Acebeam EC50 Review. With comparisons to Nitecore TM03 and Olight R50.

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Hey there BLF. Got another review here, and yeah the light has been out for a few months now- there’s even a newer version out now. But this review is relevant because I include 2 new lights that have entered the compact, big lumen, single emitter lights- the TM03 and R50. There’s beamshots inside, as well as output ratings, and more. Here’s brief “Pros” and “Cons” list for each light.

EC50

Pros
-Creamy Neutral tint offered.
-Moonlight mode
-Momentary on
-Logical, easy to use UI.
-Comes with 5000mah cell.

Cons
-Has length problems with some batteries, a lot of unprotected won’t fit.
-Ultra mode is, hold-to-activate.
-Slight battery rattle due to diameter of tube.

TM03
Pros.
-The brightest of the three
-Logical UI, with momentary on
-Tailcap operation… buttons are easy to differentiate in the dark

Cons.
-Proprietary battery. Can only use the one made for the light.
-Short runtimes on the maximum output.
-Battery capacity could be greater… I tested the battery to be 2800 mah.
-No moonlight

R50
Pros
-Most throw of the 3.
-Comes with 5000mah cell
-Onboard charging
-Also a nice UI, with shortcuts.

Cons.
-No moonlight.
-Can’t charge aftermarket batteries in the light. (still can use them though)

Ok, here is the review- It was provided by Bestlight.io for review.

2

Awesome review man! Not to stroke the old ego, but you seem to be the best reviewer in the game right now, now that selfbuilt has kinda taken a step back and isn’t reviewing everything on the market like he once did. lol.
Have you considered getting a lux meter and doing runtime graphs (similar to selfbuilts) and include them in your threads along with your videos? Doing this would bring your shit to the next level! lol
I just ordered a TM03 and it should be arriving on friday. I somewhat wish I would have purchased this model over it, but I wasn’t aware of it when I made my purchase. Either way I’ve been in the flashlight game for A LONG TIME (purchased the original L1P from David on CPF in his initial group buy!), and haven’t bought a light online in many years now, so I’m sure I’m going to be blown away by any of these models regardless!
Thanks for the reviews, and keep up the good work!

3

Thank you for the review.
I am looking to add one of the lights you have listed to my collection and your review is helping me make a decision (abet slightly more confused at the same time).

Lateck,

4

I had thought about the graphs thing… but haven’t ever implemented it for a few reasons. It requires me to be by the light while it runs, for the duration of the runtime. Otherwise there’s some computerized meters with graphing that I don’t own, or haven’t researched. Then there’s the converting my figures to a graph. I like the time lapse because it helps to automate a part of a review, where I can look at it an interpret it later. It also informs me when to watch for a step down as I watch it. I completely understand why people want them though- it is concrete info (sorta of) on the overall output drop. It’s just a lot of work- and I have a full time job and a new kid. I already spend 10-20 hours on each video, and honestly don’t know how I find time to do it as is. If I started doing the traditional table top stuff, then maybe there’d be time- but I don’t like doing those sorts of reviews. Which is great, because there are so many great reviewers out there who do picture and text reviews, who discuss things in more detail that I do. Those take a ton of time too… which is why I stopped doing those in addition to the Youtube stuff. And the reason I do Youtube reviews only is for the little bit of cash I’m making right now from Google Adsense. And no- free lights are not worth the time it takes to do these reviews. Because I keep most of them for testing and comparison, and give a few away.

I do own 2 cheap lux meters- which is how I do my testing of throw, and lumens.

That said, Self Built and maukka, and others are better set up from a technical standpoint. I’m not a math guy, or engineer, so I make videos that play to my strengths. I feel like there’s a usefulness in seeing how a light performs outdoors, what it looks like as it runs, etc. I go for a less technical, real world approach. I don’t do well unscripted, or talking into a camera. I consider my reviews as technical overviews, more than detailed reviews.

