Looking for a AA/14500 light for EDC

[kramer5150]

@HorizontalHunter

@Dirt

Shoot OP, I was broke at the Lee service plaza on the Mass Pike, your neck of the woods. Luck was on my side and was rolling rather quickly… I’ve been tempted to get the MI7, if it came in nw, I’d own one.

As far as places to get stuck that’s a good one. Not much else out there on the pike. Years ago I used to train drivers for their class A CDL. I think that my finger prints are still in the dash of the Freightliner we used.

I am really torn on the MI7 as it has the XP-L-HI V3 where the Manker E11 and Utorch UT01 have the XP-L. They are all priced about the same.

Choices choices.

Bob

You know you NEED to get both right?…nudge-nudge-nudge…. :sunglasses:

If it makes it any easier for you, the XPL in the E11/UT01 is a V6 flux BIN, which is brighter than the V3 BIN of the MI7.

[HorizontalHunter]

@kramer5150

I am pretty sure its less than 2 Lumens at its lowest low. I will try and compare it with my 4Sevens AA later when I get home tonight, it has a ~.2 Lumen firefly mode.

The charger is an Olight UC charger. Correct it uses magnets for battery contact. I use it for travel only, its not my main charger.
Amazon.com

FWIW neither my UT-01 or Manker E11 have switch problems, I do think I got lucky in this regard. Both lights are what I would consider very floody, with a big broad hot spot.

One minor note to make… like all good E-switch designs they have a very low parasitic drain. I unscrew the tailcap a quarter turn when I EDC it around. This also prevent accidental turn on.

That’s a pretty slick charger. Something different for sure.

Thanks for the link and information. Having the lockout is great. That’s something I always look for. I have found too many lights on or dead just when I needed them the most.

Bob

[evankouros]

@HorizontalHunter

@Pete7874

@evankouros

IMHO, Klarus Mi7 and UT01 are the best VFM 14500/AA proposals this period. We simply can’t ask for more at a price less than $20. :money_mouth_face:

Where are you seeing Mi7 for less than $20?

Contact M4D M4X to see if he has a code for the light you are looking for.

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/31589

Bob

+1
You can also ask a code from tatasal: The amazing Klarus Mi7 Ti, G20, OLIVE DRAB/SILVER ready-to-ship, Black, Red, Blue (no-clip) CLOSED again.

I bought 1 Mi7 (Olive with clip) for $19.98, using M4D M4X’s code & aff-link.

Then I saw them at KD for $14.59 and I bought 3 of them for $13.86 (other colors - with clip all of them), using code BLF. It must have been a KD’s mistake, cause this price ended in a few minutes.

[Mkduffer]

I know that you said beam pattern over lumens, but does that mean you are looking for more of a thrower than a flooder? The reason I ask is, no one has mentioned the Manker T01. In the 14500/AA class, it has the longest throw of any the lights I own. It’s a bit pricey and coupons/discounts are hard to come by. IIRC, a few months back, they release a version 2. I have the version 1. The T01 does have a large head and it’s that large head which allows for a larger reflector, resulting in the superior throw.

I also own 2 UT01’s, one in each tint, a Klarus Mi7 and more than a few Jetbeam Jet-1 MK. Of the three, the one I tend to carry most often is the UT01. Part of that is because the Mi7 I received was defective and drains batteries in a matter of days, where as others have reported around 6 months before 14500 batteries were drained.

To be fair, I think that even if my Mi7 worked properly, I’d probably still lean towards the UT01 because it’s more versatile. As Kramer5150 pointed out,

@kramer5150

UT 01 and Manker E11 are a direct match to ALL your requirements. Go with whichever you can find cheaper… they are the same light.

Here’s the link to the table I created, using the data posted by various BLF members. On AA NiMH, a properly working Mi7 could take over a year and a half to drain a fully charged battery.

Klarus Mi7 - Parasitic Drain Issues

LOL Member Type Capacity (mAH) drain (mAH) Days Months (assuming 30 days per) maukka AA NiMH 2500 0.168 620.04 20.67 maukka 14500 800 0.185 180.18 6.01 everydaysurvivalgear 4500 800 0.174 191.57 6.39 freeme 14500 800 0.193 172.71 5.76 Mkduffer AA NiMH 2500 37 2.82 0.09 Mkduffer 14500 800 33 1.01 0.03 Well, I suppose I shouldn’t be laughing, but at least these measurements confirm what I’ve been experiencing. WTS - Nearly new Klarus Mi7. j/k

I just took tail cap readings from my UT01 and the drain is too low to register a reading.

