LEP Discussion thread
Let's turn this into an LEP discussion thread.
Below are the ones I own and reviewed, as a topic starter..
Share, discuss anything you want on the topic of LEP flashlights.
Small LEP flashlights compared
Large LEP flashlights compared: Updated 2021-08
The graphs look ugly when I combine graphs with both the larger and smaller lights. And this is probably a better comparison anyway.
Reviews in details from my websites, and budgetlightforum:
I also started a dedicated LEP flashlight website: https://lepflashlight.com/
All written reviews:
- Unbranded 26650 LEP: https://1lumen.com/review/unbranded-lep/
- Acebeam W10: https://budgetlightforum.com/node/64194,
- Acebeam W10 gen2: https://1lumen.com/review/acebeam-w10-gen2/
- Acebeam W30: https://1lumen.com/21700-reviews/acebeam-w30/ , https://budgetlightforum.com/node/67500,
- Astrolux WP1: https://budgetlightforum.com/node/77057
- Astrolux WP2: https://1lumen.com/review/astrolux-wp2/
- Astrolux WP3: https://1lumen.com/review/astrolux-wp3/
- Fenix TK30: https://1lumen.com/21700-reviews/fenix-tk30/
- Jetbeam M2S: https://1lumen.com/review/jetbeam-m2s/ , https://budgetlightforum.com/node/71007,
- Jetbeam RRT M2S Raptor (2021): https://1lumen.com/review/jetbeam-rrt-m2s-raptor/
- Jetbeam M1X: https://1lumen.com/21700-reviews/jetbeam-m1x/
- Jetbeam RRT M1X Raptor (2021): https://1lumen.com/review/jetbeam-rrt-m1x-raptor/
- Lumintop Thor 1: https://1lumen.com/review/lumintop-thor1/
- Lumintop Thor 2: https://1lumen.com/review/lumintop-thor-2/
- Lumintop Thor 3: https://1lumen.com/review/lumintop-thor-3/
- Maxtoch Xsword L2K (2021): https://1lumen.com/review/maxtoch-xsword-l2k/, https://budgetlightforum.com/node/77113
- Maxtoch Xsword L3K: https://1lumen.com/review/maxtoch-xsword-l3k/
- Maxtoch Xsword LA60: https://1lumen.com/review/maxtoch-xsword-la60/
- Nextorch T7L: https://1lumen.com/18650-reviews/nextorch-t7l/
- Nextorch T10L: https://1lumen.com/review/nextorch-t10l/
- Olight Odin Turbo: https://1lumen.com/review/olight-odin-turbo/
- Weltool W3 PRO: https://1lumen.com/review/weltool-w3-pro/
- Weltool W4:https://1lumen.com/review/weltool-w4/
- Weltool W5: https://1lumen.com/review/weltool-w5/
Overview of LEP flashlights
Here is a list with manufacturer's specifications. Keep in mind you better look at the runtime graphs to get a better understanding of their 'real performance'.
Name | LEP class | Max. distance meters | Candela | ChibiM's measurements: | Max. lumens | Cell | Modes | Adjustable beam | Strobe | Year | Avg. Price |
Acebeam W10 | Class 2M | 1,000 | 250,000 | - | 250 | 21700 | 1 | No | No | 2018 | $286 |
Acebeam W10 gen II | Class 2M | 1,217 | 370,272 | 496,000 | 450 | 21700 | 1 | No | Yes | 2019 | $297 |
Acebeam W30 | Class 2M | 2,400 | 1,440,000 | 1,312,000 | 500 | 21700 | 1 | No | No | 2019 | $329 |
Amutorch BT55 | N/A | 2,898 | 2,100,000 | - | 600 | 21700 | ? | Yes | ? | 2021 | ??? |
Astrolux WP1 | N/A | 1,000 | 250,000 | - | 480 | 21700 | 3 | No | Yes + SOS | 2020 | $2XX |
Astrolux WP2 | N/A | 2,300 | 1,322,500 | - | 480 | 21700 | 3 | No | Yes + SOS | 2020 | $3XX |
Astrolux WP3 | N/A | 2,900 | 2,180,000 | 2,412,000 | 562 | 21700 | 3 | No | Yes | 2021 | $306 |
