounted on the UT02 i suppose (some eppoxy) . No retaining ring .

Here's a pic from LJ's:

Ahh, here notice the glue, actually is like white thermal epoxy, not very strong:

That doesn’t give much hope for reprogramming anything.

I have the XPL version.I love the light,a little more lumens and the same throw as my M2Xvn!

Spec 1: XPG2 PDT, Most throw, least heat, tight hot spot $132
ANSI
Lumen: 870
Lux: 320K
Throw: 1130m

Spec 2: XPL PDT, High output, larger hot spot $122
ANSI
Lumen: 1500
Lux: 260K
Throw: 1020m

Ok, so the U21 has/had problems with fried drivers. Is there anything known about the possibility the same problem could occur with the Utorch?

About the fried drivers, really dunno. My died after the tear down for the review, but it was an engineering prototype unit. The other one was used for a few weeks before it died. I haven't heard of any one else having problems, but haven't really heard much at all overall. With all the Manker drama, and the fact it was never offered discounted kept BLF sales down I would think, but it's a great light - really like it's size, performance, quality.

Ahh, ok. Vinh is good at getting the most throw w/focusing. The two I modded using dedomed XPL's do about 1,700 lumens (@30 secs) and 240 kcd, but measured at 5 meters, so could be closer to 250+ kcd measured at 10+ meters.

Thanks for the review. Seems like a good host for modding, stock amps are very low though…

Meh, just got 2 of them today, 2.45amp and 2.22 amp on the other! Purple Efest 4200, Basen and a Imren IMR 26700 all read the same. Dust particles on/in both reflectors and a smear of shmuck on the inside of the lens on one of them! :person_facepalming:

Seem well built, focused. Don’t like the switch, sets too low for my liking, too much travel a PITA to activate for me any way, FAT fingers!!! Just wish they were cleaner inside, I’ll try blasting the crap out and clean the lens. :rage: Hopefully they will clean up? :frowning:

“The Manker Drama”. Sounds like a Netflix series.