Review: Lumintop EDC05C (sample)

Yes, tried with primaries and NiMH's and none of them worked, as expected. Specs in the OP are unchanged.

Maybe useable means fit-able?

I don’t see the point in using a HI emitter in an OP reflector. Why? A HD emitter would give higher output. If the throw is important, then a smooth reflector would be the right one.

Too bad that Lumintop missed the required design elements for the two most obvious applications: As a headlamp, and as a hanged lantern.
A lanyard hole and some more space on the body for headstrap mount ( and a somehow modified UI eg. memorized side light modes ) could make this lamp really unbeatable.

Very interesting lamp, however.

That is being really nitpicky. At these low outputs your not going to notice the tiny increase in output from an HD emitter. They probably used the HI because it either looked better or maybe because the HD version didn’t fit in the reflector.
Also, I really doubt you would notice the extra distance from an SMO reflector. I’m guessing they used what gave the nicest looking beam.
It’s clear to me that Lumintop was more focused on nice looking, usable output as opposed to going for maximum performance.

Why would you assume this? These “required” design elements seem to be yours, not Lumintops. I think you missed the whole point of the design. It’s supposed to be a small, easily carried light with moderate output. Have nice looking beams divided into the two main catagories. A narrow beam for distance and a wide beam for close up. The magnet adds more practicality. The clip makes it easy to carry in a pocket. The 14500 cell makes it really small and light. They also put “EDC” right into the name. That means Every Day Carry. So the whole design is about being practical, not extreme.

It's far from a headlamp or lantern design. The nice deep pocket clip I find to be the best use. Also like you can clip it to a front pocket or collar and get a nice flood light right in front of you. This front clip usage is how an electrician I know uses lights of this style. Nice it can double to look down dark crawl spaces or close in flood, but still in a small light weight form factor.

OK., You’re right, there’s no noticeable difference neither in lumen output, nor in life and long term lumen maintenance at this lumen output level between HD and HI emitters. But the footprint is the same, so they are interchangeable in the same reflector.
The OP reflector blurs the color deviations of the HD emitter - but it’s a HI, with no color rings
The HI emitter gives more throw - but it’s in an OP reflector.
That’s why I am confused. My problem, anyway. :wink:

Sorry, bad expression. I should use “needed” or something like that. I mean that the functionality could be easily improved even more with some small and no cost design considerations.
Applying a simple lanyard hole enables the flashlight to hang on looping the lanyard on the body, with side light down position.
Making the side light diffuser shorter ( leaving more space at the end ) enables to put the light in a simple headstrap with the usual silicone mount and use the side light as a headlamp.
I am just surprised that Lumintop skipped these basically no cost but functionality improving opportunities.

Maybe their designers are reading the forum seeking for tips to improve their products. :smiley:

Updated the OP with further battery tests/fit, and comparison shots with the GT Micro.

i must say i find it a bit weird that u must use raised flat tops for a light that takes just one battery.

Didn't test equally with the GT Micro but the Micro has a very similar brass button contact point, raised solder points around the button as well -- same as the EDC05C. I guess they used the button instead of a spring to keep the length as short as possible, and improve conductivity? I dunno....

Of course doesn't matter to me... I got lots of solder top cells in 18650 and 26650 sizes.

I just want to make it clear to buyers -- must use the proper cell with these lights and the manufacturer fails to mention it. Hhmmm, Lumintop in both cases....

i wonder how many will buy this light and use whatever cell and be suprised it wont come on… it shouldnt be like that, any cell should work imo flat or not depends where u live it can be an issue for some get certain type of batteries also.

Can't imagine the Amazon comments, and resulting returns. Amazon buyers will expect anything that fits to work, period, no matter what is said on the listing.

Only clear, absolute best thing to do is include the cell. I'd include the new 1000 mAh rated cell, like the Vapcell, but it's available/sold under other labels. If you include the battery that works with it, guaranteed - no one can legitimately complain about the light not working out of the box. Wish I had direct contact with Lumintop to tell them this...

Lumintop -- are you listening? Please include a cell that fits and works! I really like the new 1000 mAh rated 14500's for this light.

Maybe I should add this to the OP...

yeah battery would be a good idea, i mean a few bucks more but any user can use the light out of the box and have that battery as a reference if wanna buy more later on or so.

try to tell Neal...

OK - will do, thnx!

OP reflectors barely reduce throw (single digit % reduction) but smooth out the transitions in the beam with even a domeless emitter like the Cree HI versions.

I had a C8 w/X-PL HI that was still had a ringy beam with artifacts despite the tint being perfectly consistent to my eyes.

Well, in this video at the 3:33 mark, VOB shows the SMO reflector substitution in a Convoy L6 went from 130 kcd to 164 kcd:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRp8WxJsivw

That's a 26% bump. I thought my reflector swap from OP to SMO on the L6 was in that neighborhood as well. I'm sure there's factors involved, like the particular LED and degree of OP.

Tom, do you think Lumintop needs to use a tiny bit taller button on the driver?

Looking closely at your picture, is there a raised ring around the button acting as polarity protection?


.

Well, yes, there is a ring, but there's also those 4 solder points, similar to the GT Micro. Didn't test the flat top cells in the Micro, wondering though. It's easy to get to the driver in the Micro, not so easy in this one because the one piece body.

I think they are planning to selling the light with a proper cell - just not sure.

I think this light will sell well, not too bright for kids and for gifting muggles.

Kind of weird that they went for the XHP35 here, I see no advantage over a XP-L or XP-L Hi. Perhaps the need to boost the voltage makes it easier to regulate the output?

I tested a 80CRI E17A actually 3 years ago: Nichia E17A/E21A series (April 19th: updated with output tests in the OP) . And Clemence sells some neat colour versions of the E17A.

Nice djozz! Ohh, funny, I don't think I even searched BLF for the E17A. I would think the 4 E17A's in series, and the 12V main LED was done for a reason - both can be driven at the same voltage level. At the low amps this driver puts out (1.0 amp), guess a boost driver is reasonable.

Updated the OP with the E17A name and link to your review.