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

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Large LEP flashlights compared:

leps-large-2023-06-runtimes
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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 2025-05)

Name LEP class Max. distance meters Candela 1Lumen
measurements:		 Max. lumens Cell Modes Adjustable beam Strobe Year
Acebeam Terminator M1 LEP + LED 1,600 640,000 584,000 700 21700 3 Yes Yes 2023
Acebeam W10 LEP 1,000 250,000 - 250 21700 1 No No 2018
Acebeam W10 gen II LEP 1,217 370,272 496,000 450 21700 1 No Yes 2019
Acebeam W30 LEP 2,400 1,440,000 1,312,000 500 21700 1 No No 2019
Acebeam W35 LEP 2,600 1,690,000 1,892,000 800 21700 4 Yes No 2023
Acebeam W50 LEP 4,000 4,000,000 - 1,400 Pack 3 Yes No 2021
Amutorch BT35 LEP 1,371 470,000 402,800 370 18650 2 No No 2022
Amutorch BT55 LEP 2,898 2,100,000 - 600 21700 ? Yes ? 2021
Amutorch BT60 LEP 2,560 1,640,000 1,644,000 400 21700 2 No No 2022
Astrolux WP1 LEP 1,000 250,000 - 480 21700 3 No Yes + SOS 2020
Astrolux WP2 LEP 2,300 1,322,500 - 480 21700 3 No Yes + SOS 2020
Astrolux WP3 LEP 2,900 2,180,000 2,412,000 562 21700 3 No Yes 2021
Astrolux WP4 LEP 1,303 425,000 - 310 18650 2 No Yes 2022
Astrolux WP5 LEP + LED 1,350 460,000 332,000 450 18650 1 No Yes 2025
Fenix HT30R LEP 1,500 600,000 700,000 500 21700 2 No Yes 2022
Fenix LR36R LEP + LED 1,260 396,600 516,000 350 2*21700 2 No Yes 2025
Fenix TK30 LEP 1,200 360,000 384,000 500 21700 2 No Yes 2020
Fenix TK30R LEP 1,500 600,000 597,000 500 21700 2 No Yes 2025
FireFlyLight LEP01 Hunter LEP 2,100 1,100,000 816,000 450 21700 2 No Yes 2023
FireFlyLight LEP02 Arrows LEP 1,300 - 380,000 500 21700 2 No Yes 2023
iTarlights WL20 LEP 3,000 200,000 - 580 21700*2 3 No Yes 2022
iTarlights WL30 LEP 1,495 200,000 - 380 21700*2 3 No Yes 2022
Jetbeam M1X WP-RX LEP 2,300 1,322,500 2,280,000 480 21700 2 No No 2019
Jetbeam RRT M1X Raptor LEP 2,300 1,322,500 880,000 480 21700 3 No Yes + SOS 2021
Jetbeam M2S WP-RX LEP **1,800 **810,000 345,200 480 21700 2 No No 2019
Jetbeam RRT M2S Raptor LEP 1,000 250,000 248,000 480 21700 3 No Yes + SOS 2021
Ledlenser P9R Core LEP LEP + COB 1,000 250,000 216,000 550 21700 3 No No 2025
Loop SK01 LEP 1,600 640,000 350,000 910 18350 4 Yes No 2023
Lumintop Ant Man LEP 590 87,025 - 165 14500 1 No No 2021
Lumintop Thanos v2 LEP + LED 1,300 426,200 - 300 46950 3 No No 2024
Lumintop Thor 1 LEP 1,200 342,000 356,000 400 18350 3 No No 2021
Lumintop Thor 2 LEP 1,800 769,500 891,000 500 18350/18650 3 No No 2021
Lumintop Thor 3 LEP 2,500 1,562,500 1,728,000 400 21700 2 No No 2021
Lumintop Thor 4 LEP + LED 1,170 342,000 356,000 280 21700 5 No No 2022
Lumintop Thor 5 LEP 1,200 360,000 - 370 18350 2 No Yes 2022
Lumintop Thor Mini LEP 700 122,500 98,000 250 18350 2 No Yes + SOS 2024
Lumintop Thor PRO LEP + LED 1,300 426,200 429,200 300 18650*4 5 No No 2022
Lumintop W1 LEP + COB 650 105,750 148,000 300 18650 1 No Yes 2025
Lumintop X0 LEP 1,550 600,000 592,000 450 26650 3 Yes Yes 2023
Maratac DX Reach rev2 LEP 1,892 895,000 396,000 600 21700 2 No Yes 2023
Maratac Mini LEP Cosmos LEP 707 124,972 85,700 260 14500 2 No No 2023
Mateminco FW1 LEP 2,952 2,180,000 2,816,000 562 22650 3 No Yes 2023
Mateminco FW2 LEP 1,390 483,000 440,000 350 18650 2 No Yes 2022
Mateminco FW3 LEP + LED 1,356 460,000 284,000 255 21700 7 No Yes 2022
Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO 2*LEP 4,000 4,000,000 3,995,000 1200 21700*2 3 No No 2022
Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO v2 2*LEP 4,000 4,000,000 4,000,000 1200 21700*3 3 No Yes 2023
Maxtoch Owleyes W PRO v2 Diamond 2*LEP 4,600 5,290,000 5,325,000 1300 pack 3 No Yes 2024
Maxtoch Xsword L2K LEP 2,000 1,000,000 - 500 18650*2 3 No No 2018
Maxtoch Xsword L2K (2021) LEP 2,700 1,823,000 2,508,000 600 21700*2 3 No No 2021
Maxtoch Xsword L2KD LEP 3,200 2,560,000 3,051,000 650 21700*3 3 No No 2022
Maxtoch Xsword L2KSD LEP 3,200 2,560,000 2,996,000 650 21700 3 No No 2023
Maxtoch Xsword L2Ks LEP 2,800 1,960,000 2,308,000 600 21700 3 No No 2021
Maxtoch Xsword L3K LEP 3,000 2,250,000 1,908,000 650 21700*2 3 No No 2021
Maxtoch Xsword L3KS LEP 3,000 2,250,000 - 650 21700 3 No No 2021
Maxtoch Xsword LA40 LEP 1,800 876,000 876,000 420 18650 2 Yes No 2024
Maxtoch Xsword LA60 LEP 2,500 1,562,500 2,272,000 500 21700*2 3 Yes No 2021
Maxtoch Xsword LA60S LEP 2,800 1,960,000 - 500 21700 3 Yes No 2021
MicroFire Optispike S50 LEP 5,500 7,562,500 - - Pack 3 ? Yes 2019
Natfire SF2 LEP 1,200 360,000 347,600 300 21700 3 No Yes 2022
Nebo Luxtreme SL100 LEP + COB 1,600 640,000 676,000 280 pack 4 No No 2022
Nextorch L10 Max LEP 1,200 360,000 - 400 21700 3 No Yes 2021
Nextorch T7L LEP 1,100 302,500 428,000 400 18650 2 No Yes 2019
Nextorch T10L LEP 1,100 302,500 484,000 500 21700 3 No Yes 2020
Nextorch T20L LEP 2,000 1,000,000 1,284,000 900 21700 3 No Yes + SOS 2021
Nitecore P35i (hybrid) LEP + LED 1,650 678,000 674,400 410 21700 5 No Yes 2022
NlightD L1 LEP 2,408 1,449,616 1,940,000 500 21700 2 No No 2022
NlightD L2 LEP 700 122,600 143,200 300 14500 2 No No 2024
NlightD L3 LEP 1,500 562,500 436,000 1000 18350-18650 2 No Yes 2025
NLIGHTD LZ1 LEP 2,830 2,002,400 - 600 21700 1 Yes Yes 2025
NlightD X1 LEP 5,786 8,370,000 7,550,000 7000 8*21700 1 Yes No 2025
Olight Odin Turbo LEP 1,050 275,625 368,000 330 21700 2 No No 2021
Richfire SFC-039 LEP 500 - - - 21700 2 No Yes + SOS 2021
Tank007 PTL01 LEP 1,400 490,000 390,400 500 21700 3 No Yes 2022
Trustfire T30R LEP 1,100 302,500 147,500 460 18650 3 No SOS 2022
Trustfire T45R LEP 1,695 717,824 ? 650 21700 3 No SOS 2025
Unbranded 26650 LEP LEP 1,800 810,000 992,000 450 26650 1 No Yes 2020
Vastlite Bow LEP 750 140,650 108,000 280 18350 2 No No 2024
Vastlite Minima Bow LEP 750 140,650 112,000 280 16340 2 No No 2025
Weltool LH3 (head only) LEP 886 196,249 - 335 18350/18650 1 No No 2020
Weltool W1 LEP 836 175,000 - 630 18650 2 No No 2022
Weltool W2 LEP SMD 800 160,000 132,000 280 14500 1 No No 2024
Weltool W3 LEP 848 179,776 - 200 18650 2 No No 2018
Weltool W3 Plus LEP 1,800 810,000 716,000 940 21700 2 No Yes 2024
Weltool W3 PRO LEP 1,205 363,006 363,600 505 21700 2 No No 2020
Weltool W3 PRO Tac LEP 1,479 547,500 583,600 930 21700 1+1 No Yes 2023
Weltool W35L/W65L LEP 836 175,000 - 630 18650 1 No No 2022
Weltool W4 LEP 2,670 1,782,225 2,184,000 560 21700 2 No No 2020
Weltool W4 PRO LEP 3,394 2,882,000 2,808,000 568 21700 2 No No 2022
Weltool W4 PRO Tac LEP 3,394 2,882,000 - 568 21700 2 No Yes 2023
Weltool W5 LEP 2,807 1,970,000 1,716,000 599 2*22500/21700 2 No No 2021
Weltool W5 Pro LEP 2,842 2,020,000 2,284,000 990 2*22500/21701 2 No No 2023
Weltool W7 LEP 1,788 800,000 552,000 700 21700 2 No Yes 2025

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:

7

@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.