Review: Manker U21 - Raising the bar for compact throwers

LED Flashlights – General Info 26650 Flashlights
1

I finally received my Manker U21 (Amazon link here). From the moment I opened the package all I could say was that this was going to be impressive. Mind you that I already read Budda's Detailed Review so I will try not bore you with repetition.



Manker's Specs are as follows:

Emitter Type: CREE XHP35 HI

Material: Aero grade aluminum alloy

Surface treatment:Premium type III hard anodized anti-abrasive finish,Thickness>50μm

Battery Configurations: 1 x 26650/18650

Max Output: MAX 1300lumens

Maximum Beam Intensity:124000CD

Maximum Beam Distance:700 meters

Working Voltage: 2.8-4.35v

USB Charging Current：2A

Waterproof: IPX-7 waterproof 1 meters

Weight: 290g without battery

Size: Length148mm x Head Diameter59mm xTube Diameter35mm

This is the most compact "stock thrower" I have ever seen. I know that many here have modded lights to get to where this is but I have not seen any with the XHP35-Hi powered by a single battery. Touching on the battery, this light will accept the 18650's with the spacer but this light is designed for the 26650 to get the run-time. It is also best to use an IMR battery or Hi-drain battery to get the most out of this light.



The fit and finish is great. The ano is a real HAIII. The threads are cut great, smooth, and shipped lubricated. From the moment you hold the light you notice how lightweight it is. Loaded with a 26650 King Kong it feels lighter than the Kronos SS without a battery. The added 10mm to the diameter of the battery tube feels great and unobtrusive, probably because it is only 1x26650. While it is obvious that it is not the same as a Manker T01 or Kronos X5 for pocketability but it IS pocketable just the same which makes this that much more of a pleasure to use.

All of what I have written so far is what I saw at the kitchen table. Since it was daytime I could not run right out and check this thing out and had to wait. Closing the blinds just does not count.

When night fell my smile got even bigger. When Manker claims that this U21 can throw...they mean it. The distance from my driveway to the end of the street is 960 feet (320 yards). While not the max according to the specs, the Manker U21 had absolutely no problem lighting up the subdivision wall. I had to ask myself why this light was not available when I was running down house numbers and license plates in the middle of the night. Even I was skeptical of its abilities when the U21 was first announced, considering that there were other options. Now I better understand.

Manker really does try to pull out all the stops when designing so that they can make the most compact but most powerful yet efficient flashlight. That can also be seen in the T01, U11, E11 (I personally have the T01). Even the UI is efficient. to me it is the opposite of what one may see in a Skilhunt (headlamp). A quick press of the switch brings you straight into Low. Any subsequent presses will cycle though the modes to Turbo and start over. The Blinky modes are hidden but easily reached with a double click. Click again and you are out. A long press will bring you to whatever the last mode was stored in memory, including Turbo. To recap...quick press and you start in Low. Long press and you go to your last mode, which in my case is usually Turbo. That way I can go straight to Low, or cycle to where I want, or hold the switch and go to Turbo....all my choice.

As an added bonus, The Manker U21 has a built-in and Manker designed Fast Charge Micro-USB charging port, rated at 2A. I do not have a way to measure the charge current but charging the battery resulted in a finish charge of 4.2V. I seldom use charge ports and prefer to carry batteries but carrying extra batteries can sometimes be a pain, especially when speaking of 26650's. It is nice to know that I can charge the battery, quickly and safely, when I need to.

I cannot see what I, as part of the Kronos Team, would suggest or change. The Manker U21 fits a spot that has been empty for a long time. That was primarily due to the technologies available at the time. Manker does something that usually only the biggest manufacturers pursue. Just like the remaining Manker line-up, the U21 is designed in-house and from the ground up. Host, Reflector, Driver, etc. are all designed by Manker to achieve the best possible product.

In my opinion, the price this light sells for is a steal. I think many of us have paid more for less. For those like me that lack the ability of FrankenDale (and a few others like Tom E, PD68, etc etc), and want to be able to buy a ready-to-go but a very very capable compact flashlight that throws...the Manker U21 is a no-brainer. Whether you are a wrecker driver, own a lot of land, travel the outdoors, etc etc.. this compact thrower is worth looking into.

Good job Manker.

2

Thanks bugsy36,I want this light pretty bad and all the positive reviews are not making it easier. I mentioned in another thread about the possibility of an engineering mode on the U21 just like the u11,curious if anyone has attempted it.

3

Well,

it IS a nicely looking torch, I must admit! That said, there are plenty of compact 26650 throwers out there that are as good or better than the U21 IMHO.

Take the Convoy L2 for example:

150 kcd out of the box, does have an LED (XP-L Hi) that DOESN´T need a boost driver to operate the 6V LED with a single 26650 4,2 volts battery, no timed stepdown, 2 cell option, much cheaper, solid as a rock, neutral tint option, solid tail switch.
Of course no fancies like USB charging or dragon breathe…

There is also the Jaxman X1 that is equally powerful like the L2.