The TM03 isn’t bad… but you’ll probably want some extra batteries on hand. I hear they’re $20 a pop?

Plus, I’m going to start slowing down a bit after this month. I have way too many people offering me lights- I turn down so many now. Because my Youtube channel is what I do during all my free time- and it’s a bit overwhelming. It’s becoming more of a job than a hobby.

Anyway, thanks for the comments and questions. Sorry I hit you with a wall of text.

I know… I often don’t like to “sell” a light. Sometimes I bring up more points, and counterpoints than I should. If you have any specific questions that I didn’t address, then feel free to ask.

5

Yeah really appreciate the review, I know there’s a ton of post you have to do after you shoot not many people realize that. I think that self built dude is using a iPhone to shoot his vids. The technical stuff is really nice, I really do study the graphs when I make a decision to buy a light or not. But really, F the graphs keep this same format, id rather look at a light with a clock/timer next to it %100 all the time.

Wtf is a graph going to do to help me visualize what a 900lm to 700lm stepdown on a 18650 light with a smo vs. a 14500 tiny head light with a op reflector and the same 900 to 700 stepdown? I want to see things. I love the outdoor shots, real life stuff. Not to discredit all the reviewers here that are doing a fantastic job, not everybody can go out to take shots due to a lack of gear or time. In reality I appreciate all reviews here.

There’s a bunch of Russian cats that go out to abandon buildings and such, they bring out the LED Lensers and mess around. the vids are hella old but you get my point.

Urban Exploration

6

I’ve thought about creating some sort of crude device with a lux meter and a clock, so there’s some sort of number associated with the time… but once the light dims you might not be able to see it. I dunno.

Yeah man… my review style isn’t for everyone- but I don’t look at it as a competition. The more reviews on something the better… and some people go over different things. Plus, maybe my lumens ratings aren’t quite them same as other people- so you watch those and get some sort of average. Or just pay more attention to theirs.

Yeah I bought a few sort of expensive cameras, and when I did- I didn’t buy them for Youtube initially. But it’s what I use them for now. And I’ve had some gear die on me too… oh well. Thanks man! Glad they’re informative and maybe partially entertaining.

When I get out of work today, I’ll check them out. I’d love to take the lights to new cool places, like those.

7

Two more things…

  • Infinitely more entertaining
  • Immense ability to put me to sleep faster (contradicts first point??)

Just don’t go all Zack Snyder out and you’ll be ok.

8

Like make them 3 hours?

9

I had thought about the graphs thing… but haven’t ever implemented it for a few reasons. It requires me to be by the light while it runs, for the duration of the runtime. Otherwise there’s some computerized meters with graphing that I don’t own, or haven’t researched. Then there’s the converting my figures to a graph. I like the time lapse because it helps to automate a part of a review, where I can look at it an interpret it later. It also informs me when to watch for a step down as I watch it. I completely understand why people want them though- it is concrete info (sorta of) on the overall output drop. It’s just a lot of work- and I have a full time job and a new kid. I already spend 10-20 hours on each video, and honestly don’t know how I find time to do it as is. If I started doing the traditional table top stuff, then maybe there’d be time- but I don’t like doing those sorts of reviews. Which is great, because there are so many great reviewers out there who do picture and text reviews, who discuss things in more detail that I do. Those take a ton of time too… which is why I stopped doing those in addition to the Youtube stuff. And the reason I do Youtube reviews only is for the little bit of cash I’m making right now from Google Adsense. And no- free lights are not worth the time it takes to do these reviews. Because I keep most of them for testing and comparison, and give a few away.

The TM03 isn’t bad… but you’ll probably want some extra batteries on hand. I hear they’re $20 a pop?

Plus, I’m going to start slowing down a bit after this month. I have way too many people offering me lights- I turn down so many now. Because my Youtube channel is what I do during all my free time- and it’s a bit overwhelming. It’s becoming more of a job than a hobby.

