3 in 1 review. At the end there will be a summary for those who like only particulars, in each topic I will color the key sentences for those who read a little more, and a long waffling for everyone else. Enjoy!
For VERY large photos: click -> on the photo page right click -> "Open image in new tab"
I got this flashlight from Lumintop, check their page:
https://lumintop.aliexpress.com/store/2529001?spm=a2g0o.store_home.1000001.12.56d85e44vY4cDM
And also flashlight:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000209743721.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.5.40c66ad0FL42pl
And I also got a promoc code for you guys, but I don't know when it expires, so...
20% discount code: LMT09
Use for an order over US$20.
Store: www.lumintoponline.com
EDC18: https://www.lumintoponlin...t-p2351771.html
But if you want to get it on Aliexpress, we have that cover ;)
When placing an order, in order notes type: VICTOREDC18
And don't pay, wait for 20% discount
Table of Contents:
- General parameters
- Package content
- Appearance, parameters
- UI, runtime and charging
- PWM
- Waterproof
- Light pattern, tint
- Beamshots
- Usage and my experiences
- Gallery
- Summary
(from Aliexpress page)
(Well, but also not. I was inspired by this YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/malineka146/featured and if you want to check it, start with this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcrWTeMYhXk and this is also good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l3O2ncmkjA (and if you like it, check her first Q&A because she is so positive person) - so I translated the General parameters into a bunch of languages and back to English again.)
help:
Problem: DTP does not have at least three MCPCBs
Optical fiber: standard lens
Thickness: 2800 Lm (XP-L HI)
Capacity: 10,000 ANSI 200 m (XP-L HI)
Software: EDC18 uses free software called Anduril, distributed under the GPL v3 license.
[1] By default, EDC18 uses a variable speed switch. Quick access to Turbo mode is on the site.
If you like quiet conditions, the familiar user interface looks good. You can choose how many steps you can take.
Immediate mode is useful for signal purposes or for faster / shorter object cycles.
Disconnect the power source from this mode.
MUGGLE uses work damage.
The hotel has an electronic security lock, but also works temporarily.
Other features include: battery selection, sunset, lighthouse, intelligent compartment, table flushing, bicycle replacement, lamp generator, generator.
Battery: flat panel or 18650 cell on the upper level. Inactivated cells are concentrated. Max. 66 mm long. Cells are not included. (It does not matter if you do not have a delicate top button, do not add the top button, it is recommended for a flat top panel)
The list of drivers, software and various tools: FET + 7 + 1. Error
In this direction
Home: heavy anodized silicon
Switch: switch the rubber with the green switch when charging the battery
Points: normal IPX8
Weight: 76.5 g without cellulose
Width: 27.8 mm diameter, 93.9 mm pipe length, 27.8 mm pipe diameter
So...It was helpful indeed. You can check specifications directly from their page. Let's move on
Cardboard box, similar to FW3A box
Package content:
- Flashlight
- SS clips
- Spare o-rings
- Silicone diffuser
- Lanyard
- Manual
So everything for "Small EDC starter pack"
Size: 28mm x 95mm
Weight without cell: 68,4g (So very lightweight)
From left to right:
- Silicone diffuser, GITD as you can see
I missed it in FW3A, but we have it here. And no, it doesn't fit on FW3A...
But it is a step in the right direction
- SS bezel, I was unable to unscrew it, but it is unscrewable for sure. Again, step in the right direction from Lumintop.
- Slightly frosted TIR optics, the same as in FE3A
- 3 leds, in this case XP-L HI 5000K. Great choice, good tint. Not the best, look in "Light pattern, tint" for more.
For EDC light I prefer XP-L than SST20 4000K. Yes, SST has high CRI, and other stuff (ahem...it has only high CRI) but it is too yellowish for me. A bit colder tint and I would be content. In a dark night I don't need to delight my eyes with the beauty of high CRI forest trees or grass. Just...just light is enough.
But if you want a flashlight for...your collection, then consider getting SST20, it has nice warm tint - good with Anduril's Candlelight.
- E-switch, green illuminated. But look at this glorious BUNNY. Just great.
It is quite hard to click, not very hard, but harder than I've anticipated. Harder than in Emisar D4, comparable to Wizard Pro.
- Square threads, well lubricated, very good job, everything goes smoothly, good job Lumintop.
- Tailcap with a double spring and a strong magnet.
It is stronger than in Imalent DM70, but weaker than in Emisar D4. Don't give me wrong, it is strong magnet, but I like to have VERY strong magnet in flashlight, you know, maybe something as strong as this
Maybe in the future...
- Lanyard hole
It has a bit sharp edges, so will, the most likely, cut the lanyard over a time
UI
Anduril, check the link for more:
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/54947
And this Anduril version is a bit old. It doesn't have the Reset function and other minor changes. So be careful when clinking.
