POST #2 = Diameter Measurement + LED Closeup + Drop Down & Temperature
POST #15: Beamshots and Comparison
Hi BLF! This is the review of the Wuben E10 flashlight.
The flashlight was sent by Wuben for review, with no other compensation than keeping the flashlight and accessories. Thanks Jelina for sending the flashlight!
Despite this, I will do my honest and critical review on this light!
You can find information about this flashlight here: http://www.wubenlight.com/product/1040
There are also some video and written reviews here:
1stein: Wuben E10: pictures, impressions
M4D M4X: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8odoSGX00Y
ChibiM: [Review] Wuben E10 (1200 Lumens) Osram P9
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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Body Colour: Black
Material: 6061 Aircraft Grade Alluminum , Hard Anodized
Emitter: Osram P9 (Cool/Neutral White)
Lens: AR Coated Lens
Battery: 1x18650 Li-Ion or 2xCR123A
Switch: Mechanical Tail Switch
Max runtime: 514 hours
Max beam distance: 215 meters
Max output: 1200 lumens
Candela: 11556 cd
Waterproofness: IP68 (2 meters underwater, 1 hour)
Impact resistance: 1,5 m
Working temperature: –10˚C to 60˚C
Low Voltage Warning: “When battery power is low, flashlight will dim till battery totally runs out of power.” (from the user manual)
Reverse Polarity Protection: Not Specified (I tested the flashlight with the battery inverted and it didn’t turn ON and didn’t get hot, so I believe it has RPP).
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PACKAGE: THE FLASHLIGHT & ACCESSORIES
The Wuben E10 box arrived well packed in a cardboard box and wrapped in bubble plastic. Inside, the flashlight box was also protected by a plastic bag.
In it we find some very general information about the type of batteries to use, output, runtime, and other aspects.
Inside, we will find: Wuben E10, Wuben branded lanyard, 2 spare o-rings, Wuben branded holster, User Manual, and Warranty card.
Please note that this package does not include battery!
THE FLASHLIGHT
The Wuben E10 is being presented as a “suitable for one hand operation flashlight”! And I guess they are right! The flashlight can be used in a simple way and it’s shape even allows using it in “cigar” style if needed.
Not being the smallest 18650 light we will find, it has a medium size that is a compromise between EDC and back-up light.
Out of the box we find a very well built flashlight, with excellent anodizing, being this a Wuben characteristic, at least in the lights I have.
It has soft and matte anodizing, even the knurling in the tube and tailcap is not aggressive. It has some slight machined grooves in the head and tube.
The flashlight is sort of tube light, with lines that resemble a “bigger” Lumintop Tool AA/AAA flashlight!
It is composed by 2 parts (head & battery tube + tailcap), assuming that both the battery tube and the bezel are glued, which I didn’t manage to disassemble (yet)!!
About the engravings, it has the brand, model, serial number, CE info and the “hot” marks in the head and in the tailcap it presents the orientation of the battery for its correct placement into the light. (+ to top, - to bottom).
The threads on the bottom of the battery tube are trapezoidal, arrived well lubbed and are also well machined, with no traces of aluminium chips or dust. There is a thick o-ring to protect from water infiltration in this part.
The tailcap, itself, has 2 lanyard holes, a Wuben branded silicone button, and inside we find a somewhat “different” reverse clicky switch with gold plated tough springs.
Through the battery tube we can see the driver part. It seems to have the same type of springs, and also has a black plastic protection/insulation. Not portrayed in the photos, I can see some blocks of solder which I think they are keeping the tube “glued” or held in its place. I may be wrong, though.
Already installed in the flashlight we have a non-deep carry pocket clip, which attaches the light to our jeans or backpack. It is a strong clip, with good anodizing. Due to the tube shape, this clip is not reversible.
About the head, as I couldn’t get the bezel out, I can say that the Osram P9 LED is perfectly centred, that the bezel of the flashlight has some “grooves” (as a ‘tactical’ bezel), and that the lens is AR coated, with a purplish tone.
