[REVIEW] IMALENT DM70 XHP70.2 21700 4,500 Lumen

Disclaimer:
I received this flashlight as part of a giveaway here on BLF. Imalent provided this flashlight at no cost and did not ask or demand a review. Therefore this review is my personal and impartial opinion, at no point have I received any other compensation or request from Imalent.
Introduction
With the DM70 Imalent present a new product that appears to be the jack of all trades within the consumer flashlight segment - it is a pocket sized, high-lumen flashlight equipped with a Cree XHP70.2 emitter and fueled by a single 21700 lithium-ion battery.
This pocket hotrod flashlight is operated with one electronic side switch, has a strong magnet inside the tail cap, but also comes with a unique and quirky feature: there is a so called "sleeping light" function that is very innovative in the portable consumer lighting market.
The reviewed product came in full OEM retail packaging, a "5 Year Warranty", and is currently available for purchase on Banggood here: Imalent DM70
I would like to thank Imalent for hosting another great giveaway here on the forum - shipping & handling was very quick. Furthermore, the Imalent team was available via email - from what I could witness myself, they really provide amazing customer service.
Product details and specifications:
(as stated by the OEM or the seller on the product website and/or the manual)
Product Features as stated by Imalent (OEM website):
  • Utilizes oneCREE XHP70 2ndgeneration LED. The lifespan up to 50000 hours with maximum output of 4500 lumens.
  • Thanks to the integrated clip and magnetic tail cap, the DM70 is perfect for hiking, campaign, machine repairs, and other activities where regular lights fail.
  • Built-in one micro USB rechargeable 21700 Li-ion battery
  • Sleep tight light: Our DM70 emits a red light that helps you sleep. Emitting red spectrum lights between 590~610 nm wavelengths helps your body create more melatonin that gives you a relaxed and pleasant feeling that helps you get deeper and better sleep.
  • Candle function
  • Product size: 115(length)*33(head diameter) *25.6(diameter) mm
  • Net weight:87g/160g(battery included)
  • High efficiency constant power circuit will maintain constant brightness
  • Built-in thermal control module will automatically adjust the brightness output according to the working state and outer temperature
  • Combination of toughened ultra-clear mineral and anti-reflective coating glass
  • Aluminum OP reflector
  • Aerospace-grade aluminum alloy body, wear-resistant Type III hard-anodized surface treatment
  • IPX-8 standard waterproof (2 meters submersible)
  • 1.5m impact resistant
Product description from Banggood:
Specifications:
Product name: IMALENT DM70 XHP70 2ND 6Modes Flashlight
Brand: IMALENT
Model: DM70
Emitter Type: XHP70 2ND
Peak Beam Intensity: 23500cd
Max Output: 4500Lumens
Range: 306M
Mode: Turbo, High, Middle, Middle Low, Low, Sleeping Light
Lumens: 4500-1200LM, 2500-1200LM, 1200LM, 300LM,30LM, /
Battery Configurations: 1 x 21700 Li-ion battery (Included)
Material: Aerospace-grade aluminum alloy
Impact Resistant 1.5m
Waterproof: IPX-8 standard waterproof (2 meters submersible)
Reflector: Aluminum OP reflector
Weight: 87g/160g(battery included)
Size: 115(length)*33(head diameter) *25.6(diameter) mm

