Preface
The Acebeam L35 is the newest model from their tactical lineup of flashlights that has 2 LED options.
There are 2 colors available Black and Camouflage (Limited Edition).
Let’s check out the merits and demerits of this new Acebeam L35 model.
Note: The non-proprietary 21700 battery (IMR21700NP-510A) with Power Bank function, and USB-C charger for the battery shown in the photos below are part of the optional KIT version.
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- The threads and o-ring were lightly lubricated. Threads were smooth and clean (no gritty feeling).
- The tail mechanical switch requires a firm and deliberate press to activate and helps in preventing any unwanted activation of the light.
- The side electronic switch requires a slightly firm and deliberate press to activate and helps in preventing any unwanted activation of the light.
- The pocket clip has sufficient tension to ensure that the light will stay clipped to any material to prevent the light from falling out.
- It is also compatible with Acebeam’s Remote Pressure Switch (ARPS-R02).
- Anodizing of the light is uniform without any missing specs, as expected from Acebeam.
- The provided lanyard is able to support the full weight of the light and should hold up to the test of time.
- Included holster fits the wide head of the flashlight when installed in the tail-in direction only.
- Battery compartment can take 21700 batteries that have a slightly thicker battery width.
- Do note that the QR codes on the box’s back will not work as they are placed side-by-side and are too small for the phones’ QR reader to detect.
Note:
- Before using the flashlight for the first time, remove the Dustproof Film from the lens.
Front:
Back:
Sides:
Box Contents:
KIT Version Items:
Removing Dustproof Film:
Removing Instruction Tag (KIT Version only):
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: HAIII Aluminium
- Body Color Option:
- Black
- Camouflage (Limited Edition)
- LED Option:
- Cree XHP70.2 P4 bin (5000K)
- LatticePower P70 (will be released at later stage)
- Battery Format: 1 x 21700 ONLY
- Output & Runtime (with included Acebeam 21700 3.6V/5100mAh 20A battery):
- Cree XHP70.2
- Moonlight (1 lumen / 12days)
- Low (70 lumens / 1day 9h 30min)
- Mid 1 (200 lumens / 12h 45min)
- Mid 2 (650 lumens / 4h )
- High (1500 lumens / 1h 30min) – Temperature-based stepdown
- Turbo (5000 lumens / 1h 15min) – Temperature-based stepdown
- Strobe (1650lumens / 2h 30min)
- LatticePower P70
- Moonlight (1 lumen / 12days)
- Low (70 lumens / 1day 9h 30min)
- Mid 1 (200 lumens / 12h 45min)
- Mid 2 (600 lumens / 4h )
- High (1350 lumens / 1h 30min) – Temperature-based stepdown
- Turbo (4300 lumens / 1h 15min) – Temperature-based stepdown
- Strobe (1500lumens / 2h 30min)
- Note: The L35 requires 21700 battery that has continuous 20A output.
- Cree XHP70.2
- Max Beam Distance:
- 480m (Cree XHP70.2)
- 570m (LatticePower P70)
- Beam intensity:
- 57,600cd (Cree XHP70.2)
- 81,225cd (LatticePower P70)
- Waterproofness: IP68 Standard (5m)
- Impact Resistance: 1m
- Dimension: 152mm (length) x 54.2mm (head diameter) x 25.4mm (body diameter)
- Weight: 161g (excluding batteries)
- Battery reverse polarity protection
- Accessories Included:
- 1*Pocket Clip
- 1*Lanyard
- 1*Holster
- Optional Accessory (KIT Version):
- Same as above and includes below:
- Acebeam 21700 5100mAh battery with in-built USB-C charging port (IMR21700NP-510A)
- USB-C charging cable for charging above battery and using as Power Bank function
- Same as above and includes below:
- MSRP: $126.90
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is suitable for both larger-sized Every Day Carry (EDC) and tactical usage as it is simple and rather straightforward to use after the initial learning curve.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the tail mechanical or side electronic switches on the light. Momentary activation is possible with the tail mechanical switch only.
Note: There is 1 blinky mode for this light (STROBE only) and no SOS modes.
Normal Operation – Side Switch
From OFF:
- 1 Click – Last brightness level (all modes except MOONLIGHT, TURBO & STROBE are memorized only) is activated.
- 2 Click – Direct access to TURBO.
- 3 (or more) Click – Direct access to STROBE.
- HOLD (~0.5 sec) – Direct access to “MOONLIGHT”.
From ON:
- 1 Click – Light will switch OFF.
- 2 Click – Direct access to TURBO; 1 Click to switch OFF or HOLD down to switch modes.
- 3 (or more) Click – Direct access to STROBE; 1 Click to switch OFF or hold down to switch modes.
- HOLD – Mode change (light cycles through LOW, MID 1, MID2 & HIGH only; MOONLIGHT & TURBO is not part of the sequence).
Note: Any 1/2 Click on the TAIL switch will activate the corresponding MOMENTARY TURBO mode and letting go of the TAIL switch will switch the light OFF. Likewise, 1 Click on TAIL switch will activate the TURBO mode. In general usage, this would seem like a UI flaw but seeing this is marketed as a tactical light; it is an understandable decision made by Acebeam to make it more tactical-orientated.
Normal Operation – Tail Switch
From OFF:
- 1/2 Click – Direct access to MOMENTARY TURBO.
- 1 Click – Direct access to TURBO.
From ON:
- 1 Click – Light will switch OFF.
Note: When the Tail Switch is activated, the Side Switch will be deactivated (any press will not result in any mode changes).
Power Indicator
There is only 1 type of Power Indicator for this flashlight.
