Preface
The EDC-C4 is claimed to be the world’s shortest Micro USB rechargeable 18650 flashlight by Folomov.
Folomov is a relatively new player in the flashlight industry – so let’s see what this flashlight has to offer.
Some background info: Folomov is a new brand created by Lumin Industrial Limited and Lumin has been around for several years as an OEM company for other flashlight brands.
Side Note: With effect from this review, all future reviews shall feature our TLR’s watermark on all of our images; as a precautionary measure to safeguard them. If you would like to have a copy of a full resolution non-watermarked image, feel free to drop us a message through our Contact Us form.
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- The threads and o-rings were well lubricated. Threads were smooth and clean (no gritty feeling).
- Battery tube and clip are both not reversible.
- The clip has sufficient tension to ensure that the light will stay clipped to any material to prevent the light from falling out.
- The side electronic switch requires a firm and deliberate press to activate and should help in preventing any unwanted activation of the light.
- Anodizing of the light is uniform without any missing specs.
- The provided lanyard is able to support the full weight of the light and should hold up to the test of time.
- No holster is included.
- Battery compartment holds the provided non-proprietary 18650 2600mAh or the KeepPower 18650 3400mAh battery with sufficient room for a slightly thicker battery width. 18650 3500mAh batteries should be able to fit without issue as well.
Front:
Back:
Sides:
Top:
Bottom:
Box Contents:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Black HAIII Aluminium
- LED: XP-L
- Battery Format: 1 x 18650 ONLY
- Output & Runtime (with 18650 3.6V/3400mAh battery):
- Low (10 lumens / 200h)
- Mid (75 lumens / 20h)
- High (200 lumens / 6h)
- Turbo (1200 lumens / 2h) – there is a temperature-based output step down
- Max Beam Distance: 175m
- Beam intensity: 8,000cd
- Waterproofness: IPX-6 Standard
- Impact Resistance: 1m
- Dimension: 99mm (length) x 25.4mm (diameter)
- Weight: 50g (excluding batteries)
- Battery reverse polarity protection
- Accessories Included:
- 1*Folomov 18650 2600mAh battery
- 1*Micro-USB Cable (for Charging and Discharging)
- 1*Lanyard
- MSRP: ~$49
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is suitable for Every Day Carry (EDC) as it is somewhat simple and straightforward to use.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the side electronic switch on the light, so no momentary activation is possible.
From OFF:
- HOLD (~0.5 sec) – Light will switch ON to last brightness level used (last mode memory).
- 2 Click – Direct access to STROBE; 2 Click for SOS, another 2 Click for Beacon OR 1 Click to go to last brightness level used / HOLD (~0.5 sec) to switch OFF.
- 3 Click – LOCKOUT mode is enabled (the switch Green LED flashes 3 times); 3 Click again – LOCKOUT is disabled (the switch Green LED flash 1 time).
From ON:
- HOLD (~0.5 sec) – Light will switch OFF.
- 1 Click – Mode change with every click (light cycles through LOW, MID, HIGH, TURBO, HIGH, MID, LOW).
- 2 Click – Direct access to STROBE; 2 Click for SOS, another 2 Click for Beacon OR 1 Click to go to last brightness level used / HOLD (~0.5 sec) to switch OFF.
Note:
- Battery Capacity Indicator – Switch will glow one of the following colors when the flashlight is ON.
- Green (>50% battery capacity)
- Slow Red Flashing (<10% to <50% battery capacity)
- Fast Red Flashing (<10% battery capacity & LOW/MID modes can be used only)
- Folomov’s UI selection is rather unconventional as most manufacturers would go with LOW, MID, HIGH, TURBO -> LOW, MID, HIGH, TURBO. With no direct access to LOW or TURBO, there are often times when we wanted to activate LOW after TURBO but had to cycle through all the other modes first.
That said, the UI causes the mode changes to appear as though it smoothly ramps upward (progressively brighter) and downward (progressively dimmer).
