Review: Manker U12 (EDC, 20700, Rechargeable, XHP50 II)

LED Flashlights – General Info Other Battery Type Flashlights
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I received the Manker U12 from Manker for the review.
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The U12 is the new EDC from Manker, It can be seen as the updated version of the already known and appreciated U11.
The new U12 packs a XHP50 emitter, and is powered by a non proprietary 20700 cell, rechargeable via USB-C port. The U12 is available both in a CW and NW version. I got the CW one.
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Please note that I received a pre-production sample with minor imperfections, that won’t be present on the sale version.
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Here are the Specs
Emitter: CREE XHP50 II
Maximum output: 2000 lumens
Maximum beam intensity: 6800cd
Maximum beamdistance:164meters
Working voltage: 2.8v –4.35v (overdischarge protection)
Driver: Most efficiency constant current circuit
Material: Aircraft-grade aluminum body
Surface treatment: Premium Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish
Lens: Toughened ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating
Waterproof: IPX-8 (2meter under water)
Impact resistance: 2meters
Tail stand
Dimensions: 112mm (length) x 31mm (Diameter)
Weight: 118g(without battery)
Accessories: O-ring *1, holster *1, Lanyard *1, USB Type C cable *1, pocket clip *1, 20700 rechargeable battery *1.
Specifications:

- Moonlight 1-5lm 1700hrs

- Low 130lm 16hrs

- Medium1 390lm 6.5hrs

- High 870lm 3hrs

- Turbo 2000lm-870lm 3min - 2.9hrs

  • Strobe 2000lm
    Max light intensity: 6800cd
    Beam distance: 164M
    Shockproof stand: 2M
    Waterproof stand: IPX8

The Manker U12 comes in this box

Here is the U12: The design is the same of the U11, but the U12 is slightly longer and wider.



Here with the 20700 4250mAh battery

And with a 18650

At the head there is the single stage electronic switch and the USB-C port for recharging the battery.

Now the LED under the switch stays always on bot as a locator and a battery meter.
It is clearly visible with low light

The light only removable part is the tailcap.

The anodized, clear cut threads at the tailcap, that hosts a double nested golden spring.

On my sample the spring assembly fell out because it wasn’t glued. Manker told me they forgot to add glue to my sample.

At the head, the contact point for the positive pole of the cell is a golden spring.

With the U11, the slimmer and less powerful version (note that on my U11 I replaced the original CW XP-L emitter with a XP-L Hi Warm)



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The UI

Battery Indicator:

  1. Blue: More than 75%
  2. Purple: 50%
  3. Red: Less than 20%
    Lock out:
    One click - double - triple from any mode to lock out the flashlight. (Only the battery indicator works when lock out)
    Engineering Mode (Choose output level for moonlight mode):
    Long press for off and still hold on, the side button batttery indicator will turn on and then quick click for 4 times to get access to engineering mode. One click to check different level and long press to make your final choice.
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    Output and runtime
    Measured with the provided 20700 battery





    I don’t know many EDC lights that can sustain a 1000ish lumen output continuously.
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    For those who ask how hot the light becomes:

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Beamshots
The big emitter in the overall compact emitter gives a flood beam, suitable for short distances. The power helps a bit with the throw factor, but the light is best suited for distances around 50-80 meters.


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My thoughts
My pre-production run sample was affected by flaws (spots in the anodization, unglued spring assembly), but Manker reassured me none of that will be present on the production run.
As I am writing this review, the USB C rubber cover fell out of its place. To my eyes it looks like on the U12 the rubber cover is hosted in place by a drop of glue, instead of the classic pressure fit fitting.

I hope to just had an unlucky sample, and I am awaiting your feedbacks guys.
The XHP50 II in this light is well conjugated with the high performance and the high capacity cell. This means that, compared to all the other 18650 powered lights, the U12 will have a longer runtime. The output is well regulated (as in flat) for the tested outputs. I don’t know many EDC lights that can sustain a 1000ish lumen output continuously.

Size and weight are reasonable for a light of this size. I have tried to charge the 20700 (which is actually around the 74mm mark long) but every battery charger I own (Nitecore D2, SKYRC MC3000, single slot micro USB charger powered) can’t fit in the slot the 20700, so you are kind of stuck charging using the USB-C port of the light, using a charger with cables and magnets, or a different charger from the ones I own.
I used the U12 with regular IMR 18650 cells with flat tops, and I had no problems.
I like the fact that the firefly is now settable from a firefly-like mode, to a generally more usable, around tenths of lumen output mode (not 5 lumens as advertised), this allows also for better level spacing.
The sheath pouch has a flap that should have been a bit longer.
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That’s how the review should have ended.
But I kept on the testing, removing the bezel, glass and reflector, to make thermal tests to see how much the LED baseplate becomes hot.
Don’t consider the numbers on the scale as actual temperature readings.