The following data is my own, please post any questions you may have. I will try my best to deep dive into details or provide any feedback.
Before you use this product:
For safety reasons during shipping, this flashlights has a plastic disc between the battery and driver. There is also a protective film on the lens.Please remove this plastic disc and lens film before using this flashlight.
Actual measurements and real life experience after several days of use:
Physical measurements
Height/length overall 114.7mm
Diameter (widest part) 36.00 mm
Diameter at tail end 25.10 mm
Diameter at bezel 33.00 mm
Diameter bezel, inside (lens) 26.50 mm
Height tail cap 24.20 mm
Battery height 75.50 mm
Battery diameter 21.30 mm
Inside diameter battery tube 21.70 mm
Outside diameter battery tube 25.60 (top end)
Outside diameter battery tube 24.60 mm (tail end)
(due to the different OD size the battery tube only fits one way)
Head diameter, inside 26.70 mm (driver side)
Battery tube height 68.00 mm
Current measurements
Please note that all current measurements were taken with a generic DMM I had here. There will be a margin of error due to the equipment used.
Moon: ----- (no moon mode)
Sleeping Light:
0.05 A
Low:
0.06 A
Medium:
0.89 A
High:
2.45 A
Turbo:
3.8 A
(All tests carried out with the provided 5000mAh OEM battery)
Host / build main features, summary
- Switch type: electronic switch (1x full metal side switch)
- Body material: Hard anodized aluminum: black
(some blue anodization around switch/metal parts)
- Lens: Glass, good AR coating
- Tail-standing: capable (and strong magnet in tail cap)
- Waterproof to IPX8
- Rollaway prevention: yes (two flat spots around the head)
- battery tube has has different OD size at ends and has anodized threads on both sides
(You can lock out the flashlight with either the head or the tail cap)
- Sleeping light feature (amber led) 180° opposite of side switch
Electronics
- Battery: 1x 21700 (OEM battery provided, charging circuit inside the cell, NOT inside the flashlight), nominal voltage 3.6V, termination voltage 4.21V
- Low-voltage protection: yes
- Thermal protection: yes
- Power can be locked out by loosening the tailcap or the head or by entering electronic lockout. Physical lockout DOES NOT disable electronic lockout (at least not within the time frames I tested)
- Physical lockout also does not disable the sleeping light feature (at least not within the time frames I tested)
- Physical reverse polarity protection is included in this flashlight, but it might not protect the cell (not tested)
- Driver: not pulled out (boost driver), flashlight was not disassembled
Parasitic drain measurement
On electronic switches/drivers there may be a parasitic drain on the circuit when the flashlight is switched off and not physically locked out. The measured parasitic drain on this flashlight was: 23 μA
Packaging
The Imalent DM70 comes in a high quality retail product packaging. The black box has the main features in high quality color print outside. After opening the box the product is inside a plastic "tray" that can be pulled out. The out-of-the-box experience was positive and well received (I asked a few family members what they think of it).
If you want good packaging, order from Imalent!
The content of my retail box was:
1x Flashlight
1x 21700 5000mAh battery (OEM)
1x USB cable (micro USB)
1x Lanyard (not tested)
1x Metal clip (black)
1x Spare O-ring (not tested)
1x User manual (multiple languages)
1x Holster (black nylon)
Physical appearance & functionality
- High quality craftsmanship with full black finish
(there are no issues with anodization or machining)
- Very high output and performance for a single cell/single emitter setup due to XHP70.2
- Hot spot is smooth and medium size, there is a good amount of spill
- Near silent operation of the flashlight switch is possible
- The reflector is orange peel and the lens is AR coated
- In addition to electronic lockout you can physically lock out the light by opening either the tail cap or the head by approximately 1/2 turn
- The flashlight can tailstand and also has a strong magnet inside
- The flashlight has a sleeping light feature
- The black anodization and blue aluminum elements work well together
User interface
The light is operated with one electronic side switch. There is a green indicator LED under the switch to indicate various states.
This flashlight has 4 regular modes (low/medium/high/very high), Turbo, the sleeping light feature and strobe. There may be other modes I was not able to find.
From OFF state
1x click switches on flashlight (last mode memorized)
2x click enables Turbo mode
3x click enables sleeping light feature
4x click enables electronic lockout (confirmed via flashing switch light)
Long press enables switch indicator LED (green), this is the green LED permanently lit under the switch. There is no "breather" feature.
From ON state:
1x click switches the flashlight off (last used mode will be memorized)
1x click & hold jumps into the next mode (direction from lowest to highest)
2x click jumps into Turbo mode from any regular mode you are in
2x click in Turbo leads to strobe (single click to switch off)
Memory mode is only for regular modes, not special modes.
Moon mode
This light does not have a moon mode, only a "low mode".
The beam, light output
The orange peel reflector of this flashlight combined with the XHP70.2 emitter results in a very smooth beam and a round, but not too defined hotspot. There is enough spill to be useful, this type of beam is ideal for everyday uses around the house, the garage, for hiking or walking the dog or cat. The beam is a little bit floody without being a pure flooder.
Turbo mode on this product leads to an enormous amount of light output - even the reflection of 4,500 lumens on a white wall 2 feet away made my eyes squint.
(Regarding tint: I would estimate the color to a cold white that hints towards neutral (5500?) - CRI guessed at 70-80)
