There’s a new 21700 light on the block! It falls into my “wall o’ light” category, since it’s a massive output of 3500 claimed lumens. It also boasts USB-C charging. Let’s see how it tests!

Official Specs and Features

Here’s a link to the official product page. That’s an affiliate link – just clicking through helps me get review items. Buying is even better! Thank you!

Versions

There’s only one version.

Price and Coupon

The EC01 goes for $37.95 right now. It’s been lower; I’m going to try to get a new coupon!

Short Review

The output is real. Charging is fine. I love 21700, of course. Unfortunately it’s 6500K, but maybe there’ll be a warm version in the near future.

Long Review

The Big Table

* Measurement disclaimer: I am an amateur flashlight reviewer. I don’t have $10,000 or even $1,000 worth of testing equipment. I test output and such in PVC tubes!! Please consider claims within 10% of what I measure to be perfectly reasonable (accurate, even).

What’s Included

Astrolux EC01 Flashlight

Adapter sleeve from 21700 to 18650

Lanyard

Spare o-rings (2)

Manual

Package and Manual

Standard Astrolux package here. Foam inside.

The manual is also a standard for Astrolux Anduril UI lights.

Build Quality and Disassembly

No complaints here. I like the pineapple body – I always like pineapple bodies.

The bezel is a bit of a mismatch with the body, but I think it’s a stainless bezel; it’s purposeful.

The threads are anodized, square cut, and beefy. They are very smooth, and allow locking the light out with just a twist to loosen the tail.

Both ends have springs.

The fins on the head are a bit sharp – that’s one area that could improve on this light.

The tailcap has a little ridge around the edge to allow for the lanyard.

Size and Comps

Weight: Approximately 119 g without cells

Size: 37 mm Ø head x 120 mm length.

Retention and Carry

There’s no pocket clip. There’s no pouch. The only real way to retain the light is with the included lanyard, which connects through two holes in the tailcap.

Power and Runtime

The EC01 is powered by a single 21700 cell. With springs on both ends, any type 21700 will work. An adapter is also included for running an 18650.

Here’s a runtime on Turbo. This is the “double click from on” turbo – maximum output for Anduril.

And here’s another runtime – this is the maximum output when clicking through the default stepped modes (which I think is the same as the top output on the ramped output, before the double click to turbo).

In both cases once the light settles off the highest output, the light sort of hunts around for the level.

No LVP on bench power. No switch warning. In practice the light switches to such a low output that you’ll notice and charge the cell.

The EC01 also has built in charging, facilitated by USB-C.

Charging starts a bit low (0.9A) but quickly rises to >1.3A, then gradually rises to almost 1.8A before starting the CV descent. This is fairly good charging.

Modes and Currents

Anduril doesn’t really play nicely with this table, so it’s intentionally blank save the last two columns. Just a few data points, is all.

Mode Mode Claimed Output (lm) Claimed Runtime Measured Lumens Tailcap Amps 3352 [FET] 1953 3.40 1256 1.78 615 0.80 249 0.50 108 0.19 40 0.07 10 0.01

PWM

Two different scales for PWM below. I’m not sure what to make of some of these, except to say that PWM seems to be present on every mode. Turbo lacks PWM as you’d expect.

For reference, here’s a baseline shot, with all the room lights off and almost nothing hitting the sensor. And here’s the worst PWM light I have ever owned. Also one of the very first lights I ordered directly from China!

User Interface and Operation

A side e-switch is utilized here. It has green emitters, but they seem a bit underutilized in the UI overall.

The button isn’t too proud, and is relatively easy to differentiate between the switch and the charge port cover.

Here’s a shot of the green switch lights.

The UI here is ToyKeeper’s Anduril, which at this point is very well covered. I’ve reviewed other lights with it, too. Here’s ToyKeeper’s UI graphic:

Despite this UI not being all that suited for a table, here’s a UI table anyway!

State Action Result Off Hold On (Low) Off Click On (Mode Memory) Off Click 2x Highest Hybrid Mode Off Click 3x Blinkie Mode Group Off Click 4x Lockout Off Click 5x Momentary Off Click 6x Muggle Off Click, Click, Hold Strobe Group (Mode Memory Strobe) Strobe Group Click 2x Strobe Cycle (Candle > Bike Flasher > Party Strobe > Tactical Strobe > Lightning Storm) Blinkie Mode Group Click 2x Blinke Cycle (Sunset > Beacon > TempCheck > BattCheck) On Click 3x Switch between Stepped and Smooth Ramp On Click 4x Ramp Configuration TempCheck Click 4x Thermal Configuration Beacon Click 4x Beacon Configuration Lockout Click 4x Off Strobe Group Click Off (Basically) On Click Off Candle Click 3x 30 minute timer to off Strobe Group Hold Heighten selected mode (Make faster or brighter) Strobe Group Click, Hold Lessen selected mode (Make slower or dimmer) On Click 2x FET Turbo Ramp Configuration [Wait for Single flash] Click N time for level N. Selection of the “Low” you like best by clicking 1, 2, 3, etc. where 1, 2, 3, etc are different levels of low. Ramp Configuration [Wait for Second flash] Click N time for 1+Turbo-N. Selection of the “Ceiling” you like best by clicking 1, 2, 3, etc. where 1, 2, 3, etc are different Ceiling levels. Ramp Configuration [Wait for Third flash] Click for how many steps you want in Stepped mode. Sets Number of Steps. Thermal Configuration [Wait for First flash] Click for N times for N degrees C. Displays Current Temperature. Thermal Configuration [Wait for Second flash] Click for N times for 30C + N. Sets Temperature Limit. Beacon Configuration [Wait for First flash] Click for N times N seconds per flash Sets Beacon Speed.

That’s a long table, and I’m pretty sure still doesn’t cover everything.

LED and Beam

The emitter is a 6500K Cree XHP50B (aka 50.2). There’s a moderate depth, orange peel reflector. This makes a good bit of hotspot, and a good bit of spill.

These beamshots are always with the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure.

Tint vs BLF-348 (Killzone 219b version)

I compare everything to the Killzone 219b BLF-348, because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!

Random Comparisons and Competitive Options….

Here’s a link to a relevantly filtered page on parametrek.com. I use that site a lot!

There’s not a lot else in this category, in particular because it offers USB-C charging.

Conclusion

What I like

Very high output

Anduril is a nice UI

I like 21700 lights, and it works great in this format (ie not pocket format)

What I don’t like

6500K is just … not my preference

Only way to carry is the lanyard (belt clip? nylon pouch?)

Notes

This light was provided by BangGood for review. I was not paid to write this review.

This content originally appeared at zeroair.org. Please visit there for the best experience!

Whether or not I have a coupon for this light, I do have a bunch of coupons!! Have a look at my spreadsheet for BangGood and GearBest coupons. Please subscribe and get notifications when the sheet is edited!!