Review : Manker LAD Mini USB Rechargeable Keychain Flashlight (Pictures Fixed)

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A few words for Manker Lad :

Features:

- Mini Size, designed for everyday carry, Easy One Hand Operation.

- Use 1x Cree XP-G3 led / Nichia 219C led + 2x Red straw hat led

- Cree XP-G3 Version: Maximum output up to 300 ANSI lumens; Nichia 219C Version: Maximum output up to 230 ANSI lumens;

- Unique machine Processing technology: Aluminum Integral formed shape

  • Built-in polymer lithium battery, and rechargeable with any USB port device

Specification:
Emitter: Cree XP-G3/ Nichia 219C + 2 Red straw hat led
Maximum Beam Intensity: 860 cd
Maximum Beam Distance: 58.6 meters
Driver: Most efficiency constant current driver with a runtime up to 100 hours
Battery: Built-in 280mah polymer lithium battery
Material:Aluminum alloy
Processing technology: Aluminum Integral formed shape
Water Proof: IPX-6
Impact Resistance: 2 Meters
Length: 51 mm
Width: 28 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight: 25 g

First Look :

Flashlight in it’s box , very nice for gift :

Package Contains :

  • Flashlight
  • Usb Cable
  • User manual

A closer look :

Front side , you can see the Manker Lad logo , and the e-switch :

Flashlight in hand , small size (dimensions coming later :wink: ) :

Back side :

Lad’s interesting side :stuck_out_tongue: , you can see three emitters right there . Left and right , two 5mm red LEDs , and in the center the main LED , a Nichia 219C 4000-4500k 90+cri . Main led uses a TIR optic , not a reflector .

Left side , with usb port :

It has a nice attachment point , to add it to your keys or use a small lanyard .

It can stand on every side :

Attached as a keychain :

Dimensions Time ! :

Heigth , 51.7mm :

Length , 27.85mm :

Width(s) :

12.95mm :

9mm :

And a small comparison to a well known light , Nitecore Tube :

How it works (&modes) :

Flashlight has 4 main modes , and 4 hidden modes :

When the flashlight is off , single click (short click) enables Low Mode . A longer click activates Last used mode . From this state , every single click , navigates through these modes (main group) : Low-Medium-High-Red

From On or Off , double click enables Strobe . Then , every single click , navigates through these modes (hidden group) : Strobe-Dragon Breath-SOS-Beacon

A double click , when flashlight is On , changes between Main group and Hidden group modes . As some people mentioned , second click must be quite fast , which is indeed a little difficult .

Usb Charging :

While Charging , e-switch led blinks :

When battery is full (estimated time from empty battery is 1 hour) , led stops blibking .

Measurements :

Output :

Low – 21 lumens
Medium – 64 lumens
High – 218 lumens
Red – 1 Lumen (manufacturer rated)

My runtime test :

High mode :


As you can see it drops down at about 40% of the max output , in the first 2 minutes . At the 33 minutes mark , it switched to red leds (means battery is running low) . I will test if switching between the modes , and switching back to High , brings brightness back to 100% .

Medium mode : Provides a steady output for 87 minutes , graph coming …

Intensity :

Manker Lad : Coming soon…

Beamshots :

Red - White Wall @ 70cm :

Wall @ 3m :

Control Shot :

Low :

Medium :

High :

Red :

Conclusion :

A small , compact light from Manker . Features 3 leds , two red and one main led that it can be a Nichia 219C or a Cree xp-g3 . On highest setting it provides enough runtime for a flashlight of that size , but with a stepdown at the first 2 minutes . It has lots of modes options, with full memory mode for all modes. It is really small, and as i showed in the review before fits ok on keychain .

Comment if you want me to check something on the flashlight , or tell your opinion . Thanks !

Flashlight was kindly provided by hkequipment for review purposes , be sure to check their shop and Manker Lad here : http://www.hkequipment.net/product-p/mklad.htm

Reserved for updates … Subscribe :wink:

Edit1 : Do you want teardown pictures ?

Edit2 : Pictures fixed , sorry …

I found that it was almost impossible to consistently enable strobe mode. The 2 clicks had to be done really quickly or strobe would not activate. I wound up returning the light, but I would buy it again if they ever ease the timing of the 2 clicks. Overall, I really liked the light (especially the red leds).

Mike

Thank you for the runtime tests
seems reasonable for the battery size

I like my LAD with Nichia, but my daughter wont give it back, I might have to buy another one.
I cant access strobe, but thats ok with me
its a great gift, simple UI for a newbie to get useful light from the first click.
The red leds work very well for late night bathroom runs
recommended

this is my light meter, with a vitamin cap and a couple layers of tissue paper… calibrated to a ReyLight Tool…
Can anyone confirm actual, real, lumen levels. not specs, actual tested levels?


I think the modes are excellent and the light is extremely versatile. I also like the 4000k CCT of the 219c

Lad on Left, Lumintop Worm w Nichia on Right

I paid for my LAD with my own money, I got it here for $25.95 w free shipping.

Thanks for one more nice review Giorgos.
IMHO, your reviews are getting better every time. :+1:

YES!

found some here

Yeap, I remember (now) that I had seen it somewhere. Thanks!

I was a huge fan of Manker lights before until my recent purchase from ebay. The light is not consistent turning on. Talk to them about sending the flashlight back but wouldn't accept it instead ask for a video. I will never touch Manker again ever.

On my diy sphere (well , not a sphere but a pipe-style) i measured what you see in the review (~20 - 60 - 210) .

asking for a video is normal in my experience with other large Chinese vendors. Dont let that stop you from completing the return process. Here is how it works in my experience.

  1. you send a letter about the defective item
  2. they send a letter asking for a video
  3. you send a video link (video is posted on youtube for all the world to see)
  4. they send a letter apologizing for your inconvenience, and ask if you want a refund or replacement. They do not ask you to send the item back, you get to keep it.
  5. I always choose refund, even if I am going to reorder.

Very helpful, thank you :slight_smile:

Another review displaying the beautiful curves of the LAD. And the tint of the 219C just looks amazing. Although like others I can’t stand it doesn’t have a good low mode of 1-5 lumen, it’s just too attractive for this price not to get it…
Perhaps I should get the MK34 in 219C as well…

I won’t disagree that Lad is a good choice , because it is a good one . I don’t think MK34 is a good choice , because i don’t think it can reach M43’s awesomeness .

This is pretty much my opinion as well: M43 is number one in my book, and I will always grab the M43 instead of the Manker. But the Manker has it’s own awesomeness in the form of a programmable low mode, with sub lumen output. The three cell configuration will also result in a different experience compared to the M43… It’s not easy being a flashaholic…

Well said.

I have a M43 , it was one of the first lights i wanted as a new “flashaholic” . After about a year , i think last October , i finally got one . After you get it you will imediately forget how much you paid (130$ are quite much) , because it’s an incredible pocket rocket .

M43 or MK34 you will have a nice light :beer:

For a true flashaholic it’s AND

(I like them both.)

nice review, i have one on its way will be fun to own this.

Haha! This was February… Now it’s October and you have to add the MF01 as well!

Already done that (+D1 & D4). :smiley:

Haha I’m still missing mk34 , unacceptable :smiley:

I’ve contemplated for many, many months before I finally got it several months ago. And I can say I certainly recommend the MK34. :smiley: The LADs are also really awesome. :beer: