If you’re a fan of 14500 pocketers, throwers, and tactical-style lights — the Speras EST SE should be on your wishlist. After two weeks of carrying it, this light has earned the top spot in my pocket rotation. (Manker E05 II and Convoy T6 are right behind it.)
What I like about it:
1) BEAM: Pairing an SFT25 (6500K) with a shallow reflector and an AR-coated lens produces a well-balanced beam with both spot and spill. (Similar to a Sofirn SR12.) The hot spot is clean and distinct, but larger than a T6 SFT25. That short reflector has sort of an expansion effect, making it look more like an SFT70 spot at close range.
2) OUTPUT: 1500 lumens and 26,700 candela (one independent test showed 33,000+), reaching 326 meters. Speras claims this is 150% more output and 80% more throw than other lights in its class. I looked a few up, and they aren’t kidding: Olight i5T (300lm), Acebeam Pokelit (1000lm, 105m), Vtiger T1A (1300lm, 170m). It comes close to the TAC AA’s throw (360 meters), but in a much more pocket-friendly size.
Of course, that kind of power in such a small host does generate a ton of heat, and it does step down after 30 sec or so. I’ve mostly been using the lower modes, but much like my M21B LHP73B, I like that the high mode is there if I need it. (Note: 1lumen says Speras typically uses buck or boost drivers, but I can’t confirm what this one has.)
3) SWITCH and UI: The EST SE has a unique two-step tail switch, with a handy battery level indicator light under the button that activates for a few seconds after powering it off. This type of multi-stage switch gives you quicker access to more modes — much like the dual tail switches on TAC lights do. The UI is perfect for a tactical 14500 — you have instant access to high, moon, and strobe:
- 2 x short half click (from off): moon mode
- 1 x short half click (from off): powers it on (High)
- 1 x short half click (from on): powers it off
- 1 x long half click (from off): momentary high
- 1 x long half click (from on): cycles through H/L/M modes
- 1 x full click (from anywhere): momentary strobe
Note: This light does not have memory mode. That may be a deal breaker for some, but it’s important to remember that this isn’t marketed as a casual bedside light — it’s a tactical light. Memory mode (in this model) would prevent having instant access to high, strobe, and moon — and then you’d have people complaining that it isn’t tactical enough.
4) BUILD: When you pick it up, the first things you notice are the anodization quality, which has a premium matte-like finish, and the knurling, which is semi-aggressive but effective and not overly done. The combination of those two things gives it excellent gripability.
5) Other features I like:
- Nice mode spacings: High 1500lm, Med 800lm, Low 100lm, Eco 10lm
- 920mAh 14500 battery w/USB-C port
- Decent run times (see chart)
- 2-way clip
- Springs on both ends
- Weighs only 60g w/battery
- IP68
- 5-year warranty
In summary, the EST SE has a compact footprint, utilizes a tactical-focused design, and can compete with larger lights on output. I’ll use it as a pocket and backpack light, but I can see it being a great backup for LEOs and security personnel — which is one of Speras’s main target audience.