The bezel is smooth (SMO), and despite it is flawlessly machined, it provokes some rings in the beam as I’ll show later.
About the battery fitting, this flashlight accommodates protected and unprotected 18650 batteries. On the left there is a protected Wuben battery (from the TO46R) and on the left a sony VTC6.
I couldn’t test it with CR123As as I don’t use that type of non-rechargeable batteries.
***As there is no explicit information about Low Voltage Cut for this light, I suppose that protected batteries are the best option in order to avoid eventual drains.*¬
I may do a test later with some “depleted” batteries to test the cut-off voltage level.
The use of 2 Li-Ion Cells (16340s or 18350s) is not permitted as it will burn the driver.
About its dimensions and weight, this is what we get:
(I forgot to measure the diameter, I can do it later if needed. The specs indicate 25.4mm (head and tail, as the but is slimmer).
Just a small comparison with other lights and a Wuben family photo
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USER INTERFACE
This flashlight as a simple User Interface, composed by 4 regular modes (Low, Medium, High and Turbo) and 2 special modes (Strobe and SOS). All the operation is controlled by the tailswitch.
The flashlight has “memory”, but I will explain and show how it behaves.
FROM OFF:
Full press = ON.
FROM ON:
Full press = OFF.
Single tap = advances to the next mode
Double tap = enters Strobe
Triple tap = enters SOS
How does MEMORY work?
a) Turn the flashlight OFF > Wait about 8 seconds = flashlight will turn ON in the last used mode.
b) Turn the flashlight OFF > Quick turn ON (from 0 to 7 seconds) = flashlight will turn ON in the next mode. So…it also has something like “next mode memory”.
This is a weird and eventually annoying feature of this flashlight!!! I asked Jelina about this situation and reported that this “next mode memory” is not a nice thing to have in such a nice flashlight. I am waiting for a reply and will check what she says on this, to check if it is a feature or a “bug”.
Meanwhile, I made a video showing how the light behaves, basically showing the UI:
I also found out that if we are making a double/triple tap to enter the blinky modes and on the last tap we switch the light OFF, it will turn ON in the special mode we were “aiming” (accidentally or intentionally). To avoid this we need that 8 seconds wait… :person_facepalming:
As with the “next mode memory”, I also find this a weird and eventually annoying feature of this flashlight!!! I only found it today, so I could report back to Jelina yet. Will do it later.
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OUTPUT AND RUNTIME
Wuben seems to bet on good performance flashlights and this one seems no exception to that. I didn’t carry any tests yet on the drop down from turbo, and no tests on the light’s body temperature as well. Will do it later and post my relative and non absolute results.
Low : 1 lm ///// 514 h
Medium : 100 lm ///// 21 h
High : 300 lm ///// 6.5 h
Turbo : 1200 lm > 700 lm///// 1m > 110min
Strobe : 1200 lumens
SOS : 200 lumens
The levels are well spaced, not only on paper, but also to the eyes, being this a Wuben’s apanage as well.
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ACCESSORIES
As mentioned above this, flashlight comes with some accessories.
The pocket clip has been referred before and comes pre-installed in the flashlight.
The User Manual, as for other Wuben flashlights, is written in 4 different Languages (English, Deutsch, Chinese and Japanese). English is well written and explains pretty much what we need to know about this flashlight.
The points addressed in it are: Warnings; Products List; Product Features; Product Operation (Structure, Installation, Operation); Parameters; Optional Accessories; FAQs; Warranty Policy (Under and Beyond Warranty).
Not all the information about the light is there, so a quick check on Wuben website is a complementary way to get more information!
Some things I miss there, explicitly, are Low Voltage Cut-Off information and Reverse Polarity Protection. Especially once this light may use different types of batteries.
The holster is quite good as well. It has a place for the flashlight itself and also for spare batteries (1x18650 or 2xCR123A). That side compartment fully covers a protected 18650, avoiding it to be exposed or to fall.
