Review: Manker T01 Prerelease Sample (small updates 20150925))

Tom E, can you please explain what is difference between XPL HI and non HI variant?
As I understand, HI is more suitable for high amp drivers and is more efficient at higher
currents, while non HI is brighter at lower currents?

Thanks!

Sounds like the 2B tint I'm using now in a MaxToch M12. It's the XPL HI V3 2B - seems like no longer available from Richard or Hank. Think Dale really liked this tint as well - right between the neutrals and cool whites. Maybe Manker bought them all up Wink.

I'm very interested in UI's and UI preferences as of late. I'm a fan of quick clicks and holds. Yes - quick access to both moon and turbo hi.

The way mine works:

from OFF: click to moon, hold to hi, longer hold to strobe

From ON while still mode changing: click to next mode, hold to prev mode, longer hold to strobe

From ON with a mode locked in: click turns it OFF, hold to prev mode (breaks mode locked in), longer hold to strobe

Also, the OFF state is included in cycling through modes.

The idea is quick easy access to moon, hi, and strobe, and quick mode changing. I'm looking at adding config settings to replace strobe with other features, for those that don't want strobe, or for some lights and usage where strobe doesn't make sense.

Sorry, CREE makes the standard XP-L with a full dome, and the XP-L HI that has a flat silicone covering. The XP-L HI has better throw but less lumens output, similar to characteristics of de-doming a CREE emitter, like we do with an XM-L2. Our own de-doming though gets better throw but shifts the tint significantly, while the XP-L HI's have the more common tints - neutrals and cool whites.

Thanks man!

I don’t understand why would they put a throwy emmiter in light this small, I’m sure I’m
not the only one who would expect this to be pocket flooder, not thrower.

They used a throwy emitter because it is designed to be a pcket thrower. You would be correct if this light had the usual AA sized reflector but with the oversized head and reflector it would almost be a sin to not use the HI emitter. :wink:

The head and reflector measurements of this T01 are about dead-on with the ZY-T11's I mod. The most powerful one I built was a XM-L2 U4 1C mounted on a MaxToch 26mm MCPCB with a UCL glass lens that did 5.1A tail, 1700 lumens @30 sec, and 24 kcd. Of course the light is bigger all around and probably a lot more amps, but it has my own e-switch UI, as described above Wink. I always liked the reflectors and resulting #'s I got out of these lights modded. The reflector does really well with a UCL or UCLp lens. The problem with the ZY-T11s of course is the poor quality host - anodizing, threads, etc. I like the feel of the ZY-T11 button, but no where near the quality and more intelligent position mounting of the T01's.

I'd love to see how accessible the driver is, and how much space there is - if it can be modded with a full FET+1 driver, either 17 or 15mm. It would be locked into a 14500, but seeing maybe as high as 1400-1500 lumens out of an XP-L HI on a good 14500 cell, and better throw out of a quality light in this size would be something...

I have to admit after trying out XPL HI in some of my lights, I feel like putting XPL HI in every light. It’s a great emitter for flashlights.

Manker is on a roll. Good to see new lights. Great review!

Thanks for the additional runtime graph.. that looks really straight!

How did you measure it?

Sound like they have the right driver... they should sell them separately!

Runtime graph provided by Manker.

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That looks like more than a shot across the bow....

Great review JM sir!

Great review! :slight_smile: and very nice looking light. I estimating a hefty price when it gets to market.

Great looking light, looks like BLF research has helped them a lot.

Great review and breakdown, the pics do a lot of justice on build

Oh, oops.. didnt see that! well.. uhmm... oh... mmm... ok..

I hope its not something like the Imalent SA04 I reviewed. See the strange graph.

Thanks! I have much to learn. :slight_smile:

Nice review! I like this little light with C8 performance. I hope Manker produces this light or something similar. 21kcd, nice!

Thanks, ROL! Yes, they are making it. Should be available for purchase soon.

… and for a reasonable price.

Manker should send you a check for a glowing endorsement like that! I can see why you’re so geeked about it though. You just don’t see compact pocket throwers like that. I guess Manker has been listening. It’s rare to see so many darn near perfect features in a single light that isn’t a custom build. The dual cathode spring was a mind-blower. It’s like a stock spring bypass mod but it looks better! I think this one will be a little out of my price range but it’s nice to see something like this being made. Thanks for the review. Maybe they will add that perfect moon mode before final production. It would be really fantastic if we could talk them into using that dual cathode spring in our group buy…

JM - I'd love to find out how moddable this light is. My latest UI, still under development will have a choice of 32 mode combos running on a ATTiny45 or 85, and would be perfect for this light. So if the LED and driver are accessible on this one, probably could do something with it.

I'm very disappointed with the Manker Rambler - seems to be all glued up at the reflector, and the body looks like one piece with no access to the driver/pill whatssoever - can't even upgrade/replace the LED - ugh... If they are doing this on all models - it's bad news for modders for sure.