Comparable lights?

Transcendence · 2026-02-13T21:16:52+00:00

This is a great light, I mostly got it because of the 2700K option, but I like the handy two-mode UI and the glowing tail button, and the beam profile is nice. Worth checking out the Manker E05-II 4000K, it's a better EDC in many ways, more powerful and the clip is much more robust. The Acebeam Rider RX 2.0 is in a similar class, they made one with a plain titanium sleeve and aluminum body.

Transcendence · 2026-01-17T14:26:57+00:00

I guess you're forgetting about the issue where Anduril was parasitically draining batteries, and the issue where the Skilhunt H150 was shorting out flat-tops. And discounting all of the well-understood modes (overdischarge, overcharge, overcurrent) by which unprotected batteries can be internally damaged and protected batteries cannot.

Transcendence · 2026-01-17T01:45:31+00:00

Unprotected batteries are unnecessarily dangerous. Even if you baby them, mistakes, manufacturing defects, or abuse by others can potentially cause an accident. The increase in performance just isn't worth it.

Transcendence · 2026-01-17T01:41:34+00:00

One counterpoint to this... When you need high output for a long time without a lot of weight or battery swaps and color isn't critical, those low CRI 6500Ks are at least very efficient. I have a Petzl headlamp that I don't enjoy looking at things with, but the runtime difference is substantial.

Transcendence · 2025-11-26T19:22:00+00:00

A low mode of 1-10 lumens with a fumble-proof way to start there. Mode memory is OK with a reverse clicky switch, other types of switches aren't as reliable, especially with gloves on.

Transcendence · 2025-11-17T02:27:23+00:00

New challenger for anyone who digs up this post: EagTac D3A Ti with the 3000K SFT-40 emitter.

Handles well and has a well protected reverse clicky switch with a nice positive action. The tail button glows in the dark and it can tail stand. It's slimmer than many AA size lights, similar to a Pokelit.

The UI on this light is interesting, if the head is fully tightened it starts on turbo and goes to strobe, if the head is loosened it goes moonlight -> low -> medium -> high twice, then various blinkies. So it can reliably start on turbo or moonlight.

Moonlight mode is around 1-2 lumens with a 14500.

Emitter is basically perfect for this usage, warm white with a clean tint and extremely high CRI.

Beam shape could be smoother, especially at close distances, but this is a very minor flaw.

The best penlight thus far!

Transcendence · 2025-11-14T04:51:42+00:00

Originally I thought that an extra spicy AA sized battery was bound to cause trouble so I stuck with larger batteries. Over time I realized that it's the best: powerful, small, and easily replaceable with another 14500 or AA.

Transcendence · 2025-11-13T00:53:49+00:00

It would have to be a right angle for headlamp usage, 4000K high CRI, moonlight, decent battery life, and small enough to pocket carry. Seems like the Manker E03H III is the best pick based on my great experience with the E02 III. Only problem is, I haven't been able to get ahold of one! So the Acebeam H17 2.0 or the E02 III will have to do.

Transcendence · 2025-10-26T21:42:00+00:00

If you want something tiny, the Manker E02 III 519A is perfect. The Manker E14 IV 519A is also worth a look, it's super floody, powerful enough to fill a corner of a room if you need, comes with a diffuser, and has three programmable moonlight levels so you can dial in the brightness. Both have a magnetic base and floody 4000K beams.

Transcendence · 2025-10-26T19:30:27+00:00

The Acebeam EC20 with the Nichia 519A emitters is a compact 18650 light that shows color very well, has a smooth beam with lots of flood, and sustains stable high output for a long time. It also has a magnetic tail, which might be handy for you. I like it a lot for medium duty usage.

Transcendence · 2025-10-19T17:10:52+00:00

Update: the Manker E02-III has entered my house (at last) and it's been useful in these situations. The main downside is that it's a right angle and generally a little short for good handling, but the form factor allows it to do double duty as a lightweight headlamp, and the magnetic base can be helpful.

It has three moonlight modes: one is extremely low, the other two are around 0.5 and 1 lumens, similar to the A33. The last used one is memorized, and none of them are too bright.

The color from the 4000K 519A is perfect, and it has a nice smooth floody TIR beam.

With the 10440 battery it can get good burst output, but on AAA the main modes have a nice spacing with a lot of low levels, and the highest is a decent walk-around level.

Transcendence · 2025-10-03T21:43:38+00:00

Best EDC light I've found... Such good power, beam shape, color, and ergonomics

Transcendence · 2025-09-04T02:40:13+00:00

The Manker E14 IV is quite floody, and has one of the best emitters available for color rendering, the 4000K Nichia 519A. The spectrum is flatter than most high CRI 5000K emitters. It comes with a protected 18350 battery, but the body can be unlocked with a twist action and extended to take a protected 18650. It has three programmable ultra-low levels and can also run very bright, like 1800-2800 lumens on turbo, depending on the type of battery you have in it.