Anyway, thanks for the comments and questions. Sorry I hit you with a wall of text
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Shit man, I hope my comment didn’t come across as negative! You’re reviews are comical and keep the user engaged, and are also very imformative. They are easily the best youtube video reviews I’ve seen to date. I was just curious about the graphs, since you already own the most up to date and popular lights on the market at the moment (TM03, R50, EC50), and more new they seem to be getting thrown your way faster than you can even accept them! lol

I had no idea doing the reviews was so time consuming to be honest. If I knew it was taking dozens of hours to put one together, I wouldn’t have even mentioned it! Fuck that noise! lol

Oh, and regarding the TM03, I did buy an extra battery and the UM10 charger. I was able to get the light, and extra cells and the charger for $130 from nitecore store, using their coupon code. Not bad considering the light typically sells for $130 by itself. I’m pretty excited to see it in action as the brightest lights I own are the new 600 lumen 3D maglite and one of the 600 lumen 3D lights from Home depot a couple years ago, so the TM03 should basically crush everything I own! lol

10

Yup, plus you gota kill a couple people too and confuse them with the plot at the same time.

So while walking around with the light just randomly hit a dude on the head with it, check. While in the middle of the vid hard cut to you reviewing a titanium wood cooking stove and cut back to your flashlight review, check.

11

Dude, F the YT analytics… I always watch to the end.

Entertain me, clown!

12

Oh, no not at all! I agree with you too. I just don’t have a ton of time to add to them, or really haven’t figured out logistics that would allow me to add them without much effort. Yep… they’re time consuming. The editing always takes the biggest chunk of the time… I often times have to go back and gets shots I missed. The graphics part is always tedious… measuring, tweaking the graphics… etc… then watching it a few times and make sure I didn’t make a mistake. I left one in this time… it wasn’t inaccurate data but I called something by the wrong thing.

I have the Nitecore D4 and BTC3100 and I always have those two charging something. Oh yeah… that’s a great deal. Good job on that. You’ll need that second battery if you’re using the high mode often. You’ll be super impressed by it. It’s a ton of light in a somewhat small package. Not a Meteor amount of light… but still a good amount. Actually any of these three lights I mentioned above are all pretty awesome.

Ha ha! I’m a movie guy myself… and I think the only Zack Snyder movie I’ve watched all the way through is Dawn of the Dead. I have wanted to see the others, but for some reason never have gotten around to his super her stuff. I try to keep my pacing fast and my videos relatively short. I watch some other videos, and as long as mine are shorter then I’m happy.

Thanks man! I misspoke 2 minutes and 50 seconds!

13

Thanks for the review! It tempts me towards this light and not an L6. I have been dead set on wanting to get an L6 but after seeing how tight of a beam it has it kind of turned me off. I prefer flood over throw and the EC50 looks like the perfect beam profile for me.

14

Thanks for the informative and entertaining video review.
Excellent works, as always.

I’m in the market for a single 26650 light, and will wait for the latest EC50 Gen II with built-in rechargeable USB.
The Olight is nice, but as some of the Cons you mentioned, no moonlight mode, can’t charge standard 26650 and no NW tint can be deal breaker to some

15

I think the Gen II might be available some places now. Hopefully some reviews come out soon of it.

16

Another great review.

Pity Nitecore don’t have a 26650 sized version of the TM03 but I’m still looking forward to that review :slight_smile:

17

Thanks for the entertaining review, too bad you didn´t have the Klarus G20 for comparison, too.
Wait a minute… did you change your Youtube channel/name? “Advanced Knife Bro” ?! Seriously? LOL! :smiley:
Never mind :wink:

K.

18

That extra battery capacity would make a big difference.

Yeah Klarus sent me some light for review… More than I wanted, but all of them were older models of lights unfortunately. I probably won’t be reviewing the Klarus… But if I did I’d still have these on hand for comparison.

I changed the name a few months ago… Something that was tounge in cheek and kind of memorable. Mhanlen wasn’t quite cutting it. Pun intended?