Form Factor
For flashlights that are intended to use on a daily basis (EDC) and for possibly a long period of time, form factor is extremely important.
This light feels extremely well balanced and compact in a medium sized hand (not head/tail-heavy). Switching between overhand and underhand holding method is easy with its form factor. The knurling on the light enables the light to be sufficiently “grippy”, even with wet hands/gloves.
It is able to tail-stand perfectly, even with the lanyard attached.
Charging Process
With the provided Folomov Micro-USB Cable, the battery was charging at ~1.01A.
The light is capable of operating on all modes even when charging (at the expense of a slower charging rate). However, it is recommended to use “LOW” only, to ensure that the battery does get charged as quickly as possible.
The Flashing RED indicator depicts charging in progress and GREEN indicator depicts charging has completed.
Discharging – Power Bank Function
This is probably one of the key specialty of this flashlight – the ability to use it as a backup Power Bank with the provided Micro-USB cable.
The light is capable of operating on all modes even when discharging. However, we recommend to restrict only on use on the “LOW” mode only, to make the most of the rather small battery capacity (2600mAh).
With the provided Folomov Micro-USB Cable, the flashlight was able to provide an Apple iPhone 6S with a charging rate of ~1.02A.
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the fairly shallow Smooth Reflector. With the XP-L LED used, the beam is still sufficiently “throwy” for recognising items in the near to mid-range distance.
The above beam profile is a rough interpretation of what is seen when white wall hunting. The beam has a distinct hotspot with some slight corona and a fairly wide usable (almost circular) spill. It also helps that the XP-L LED is perfectly centred in this sample. There is a slight ring in the beam when white wall hunting but not visible in real world usage.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings (LOW: 3.2sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID & HIGH: 1/4sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB & TURBO: 1/6sec, 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:
LOW (10 lumens):
MID (75 lumens):
HIGH (200 lumens):
TURBO (1200 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).
It would be nice if Folomov would incorporate a MOONLIGHT mode for those bedtime runs or during which having 10 lumens is way too bright for the night-adjusted eyes.
Tint & CRI
Folomov did not disclose the tint (color temperature) and/or the CRI (Color Rendering Index) for the LEDs used in their light. For this light, a guesstimate would be in the 6500K and 70CRI ballpark.
There are tint shifts throughout the beam profile. The hotspot is cool white whilst the corona possess a slight yellow-green tint; and the spill having a slight purple tint. This is however, not as noticeable in real life.
Waterproofness
As the flashlight is rated for IPX-6 only, the light was subjected to being left under room temperature running water whilst running on TURBO.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, tail, switch or charging port was seen.
Lockout Capability
Both mechanical lockout and electronic lockout are possible when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
See above “UI (User Interface)“, on how to activate and deactivate electronic LOCKOUT.
A quarter turn (anti-clockwise) of the tailcap or a quarter turn (clockwise) of the head will enable mechanical LOCKOUT.
Note: If electronic LOCKOUT is enabled followed by enabling mechanical LOCKOUT, the electronic LOCKOUT will still remain enabled even after the mechanical LOCKOUT has been disabled.
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 or to gift to our loved ones out from one’s pocket (wallet), would we still do it?
For this light, it is a possible YES if the UI is not an issue for your usage.
Folomov has a lot going for it despite being a fairly new brand in the flashlight industry (probably due to to Lumin’s guidance). It has excellent charging & discharging rate (amps), power bank capability, small form factor and all at a rather wallet-friendly price point.
However, since it is marketed as an EDC range flashlight, a more conventional UI would have made it one of the best wallet-friendly all-rounded flashlight set (with the included battery and charging cable) to get.
Here is a bonus size comparison picture next to the recently reviewed Rofis MR70, which has the powerbank feature as well.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light was provided for by Folomov (manufacturer) through Lumin Industrial Limited for this review. No other compensation was provided.
Where to Buy Links
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Folomov EDC-C4
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