The LEP Flashlights discussion thread - discuss LEPs here

LED Flashlights – General Info
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LEP Discussion thread

Let's turn this into an LEP discussion thread.

Below are the ones I own and reviewed, as a topic starter…
Share, discuss anything you want on the topic of LEP flashlights.

Small LEP flashlights compared

leps-small-2023-06-runtimes
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Large LEP flashlights compared:

leps-large-2023-06-runtimes
leps-large-2023-06-runtimes730×629 60.4 KB

The graphs look ugly when I combine graphs with both the larger and smaller lights. And this is probably a better comparison anyway.

Reviews in details from my websites, and budgetlightforum:
I also started a dedicated LEP flashlight website: https://lepflashlight.com/

Large LEP flashlights compared _ Distances and candelas
Large LEP flashlights compared _ Distances and candelas740×950 42.6 KB

Written reviews:

Overview of LEP flashlights
Here is a list with manufacturer’s specifications. Keep in mind you better look at the runtime graphs to get a better understanding of their ‘real performance’.

(List updated 2023-06)

Name LEP class Max. distance meters Candela 1Lumen
measurements:		 Max. lumens Cell Modes Adjustable beam Strobe Year
Acebeam W10 Class 2M 1,000 250,000 - 250 21700 1 No No 2018
Acebeam W10 gen II Class 2M 1,217 370,272 496,000 450 21700 1 No Yes 2019
Acebeam W30 Class 2M 2,400 1,440,000 1,312,000 500 21700 1 No No 2019
Amutorch BT35 - 1,371 470,000 402,800 370 18650 2 No No 2022
Amutorch BT55 N/A 2,898 2,100,000 - 600 21700 ? Yes ? 2021
Amutorch BT60 - 2,560 1,640,000 1,644,000 400 21700 2 No No 2022
Astrolux WP1 N/A 1,000 250,000 - 480 21700 3 No Yes + SOS 2020
Astrolux WP2 N/A 2,300 1,322,500 - 480 21700 3 No Yes + SOS 2020
Astrolux WP3 - 2,900 2,180,000 2,412,000 562 21700 3 No Yes 2021
Astrolux WP4 - 1,303 425,000 - 310 18650 2 No Yes 2022
Fenix HT30R Class 1 1,500 600,000 700,000 500 21700 2 No Yes 2022
Fenix TK30 Class 3B 1,200 360,000 384,000 500 21700 2 No Yes 2020
iTarlights WL20 - 3,000 200,000 - 580 21700*2 3 No Yes 2022
iTarlights WL30 - 1,495 200,000 - 380 21700*2 3 No Yes 2022
Jetbeam M1X WP-RX Class 3B 2,300 1,322,500 2,280,000 480 21700 2 No No 2019
Jetbeam RRT M1X Raptor - 2,300 1,322,500 880,000 480 21700 3 No Yes + SOS 2021
Jetbeam M2S WP-RX Class 3B **1,800 **810,000 345,200 480 21700 2 No No 2019
Jetbeam RRT M2S Raptor - 1,000 250,000 248,000 480 21700 3 No Yes + SOS 2021
Loop SK01 - 1,600 640,000 350,000 910 18350 4 Yes No 2023
Lumintop Ant Man - 590 87,025 - 165 14500 1 No No 2021
Lumintop Thor 1 - 1,200 342,000 356,000 400 18350 3 No No 2021
Lumintop Thor 2 Class 3B 1,800 769,500 891,000 500 18350/18650 3 No No 2021
Lumintop Thor 3 - 2,500 1,562,500 1,728,000 400 21700 2 No No 2021
Lumintop Thor 4 (hybrid) - 1,170 342,000 356,000 280 21700 5 No No 2022
Lumintop Thor 5 - 1,200 360,000 - 370 18350 2 No Yes,2 2022
Lumintop Thor PRO (Hybrid) - 1,300 426,200 429,200 300 18650*4 5 No No 2022
Maratac DX Reach rev2 - 1,892 895,000 396,000 600 21700 2 No Yes 2023
Maratac Mini LEP Cosmos - 707 124,972 - 260 14500 2 No No 2023
Mateminco FW2 1,390 483,000 440,000 350 18650 2 No Yes 2022
Mateminco FW3 (hybrid) - 1,356 460,000 284,000 255 21700 7 No Yes 2022
Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO - 4,000 4,000,000 3,995,000 1200 21700*2 3 No No 2022
Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO v2 - 4,000 4,000,000 4,000,000 1200 21700*3 3 No Yes 2023
Maxtoch Xsword L2K - 2,000 1,000,000 - 500 18650*2 3 No No 2018
Maxtoch Xsword L2K (2021) - 2,700 1,823,000 2,508,000 600 21700*2 3 No No 2021
Maxtoch Xsword L2KD - 3,200 2,560,000 3,051,000 650 21700*3 3 No No 2022
Maxtoch Xsword L2KSD 3,200 2,560,000 - 650 21700 3 No No 2023
Maxtoch Xsword L2Ks (short) - 2,800 1,960,000 2,308,000 600 21700 3 No No 2021
Maxtoch Xsword L3K - 3,000 2,250,000 1,908,000 650 21700*2 3 No No 2021
Maxtoch Xsword L3KS (short) - 3,000 2,250,000 - 650 21700 3 No No 2021
Maxtoch Xsword LA60 - 2,500 1,562,500 2,272,000 500 21700*2 3 Yes No 2021
Maxtoch Xsword LA60S (short) - 2,800 1,960,000 - 500 21700 3 Yes No 2021
Natfire SF2 - 1,200 360,000 347,600 300 21700 3 No Yes 2022
Nebo Luxtreme SL100 (hybrid) - 1,600 640,000 676,000 280 21700*2 4 No No 2022
Nextorch L10 Max - 1,200 360,000 - 400 21700 3 No Yes 2021
Nextorch T7L Class 3B 1,100 302,500 428,000 400 18650 2 No Yes 2019
Nextorch T10L Class 3B 1,100 302,500 484,000 500 21700 3 No Yes 2020
Nextorch T20L Class 3B 2,000 1,000,000 1,284,000 900 21700 3 No Yes + SOS 2021
Nitecore P35i (hybrid) - 1,650 678,000 674,400 410 21700 5 No Yes 2022
NlightD L1 - 2,408 1,449,616 1,940,000 500 21700 2 No No 2022
Olight Odin Turbo Class 1 1,050 275,625 368,000 330 21700 2 No No 2021
Richfire SFC-039 - 500 - - - 21700 2 No Yes + SOS 2021
Tank007 PTL01 - 1,400 490,000 390,400 500 21700 3 No Yes 2022
Unbranded 26650 LEP N/A 1,800 810,000 992,000 450 26650 1 No Yes 2020
Weltool LH3 (head only) Class 3B 886 196,249 - 335 18350/18650 1 No No 2020
Weltool W1 - 836 175,000 - 630 18650 2 No No 2022
Weltool W3 Class 3B 848 179,776 - 200 18650 2 No No 2018
Weltool W3 PRO Class 3B 1,205 363,006 363,600 505 21700 2 No No 2020
Weltool W3 PRO Tac Class 1 1,479 547,500 583,600 930 21700 1+1 No Yes 2023
Weltool W35L/W65L - 836 175,000 - 630 18650 1 No No 2022
Weltool W4 Class 3B 2,670 1,782,225 2,184,000 560 21700 2 No No 2020
Weltool W4 PRO - 3,394 2,882,000 2,808,000 568 21700 2 No No 2022
Weltool W4 PRO Tac - 3,394 2,882,000 - 568 21700 2 No Yes 2023
Weltool W5 N/A 2,807 1,970,000 1,716,000 599 2*22500/21700 2 No No 2021

