Review: Manker E02 - The little L shaped AAA EDC flashlight

links were shortened only to keep count of clicks but doesn't contain any referral codes ;)

Hello everyone, today we will see the Manker E02 sent me for the occasion by Manker , whom I thank for the opportunity and trust given me.



I want to clarify that the reviews are done at the amateur level and without the aid of scientific instruments or test in secret Labs cutting edge, therefore there will also be my humble observations.


Where to purchase it

The flashlight is available to be saw and purchased from well-know official Manker's store and comes in 2 LED colors (Cool white with Cree LED XPG3 (reviewed) and Neutral white Nichia LED 219C) and 3 colors (red, black, gray) (CLICK HERE)



Official features taken from Manker:

- Emitter: Cree XPG3 LED or Nichia 219C LED CRI>90
- Maximum output: 220lumens (CREE XPG3 Version)
- Maximum output: 180lumens (Nichia 219C Version)
- Power by 1x AAA battery
- Maximum beam intensity: 760cd
- Maximum beam distance: 55meters
- Working voltage: 0.6-1.8v
- Water proof: IPX-8, 2M
- Impact resistance: 2 meters
- Magenet tailcap
- Driver: Most efficiency constant current circuit
- Material: Aircraft-grad aluminum body
- Surface treatment: Premium Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
- Lens: Toughened ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating
- Dimensions: 72mm (length) x 20mm (Head diameter)
- Weight: 32gram (without battery)
- Accessories: O-ring*1, lanyard*1, user manual*1, pocket clip*1

The packaging and accessories

The small E02 comes in a light cardboard box, where a small window allows you to see the flashlight.
At the front there are the few basics features: power specifications, the 5-year warranty and the tint of the model.



On the back is drawn the flashlight, pointing the various parts of the body.



On one side there are some other data.



Once extracted everything from packaging, we have:

- the flashlight
- 1 spare O-rings
- the clip
- the wrist strap
- the manual in English and Chinese



Following the scans your manual for English-only.



The flashlight

The small body of E02 have simple and clean lines. In fact only has two areas with diamond knurling, of which one help the opening of the tailcap. Tailcap presenting, in addition to the knurling, also a spiky, nearly square, shape with beveled edges that serves to the same purpose: improve the grip.
There are also two furrows where it goes inserted the clip.
In its head there is a metal ring that protects and stops the lens, which is slightly behind the ring itself.



Looking at it from the side, you can see the four grooves intended to dissipate the heat generated from the flashlight. There is also an inscription indicating the name of the brand and model, whose lettering has no smudging.



The furrows, as I said earlier, are two and allow the insertion of clips in both directions.





Checking the head, we can observe the parable OP at the base of which is placed the Cool White Cree XPG3 LED. I remember that the flashlight is also available in solid neutral white LED. The glass does not have anti-glare treatment.



Overhead there is the only electronic switch, that handles the entire UI, which have a short ride and its click is easily distinguishable. Isn't among the noisiest but even among the quietest. For aesthetic purposes, even the button is surrounded by a metal ring.



The button is also not flush with the body but protrudes a little.



The square shape of the tail is cut on one of the side to make space for the strap's hole.



There is a small magnet on the bottom of the tail, not to be pulled-out, with enough strength to allow E02 to sticking on flat metal surfaces. The tailstand on any horizontal surface is, of course, possible.



The flashlight is divided into two parts and the tailcap flows away thanks to the anodized thread, which reaches well lubricated. It goes without saying that you can take advantage of the physique lock-out.



At the negative pole there is a single golden spring



At the positive pole we find a touch that flush with the towel around him. The sponge definitely is for the coverage and protection of the circuitry below.




How does it work

The Manker E02 has in total 7 levels selectable, whose 4 normals 4 and 3 specials (the storbo, SOS and the beacon).
Of 4 normal levels, 3 are selectable from the beginning while 1, together with the Strobo, the SOS and the beacon, is to invoke.

According to official data, the main levels have the following characteristics:

-Turbo-> 220 lumens
-High-> 70 lumens
-Low-> 16 lumens
-Moonlight-0.6 > lumen


The flashlight has half a memory. I say half because it works only for High and Low levels.

When it is turned off, with a single click, will switch on at level Moonlight. To cycle the levels, just do single clicks. From the Moonlight will switch to Low, High and walk back, so Low, Moonlight, Low, and etc.
To turn off, simply hold down the button.
When it is turned off, a long click will turn on to the last level used between Low and High.
Double click when turned off or turned on will turn on will switch to the Turbo. A single click will cycle the levels storbo, SOS and beacon. If you continue to press the button, will turn on the Moonlight.
To turn off, simply hold down the button.
Double click from "special" levels will return to normal.

