I finally got around to writing up my review of the Astrolux WP2 LEP. As well as freeme's WP2 thread, there's also a video review from The_Flashaholic, a WP2 review from ChibiM on 1lumen and ZeroAir has a review.
You can see the full review on my blog but I've copied the highlights and a few photos here. https://davestechreviews.com/2021/08/07/astrolux-wp2-lep-2-3km-throw-flashlight-review-and-beamshots/
The Astrolux WP2 is a LEP flashlight that throws 2.3km or 1.4 miles. LEP stands for Laser Excited Phosphor and is sometimes advertised as White Laser (even though they use a blue laser). The only light I have that throws further than this is the massive Astrolux MF04, so I was interested to see how the much smaller WP2 would perform.
The Astrolux WP2 comes in a hard plastic case with lockable clips and foam insert. This is very solid and much better than cardboard boxes that many flashlights come in.
Appearance and quality
I really like the look and feel of the WP2. The dark grey stands out a bit against most of my other flashlights, which are plain black.
Starting from the bezel, the WP2 has very subtle crenellations that let you see if you left it on when pointing it down. The head has straight knurling near the top and deep fins for heat dissipation where the LEP module is.
Below the fins is the rotary switch for changing modes. This is fairly tight fitting but has a little play. The switch uses magnetism to change modes, so should be waterproof.
The head unscrews to reveal a red o-ring and unanodised threads. The cell connects to the driver with a medium sized spring. The driver itself looks to be held in place by 2 screws.
The tail end has another red o-ring and threads that are smooth and very well lubed. This allows locking the light off with a quarter turn. The tail end has 2 smaller springs for the cell.
On the end of the tail is the mechanical switch. This is a forward clicky, so allows a half press for momentary on. The switch is partially recessed behind a saddle or Pringle crisp shape tail. This gives the thumb a good place to rest and also just allows the light to tail stand – albeit a bit precariously. The tail has 4 holes for the lanyard, which allows threading it through sideways.
Physical comparison
Astrolux WP2 vs other LEPs
I don’t have many LEPs – yet. Here’s the WP2 along side the Lumintop Thor II that I reviewed recently and the Richfire LEP. The WP2 is the largest and throws the furthest out of the 3 by far.
Astrolux WP2 vs similar size LED throwers
Here you can see the WP2 with LED lights with similarly sized heads. The furthest throwing out of the LED lights here are the RT90 and EA02, both of which throw around 1.3km. The WP2 throws a massive 2.3km, which is almost twice as far!
Left to right: Acebeam K30-GT, Sofirn SF47T, Astrolux EA02, Imalent RT90, Astrolux WP2
Astrolux WP2 with other Astrolux throwers
I seem to have acquired a few Astrolux lights over the years. Here you can see the WP2 with its similar size siblings and its big brother the MF04. The Astrolux MF04 is specced at 2.4km throw, just slightly more than the WP2.
In case you didn’t notice, the MF04 is significantly bigger!
From left to right: Astrolux WP2, Astrolux EA02, Astrolux FT03, Astrolux MF04.
Light output
Throw
The Banggood list the Astrolux WP2 as throwing a massive 2300m or 1323 kcd.
I measured the Astrolux WP2 indoors at 10m. You may get slightly higher numbers at 20m. My throw distance measurements were within 5% of the manufacturers.
| Mode | Measured @ 10m, 30s | Measured @ 10m, 0s |
| Low | 53kcd / 462m | 53kcd / 462m |
| Medium | 254kcd / 1007m | 254kcd / 1007m |
| High | 1203kcd / 2194m | 1262kcd / 2247m |
Modes
The WP2 has 3 brightness modes specced at 480lm, 75lm and 15lm. These have run times of 4.4h, 7h and 11.5h respectively. The main 3 modes are quite well spaced but personally I don’t have a use for the strobe and SOS modes.
| Spec | Measured | ||||
| Mode | Lumens | Runtime | Lumens @ 0s | Lumens @ 30s | Current @ 0s |
| Low | 15 lm | 11.5h | 15 lm | 15 lm | 0.33A |
| Medium | 75 lm | 7h | 66 lm | 64 lm | 0.55A |
| High | 480 lm | 4.4h | 317 lm | 304 lm | 2.77A |
Beamshots
Here’s the Astrolux WP2 compared to the Astrolux MF04 (XHP35 HI) and Lumintop Thor II. You can see how the LEPs provide zero spill but have incredible intensity in the hotspot.
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Astrolux MF04
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Astrolux WP2
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Lumintop Thor II
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Conclusion
LEP flashlights are just incredible. The Astrolux WP2 throws just about as far as the Astrolux MF04, in a fraction of the size and weight. I really like the WP2 – the host is high quality and the rotary switch is easy to use. It also significantly out throws the smaller Lumintop Thor II.
I’ve had the massive MF04 a while now but due to its size it’s rarely been outside. The WP2 has already been on a couple of night hikes and works wonders for spotting a path or a gate a few hundred meters away.
The Astrolux WP2 was provided for review by Banggood.