Preface
The ODL20C is the newest 26650 “thrower” flashlight from Lumintop in a relatively compact size – when compared to the usual bulk that most dedicated “thrower” flashlights are.
Let’s check out the merits and demerits of this new Lumintop ODL20C model.
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Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- The threads and o-rings were lightly lubricated. Threads were smooth and clean (no gritty feeling).
- The side electronic switch requires a firm and deliberate press to activate and helps 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 and/or pocket clip is provided.
- The 26650 battery compartment holds a Klarus 26650 5000mAh battery with sufficient room for a slightly thicker battery width. Larger capacity 26650 batteries should be able to fit without issue as well.
- The provided 26650 to 18650 adapter helps prevent rattling of the 18650 battery inside the battery tube.
Note:
- Before using the flashlight for the first time, remove the Dust Protection Film on the lens.
- Both Button Top and Flat Top Batteries can be used.
Front:
Back:
Sides:
Box Contents:
Removing Dust Protection Film:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Black HAIII Aluminium
- LED: Cree XHP35 HI
- Battery Format: 1 x 26650 or 1 x 18650 ONLY
- Output & Runtime (with Lumintop 26650 3.7V/5000mAh battery):
- Eco (8 lumens / 9days)
- Low (100 lumens / 22h 55min)
- Mid (350 lumens / 6h 5min)
- High (1000 lumens / 2h 30min) – there is a temperature-based output step down
- Turbo (2000 lumens / 2h) – there is a temperature-based output step down
- Max Beam Distance: 860m
- Beam intensity: 184,500cd
- Waterproofness: IP68 Standard (2m) – with charging port closed
- Impact Resistance: 1.5m
- Dimension: 147.5mm (length) x 59mm (head diameter) x 35mm (body diameter)
- Weight: 300g (excluding batteries)
- NO battery reverse polarity protection
- Accessories Included:
- 1*USB-C Charging Cable
- 1*Lanyard
- 2*Spare O-rings
- MSRP: ~$80 –> Click HERE to see where to get this flashlight at a special Flash Sale price of $49.99!
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is suitable for a Bug-Out Bag (BOB) or walking/hiking light as it is relatively straightforward to use after the initial learning curve.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the side electronic switch on the light, so no momentary activation is possible.
Normal Operation
From OFF:
- 1 Press – Last brightness level (LOW, MID & HIGH modes are memorized only) is activated.
- HOLD (~2 secs) – Direct access to ECO.
From ON (LOW, MID or HIGH):
- 1 Press – Mode change (light cycles through LOW, MID & HIGH only; ECO & TURBO is not part of the sequence).
- 2 Press – Direct access to TURBO; 1 Press to switch modes.
- HOLD (~1 sec) – Light will switch OFF.
From ON (ECO):
- 1 Press – Mode change (light cycles through LOW, MID & HIGH only; ECO & TURBO is not part of the sequence).
- 2 Press – Direct access to STROBE; 1 Press to switch modes (cycles STROBE-SOS-BEACON > STROBE-SOS-BEACON), HOLD to switch OFF.
- HOLD (~1 sec) – Light will switch OFF.
Note: STROBE, SOS & BEACON modes are only accessible from ECO mode.
Special Modes – Breathing Mode
There are other manufacturers who has this “breathing” mode as well, whereby the switch LED will glow ON and OFF in rhythm as how we humans breathe.
While it may seem gimmicky, it actually works very well as a soothing night light/locator mode. For this model, it will glow PURPLE.
From ON (ECO):
- HOLD (~4 secs) – Breathing Mode is activated. 1 Press to return to ECO mode.
Power Indicator
There is only 1 type of Power Indicator for this flashlight.
From ON, the Side Switch LED will blink RED when the battery is low, do recharge or replace the batteries.
Electronic Lockout
From OFF:
- HOLD (~4 secs) – LOCKOUT mode is enabled; loosen and tighten tailcap to disable LOCKOUT mode.
When Electronic LOCKOUT mode is activated, any button presses will cause the light to switch ON in MOMENTARY LOW mode.
It is rather strange for the flashlight to require a Mechanical Lockout to be activated & deactivated, before the Electronic Lockout can be deactivated.
Form Factor
For flashlights that are intended to use for a BOB or dog walking/hiking usages and for possibly an extended period of time, form factor is extremely important.
This light feels relatively well balanced in a medium sized hand (slightly head-heavy due to the size of the reflector). Switching between overhand and underhand holding method is easy with its form factor. The grooves/patterns on the light enables the light to be sufficiently “grippy”, even with wet hands/gloves.
Even with the lanyard attached, it can tail-stand perfectly without the slightest wobble.
Charging Process
The light does not come with a 26650 battery.
With the provided USB-C Charging Cable, the battery was charging at ~1.51A.
The light is capable of operating on “LOW” mode when charging (at the expense of a slower charging rate).
The RED indicator depicts charging in progress and BLUE indicator depicts charging has completed.
Note:
- Charging will not disable the Electronic Lockout mode.
- We recommend checking & ensuring that the charging port cover is secured as it does get dislodged fairly easily in normal usage.
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the fairly deep Smooth Reflector. Hence, the beam is more “throw”-orientated for recognizing items in the mid to further 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 (perfectly round) spill. It also help that the LED is perfectly centred in this sample. There are no rings in the beam when whitewall hunting and in real world usage.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings (ECO: 1.6sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, LOW: 1/5sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID: 1/6sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, HIGH: 1/8sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB and TURBO: 1/10sec, 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:
ECO (8 lumens):
LOW (100 lumens):
MID (350 lumens):
HIGH (1000 lumens):
TURBO (2000 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 Lumintop would incorporate a lower ECO mode to one that is actually at a moonlight level (sub-lumen or 1 lumen) for those bedtime runs or during which having 8 lumens is still way too bright for the night-adjusted eyes.
However, since this light is primarily targeted for those looking for a “throwy” light, it is understandable why Lumintop may have thought otherwise.
Tint & CRI
Lumintop did not disclose the tint (color temperature) and/or the CRI (Color Rendering Index) for the LED used in their light. For this light, a guesstimate would be in the 6500K and 70CRI ballpark.
However, there is slight tint shift in the beam profile. The hotspot is a cool white tint whilst the corona possess a slight yellowish green tint; and the spill having a white tint.
This is not 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 water tap whilst running on TURBO.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, switch or body was seen.
Lockout Capability
Electronic lockout and mechanical lockout are possible when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
A quarter turn (anti-clockwise) of the tailcap or a quarter turn (clockwise) of the head will enable mechanical LOCKOUT.
For Electronic lockout, see above “Electronic Lockout”, on how to activate and deactivate 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 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 you are in the market for a more compact “thrower” flashlight.
The relatively compact form factor for a “thrower” flashlight, relatively straightforward UI with Direct Access to ECO from OFF and fairly fast charging rate are all plus points for this flashlight. However, as mentioned previously, we do recommend to frequently check to ensure that the charging port cover is secured, as it does get dislodged fairly easily in normal usage.
Here is a bonus size comparison with some of the other 26650 flashlights we reviewed previously.
From Left to Right: Lumintop ODL20C, HaikeLite SC26, Rofis MR70, Klarus G20L and Eagle Eye X7R.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light was provided for by Gearbest for this review. No other compensation was provided.
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Lumintop ODL20C
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