[Mkduffer]

@evankouros

Then I saw them at KD for $14.59 and I bought 3 of them for $13.86 (other colors - with clip all of them), using code BLF. It must have been a KD’s mistake, cause this price ended in a few minutes.

Nice score. At that price, I would have been all over that!

[Pete7874]

@Mkduffer

I also own 2 UT01’s, one in each tint, a Klarus Mi7 and more than a few Jetbeam Jet-1 MK.

How does the beam pattern of UT01 compare to the beam pattern of Jet-1 MK? Thanks!

[HorizontalHunter]

@Mkduffer

I know that you said beam pattern over lumens, but does that mean you are looking for more of a thrower than a flooder? The reason I ask is, no one has mentioned the Manker T01. In the 14500/AA class, it has the longest throw of any the lights I own. It’s a bit pricey and coupons/discounts are hard to come by. IIRC, a few months back, they release a version 2. I have the version 1. The T01 does have a large head and it’s that large head which allows for a larger reflector, resulting in the superior throw.

I also own 2 UT01’s, one in each tint, a Klarus Mi7 and more than a few Jetbeam Jet-1 MK. Of the three, the one I tend to carry most often is the UT01. Part of that is because the Mi7 I received was defective and drains batteries in a matter of days, where as others have reported around 6 months before 14500 batteries were drained.

To be fair, I think that even if my Mi7 worked properly, I’d probably still lean towards the UT01 because it’s more versatile. As Kramer5150 pointed out,

@kramer5150

UT 01 and Manker E11 are a direct match to ALL your requirements. Go with whichever you can find cheaper… they are the same light.

Here’s the link to the table I created, using the data posted by various BLF members. On AA NiMH, a properly working Mi7 could take over a year and a half to drain a fully charged battery.
Klarus Mi7 - Parasitic Drain Issues - #36 by Mkduffer

I just took tail cap readings from my UT01 and the drain is too low to register a reading.

That’s where I am leaning as well. The UT01 is the cheaper of the two. The code I got from M4D M4X is for Bangood and the last order I had from them wasn’t a good experience.

Not specifically looking for throw. I’m just looking for a good quality artifact free beam.

Bob

[Mkduffer]

@Pete7874

@Mkduffer

I also own 2 UT01’s, one in each tint, a Klarus Mi7 and more than a few Jetbeam Jet-1 MK.

How does the beam pattern of UT01 compare to the beam pattern of Jet-1 MK? Thanks!

I don’t have beam shots but I’d say the Jet-1’s hotspot is about half the diameter of the UT01. Also, when comparing the Jet-1 to the Manker T01, the T01’s hotspot is about half the diameter of the Jet-1.

What I like about the Jet-1 is it’s simplistic design. Less complicated design, less things to go wrong. It has a simple interface with 3 light levels and mode memory. Twisty head means no switch to go bad, no switch cover to wear out and leak. Just about the only serviceable part is the o-ring. Because they are so cheap, I can leave lying around and know I’ll have a reliable light when ever I need one. They are pretty good at draining primaries down to nothing and if an alkaline leaks, I’m not out a whole lot.

What I like about the UT01 is it’s multiple modes, easy-to-use switch, battery level check, reversible body (and clip) and high output with 14500.

For me, the Jet-1’s the uncomplicated beater and the UT01’s more sophisticated. Kinda Timex vs Seiko.

[tenohfive]

I’ve got both Mi7 and EA11. Mi7 for EDC and EA11 as a work light. Rarely use the EA11 any more, the Mi7 is such a competent little light that takes up zero space with an excellent UI and beam pattern. Mine came with a clip too. The EA11 is a touch brighter and throwier and normally that would be enough to swing it in my book, but the ridiculously compact package and UI of the Mi7 more than make up for it.

I lost mine a couple of days ago. Didn’t look at any other options - I immediately ordered a new one. Before I was totally sure the Mi7 was lost beyond all hope - if it turns up, I’ve got two and I’m a happy bunny.

