New Lumintop E05C - looks to be the EDC05C but with an XPL HI

I recently got my updated EDC05C (with the new easily removable tailcap) from Illumn, and was just checking the Lumintop site and see that they now also have an “E05C” listed. At first I thought it was just a typo, but it does appear to be a slightly different listing - it has a slightly higher max output, lower max runtime, and some other mode spacing differences… I thought this was interesting - the original EDC05C had the 12v XHP35 main emitter, the four 3v nichia side emitters wired in series for 12v, and then the regulated boost driver. Now it looks like they’ve gone to a 3v XPL HI, and presumably the 4 nichia side emitters wired in parallel? So no boost driver? Maybe that’s how they’re getting a slightly higher claimed output, but shorter runtimes due to less efficiency? Anyway, just thought I’d share… Kind of bummed that I just bought the EDC05C and now there’s an updated model out, but I really like the light anyway for what it is.

Edit: here’s the links to both pages so you can see the slight differences in the listings:

E05C: http://www.lumintop.com/e05c.html
EDC05C: http://www.lumintop.com/edc05c.html

It’s a pity that it still doesn’t support NIMH cells even with the new version

Just recently got the Lumintop E05C now, although I understand it’s been around for more than a year now.

Item just arrived and I’m testing it.

The product advertisement page and Lumintop’s website indicates that 14500 and AA batteries are supported.

However, the included manual seems to just be copied from the EDC05C (which supports 14500 only; AA won’t work), and indicates “use 14500 battery”.
The manual states: battery usage: AA = “X” (so it seems to indicate AA is not supported)

But on actual testing, AA battery works. It would appear the manual is the one in error (and although it’s been over 1 year since the E05C has been released, the manual has not been updated to mention that AA batteries work. The manual does state AA batteries cannot be charged with the flashlight).

strange the links are wrong ?

This page doesn’t seem to exist.
It looks like the link pointing here was faulty. Maybe try searching?

From the store page … just now E05C

OP was from over a year ago, could be why the links don’t work.

New updated links.

Only differences I see is the E05C has XPL HI / 550 lumens and
4 NCSLE17 Nichia / 260 lumen

The EDC05C has XHP35 led / 500 lumens and
the same Nichias on the side but only 175 lumens

I’m considering ordering one of these.

I’ve carried an EDC05C since the original offer, but would appreciate the No-Tool-Needed tail cap (I usually remove the battery to charge) and option to use AA or NiMh batteries on the E05C.

I’ve used the floody high CRI side lights often for photography.

I’d prefer to have a neutral white front light as well, but can tolerate the cool white.

Not many options for where to buy these.

Very few reviews.

I do prefer the lower moonlight modes for the EDC05C specs, but could probably be okay with the higher levels of the E05C.

JLHawaii808 has them but for some reason they don’t appear in his Lumintop category. You have to use the site search.

I recently got an E05C from Nealsgadgets. It was a bummer to see the sold out Neutral tint version that apparently was a limited run. Neal’s was the only online shop I found that listed the neutral version, couldn’t find it anywhere else, but I’m over it…

I’m really liking this light! It’s my new daily driver in my work as a technician, I got it because it has the side light, magnet and its small size. I’ve already ordered a 2nd one for a friend who saw it and had to have one!

My only complaint also is the switch, it’s not the greatest feeling, I have to press it kind of hard to operate, and it could be a little larger.

Also maybe for a V2 have the switch relocated to the back, or better yet maybe the side?… If you hold this light normally the side light is aiming at your face, so you need to operate it while holding it upside down to avoid blinding yourself when turning on the side light.

I’d also like a magnetic strip on the backside, they could make a longer clip with built in magnets.

All nit-pickin though, as I don’t believe there’s anything else quite like this, a ton of cheapo AA side-cob lights but nothing else of this quality that I’m aware of.

They also make a larger 21700 version of this (E21C) that I’m considering.
Also just noticed a very similar SST20 version/21700/E21C clone by Warsun, with a COB side light: Warsun SQ03 Plus, Banggood

Recently got an E05C. It was interesting comparing it to the earlier model EDC05C

  • Both lights appear identical on the oustide. Main visible difference other than the marking is the removable tailcap.
  • The E05C uses a press-fit driver. The earlier version has a driver retaining ring.
  • Both versions use press-fit bezel and switch retaining rings. The lens is fairly thin glass.
  • The switch button on the E05C is raised up slightly higher. The cause seems to be the microswitch is mounted 1 or 2 mm higher in the driver. Both use the same switch boot. I preferred the earlier version’s flatter switch as I found the E05C’s more raised switch a bit to easy to accidentally trigger.
  • As previous poster’s have noted the updated version uses an XPL HI. The older one uses an XHP35 HI.
  • The new version is noticeably brighter.
  • The rubber cover for the charging port sits more flush in the earlier version. I found that to be better than the updated version where it sticks out maybe 1mm.

I did a few mods to my E05C:

  • Removed tailcap magnet
  • Replaced stock spring with low resistance be-cu spring
  • Emitter swap of main emitter: Swapped out the cool white XPL-HI and replaced it with a non-green 4000K 95 CRI SST-20. I had to break the lens to get the retaining ring out. Fortunately, I was able to find a different lens that fit.
  • The stock star is very thin aluminum. I replaced it with a copper sinkpad star which I filed down to fit.
  • Removed switch boot and snipped off button of rubber pillar, before reinstalling boot. Result is switchboot now sits much flatter, greatly reducing chance of accidental activation.

Overall I quite like the modded light as an EDC:

  • Output with main emitter is very similar to a Sofirn SP10 Pro on H10 when equipped with the same emitter.
  • Feels great in the hand due to the rubber charging cover and side light cover providing excellent grip.
  • Side light is nice.
  • Clip is much better than Sofirn SP10 Pro clip.
  • Built in charging. It’s only micro-USB rather than USB-C. But if you like charging it’s still better than nothing.
  • Large unibody construction with plenty of heat sink fins has excellent thermal characteristics. This light does not appear to have or need any thermal rampdown. The entire light body gets quite warm, but continues to run fine.
  • Like the SP10 Pro, this light can run on AA at reduced output if 14500 is not available.
  • Downside is the UI is much worse than the SP10 Pro.