On the back it has a permanent belt loop and another with hoop-and-loop fastener, that allows some more versatility to put it on/take it out!
The lanyard, is Wuben branded, as is quite similar to others used in Wuben light’s. It can be attached to the tailcap of the flashlight!
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BEAMSHOTS
As mentioned before, this flashlight uses an Osram P9 led. This is the first flashlight I have with such LED, so I’m still trying to compare it with other LEDs.
In this flashlight, mostly due to the SMO reflector, the beam divides itself into 4 visible zones: hotspot (homogeneous), corona (limited by a ring provoked by the reflector), spill and outer spill.
The hotspot is more neutral white, corona more yellowish, the spill and outer is cold white (and probably has influence from the lens).
I haven’t tried it yet, but this seems the case where a lens diffuser as Dc-Fix or similar, will act greatly!!
PWM & BEZEL
(LEFT)This light has no visible or non visible PWM. It has a “constant current control design” into the driver avoiding those effects.
(RIGHT) Due to the bezel shape, if the light is left ON while facing towards a flat surface it will be possible to notice this through the “holes” left by the bezel.
TINT COMPARISON
Well, probably not the best way to compare tints, but this is a comparison between the:
Sofirn C01 (Yuji 3200K) > Wuben E10 (Osram P9) > Sofirn C01 (5700K)
BEAM PATTERN
And these are some photos with the beam pattern.
Please notice (if possible due to the photos quality :zipper_mouth_face: ) that the ring is not only visible in a white wall but also on some darker places.
BEAMSHOT COMPARISON
I picked my Zanflare F1 (right) to make a 1st comparison of beam with the E10 (left).
In the next days I will post some more beamshots and outdoor photos to show the potential of this light and how does it compare with other flashlights!
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GENERAL IMPRESSION
The Goods:
1 – My general impression is quite positive, despite there are some aspects that are bugging me a little.
2 – The flashlight has tremendous quality in body construction and seems very reliable in terms of working and wearing.
3 – Also, even looking slightly “thinner” it is very robust and seems capable of taking a beat and being carried in a bag or a pocket for an extended period.
4 – Indeed, this is a light that can be easily used with just one hand, and the shape of it allows a cigar grip, that can be useful in many situations to get a sharper orientation of the beam. It also allows a comfortable grip when holding it “tactically”.
5 – The tailswitch can be modded, and I put a forward clicky switch in it as an experiment. The flashlight still behaved well
6 – Despite not tested, the runtime that this flashlight offers in Low mode is a good plus when travelling and going out for some place! It is indeed a positive aspect.
7 – The holster, well done, slim and practical is a great accessory
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The “suggestions to improve”:
Apart from personal preferences, there are some things that can make this flashlight a hit. But they probably need to change.
1 – The User Interface. Having next mode memory when turning OFF/ ON quickly is quite annoying. Even if I was a muggle, I would probably complain. Specially when we need to wait around 8 seconds to “fix” the last used mode.
2 – The double/triple tap & OFF. In my opinion, if the light is turned OFF even if it was double or triple tapped before, it should turn ON in a regular mode, not a special mode. Special modes, in my opinion, shouldn’t be memorized at all, even if by accident.
3 – The reflector / beam pattern. The perfection on the reflector machining provoked that artifact in the beam and it distracts me most of the time. Maybe a Orange Peel reflector would improve the beam avoiding rings and also the shift it has. Or, changing the profile of the reflector itself, maybe it helped…
4 – Low Voltage Protection & Reverse Polarity Protection. I guess this should be specified well in the Manual.
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SUGGESTIONS BY PERSONAL PREFERENCE
Simple:
1 – Change modes (Low , Medium , High , Higher + Turbo + Strobe) and implement double tap for Turbo, triple tap for Strobe.
2 – I will not say “abandon memory” because sometimes it is nice to have a light with it. But I wouldn’t be annoyed to have this light without memory!!!
3 – At least Neutral White LED would also make my day
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This said, thanks Wuben for sending the light and thank you for reading.
Comment, question, critize folks
Best regards!