Sleeping light feature
This is my first flashlight with a "sleeping light" feature, here is the concept:
1) put the flashlight on your night stand, hit the switch 3 times.
2) turn the flashlight around and let the amber sleeping light face you while you sleep
After using this feature for 1 night I can not say whether it helped me sleep or not. But this is difficult to say in the bright summer nights we are having currently and my bedroom can not be blacked out (there is still a lot of sunlight when I go to sleep). Also, I am a person who can sleep just about anytime, anywhere and I am not a great candidate who would need this feature. This does not mean that this sleeping light would not be helpful for a variety of consumers out there, I would love to hear from other users about how the right light or wavelength can improve sleep quality - please comment below!
Charging feature
The battery can be charged with the integrated charger, which is part of the battery. Since there is no charging feature inside the actual flashlight, the battery has to be taken out in order to charge it (= you can not use the flashlight while you are charging the battery). There is a micro USB port in the head of the battery. Remove the battery and insert the micro USB cable. Charging is indicated with two different states with a red or green LED that is under the protective plastic of the battery (BAT+ side). The integrated chargers pulls up to 1A from a standard USB charger.
The measured termination voltage is at 4.21 V.
Some may challenge the design decision to put the charging feature inside the battery instead of the flashlight. I believe this was done to improve the IPX rating and to guarantee the correct charging process for this battery. It also avoids having to purchase a charger if you don't own one.
Temperature measurements
Like most newer flashlight there is a thermal regulation to protect the electronics, emitter and the user. According to the user manual the regulated temperature limit is 55° Celsius (= 131° F).
Actual measurements
All measurements were taken at room temperature (about 28.6°C). The light was stationary while data was taken and there was no airflow or air conditioning. The flashlight was tail-standing during the test and was not able to give away heat to a human hand or other objects. These values are only approximate and not scientific.
Control measurement light in OFF state after 1 hour: 28.10 °C
After 1 minute you will have the following changes
Moon: N/A (no moon mode)
Sleeping light: no change
Low: no change
Medium: no change
High: 30.9° C
Very High:
15 seconds 35.1° C
30 seconds 40.2° C
45 seconds 43.4° C
60 seconds 45.7° C
Turbo temperature measurements (4,500 lumens!)
32.5° C after 10 seconds
35.1° C after 20 seconds
40.3° C after 30 seconds
48.5° C after 45 seconds
55.1° C after 1 minute
64.5° C after 1 Minute 45 seconds
(The temperature of the battery at this point was 43.5° C)
After reaching 66.5° on the IR thermometer the flashlight was too hot to touch and I abandoned any further tests. Since I also didn't know the temperature of the electronics inside, the emitter or the battery I stopped testing the flashlight. The temperature regulation according to the manual is supposed to be at 55° C - I don't know where and how this temperature would be measured. But the on the outside the head of this flashlight reaches > 60°C (=140° F) in about 100 seconds. Because the thermal engineering design is excellent, the heat spreads from the head through to the tail end of the flashlight. However, at this point the flashlight can no longer be handled without feeling the heat.
Between measuring different modes the light cooled down for at least 1 hour. The battery was topped off between cycles that drew a lot of current.
Tear down
This flashlight was not teared down or disassembled. Also, I can not estimate whether this is easy or not. With normal hand strength, the front bezel can not be opened.
What I really liked about this flashlight:
+ Very high output for a single emitter light
+ Excellent build quality with zero issues
+ 21700 form factor results in good ergonomics
+ Excellent threads on both sides of the tube that came lubed
+ Anodization is of great quality, no problems at all
+ Tailcap is designed to stand on and also has a very strong magnet
+ Thermal design is excellent
+ Highly innovative sleeping light feature
+ This flashlight includes the battery and good accessories
Neutral aspects
* There are no battery adapters included, so smaller/shorter cells can not be used in this flashlight. Since this products comes with an OEM battery, this shouldn't be a big deal.
Conclusion
The Imalent DM70 is a great all-purpose, compact flashlight that is handy for a variety of use cases. It can handle all general lighting requirements while walking/hiking, has a magnet for DIY jobs around the garage/car/house, but may also help you sleep at night while camping or at home. The beam shape is a good mix of throw and spill and, if necessary, provides a turbo mode with up to 4,500 lumens.
The outstanding product build quality, the innovative features (sleeping light) and the included battery, holster, charging feature, and clip make this purchase a good deal. The flashlight has a simple and useful U/I and should be intuitive to use for anybody.
If you need a pocket sized high quality flashlight with a brand that takes care of customers, this product is the perfect choice for you!
Beamshots might be added when I happen to be awake deep into the night. Currently it is way too bright even late at night to take decent pictures.
Please post any questions you may have, I am happy to go into details or answer any feedback.
Appendix
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Are you able to try other 21700 cells to see if they work? Very good review, I have one on order.