I feel like the U21 is WAY underpowered and could have been a real “Mini K70”, but in it´s current form it´s too expensive for that it offers.

My2cents!
K.

4

I understand your position but as the title reads...Raising the Bar.

For example:

  • The L2 is almost 2x heavier than the U21
  • The L2 is 25mm (1 inch) longer
  • The L2 has a tail switch vs a side switch

Now, do not misunderstand. Simon makes a hell of a great product, and the L2 has earned its rightful place, but comparing the two lights is almost apples and oranges. If the output is all that anybody is concerned about then you may be ahead.

The side switch on the U21 makes it easier and the weight to me is a big deal, especially if I want to put it in my jeans pocket. Add the fact that anybody can charge this anywhere there is a common USB source makes this flashlight very versatile. Those 3 points alone make the additional $20 worthwhile.

5

I see your point, those arguments might be enough for some to prefer the U21, I just wanted to throw it out there that there ARE in fact some good alternatives. Good for us, we have the choice!
Btw, what´s the charging current of the built in charger of the U21? Anything below 1A would be a PITA when loading a 5200 mAh 26650 …
K.

6

Interesting review
You paid $64?
Not at all a price I consider budget but to each his own opinion :wink:

In that price range Jaxman offers some interesting lights that throw a pretty big distance as well.
And well the S50/S70 L2/L6 are all to be bought for less and throw nicely.

This Manker is such a strange size, in Dutch there is a saying for kids growing up
Neither napkin nor table cloth
This fits this light perfect, just too big to pocket nicely, but smaller then throwers like the L6 and S70 it competes with in the same price range and throw right?

f you compare this to a XPL HI C8 (man for $64 a C8 can be modded or bought modded to the max!) how do you think it stacks up? (the C8 being truly easy to pocket)

7

This is one of the situation where I don’t care if the driver is a buck, a boost, or an Elf inside the head, crancking the emitter.
The light works great with li ion, regulation and efficiency are great and that’s all matters to me.

What you can say is that the 6V output gives you less options in terms of modding. And I’ll agree.

NW version is coming :wink:

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Kusie - Choices are good...otherwise we would all be driving Pintos or Beetles ;) :) I can measure the charge current but I do believe the 2A because it did charge the KK quickly.

Miller - If you buy solely on price you may come out ahead. Personally I do not mind paying for something that fits better...just like I do with my shoes.

There are lights much more expensive than this that are not even remotely as capable.

Also, this light is an out of the box working light. Many, probably the majority, do not want to or like to mod lights so there is no comparison.

BTW....anything less than the cost of a Tain can be considered budget. ;)

9

Pardon me, but what is a “Tain” ?

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It's something that goes, "Choo! Choo!"

11

Look here

Some of the most beautiful lights in the world.

12

You say fits well
And that is the problem here, this does not fit well
A pre modded C8 working out of packaging will probably throw the same in any tint one like and FITs a lot more pockets.
In absence of beamshots comparing it with other lights for now.

When I want to use a thrower I grab my S70 that lights up such a massive area and costs less.
I wear it as a 26650 purse :wink: and weight and size are really not noticed and hands free operation is what I use a lot.

Please explain why paying more for shoes that do not fit is smart?
If you would not have stressed how good of a price $64 is I could just have thanked you for the review but now I really don’t get it seeing so much lights that out preform this for less or the same money.
You did pay $64 for it?

13

Ah and while on the topic of bang for the buck
May I direct your attention to this:

Not only great idea in helping a fellow BLFer also some highly interesting things on auction that are real bang for the buck!

Edit: somebody tags my posts here in this thread as rude…really?
This one might be off topic but rude
Sigh

14

Any deals on this one right now? I’m fond of the XHP35 HI, good to see it can be driven by one cell.

I agree that the size is in a weird position as it is not pocketable, but it doesn’t perform as well as bigger throwers like the Acebeam K70.

15

manker u21 is too expensive!

16

Thank you, those look beautiful!
The most “exclusive” lights I own are the Kronos Twins (X6 CU/SS and X5 CU), those Tains are “a bit” over my budget :wink:

K.

17

I am retired and live on modest Union Pension and find the price of this flashlight to be a ‘budget’ purchase for an advanced designed light with these qualities.

I would like to think the cost of the Manker U21 provides needed capital for new products and fairly compensates all its workers. Budget does not always mean lowest price.

18

My guess is that a C8 with a XP-L Hi will throw 100 kcd at most. Anyone know different?

With the sold-out old-production XP-G2 S4 2B, a C8 may get past 150kcd.

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Kusie - They are way over my budget also but beautiful just the same.

Every now and then you will see them for sale on CPF.

20

I paid the ‘going price’ for this light, and consider it a ‘Budget Light’; in my budget, quality will be a high allocated consideration.