Notes
**1 Jetbeam M2S WP-RX uses exaggerated claims! Instead of 1,800 meters it only reaches about 1/2 of that.
**2 Lumintop Thor PRO is a hybrid flashlight with LED + LEP. The numbers represent LEP only.

Maxtoch Xsword L2K has been upgraded several times, but still using the same model name. It started at 2000 meters, then changed to 2500 meters, and now it shows 2700 meters.
L2K should in my option be just L2.7K or L3K or whatever :slight_smile:
Maxtoch actually listened and added the Xsword L3K :smiley:
Astrolux prices change all the time, so even their “normal, before discount” prices change.

2 Thanks
2

interesting comparison, never had a LEP. Good to see a lot of innovation and change within our hobby.

3

Great comparison and graphics. Such graphs would be useful for other types of flashlights too!

4

Fantastic series of reviews.

But …. is it just me? I feel some kind of emptiness emerging in me.
It’s probably my high-maintenance inner child that wants a present.

1 Thank
5

+1 and thank you

6

How much further does the M1X throw in real life compared to the unbranded? I feel like I need to upgrade already :smiley:

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@A2

Thanks

@Th558:

The M1X is quite ridiculous at 2.3Mcd, but the Weltool is actually a bit better in my opinion. Looking at the current market, I would probably choose the W4 over the M1X.

@DI Joker + JaredM

Yes, I am thinking about doing that with my other reviews as well, but then with Lumens and only lights that are closely related.

@Henk4u2:

Nkon has the W10 gen2 and W30 in stock again since yesterday ;) better be fast before they are gone, lol.

8

ChibiM and Th558 out of curiosity since you both have the unbranded LEP is it just me or does having the lens screwed all the way down make the hot spot giantic with a hole in the center ? also does the hot spot seem to auto focus when you shine it at a closer surface and expand when aimed at a wall in the distance really hoping it isnt my eyes going on me….