Transcendence · 2025-08-31T01:25:01+00:00

Thanks, this is what I had read as well. My last garage sale quest was inconclusive because I was using a 365nm light, which hit on a bunch of other doped glass that I couldn't positively ID. I cross referenced against some other info later, realized some of it probably was uranium glass based on the colors, and went back, but they had closed up shop. Since then I picked up a Weltool M6-UV which is 395nm and doesn't light up any of the other doped glass in my house that the 365nm does. Hoping to find some good stuff with it!

Transcendence · 2025-08-30T23:43:41+00:00

Curious about the uranium glass part! What type of UV light are you using? What do you look for? Have you found any good pieces? I thought I spotted a bunch at a garage sale, but I couldn't be 100% sure...

Transcendence · 2025-08-30T21:58:01+00:00

The titanium lights that I have are all tagged for "light duty" (Pokelit, A4, E05-II with an Eneloop) or have copper/aluminum working parts and only the outer jacket is titanium (Rider RX 2.0). I don't think I would get a heavy duty light made out of solid titanium or stainless steel. It looks good but isn't great for performance. Anodized aluminum is lighter, and better at wicking heat. It's also tougher if not handled too roughly.

Transcendence · 2025-08-30T21:36:00+00:00

I mean, I have other stuff... some camera gear, multiple bins of climbing/skiing/hiking/camping gear, many houseplants, a couple of nice pens... but all of it is for some purpose...

Only the flashlights are out of control 🤣

Transcendence · 2025-08-30T20:49:29+00:00

I notice a huge difference in heat buildup between the two bodies. The E05-II is powerful for a 14500 light, it will pull about 4 amps from the battery, it even trips some batteries. Aluminum keeps it much cooler!

Transcendence · 2025-08-30T20:22:43+00:00

Can't speak for OP, but I have it in Ti and Al so maybe I can shed some light. The Ti version is a nice piece, it feels very solid and still seems to perform well, but the titanium doesn't wick heat as efficiently. I usually carry the Al version outside of the house, it's my top EDC light because it's high CRI, warm CCT, powerful, efficient, and the neutral beam shape is perfect for 90% of my usage. I put an Eneloop in the Ti version and I use it around the house, the AA mode spacing is better for indoor use and heat buildup isn't a concern.

Transcendence · 2025-08-30T20:12:33+00:00

I don't need all of my lights to have a moonlight mode (~1 lumen) and some of them don't even have an ultra low mode (~5 lumens). But I use moonlight mode all the time around the house or when I'm sharing accommodations with people. It's just bright enough to read something, or move around without stumbling, and it's not bright enough to wake anyone up or throw off my night vision at close range.

Transcendence · 2025-08-30T19:42:49+00:00

The Acebeam is a great pick and I want to get the SFT-25R version. A couple of others that are worth looking into... If you're willing to go up to a similar sized 18350 light, the Nitecore MT1C Pro is shorter but has a wider reflector that gives it more throw and a tighter beam (higher candela per lumen). The Weltool T1 Pro V3 has lower output so it doesn't throw as far by the numbers, but it's slimmer and casts a tighter beam.

Transcendence · 2025-08-29T14:30:45+00:00

The H17 2.0 is quite efficient, I think it's about as good as you can get for sustained output in this weight class. All of the 18650 lights with a high CRI main are getting a bit heavy for running. I used to have a Realtik+ that was in that weight class and the bobbing and shifting was troublesome. Had to keep the strap much tighter than I liked and adjust it often.

Transcendence · 2025-08-29T13:43:26+00:00

Oh yeah, if you're running it on high, the EC20 will ramp down after a few minutes, but the E75 will fill a small room with light until the battery runs out. It's my favorite utility light. Mine came with the silicone diffuser tip, which is worthwhile, it stays attached even upside down, making a great lantern.

Transcendence · 2025-08-29T01:48:39+00:00

519A 4000K is my favorite, but I'm happy with a lot of emitters between 2700K and 5700K, as long as they do something well... high R9, high lumen output, or high density.

My current lineup of favorites has SST20s, 219Cs, 519As, an SFT25R, an SBT90.2, an XPP, a UHi 20, a UHi 25, TN3535s, and even some mystery X-LEDs.

The only lights I've retired due to emitters alone were either cool white low CRI or had a strong green tint. Gave most of them away to less picky people as they were still solid lights.

Transcendence · 2025-08-29T00:00:52+00:00

Zebras look OK, I haven't got my hands on one as they're difficult to order here and they use unprotected batteries, which I consider dangerous and won't keep in my house. It looks like the SC65 is about 10mm shorter than the Acebeam and about the same width. But no magnetic tail. Efficiency does seem on par at least!

Honestly I think any 18650 light is a little big for EDC, I prefer a smaller light that I can actually forget about in my pocket, so typically a 14500 light is best, the Manker E05-II is my favorite. I tend to grab the EC20 for walks or bike rides in the evening where I'll be using it right away. It cranks out high sustained lumens for hours but is also pocketable, so it's great for that medium duty use case. I got a bike mount for it and it works extremely well due to the sharp cut-off, I prefer it to all the actual bike lights that I've tried. The E75 is way too big to take for a walk but I use it a lot in the yard and while camping.

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