Fenix TK30 | Class 3B | 1,200 | 360,000 | 384,000 | 500 | 21700 | 2 | No | Yes | 2020 | $269 |
Jetbeam M1X WP-RX | Class 3B | 2,300 | 1,322,500 | 2,280,000 | 480 | 21700 | 2 | No | No | 2019 | $260 |
Jetbeam RRT M1X Raptor | N/A | 2,300 | 1,322,500 | 880,000 | 480 | 21700 | 3 | No | Yes + SOS | 2021 | $239 |
Jetbeam M2S WP-RX | Class 3B | **1,800 | **810,000 | 345,200 | 480 | 21700 | 2 | No | No | 2019 | $250 |
Jetbeam RRT M2S Raptor | N/A | 1,000 | 250,000 | 248,000 | 480 | 21700 | 3 | No | Yes + SOS | 2021 | $219 |
Lumintop Ant Man | N/A | 590 | 87,025 | - | 165 | 14500 | 1 | No | No | 2021 | $129 |
Lumintop Thor 1 | N/A | 1200 | 342,000 | 356,000 | 400 | 18350 | 3 | No | No | 2021 | ? |
Lumintop Thor 2 | Class 3B | 1,800 | 769,500 | 891,000 | 500 | 18350/18650 | 3 | No | No | 2021 | $210 |
Lumintop Thor 3 | N/A | 2,500 | 1,562,500 | 1,728,000 | 400 | 21700 | 2 | No | No | 2021 | $199 |
Lumintop Thor 5 | N/A | 1,200 | 360,000 | - | 370 | 18350 | 2 | No | Yes,2 | 2022 | $399 |
Lumintop Thor PRO (Hybrid) | N/A | 1,300 | 426,200 | - | 300 | 18650*4 | 5 | No | No | 2022 | $399 |
Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO | N/A | 4,000 | 4,000,000 | - | 1200 | 21700*2 | 3 | No | No | 2022 | $600 |
Maxtoch Xsword L2K | N/A | 2,000 | 1,000,000 | - | 500 | 18650*2 | 3 | No | No | 2018 | $275 |
Maxtoch Xsword L2K (2021) | N/A | 2,700 | 1,823,000 | 2,508,000 | 600 | 21700*2 | 3 | No | No | 2021 | $329 |
Maxtoch Xsword L2Ks (short) | N/A | 2,800 | 1,960,000 | 2,308,000 | 600 | 21700 | 3 | No | No | 2021 | $319 |
Maxtoch Xsword L3K | N/A | 3,000 | 2,250,000 | 1,908,000 | 650 | 21700*2 | 3 | No | No | 2021 | $349 |
Maxtoch Xsword L3KS (short) | N/A | 3,000 | 2,250,000 | - | 650 | 21700 | 3 | No | No | 2021 | $339 |
Maxtoch Xsword LA60 | N/A | 2,500 | 1,562,500 | 2,272,000 | 500 | 21700*2 | 3 | Yes | No | 2021 | $369 |
Maxtoch Xsword LA60S (short) | N/A | 2,800 | 1,960,000 | - | 500 | 21700 | 3 | Yes | No | 2021 | $359 |
Natfire SF1 | N/A | 1,200 | 360,000 | - | 300 | 21700 | |||||
Nextorch L10 Max | N/A | 1,200 | 360,000 | - | 400 | 21700 | 3 | No | Yes | 2021 | $199 |
Nextorch T7L | Class 3B | 1,100 | 302,500 | 428,000 | 400 | 18650 | 2 | No | Yes | 2019 | $299 |
Nextorch T10L | Class 3B | 1,100 | 302,500 | 484,000 | 500 | 21700 | 3 | No | Yes | 2020 | $299 |
Nextorch T20L | Class 3B | 2,000 | 1,000,000 | 1,284,000 | 900 | 21700 | 3 | No | Yes + SOS | 2021 | $399 |
Olight Odin Turbo | Class 1 | 1,050 | 275,625 | 368,000 | 330 | 21700 | 2 | No | No | 2021 | $259 |
Unbranded 26650 LEP | N/A | 1,800 | 810,000 | 992,000 | 450 | 26650 | 1 | No | Yes | 2020 | $179 |
Weltool LH3 (head only) | Class 3B | 886 | 196,249 | - | 335 | 18350/18650 | 1 | No | No | 2020 | $248 |
Weltool | |||||||||||
Weltool W3 | Class 3B | 848 | 179,776 | - | 200 | 18650 | 2 | No | No | 2018 | $265 |
Weltool W3 PRO | Class 3B | 1,205 | 363,006 | 363,600 | 505 | 21700 | 2 | No | No | 2020 | $278 |
Weltool W4 | Class 3B | 2,670 | 1,782,225 | 2,184,000 | 560 | 21700 | 2 | No | No | 2020 | $306 |
Weltool W4 PRO | - | ||||||||||
Weltool W5 | N/A | 2,807 | 1,970,000 | 1,716,000 | 599 | 2*22500/21700 | 2 | No | No | 2021 | $400 |
Notes:
