I’ve been thinking about this one and just wanted to see what you guys thought about it ?
I had one for a short time and though it’s well built there are some design issues:
Very limited run-time in Turbo (<90 sec).
The dual switches are very hard to find in the dark.
The recharge port should be magnetic because the boot isn’t very robust and it will leak eventually.
I suggest you look at the Lunintop ODF30C, Wuben T70, Wuben A21, Emissar D4S instead. They are not as compact as the DN70 but they perform far better.
I have Imalent DN70 and I’m happy with it. It is true that the buttons are small and they are harder to find in the dark. I can see no other problem outside the small buttons. Turbo is time-limited, just like any other size and power-like light. I do not like magnetic charging connectors. You must always have such a specific cable with you. Micro USB and USB C connectors are everywhere.
The torch is very compact - smaller than some models on the 18650 battery. Nice OLED display. It informs you of the power and voltage of the battery. The price is also important for the decision. I bought the lamp in action at Gearbest for $ 46, including a 26650 battery. That’s a great price. I have a flashlight for exactly one year - bought in December 2017 and is absolutely reliable.
Thank you both for your feedback. They do have them on sale for 55.99 which is one reason I was thinking about one. Another I thought about is the Sofirn C8F ?
It's not easy to find which of the two switches you want in dim light. I made the usual switch much more visible, and much easier to find by touch in the dark, by sticking a bit of white silicone rubber on the ledge just under the switch. Easily seen because white, and easily felt in the dark. Another thing I do to all my flashlights is stick a ring of reflectiive tape around the tail cap. That makes them easy to find in dim light by means of another light held close to the eyes. I use it a lot around the house, and sometimes leave it perched somewhere and forget where. Black flashlights in amongst a clutter of dark things are sometimes hard to see.
I've had it for a year and am very pleased with it. Its only remaining disadvantages for me are those which the physics of current technology imposes on it -- it's simply too physically small to run at high power for more than a minute or two, and not quite small enough to be carried everywhere always in a pocket. But then anything small and light enough for EDC has neither the power, the throw, the long lasting battery, and gets too hot a lot faster on high power.
Sofirn C8F is significantly cheaper. Almost 50% of the price. Performance will be similar. But it’s not as compact and does not have direct charging via USB. But it’s a good flashlight, like the Sofirn brand. I have the C8F first version with a switch in the tail and now I have ordered UTORCH C8F which is the same flashlight under another brand.
Go with
Sofirm C8F or Wuben A21.
Petr, I do like the looks of the UTORCH C8F , and for 45.00 that’s not bad. I do wish I could find a code for it and then I just might go with that one. Well after some looking I see there is a flash sale on them for 32.99. But battery not included . DN70 does come with battery.
Chris thanks for your input.
Use the link on the FIN17 flashlight and its code. The price will be $ 25. The code is not hidden.
https://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_009577798775.html?wid=1433363&lkid=16777564
code: BLFGB1212
The compact size and quality are definitely not in question. And with that small size comes limited surface to cool such a beast. The DN70 came out before the XHP70.2 emitter so it missed the slightly better performing LED in the .2 offerings. I really liked mine but a buddy liked it far more.
Like i said, the the bigger lights I mentioned run longer on Turbo and the Wuben does 700 more lumens. It has a boot as well over the charge port but it’s more robust.
The DN70 is a good light, no argument there and the OLED screen is a very nice feature. I just wanted longer turbo run-time and better cooling.
I have the Sofirn/Utorch C8F as well. The Imalent is brighter in overall Lumen output, visibly so though the factory spec’ numbers don’t show any difference.
On turbo, the c8F will run several minutes, the DN70 won’t.
No built in charging is a disappointment in the c8F.
The ramping UI of the Sofirn/Utorch is a positive to me.
C8F does not come with a cell and it requires a fairly high discharge 21700 to run Turbo. It can be bought a kit with a cell but then it’s up with the Imalent in price.
Choices, choices, choices. Buy them all I say……
Use a coupon and get the Thrunite TC20. It has a much better run time on turbo. I’ve tried all of them and prefer the TC20 though the C8F is a great price and tiny bit more throw.
I agree with most of what the others have said. Makes a great hand warmer as well. UI is ok and the buttons could be better but if you use it regularly I don’t think it would be an issue. I’d like a DN35 just to go with my DN70. Kinda pricey for what you get even with a code. I would just do some homework because I think there are probably better lights for the money. It does fill a small niche though.
Petr, Thanks for the coupon. And everyone is making a lot of sense here, that’s why I joined to learn. Thank you all
Forget it, it’s technically outdated. If you don’t make a point in having usb charging (I think it’s useless) get an Emisar D4S instead. If you really want usb charging get a Fireflies E07.
I loved my DN70 until the Emisar’s appeared. The main drawbacks of the DN70 are the switches and fast overheating, as said above. You only get used to the hard-to-find switches if you use only the DN70; if you also use other flashlights you always find it inconvenient. I no longer have patience for it. However, the worst aspect hasn’t been mentioned: the horrible distribution of brightness levels. The lower is far too bright, the higher is ridiculously too high; it should be around 1500lm instead of 2500.
Further, when it appeared it was the smallest one in its class; now the competition has the same size, such as the D4S and E07, which have more output, throw and much better UI. The display with voltage of the DN70 is nice but the others also have voltage reading; the only difference is that they don’t show the voltage during operation but I find that it’s not really important; what you want is to know how charged is the battery, and for this you need the voltage without current.
The DN35 is still interesting because it’s the throwiest for it’s size, and the levels are not so important for a thrower. OTOH Vinh has just launched a version of the D4S with the Osram White led, which gives more output and throw than the DN35. It’s a lot more expensive however.
Wow, well I’m putting the DN70 aside for the time being, looks like there is others better suited for me. Just looking for a decent floody or a good combo beam would be OK too. Lots to choose from I can see that. I have a Nitecore P30 that will do fine for a small thrower.
I’ve got both now. DN 35 and 70.
Had the 35 for several yrs. Added 2 x epoxy lumps on case below sw so I can feel them in dark. (Micro drill. insert pin. Epoxy over.)
My fav for walkabouts. Although others are good.
This one just ’feels” right.
Reliable great beam. Throw and spread wise.
comfortable. decent life to battery (for the type).
And the difference t’ween the 1500 and 2200. Seriously.
Visibly. NADA. It’s 99% in the brain. Just use high.
It’s basically a Low 20. Mid 450. Hi 1200. With 2200 Turbo
for a longer glance at things.
Ideal. the 450 WILL get used 90% of time by most.
Mag chargers in car. YUK. Plug in every time thank you.
I’ve got a thing about the D4 family.
Ugliest looking torches “I’VE” ever seen.
You couldn’t give me one (to use. I’d swap it)
My C8+ and maxed out Sofurn C8T are good.
but not in same paddock.
These new gen LED’s coming now,
should make a decent difference.
Way I look at it. any torches of that physical size
ARE going to get real hot when playing with turbo.
You want a bigger/longer beam.
Use a bigger torch. Simple.
These baby’s are basically a novelty.
OOOOh Look what this one does.
NONE last for long if using the power they “rated ” for,
maybe a coupla minutes, then they all step down.
Mack, Yes that makes a lot of sense. Thanks
Agreed. I don’t have a DN70, but I love the TC20. The output of my NW is awesome. There’s a 30% coupon floating around in one of the deal threads, which would put it under $65 USD with battery.
Going to pick up a c8f but the TC20 is on the short list. Thanks