1

Review: Acebeam K65 XHP70.2 dedomed

INTRODUCTION:

You want throw? Yes. You want Lumens? Yes

Well, then the Acebeam K65 might be something to look out for. Boasting 6200 lumens in Turbo gives you enough power to illuminate a soccer field, and the Cree XHP70.2 also gives enough throw to reach 1km / 0.6miles according to specs. But can they live up to their claims? We will be holding it agains a few other powerhouses from the past and present.

Let's continue reading.

WHAT YOU'LL GET:

  • Big Cardboard box
  • Lanyard
  • 2 spare o-rings
  • User Manual
  • Warranty Card
  • More papers
  • Holster

Acebeam provides a pleasant cardboard box including a carrying handle. Acebeam likes to provide quality for quality.

With a premium flashlight come premium accessories. The K65 does very well in this regard, and doesn't miss any critical accessories. That being said, there isn't anything special included either. Basic high quality extras...so to say!


HANDLING OF THE LIGHT

The K65 is part of the K series in the lineup of Acebeam. For me personally it started with the Acebeam K40M Cree MTG-2 flashlight I also reviewed. The main difference being that it now does have 4*18650 instead of 3*18650 which results in a larger body diameter.

Using only 1 hand to operate the light is doable. If you rest your thumb next to the electronic side switch you can comfortably hold the light and switch modes with only 1 hand. If you use the included lanyard/carry strap, you can just let it hang when walking around instead of holding it in your hand.

When going outside and doing some beamshots I used the holster, and I have to say that it`s useful..hahaha. Especially carrying 4 flashlights along..... Holsters are usually not my cup of tea, but with these bad boys you start appreciating them. When you carry it around, you can't feel the weight as much.

Tailstanding?

  • Yes, and fairly stable. Just be careful not to knock it over.

BUILD QUALITY AND ANODIZING

Just like with all Acebeam products, the build quality of the Acebeam K65 is superb. With the anodizing being great all over the light. Except for the bezel LOL. The Bezel is stainless steel and is therefore more impact resistant. If you drop it don't expect miracles.. it will get damated but less than with simple aluminum.

THREADS AND BATTERY CARRIER

The K65 uses a dedicated battery carrier like most other high-end multi-cell flashlights. Using a battery carrier makes it less likely to make a mistake putting the batteries in the reversed way.

The carrier can use button top as well as flat top 18650 batteries. On the positive side you can see they used nipples in order to use flat tops. And a single spring at the negative side. Acebeam recommends using Protected batteries with at least 3 mosfets. I don't have high drain protected cells at the moment and use High Drain Samsung 30Q flat tops, and they work fine.


LED, LENS BEZEL AND REFLECTOR

The bezel is made of stainless steel. The reflector is smooth and the lens is coated.. that is what you needed to know or not?

The K65 comes with a large head and reflector that has enough surface for the XHP70.2 LED 6500K to reach far enough to call it a thrower. The XHP70.2 isn't regarded a "throwing LED" by most people, but just trust me, that it throws far enough and bright enough to see something with binoculars your eyes wouldn't be able to see. Yes, you've read that correctly. Most people want a 2km/1.2miles thrower like the BLF GT, but for most people's eyes, anything passed a few hundred yards is impossible.

The K65 is such a monster that it is jawdropping bright, reaching further than your eyes can see!

The Lens that is used has some kind of coating as I can see some purple hue when pointing slightly towards a lightsource.

THE LED

Something rather unique at this time is the dedomed XHP70.2 that the Acebeam K65 entails. The dedomed is done in order to get the most reach. Once dedoming started with the XML about 5 years ago, LED manufacturers have come up with flat die LEDs that can increase throw. To my understanding the K65 is one of the first mass-manufactured flashlights with a XHP70.2 dedomed!!!!

Reflector has a 82mm outside diameter and 75mm inside diameter, and has a 75mm depth. So both depth and diameter are the same.

