I tried L19, these are my observations.
Hot spot is full, but has minor discoloration towards the edges.
Spill is non existent, TIR optic is the same type as Stremlight TLR-1. Instead of spill there is barely noticeable fill.
The purpose of such TIR optic is to minimize blinding from the spill while concentrating lumens into as higher candella value as possible.
TIR optics are applied well to a specific application – tactical weapon lights.
While L19 is not a hunting light, it is tactical light, with a number of shortcomings.
Acebeam series of lights are not of true 21700 format, and use propriety Acebeam cells with integrated USB-C chargers.
Acebeam cells are so much longer that they can no be used in other 21700 lights or chargers. User is locked into using the integrated USB-C charging, or a magnetic snap lead type charger.
The only positive aspect of such an arrangement is that the L19 does not have a charger ingratiated into the light housing itself, thus it has higher water resistance rating vs lights that use a rubber plug to cover the built in charging port.
L19 thickness of cell tube is really thin in comparison to other lights. The thickness of L19 tail switch wall is only .74mm. In comparison the thickness of Convoy M21C tail switch wall is 1.38mm.
The thickness of Convoy M21C cell tube measured from wall interior to thread is 2mm.
I just wanted to measure tube wall thickness of L19 and it’s another shortcoming that has to be mentioned.
Absence of a charge port integrated into the light housing and the need to take out the cell for charging presents another problem for a tactical light.
With the L19 installed on a weapon, pressure switch pad attached and lead wire fitted, unscrewing the pressure switch cap becomes a giant pain in the ass. You are either forced to twist the crap out of the lead wire, or remove L19 from the weapon.
This is a major shortcoming which separates this light from true tactical lights which use milspec detachable connectors. The light stays installed on the weapon, but the switch lead wire is detachable.
If L19 had a proper pressure switch pad with a tail cap that had a detach cable connector, it would be a viable low end tactical light option. Without a pro connector, as a tactical light L19 is a novelty item.
Pressure switch pad design is a major drawback of this light which negates its primary purpose of use.
Very thin wall construction also makes me doubt durability of the light in a drop test. Given standard attachment point by the tac ring and large diameter reflector, upon the drop the impact will most likely occur on the reflector head, which can deform cell housing tube.
I’m not going to try the test myself, but I have to doubt that a standard weapon drop test from shoulder height is survivable by this light.
This leads me away from tactical use and to everyday use.
In direct comparison to standard reflector of Convoy M21C, while M21C has a pronounced spill ring it also has a much tighter hot spot with odd shaped corona.
In totality of focus and throw, while L19 is noticeably brighter, it is not brighter by much. The brightness difference becomes evident at ranges of 200 meters, where larger yet brighter L19 hotspot is roughly 20% brighter then that of M21C. At closer ranges hotspot brightness level difference is negligible.
While I did test run times and thermals I did it for myself and did not record data.
In short Convoy M21C ran longer, at higher level output and at lower thermals. L19 overheated quickly, and after looking at L18 and design differences from L19, it’s obvious that L18 heats up even quicker.
Similarly, while L19 UI is acceptable, the side button is laughably anemic for practical application. It is tiny, totally flush with the body, and impossible to locate/operate not only with gloves on, but difficult to locate with bare hands. Button design is also utterly unfit for practical application in cold weather. The button itself is a metal disk positioned into a metal housing cylinder that’s pressed into the body. The gap tolerance between the housing cylinder and the button is very small, and the button is guaranteed to freeze shut against the housing cylinder in freezing temperatures.
The only usable tac switch of L19 is the tail switch, but at that it’s dual use function is dubious at best. Tail switch has a dual use button, which supposed to allow a momentary on with a half press, and constant on will full click press. The travel distance between momentary to full click is so short, that it’s very hard to feel it out with bare hands while just playing around with it, but when wearing gloves and actually doing something momentary function will be impossible to get, and it’ll always be a full click press.
As a tac light L19 falls completely short, L19 is not a hunting light as advertized since in most countries night hunting with a flash light is illegal anyway (safety concerns), and as a everyday light L19 TIR optic severely limits applicable use.
In direct comparison, for everyday use a $40 Convoy M21C is a much more reasonable alternative. While having very similar dimensions M21C is tougher built so if it’s dropped it is far less likely to be damaged, it holds turbo mode longer and with less heat buildup, it uses a standard 21700, and costs a fraction of what L19 does.
I have not tried L21C, but I suspect that with a large reflector it will actually beat L19 in hot spot candella, all the while providing usable spill, and similarly to M21C also at a fraction of the cost.
While I’ll be keeping my L19, I can not recommend it. It’s not a true tac light, and there are better and far, far less expensive everyday flashlight options out there.
While initially I did not get the L21C because of its extra weight and head diameter vs portable M21C, now I am kind of tempted to get it just for a comparison to M21C and L19. I did try Sofirn SF47T and that thing is such a hot mess it’s not even worth bringing it up, just avoid it.
That’s my take on it.