Edit : found the issue the retaining ring holding the mirror was loose probably from shipping.

9

That’s great news. I also think for anything in the thrower category, (basically if its any HI, Dedome, Osram Flat, or SBT emitter light), Lux vs time is a great measurement to plot!! Really goes unnoticed so much around here. For example, a small thrower like an XT45 for example with an SBT90.2 might have peak values competitive with a white flat at turn-on/30s, but at any sustainable level, it wouldn’t be remotely close! Lux vs Time FTW

10

Thank You for putting that together, very informative :+1:

11

Thank you for those reviews. It really helped me to make my decision on which LEP (s) to get.

12

Yes, thank you and really informative. Especially since good info about LEP lights seemed to be hard to find (untill now:) I love the beamshot comparisons!

Use a good thrower quite often in my work and during sailing races, but haven’t had the guts |(and spare money) to go for a LEP. Cautious of a too narrow beam, what makes looking for the buoys like looking for a needle in a haystack. But the more I see good beamshots and comparisons, the less cautious I get…. Just finding the right light for the right purpose:)

13

Has the Acebeam Gen 2 stopped being made?
I’m fro the Uk…
Is there a youtube vid out there, of comparison between W10 gen 2 and Fenix TK30?
which would you buy with your hard saved cash?
cheers guys / gals

14

what did you go for?

15

I wish I had one of them

16

I have the Acebeam W10 Gen 2 and it’s incredible. I carry it all the time

17

Let's change this into a general LEP discussion thread.

I added an overview I made a while ago, and just added the 2 new Astrolux LEPs

Name LEP class Max. distance meters Candela Max. lumens Battery Modes Adjustable beam Strobe Year Avg. Price
Acebeam W10 Class 2M 1,000 250,000 250 21700 1 No No 2018 $286
Acebeam W10 gen II Class 2M 1,217 370,272 450 21700 1 No Yes 2019 $297
Acebeam W30 Class 2M 2,400 1,440,000 500 21700 1 No No 2019 $329
Jetbeam M1X WP-RX Class 3B 2,300 1,322,500 480 21700 2 No No 2019 $260
Jetbeam M2S WP-RX Class 3B 1,800 810,000 480 21700 2 No No 2019 $250
Fenix TK30 Class 3B 1,200 360,000 500 21700 2 No Yes 2020 $269
Weltool LH3 (head only) Class 3B 886 196,249 335 18350/18650 1 No No 2020 $248
Weltool W3 Class IIIb 848 179,776 200 18650 2 No No 2018 $265
Weltool W3 PRO Class 3B 1,205 363,006 505 21700 2 No No 2020 $278
Weltool W4 Class 3B 2,670 1,782,225 560 21700 2 No No 2020 $306
Nextorch T7L Class 3B 1,100 302,500 400 18650 2 No Yes 2019 $299
Nextorch T10L Class 3B 1,100 302,500 500 21700 3 No Yes 2020 $299
Maxtoch Xsword L2K N/A 2,500 1,562,500 500 18650*2 3 No N/A 2018 $275
Nealsgadgets LEP N/A 1,800 810,000 450 26650 1 No Yes 2020 $179
Astrolux WP1 N/A 1,000 250,000 480 21700 3 No Yes + SOS 2020
Astrolux WP2 N/A 2,300 1,322,500 480 21700 3 No Yes + SOS 2020

Edit: Updated with candela

18

Ha Chibi, nice round-up, and could you add kcd to the table above?, throw distance is not my COT.

Celebration notice: I just bought my first LEP flashlight, the NealsGadgets LEP, with the code NDNA it came down to 152 dollar, and the favorable current exchange rate made that 131 euro.

19

Great thread.

I have some general questions about LEPs.

I see lots of places call them “white lasers”. I’m assuming this is untrue and that the light emitted is not actually a laser beam and that it is just using a laser to generate the light. Could someone confirm or deny this assumption?

I’m also interested to know more about how LEPs work. there seems to be very little info that I can find on Google. As a secondary part of this. Why are they all fixed beam focus for throw? Could they not be zoomy lights or even use other forms of optic or reflector?

I have found this somewhat confusing picture on the Acebeam site (a site calling it a white laser……) :

Out of the two examples above, I have no idea which way the W30 is constructed. The left hand image is reused further down the page on their website, so logic would suggest that is the construction. But if so, why have the right hand image at all?

On a separate but related note, why are there no LED lights using the optic structure as above?

Thanks.

20

@CD, you are right, the pump is a blue laser, which is aimed at a bit of phosfor, just like a led, the resulting light is incoherent in random direction, just like a led, and can be made into a beam by an optic, just like a led. But because in all LEP lights that I have seen the phosfor is illuminated from the front, with a mirror straight above the phosfor (so a bit different from the Acebeam drawing above), I think that a zoomie is difficult because that little mirror will interfere with the lens when zoomed out.