Moonlight level is programmable. When it is turned off, with 4 rapid clicks you will enter to the engineering mode and, with single clicks, you can choose the proper light output.
The only flaw is that there are so many steps that you almost end up not picking up.

Finally, I would like to inform you that you can also run an electronic Lock-Out. To turn it on or off you will need to perform in quick succession 1/2/3 clicks interspersed with a short break.

There is no way to know, perhaps through the led flash, the charging status of the cell than to physically pull it out and test it with a multimeter.
You do not risk to remain totally in the dark at any moment because the circuitry allows the cell to switch on the LED far enough to try to find, maybe, a charged battery for replacement.


Dimensions: encumbrances and weight

The flashlight is 7.35 cm long and has a thickness that ranges from 1.39 to 1.56 cm. The head is 1.86 .59 x 1 cm.
Weighs 32 grams from empty, 36 grams with clip, 47 grams with alkaline and 48 grams with Ni-Mh batteries.

Following pictures for dimensional comparison between a BIC's lighter and a 18650,



with the Olight I3E EOS and Rofis ER3A,



with one AA battery and a AAA



and, in ending, with a Victorinox classic (58 mm)



Lumen, runtime, candles and beamshot

N.B. The tests to follow were made with a battery Ni-Mh AAA Ladda and an Alkaline Duracel Industrial. The whole thing was done in a homely environment at 22°C with and without forced ventilation.

The following values were taken with the AAA Ni-Mh Ladda charged and are to be considered as peak.



N.B. Discharge curves are obviously indicative, the result may vary in either positive or negative depending on the batteries used by the end user or by the conditions of use which are obviously differ from mine in testing.
Any light discrepancies relating to the two tests made on the same level (for test breezy and otherwise) are due to a different positioning of the measuring equipment

The following values were taken with the Ni-Mh batteries and Alkaline charged and are to be considered as peak.





The following values were taken with the AAA Ni-Mh Ladda charged and are to be considered as peak.



The following photos was taken at a distance of 20 cm from the wall.



Beam width



Photos taken at levels High, Turbo and tree line at 25 meters.





Photo with flashlight snaps to the hood of the car (High level) to simulate the use in case of failure.



Photos on the wheelhouse to illuminate the underlying wheel in case of buckled wheel or needing to apply the chains (High level). Keep in mind that the end result may change between different cars and so this picture and the previous one are to be considered purely indicative!




Personal considerations

This little Manker E02 struck me particularly as regards quality, power (remember that is powered by a AAA) and especially size.
With a Ni-Mh is reached, and exceeded, quietly the hour and a half of runtime. About setting, it seems to be in line with the competition, with the same power.
The UI is easy to remember and I find nice the fact that, when the level is changed, the brightness level passes continuously from highest to lowest. More flashlights indeed, after having cycled all levels available, will turn off.
With the Manker's man, we talked about of a possible placing on the market of a headband, specially made for this model, and he told me that they are planning to release a new pack that includes the headband and the E02. But they are still investigating the various details and, in theory, may change the packaging and accessories.

Wanting to ignore the fact that the flashlight don't communicates to us the percent of charge of the cell (the only drawback encountered), I want to express without much lateness that this model can win the award as Best Buy 2017 for its category.
Most likely I will buy one with red livery and solid neutral, probably when they'll get the version with the headband.

thanks for the great review.

thank you for the chart
I see the brightness lines are VERY wavy.
Even though the light is constant current, it is NOT constant brightness.

thanks to you for the great flashlight :wink:

Thanks to you for appreciate it :wink:

Fluctuations affect very few lux which are almost imperceptible to the eyes. And so, we are talking about small powers that do not affect much on the battery :stuck_out_tongue:

Nice review. What is the amount of parasitic drain?

thanks friend :slight_smile:
i didn’t the parasitic drain test because you can use the physical lock-out to inhibit the drain :wink:

I have to say, this is a light that has interested me for a while. I think that I might need to pick one up, if I can find a good price.

thanks for your great review :+1:

Nice choice, it is a very pretty flashlight to have :stuck_out_tongue:

your are welcome, thanks to you for the compliment :slight_smile:

could do do the image size a bit more internet friendly?

done dude :wink:

Mine measured 9 uA. so about 1% a month for a 800mAhr eneloop. Don’t sweat it, or just use physical lockout.

does electronic lockout inhibit parasitic drain?

good question. When I first read it, I didn’t know what you meant. Then I remembered the electronic lockout the light has. Once I remembered this, I thought the answer would be no, electronic lockout does not inhibit parasitic drain. But I figured it was easy enough to measure, so I did. Answer confirmed, electronic lockout does not inhibit parasitic drain. This makes sense, as the light can not work with an e switch without some small current flowing to keep the electronics that sense the e switch alive.

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