**1 Jetbeam M2S WP-RX uses exaggerated claims! Instead of 1,800 meters it only reaches about 1/2 of that.
**2 Lumintop Thor PRO is a hybrid flashlight with LED + LEP. The numbers represent LEP only.
Maxtoch Xsword L2K has been upgraded several times, but still using the same model name. It started at 2000 meters, then changed to 2500 meters, and now it shows 2700 meters.
L2K should in my option be just L2.7K or L3K or whatever
Maxtoch actually listened and added the Xsword L3K
Astrolux prices change all the time, so even their "normal, before discount" prices change.
interesting comparison, never had a LEP. Good to see a lot of innovation and change within our hobby.
> Which TV show did you watch last? <
Great comparison and graphics. Such graphs would be useful for other types of flashlights too!
Sorry for my poor english.
Fantastic series of reviews.
But …. is it just me? I feel some kind of emptiness emerging in me.
It’s probably my high-maintenance inner child that wants a present.
You are a flashaholic if you are forced to come out of the closet, to make room for more flashlights.
+1 and thank you
https://fundrazr.com/osturaband
No affiliation, just a fan.
How much further does the M1X throw in real life compared to the unbranded? I feel like I need to upgrade already
@A2
Thanks
@Th558:
The M1X is quite ridiculous at 2.3Mcd, but the Weltool is actually a bit better in my opinion. Looking at the current market, I would probably choose the W4 over the M1X.
@DI Joker + JaredM
Yes, I am thinking about doing that with my other reviews as well, but then with Lumens and only lights that are closely related.
@Henk4u2:
Nkon has the W10 gen2 and W30 in stock again since yesterday
better be fast before they are gone, lol.
The Eneloop 2005-2022 info thread
ChibiM and Th558 out of curiosity since you both have the unbranded LEP is it just me or does having the lens screwed all the way down make the hot spot giantic with a hole in the center ? also does the hot spot seem to auto focus when you shine it at a closer surface and expand when aimed at a wall in the distance really hoping it isnt my eyes going on me….
Edit : found the issue the retaining ring holding the mirror was loose probably from shipping.
That’s great news. I also think for anything in the thrower category, (basically if its any HI, Dedome, Osram Flat, or SBT emitter light), Lux vs time is a great measurement to plot!! Really goes unnoticed so much around here. For example, a small thrower like an XT45 for example with an SBT90.2 might have peak values competitive with a white flat at turn-on/30s, but at any sustainable level, it wouldn’t be remotely close! Lux vs Time FTW
https://fundrazr.com/osturaband
No affiliation, just a fan.
Thank You for putting that together, very informative
Water Cooled MT35 PLUS RE-MODDED------MT35 Plus with SBT90.2 mod ( GT90 kit from Texas Ace )
7th annual BLF/O-L contest Haikelite MT07 upgraded-----8th annual BLF/O-L contest “SKELETON”
Water Cooled 20K lumen POT LID LIGHT------ Cyclops 18M cd flashlight Mod------Q-beam mod to led
Convoy 4x18 Luminus 90.2 mod with 86mm reflector
Think outside the box too long , cannot find your way back in
Thank you for those reviews. It really helped me to make my decision on which LEP to get.
Yes, thank you and really informative. Especially since good info about LEP lights seemed to be hard to find (untill now:) I love the beamshot comparisons!
Use a good thrower quite often in my work and during sailing races, but haven’t had the guts |(and spare money) to go for a LEP. Cautious of a too narrow beam, what makes looking for the buoys like looking for a needle in a haystack. But the more I see good beamshots and comparisons, the less cautious I get…. Just finding the right light for the right purpose:)
Has the Acebeam Gen 2 stopped being made?
I’m fro the Uk..
Is there a youtube vid out there, of comparison between W10 gen 2 and Fenix TK30?
which would you buy with your hard saved cash?
cheers guys / gals
what did you go for?
I wish I had one of them
I have the Acebeam W10 Gen 2 and it’s incredible. I carry it all the time
Let's change this into a general LEP discussion thread.
I added an overview I made a while ago, and just added the 2 new Astrolux LEPs
Edit: Updated with candela
The Eneloop 2005-2022 info thread
Ha Chibi, nice round-up, and could you add kcd to the table above?, throw distance is not my COT.