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What happened was that the light started going crazy, before one of the cables de-soldered itself from the baseplate.
That’s when I found out the baseplate basically didn’t have thermal paste or glue underneath it, that caused the baseplate to detach from the body of the light once i removed the reflector.


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I don’t think I am gonna do more tests on this sample anytime soon.
If Manker has fixed all these small mistakes on the production run, the U12 is a solid candidate as an EDC with a slightly larger size, but that packs a lot of output and runtime (the 20700 basically holds as much energy as a 18650 + a RCR cell).
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Thanks to: AntoLed for the camera help, the luxmeter and the thermal camera.

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Nice review, thanks.

Curious about 20700 lights, I think they will replace 18650 soon.

Why didn’t it fit in the SKYMRC? Too long?

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My issue with the older U11 is that the bezel is so short it didn’t have enough threads (about 1 1/2) to hold itself in place tight enough to stop rattling. My thoughts are that a steel bezel should sit on top of the body to protect the end from dents. Not inside the body. How deep are the threads on this U12 bezel? Rest of the light is well made and designed.

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In my opinion one big mistake is, that it take 20700 not 21700 batteries :confused:

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I love the detailed graphs! Don’t have to guess when exactly when it steps down. Thanks for the review buddy.

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Great review!! Thanks for your work

Efficiency looks horrible!!! my Acebeam L30 sustain near 1000lm for 2.22 min with the same battery, and the U12 only 63min??

I also don’t like the UI, long click for off, a total deal breaker

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Why 26700 and not 26650? 26650 seems to be more common. Maybe U12 can work also with 26650 + spacer?

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It’s 20700, not 26700. Comparatively new battery size, not widely used yet. 20700 and 21700 are the newest Li-Ion battery sizes being used in electric vehicle battery packs, and potentially in cordless tool battery packs in the near future.

I personally don’t get the appeal of 20700 for flashlights. The increased capacity doesn’t seem worth the increased size. The advantage of 18650s is commonality - they can be shared between both large lights and small EDC lights. 20700 would make the EDC lights larger, and I’m not sure how practical that would be.

21700 at least offers enough capacity that it may render 26650s obsolete. They are already approaching current 26650s in capacity, while maintaining a slimmer form factor.

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:person_facepalming: doh…my eyes deceived me…… thanks for clarifying….
chit, cant believe i mis-read :person_facepalming: :person_facepalming:

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looks very interesting…i wanted to buy emisar….but….like it.thanks a lot

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OK then, I wouldnt purchase ANY light with such 20700 battery size….unless of course my existing supply of 26650’s became obsolete. Who wants to add another sized battery to the arsenal? Most chargers have problems with 70mm lengths as it is… Again, I wouldnt buy it.

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you can still use 18650…good old one…no?:slight_smile:

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Sure you can but lower capacity vs 26650 and spacer-tube is needed on 18650

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I’m into 21700 lights because it seems the largest format that can be comfortably mouth-held. :wink:
Also, close to 26650 in capabilities while significantly smaller.
Also, being the next standard it’s bound to receive a lot of development, so we can expect it to be the largest format that has top-quality cells.

20700? They don’t appeal to me.

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Yeah, also what I got, 20700 was “mistake” and 21700 should be produced now.
There are first cells with 4800mAh (pretty good for the size) and in future they promise around 6000mAh :slight_smile:

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Thanks for the review.

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is possible to buy somewhere or is it still just a sample? any issues now? looks interesting really

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Just putting in my 2 cents worth. It’s 20700, I get it’s not 21700. But it’s a very small for the battery light with a built in charging port. 4000 mah instead of 4800 but still beats the 18650 3500 with the current needed for full LED potential. How often have you run a battery dead walking the dog at night. It is what it is and It’s smallish EDC. My complaint is their poorly designed bezels and NO warranty if you bought from anyone but them on their site.

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Are there any other lights similar in size that have USB-C? If not I might have to get this one (once reviews confirm the sample issues are resolved).

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I haven’t heard of ANY lights using USB-C. This is the first. Then again, I’m not really checking out all the latest flashlight designs. Micro usb can do 2A, so I’m not sure why they are switching. Maybe because newer phones use it?