Amazing review, very detailed - thank you!

I have this flashlight, it works with all Samsung 18650 cells I own, 25R, 30Q and 26F. all you need is a battery adapter and a small magnet if the cells are not button top. The light has reverse polarity protection (the metal pins 4x you see above on the driver) and only works with button tops or with a small magnet.

All output is the same with the Samsung cells, from what I can see.

Hey mate nice review.
I also won one of these.
Does it look like the reflector is sitting on top of the LED? I tried to take the bezel of to have a look but its glued. Ill try some heat on it.

On mine the OP reflector is sitting on top of the LED; there is no gasket or anything.
Head/bezel appears glued shut.

It is a very cool light and I won’t destroy it by attempting to open it up (I am too much of a noob to get it right) :wink:

Yea that’s not right looking at it again the reflector hole is to small for the XHO70.2. Basically imalent just used an of the shelf reflector that doesn’t even work in this light. So dodgy!

I think it is clearly visible here, you are right. The reflector is sitting on top of the LED:

My beam is actually good, no artifacts or rings or anything. But you’d expect a reflector that fits, yeah.

Still, this flashlight has so much output and is lightweight, compact at the same time… just a good light!

This is a very nice review.

I just received this light, the switch boot/cap can “turn” or “move”, is this normal? The flashlight is amazing so far, but just wanted to ask whether everyone has a rotating switch boot.

I’m also wondering how well other 21700 cells perform being so much smaller than the one they supply with the charging port. The tail spring looks large and hopefully will accommodate shorter cells that you could buy aftermarket. I don’t like the idea of a light that works well with a limited selection of cells, even if it has a charging function (which might help folks with chargers that can’t fit a 21700 cell because of the length.

Nice review, by the way. Thanks for sharing your impressions.

The biggest criticism I had of the DN70 is/was that the buttons are difficult to find in the dark, is this still the case with this light? I saw another review which suggested they are :frowning:

Also sad to see the OLED screen go, i found that was the best feature of the previous model.

And the sleeping light function, meh, seems a useless gimmick - a nice neutral/diffused LED for using as a reading light would have been more useful, surely?

The screen is something I wouldn’t need, personally. My flashlight works fine, the button moves and rotates and makes a “sound” when you touch or use it. This is probably to make it easier to find it?
So both from a haptic and visual point (led light under switch), the switch can be found easily. When you wear gloves you could either look to find the switch or tap until you find the rattling switch boot?

The sleeping light function with the orange LED lights underneath is interesting, I just don’t know what the outcome shall be?

The light on the switch is probably the key difference, that would certainly make it easy to find.

On the DN70 the USB charging port and the button both felt the same and neither were lit - that made it very difficult to find the switch in the dark!

The screen’s main use for me was to see the battery voltage, I find that a much more accurate and convenient way to track the battery life - probably not necessary when there’s indicator lights, really, but it’s a nice feature.

I’m on the fence with this one, I never replaced my Klarus G20 when I lost it and so at the moment I’m using the Astrolux S43 as a ‘pocket’ flooder, this would be a nice jump up in lumens from that, but then, there’s a few things which just aren’t quite there yet. I think I’ll wait for something more like the Fireflies E07, but with perhaps a bit better quality control :slight_smile:

The magnet is not strong enough to hold the light, its weak.

On mine the magnet is strong enough to stay under the hood of the car, it doesn’t move.

I just received my DM70, it’s dead out of the box. I noticed that one of the four metal protrusions around the contact in the head is of a different shape, and it prortrudes much more than the others, preventing the battery from making contact. Anyone else got one like this? If so, could you get it to work?

I closed the circuit with a cable, and the light started to draw a parasitic current of 43mA, but it still doesn’t work.

I would send it back for a replacement.

Bad QC job, Faulty contact, it seems its flipped sideways while soldering

Try to contact them

Imalent insists that the problem is me not tightening the tailcap enough, but tightening with force beyond the point of firm contact will simply press the protruding piece of metal into the plastic part of the battery top, potentially causing damage, and the light doesn’t work anyway, even if the circuit is closed with a wire.

I ordered 5 lights from Imalent. Three of them work (2 * LD10, DM35), one works sometimes (DM21C), and the last one was DOA (DM70). And as it turns out, that “5-year warranty promise” isn’t all that great either. I’m done with this brand.

1st light ive bought in over a year and so far iam happy with it