Celebration notice: I just bought my first LEP flashlight, the NealsGadgets LEP, with the code NDNA it came down to 152 dollar, and the favorable current exchange rate made that 131 euro.
link to djozz tests
Great thread.
I have some general questions about LEPs.
I see lots of places call them “white lasers”. I’m assuming this is untrue and that the light emitted is not actually a laser beam and that it is just using a laser to generate the light. Could someone confirm or deny this assumption?
I’m also interested to know more about how LEPs work. there seems to be very little info that I can find on Google. As a secondary part of this. Why are they all fixed beam focus for throw? Could they not be zoomy lights or even use other forms of optic or reflector?
I have found this somewhat confusing picture on the Acebeam site (a site calling it a white laser……) :
Out of the two examples above, I have no idea which way the W30 is constructed. The left hand image is reused further down the page on their website, so logic would suggest that is the construction. But if so, why have the right hand image at all?
On a separate but related note, why are there no LED lights using the optic structure as above?
Thanks.
My Torch & Flashlight Reviews
My YouTube channel
Notable Reviews:
Convoy S2+ | Zeusray Domed & De-Domed Comparison | Maglite XL200 | Rofis TR18 XP-L HI angle and tube flashlight | H4 (HB2/9003) Car headlight XM-L2 | A8 BLF Edition
@CD, you are right, the pump is a blue laser, which is aimed at a bit of phosfor, just like a led, the resulting light is incoherent in random direction, just like a led, and can be made into a beam by an optic, just like a led. But because in all LEP lights that I have seen the phosfor is illuminated from the front, with a mirror straight above the phosfor (so a bit different from the Acebeam drawing above), I think that a zoomie is difficult because that little mirror will interfere with the lens when zoomed out.
link to djozz tests
Updated!
The Nealsgadgets LEP is definitely the cheapest for its size. I wonder if I should add my own measurements as well, because some claims are a bit off.... so to say. The Jetbeam M2S WP-RX never reaches 1800 meters/810 kcd
The Eneloop 2005-2022 info thread
Well, I know a bit about how it works the laser is directed via a mirror in the light to a surface made of phosphor which causes the molecules to get “excited” and emit a blindly bright white light which then is focused with a convex lens and projected outward.
Well in general these lights are purpose built for throw with little spill, would you be willing to shell out upwards to $400 for a zoomie with only 500~ lumens at max ? When a generic zoomie costs around $10 or less. For why it doesn’t use a reflector is it physically would require more space and then factor in focusing it via a lens would make it even larger so kind of pointless.
djozz - seems like a good decision. that NealsGadgets LEP sure does look interesting, as simple and 'classic' as it is (lack of regulation, modes, easy dis-assembly, etc.). Based on Marco's review, it appears capable of hitting 1000 kcd on a good cell, like a GOLISI 26650, 25S, or VTC5D. Wonder if further tweaking would bump it up, but not sure of the risks.
Ooops, I see vinh sells them with 1.1 Mcd performance already.
Wow this is awesome thanks for the great reviews and comparisons.
I have the Acebeam W10 gen 2 and the W30. Should I buy any of the others do you think or would it be better to wait for the next leap in the technology?
The guy who built some of my lasers offered to build me a 50 watt laser rifle that used mirrors and stuff to combine the beams from multiple diodes. I wonder if you could do something like this for LEP…
If he is capable of doing that, he might be capable of building his own high power "white" laser flashlight! I'd be very interested in his outcome.
The Eneloop 2005-2022 info thread
Yeah man how sweet would that be? He made me a 6 watt blue laser that lights stuff on fire and can burn through dark metal. Runs on a pair of 16340s
pretty cool... at least ask him if he is interested
The Eneloop 2005-2022 info thread
There’s a dude on YouTube (styropyro I think) who built an actual white laser. It combines a red, green, and blue laser to make a white beam. It’s crazy
Spelfoutje in de titel, dicuss moet zijn discuss
link to djozz tests
What exactly are you trying to do that isn’t available from these LEP lights? I don’t think you can beat the cost from these mass manufacturer. I have picked up the laser pointer hobby many years ago, and I can say that the pricing of these aren’t like LED at all. anything custom and fancy won’t be “budget” friendly.
vinh’s modded is too good to pass, thanks for the heads up.
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Hoarding is a behavior where people or animals accumulate food or other items.
thanks! updated.
And I found a few more in the OP
The Eneloop 2005-2022 info thread
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