[Review] Manker T01 (XP-L HI V3, 1x AA / 14500)

A quick question (maybe someone knows):

I’m using standard alkaline and playing with pro modes. Battery is basically almost fresh (used maybe for 5min), but battery indicator blinks twice (meaning - about half power, right). That’s first strange thing…

Second - when programming modes there is no choice for Turbo (constant brightness, while it should be 330, 400 and 500)…is that something expected? It’s constant brightness, while it should cycle 330-400-500-330-… Is that due to the potential “low battery”?

Right now I don’t have eneloops to compare…neither 14500 (still in transit).

I use the flat top WindyFire 14500 cells. I have measured my T01 at 24.5KCD with these cells at 10 meters corrected. I thought it was a fluke with my lux meter so I measured my Astrolux S1 with a 30Q and got 10.5KCD and my Convoy C8 V3 and got 34KCD which was consistent with what others have measured.

I have small update about my issue:

  • When using Varta High Energy battery (considered as pretty good) after short use (maybe 10min of playing with light, no constant turbo or something, mostly lower modes) it has about 1,3V (tested with no load). Also Turbo brightness is exactly the same as High.
  • Using other no-name battery (“New Leader - Extra Heavy Duty”), totally new with initial voltage 1,47 I could not use High and Turbo - brightness was the same as Mid! Also shortly after removal it had about 1,3V and slowly increasing.
  • With Fujitsu White - I could use all modes, but even one minute usage - after battery removal voltage on it dropped 1,3->1,2.

Is that normal for this flashlight?

Anyone measured the dimensions of the T01 reflector? I would like to know the diameter and height because I want to know if it is interchangeable with its big brother the U11 reflector.

Thanks

Now that I have the T01 and the U11 and To answer my own question, although both lights have the same dimensions in the reflector, the U11 has a metal lip around the reflector edge to hold the o-ring in place and the T01 does not, using the T01 reflector would mean to loose the waterproofness of the light. So basically the reflectors are not interchangeable.

So far I am loving both lights, the U11 modified with a XP-L Hi led throws almost as good as the T01.

my t01 arrived today. two actually. put in nitecore imr14500, nada. the light doesnt turn on. the battery is fully charged. i tested it on my blf x5, no problem, so the battery is not at fault. tried olight 14500. too long to fit in. can anybody help me? thank you.

I just got the t01 last week from the fasttech Chinese new year sale. I tried a nitecore 14500 also. The nitecore battery is too long for the t01. You can screw cap on, but not fully. I ended up using a really old eneloop in it.

my reply might be dumb, excuse me if so. When I got mine I thought it was defective, it wouldn’t turn on. You have to hold the switch down for a bit. I did manage to get a Windyfire 14500 to work, but I prefer running mine on an Envelop.

edit: that is a great price from FastTech

I use regular Sanyo UR14500P with a small magnet.
Exactly this one: http://www.sobeler.com/li-ion/39-ur14500p.html

Hope it helps!

A friend and I both purchased this light from Fasttech during the sale. His light arrived and does not work. When you use any battery, the light will come on on it’s own then blink and turn off. Initially, it had a mind of its own and was going through random modes including strobe without any user input. It has “settled down” and is now just doing the random on blink blink off. Unfortunately, his light is useless.

As for mine, it’s OK. I’m disappointed that it doesn’t have the quick access to low mode with a single press. I am curious if anyone who bought from fasttech received a T01 with the single click low mode.

I am also a little surprised at the finish on both lights. The anodizing is a little bit sloppy in places. It is noticeable on the head near the fins. And on the tail, it’s a little sloppy too.

I have to say, I am somewhat disappointed in the light. I love the reflector, and the fact that it runs on AA batteries, but the lack of the instant access low mode and the subpar finish is unfortunate.

I compared it to my Nitecore EA 11, and although it throws much better, at least the EA 11 allows me instant access to low, high, and my last mode used. And it can use AA batteries as well.

May I ask where did you obtain your lights from ? It seems a certain retailer’s lights have issues, I am wanting to buy both the T01 and U11. Obviously I want to buy good product.

I got my T01 from fasttech and the U11 from Banggood with freeme’s coupon

Does your T01 have the single click to low mode?

I have two T01 from banggood - no one has single click to low mode. And both are broken in different ways… I’m really mad at Manker that they can’t get the quality right.

PS. Answering to my own question - yes, T01 needs really good AA battery to work properly.

I was able to get in contact with somebody from Manker. I expressed concern as there are at least 6T01 lights that I know of, all with issues. I received the email this morning from them, and have responded. I’m hoping they will get back to me on Monday.

@Sprinkles, will you be so kind to let me know the result of this discussion with Manker?
Like I said - I have two T01 and both broken in different ways…for the second one now asked Banggood to resolve the issue. We’ll see how it goes.

Just to be clear - so far can’t say anything bad about Banggood, they had mistakes, but I was always able to resolve it. Hope they will continue working that way.

Well, I haven’t heard back from Manker yet. I’m hoping I will by tomorrow. I provided a video to them in hopes that they might be able to help with the issue. They did confirm that Fasttech only had a small shipment of the original/first release T01 so they shouldn’t have advised people that they were anything but that (in my case they told me it was newest version).

I’ll update here when/if I hear back.

Can someone comment on the PWM in this light? I think I am about to order one since I cannot find a WW Zebralight at a reasonable price.

Thanks Matt

No observable PWM on the T01 or U11

Really??? That is just to good to be true! I guess that will make this a must have!

Thanks