Runtime
It is the same as in FW3A, but let's see how long it can shine at 140lm and Sanyi NCR18650GA 3400mAh battery.
About 9h. Much time for walking, good for me. 140lm was comfortable to walk with for me, so it is "realistic" test.
And first 2 min on Turbo, with the same Sanyi cell and calibrated temperature sensor.
Overheats quickly - as expected. It is totally ok. You should not expect Turbo for 10 min from that small flashlight. Just use Turbo as a turbo, momentary mode, and everything will be fine. ;)
Charging
Charges after removing the battery, in a standard charger. It is a pity that they did not give a built-in charger here. There are pros and cons, the pros include greater compactness, because we do not need to carry a charger separately, and the flashlight is fully EDC, because it is extremely compact and easy to use (well, apart from Anduril, but you get it...). Minuses? The rubber cover may fall off, open by accident, so less water resistance generally. But I would risk taking it and install a charger here.
On the lowest brightness, very fast, but visible. No PWM on higher levels.
To be honest, I didn't check which waterproof IPX level it has, but I throw it in my fish tank for 2 h anyway. (EDIT: It has IPX8)
So my 2 h submerge test
Yes, I know, my fish tank is not the clearest in the whole universe, but...
FOCUS ON THE BUNNY
This way you will notice less mess.
No moisture inside whatsoever. Test passed
Thanks to frosted lens, light is even, smooth but well focused with good spill too.
The dot in the center is the center of the beam (approx.), each line at an interval of 15cm.
About the tint: It is good, neutral, close to 5000K. You may notice it is a bit greenish, but in fact, it is not that much.
Comparison with SST20 4000K from FW3C
When you compare both, you may think XP-L is very greenish. It is not, and I was able to see this slightly greenish tint when comparing to SST20 from FW3C. Normally, you will think: "Well, it is so neutral, great tint, I love it, the best tint in my entire life, I was living for this moment". Or...something like this.
Anyway
Comparison with D4V2 XP-L HI 5000K. So both has the same leds, but different bins
I won't tell you which is EDC18. Just compare them and keep in mind D4V2 is more rosy instead of greenish
You can ask in the comment if you want to be sure ;)
ISO200, t2s, f/3,5 WB: sunlight
Distance to the tree: 40m. First picture - High mode (max ramping). Second picture - Turbo (after 2 clicks)
Much light. Maybe those are not the best beamshots, because I was pointing at this tree, not at the ground (and only a small percentage of light is reflecting on the ground), so you may think: "Wow, there is not much light at all, better save my money, stay at home and eat ice creams"
But there is much light. It was comfortable to walk with 1x7135, so ~ 140lm. I personally don't care about quick overheating in Turbo, because I only use shortly from time to time just to see what is far ahead.
Very good EDC flashlight! It's incredibly light, small and handy. Illuminated button with the manufacturer's logo, easy to find in the dark (button, not the manufacturer). I literally had nothing to fault. The only drawback for me is a hard-to-unscrew SS bezel, I could not unscrew it. But otherwise, they are all positives. Works great as an emergency backpack flashlight in the mountains (but in the mountains you definitely need a headlamp). It is very light and bright, has a diffuser. If I didn't have it and I was looking for something handy, I would choose it!
I miss a hook on the back, a hook to hang in a tent, on a tree, maybe in a garage somewhere on a hanger. But there is a magnet in tailcap, and there are also metal hooks, so if you want, you could buy one, attach it to the magnet and there is a hook at the back. So again - a great EDC flashlight.
You can connect tho flashlights with magnetic tailcap, they sticks together pretty well ;)
Small, low weight, 18650 battery, 3 diodes, steel bezel, magnet on the back, Anduril software and illuminated e-switch with a bunny? This is Lumintop EDC18. The performance is at a high level and is certainly worth the price. It only lacks USB charging, but ... maybe in the future. For now you have to deal with it. Or without it...
Do i recommend it? Definitely yes, because the flashlight is worth its money, literally what more could you want? Pretty, well made, has a diffuser and other things, it's wonderful.
Pros:
+ SS bezel
+ Anduril
+ Magnet in tailcap
+ Illuminated BUNNY switch
Cons:
- Hard to unscrew bezel
- There could be build-in charging
- No glass lens, only TIR optics
About host - threads, knurling o-rings and so on
Rating: 8/10
About light - UI, tint and so on
Rating: 9.5/10
1 - very bad flashlight hurts to look at, terrible quality, not worth any (even very low) price
5 - average flashlight, at a reasonable price - for the average person "great". Or better flashlight, but overpriced
10 - flashlight meets all my expectations in a given category (e.g EDC, headlamp, thrower), it's durable and neatly made, perfect light tint, worth its (even slightly inflated) price - just pure perfect, so I doubt any light can get a 10 from me