From ON, the Side LED will glow one of the following colors:
- GREEN – Power is >30%.
- RED – Power is between 10% – 30%, do recharge or replace the batteries.
- BLINKING RED – Power is <10%, do recharge or replace the batteries immediately.
Electronic Lockout
From OFF:
- HOLD (till MOONLIGHT is activated & deactivated and several flashes) – LOCKOUT mode is enabled; HOLD (till MOONLIGHT is activated after several flashes) – LOCKOUT is disabled.
Note: Removing the battery or activating & deactivating Mechanical Lockout will automatically deactivate the Electronic Lockout.
Form Factor
For flashlights that are intended to use on a daily basis (EDC)/tactical EDC and for possibly a long period of time, form factor is extremely important.
This light feels slightly head-heavy in a medium sized hand. Switching between overhand and underhand holding method is fairly easy with its form factor.
The ridges/grooves on the flashlight body and excellent knurling on the head and tail respectively provides ample grip, even with wet hands/gloves.
Due to its tactical nature, it has a protruding tail switch, which unfortunately takes away the ability to tail-stand, but helps in being able to thumb-activate the light (Tail Switch) from any angle effortlessly.
Note: We do not advise using a flashlight as a defense tool. However, for those who like a more aggressive crenulated stock bezel will be happy with the one in this Acebeam L35.
Charging Process (KIT Version Only)
With the USB-C Charging Cable, the battery was charging at ~0.86A.
Solid RED indicator depicts charging in progress.
Solid GREEN indicator depicts charging has completed.
Discharging – Power Bank Function (KIT Version Only)
This is probably one of the key specialty of this battery is the ability to use it as a backup Power Bank with the USB-C port.
There is a discharge rate of ~0.94A, when trying to charge an Apple iPad PRO 9.7in.
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the TIR (Total Internal Reflection) optic used. The LED is covered under the TIR optic (with frosting in the middle). Hence, the beam has both “throw” and slight flood for recognizing items in the mid to further-range distance, especially with its output.
The above beam profile is a rough interpretation of what is seen when white wall hunting.
The beam has a wide circular hotspot with some slight corona and wide spill (most of the beam produced is focused into the hotspot). There are some beam artifacts in the beam when whitewall hunting but not visible in real world usage. The crenulated bezel can be seen in the beam’s spill end portion.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings (MOONLIGHT: 2.5sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, LOW: 1/3sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID 1: 1/5sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID 2: 1/10sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, HIGH: 1/15sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB and TURBO: 1/30sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB).
Some pictures have been adjusted slightly to depict as close as to what is seen in real life. The distance of the light from the door is 4.6m.
Control shot:
MOONLIGHT (1 lumen):
LOW (70 lumens):
MID 1 (200 lumens):
MID 2 (650 lumens):
HIGH (1500 lumens):
TURBO (5000 lumens):
Mode (Output) Spacing
Mode spacing appears to be progressively brighter to the eye and the modes are well spaced enough to be able to know which mode one is currently in. With that in mind, TLR tend to view mode spacing as battery life indicators (amount of runtime left) rather than the specific output (lumens).
We are very happy to report that the MOONLIGHT mode is perfect for those bedtime night snack runs or with night-adjusted eyes, especially since there is a Direct Access option from OFF.
Note: The light can get extremely hot in TURBO, we recommend limiting the usage of TURBO mode unless required. In most cases, the HIGH mode of 1500 lumens should be sufficient for most uses.
Tint & CRI
Acebeam did not disclose the CRI (Color Rendering Index) for the LED used in their light but stated the color temperature is 5000K. For this light, a guesstimate would be in the 75CRI ballpark.
However, there is slight tint shift in the beam profile. The hotspot is a fairly neutral white tint whilst the corona possess a yellowish green tint; and the spill having a slight purple white tint.
This is not as noticeable in real life usage.
Waterproofness
The light was subjected to warm water submersion, followed by cold water submersion and left under room temperature running tap water whilst running on TURBO.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, switches or body was seen.
Lockout Capability
There are both Mechanical lockout and Electronic lockout available when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
For Electronic lockout, see above “Electronic Lockout”, on how to activate and deactivate Electronic LOCKOUT.
Note: Activating & Deactivating Mechanical Lockout will disable the Electronic Lockout.
Scale Comparison (Ruler)
Summary
To sum up, we believe that the most important part of any review is if given the chance to purchase the same light for our own EDC/tactical usage or to gift to our loved ones out from one’s pocket (wallet), would we still do it?
For this light, it is a definite YES, if the lack of tail-stand capability is not an issue for your usage.
The straightforward UI with Direct Access to MOONLIGHT, TURBO or STROBE from OFF, simple direct access to TURBO interface from the TAIL switch, option of using either the SIDE or TAIL switches for different UI selections, dual springs (head and tail), compatibility with Acebeam remote pressure switch (ARPS-R02) and option for KIT Version that has Power Bank function are all plus points for this flashlight.
That said, it would be nice if Acebeam had included a 21700 battery or even included the KIT Version as the stock option.
As the L35 with other LED option is still pending, we hope that the less common LatticePower P70 LED with increased “throw” at the expense of some lumens would be a great alternative to the more common Cree XHP70.2 used here.
Here are a bonus size comparison with some of the other similar sized flashlights.
From Left to Right: Olight Seeker 2 Pro, Olight Warrior X Pro, Acebeam L35, Malkoff Hound Dog 18650 XT and Nitecore i4000R.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light was provided for by Acebeam (manufacturer) for this review. No other compensation was provided.
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Acebeam L35
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