[Pete7874]

@Mkduffer

@Pete7874

@Mkduffer

I also own 2 UT01’s, one in each tint, a Klarus Mi7 and more than a few Jetbeam Jet-1 MK.

How does the beam pattern of UT01 compare to the beam pattern of Jet-1 MK? Thanks!

I don’t have beam shots but I’d say the Jet-1’s hotspot is about half the diameter of the UT01.

Thanks. So would you classify UT01’s beam pattern as more of a flood then? Or somewhere between a flood and a throw?

[HorizontalHunter]

I ordered the Utorch UT01 from Gearbest. I like Klarus lights and I wanted to order the Mi7 but I just couldn’t get past the mode spacing.

I also am going to order the Olight magnetic charger to supplement my Nitecore D4. That magnetic charger is the ultimate in portability. Thanks for sharing that Kramer.

There is a public code for the Utorch that knocks off a few more dollars. It can be found here:

Utorch code

Now I just need to order a couple of the Efest high drain 14500 batteries and I will be GTG.

Thanks for the suggestions and input .

Bob

[Mkduffer]

@Pete7874

Thanks. So would you classify UT01’s beam pattern as more of a flood then? Or somewhere between a flood and a throw?

I dunno. Short range thrower? Long range flooder?

Jetbeam lists range for the Jet-1 as 130m. I haven’t seen UTorch’s claim, but Gearbest says 50-100m beam distance for the UT01.

For me, since I carry the T01 specifically for throw, my purpose for carrying the UT01 is for close area light, so flood. I’m thinking about adding diffusion film to the front of it. As it comes out of the box, I’d say it suits most of my EDC needs.

Hope that muddied up the waters for you.

[HorizontalHunter]

@kramer5150

You know you NEED to get both right?…nudge-nudge-nudge…. :sunglasses:

If it makes it any easier for you, the XPL in the E11/UT01 is a V6 flux BIN, which is brighter than the V3 BIN of the MI7.

Yep, pushed me over the edge.

I see the TI Mi7 in my future as well. We’ll see. They are like potato chips; can’t have just one.

Bob

[kramer5150]

Someone the other day was asking about the UT01 / E11 firefly mode. After directly comparing with my Quark AAT and Thrunite TH20 head lamp, the UT01/E11 “firefly” mode is considerably brighter than either. My modded AAT is around ~.6L and the stock TH20 is .3L. If I had to take a guess the UT01/E11 lowest low mode is around 1.5~2L. It is so floody though, its pretty much a non-issue for me as it really doesn’t affect my night vision.

[HorizontalHunter]

@kramer5150

Someone the other day was asking about the UT01 / E11 firefly mode. After directly comparing with my Quark AAT and Thrunite TH20 head lamp, the UT01/E11 “firefly” mode is considerably brighter than either. My modded AAT is around ~.6L and the stock TH20 is .3L. * If I had to take a guess the UT01/E11 lowest low mode is around 1.5~2L*. It is so floody though, its pretty much a non-issue for me as it really doesn’t affect my night vision.

Sounds like it will be about perfect for me. It will probably be just enough for me to read without disturbing my wife with a bright light.

Thanks for all of your posts and contributions to this thread.

Bob

[Hugh_Johnson]

@mrmatt

You might want to check out the Thrunite Archer or T10, I think they both have a good moonlight mode and no PWM. The Thrunite Neutron has a side switch but I’ve heard it suffers from switch issues

I like both of those lights, have contemplated getting them. However, I’ve read they both use PWM at lower levels.

[HorizontalHunter]

@Hugh Johnson

@mrmatt

You might want to check out the Thrunite Archer or T10, I think they both have a good moonlight mode and no PWM. The Thrunite Neutron has a side switch but I’ve heard it suffers from switch issues

I like both of those lights, have contemplated getting them. However, I’ve read they both use PWM at lower levels.

That’s one of the reasons I bought the Utorch UT01.

Bob

[Witterings]

I’m guessing the Utorch UT01 is the same as a Manker E11 but just with a different label

[HorizontalHunter]

@Witterings

I’m guessing the Utorch UT01 is the same as a Manker E11 but just with a different label

And little lower price.

Bob

[kramer5150]

@Witterings

I’m guessing the Utorch UT01 is the same as a Manker E11 but just with a different label

they are identical outside of a few very minor cosmetic differences…

they use the same E11 driver…