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT:
  • Length Acebeam K54: 190mm
  • Width head: 90mm
  • With reflector: 82mm
  • Width body and tailcap: 53mm

Weight:

  • K65 empty: 647 gr / 1.426lb
  • With Samsung Q30: 831 gr / 1.832 lb

USER INTERFACE:

The Acebeam K65 has only 1 switch. With this switch you have to control the different modes, 6 in total. And 4 main modes, being Ultralow, Low, Medium, High.

From Off:

  • One Click: last mode memory
  • Double Click: Turbo
  • Triple Click: Strobe
  • Press+Hold 1 sec: Moon
  • Press+Hold 2 sec: SOS

From ON:

  • Single click: Turn OFF
  • Double click: Turbo
  • Triple click: Strobe
  • Press+Hold light will switch modes: Ultra low, low, medium, high.

Blinkies:

There are 2. SOS and STROBE

  • From OFF: press+hold 2 sec. first you will enter Eco mode, and then you will enter SOS. To enter Strobe, just triple click from off or on..

Memory:

  • Yes. So if you are in the OFF position and you do a single click, you will get back to the last used mode. (Excluding Eco(Moon), Turbo, SOS or Strobe)

PWM:

Nothing I could detect in low with the naked eye.

PERFORMANCE:

Acebeam recommend using High Drain Protected 18650 batteries. They urge you to use them by adding a sticker on the battery carrier so you won't forget. I use Samsung 30Q. Acebeam calls Moon mode Eco mode.

Although it doesn't make it to the list of farthest throwers, nor to the list of the brightest flashlights, but this one is definitely one of the most powerful All-Round LED flashlights available.

Measurement at the tail cap:
This only helps to understand the draw at the battery and not the output!

  • Low: 0.28A
  • Medium: 0.7A
  • High: 1.85A
  • Ultralow: 0.12A
  • Moon: 0.03A

BEAM:

The beam of the Acbeam K65 on a white wall is rather greenish. I will do some outdoor beamshots to see if you can see this greenish tint as well. But I doubt it. White wall beamshots do not say much about the actual use. So I am not a whitewall hunter so to say... LOL

Okay.. I`ve been out in the woods and can confirm that off course in a green surrounding it will only enhance the green colors.. It actually gives the green colors quite a punch.

I carried the K65 in the holster on my belt on my right hip, and the K40M on the left. Can`t notice the difference between them. The K40 is with the Orange Peel reflector is more floody compared to the K65. The K65 definitely feels more like a thrower with some bright spill. But a very defined hotspot! I took a video which should be included anytime soon.

LOW VOLTAGE WARNING:

Above the electronic switch sits a small LED inidator light. The light shows a steady green light when the battery is above 30%.

It turns red when the battery voltage turns 30%, and at 10% it will start blinking... at 0% it will just switch off the flashlight completely.

Moon/Eco

Ultralow

Low

Medium

High

Turbo LOL.... It's hard to see any kind of beam here.... I kind of had to for the lowest to show up.. Not sure how I can tackle this problem.

With some brothers and sisters.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/4N6NOpmWWX0?rel=0

THROW:

Measured at 5 meters (16.4ft), I measured 928lx (x10) , which equals to 232000 cd / 232kcd
I tested it with a Samsung Q30 flat top battery. My measurements always seem to be a little on the lower end compared to others. Manufactur says 257000 cd, which is about 20000cd higher than mine. For sure you won't be able to notice the difference with the naked eye out in the wild. Also measuring at 5 meters isn't recommended with such powerful flashlights. I should redo the measuring at 10 meters.

OVERALL CONCLUSION OF THE ACEBEAM K65

PROS:

  1. Great allrounder, 6200 Lumens flood and 900+ meters throw at the same time (Mfg says 1000 meters)
  2. Stainless steel bezel
  3. Nice compact. Fits nicely in the holster on your hip
  4. One of the first de-domed XHP70.2 LED in a mass produced flashlight, and first one for me to own.

CONS

  1. Tripod hole doesnt connect with my Manfrotto hexagonical plate because of the size of the plate
  2. Greenish tint on white wall.. but who cares... I guess only white wall hunters, lol. Outdoors it just gives a punch to colors in nature.
  3. Press and hold to switch modes.... but there is probably no other way to get all these functions with only 1 switch.. so not a biggy for many