REVIEW: Lumintop TOOL AAA (XP-G2 , 1xAAA/10440)

[magellan]

Great review!

 

[Mill321]

@Ven,

Indeed, I also noticed that mine wore out a lot quicker than other lights I've had even though I don't attach it to the keys. Probably the anodizing is just not that perfect, but apart from that, the light is awesome

Seems like a great light and since this is the latest of many reviews I have read, I ended up ordering a couple of these a few days back. However, this is the first time I have come across any anodizing concerns, which is a bit disappointing to find out, but still seems to be an overall quality light for a great price, and for me the rear clicky in this tiny form factor makes up for a lot.

 

[RGRAY]

I don't consider the TOOL a key chain light.

 

[mjgsxr]

Anybody else notice knurling on new tool AAA is a lot smoother. I had a 70L model which I lost and purchased the newer 110L model, feels totally different. I miss the old knurling.:shakehead

 

[ven]

Anybody else notice knurling on new tool AAA is a lot smoother. I had a 70L model which I lost and purchased the newer 110L model, feels totally different. I miss the old knurling.:shakehead

Different box to!!! pics to follow

 

[ven]

Boxes

TOOL/TOOLvn



Knurling does feel ever so slightly less aggressive......print is also a little different.

 

[mjgsxr]

Great pics ven as always. Knurling on mine looks smoother again. If I look closely it nearly looks like they have machined tops of knurles of.

 

[ven]

I see now, looks nice!! real smooth and prefer that type of knurling

 

[mjgsxr]

Have ordered a older 70L model again. So fingers crossed I get one of the ruffer ones and can swap heads over for more output

 

[jon_slider]

Anybody else notice knurling on new tool AAA is a lot smoother.

Yes, the same change happened to the Maratacs. I like the new smoother knurl, the old one I found too sharp.

… The knurling is far less aggressive….

I noticed immediately that it was neither as bitey... The knurl on [old version] is a diamond pattern with a dot. The [new version] is missing the dot, and has been buffed pretty smooth, no sharp knurling at all.

old knurl on left, new on right:

Other things that changed are, there is now a ring around the LED, and there is now NO PWM!!!
on the left is the old tool, on the right is the new version

old tool PWM on left

old tool, old maratac

 

[mjgsxr]

Much just be me then. Looks like must people prefer smoother knurling. Guess thats why Lumintop and maratac changed to a less aggressive knurl on there newer lights.

 

[jon_slider]

Much just be me then. Looks like must people prefer smoother knurling. Guess thats why Lumintop and maratac changed to a less aggressive knurl on there newer lights.

Youre totally correct that it changed.
I have very delicate hands, so Im very biased, in fact, I really like the smooth head of the worm (note its got a typo and actually says Wrom

Lumintop is offering N219 in the Copper Tool and Copper Worm. Both with the new No PWM circuit.
fwiw Lumintop makes the Tool, Worm, Maratac, and Prometheus Beta.

 

[Mgizler]

Quick question......I just picked up a lumitop tool plain Jane while I await the arrival of my ToolVN.

I Also wanted to try the Efest 10440's out. So I ordered one and it will not power on the light. It's a flat top, but I read where these lights will work with them. Now I also have an ultra fire 10440 that does work, so I know it's not the light.
any suggestions?

 

[jon_slider]

… Efest 10440's … will not power on the light. …
ultra fire 10440 … does work

Maybe ask Vinh why he chooses IMR10440. Also read this post in which Vinh explains why it is a bad idea to use 10440 with a stock Tool driver...

 

[Mgizler]

I understand why why it's not the best idea. And I read all of vinh's info. But my question is....why will this Efest not turn the light on?

The OP used the same 10440 and it worked for him. I cannot get this light to turn on with it. However, it will work with an Ultrafire 10440.

I I am just confused as to why it worked for him, but not this particular light.

Do do I need a spacer??

Also, I should be able to use the Efest in my Toolvn when I get it right??

Maybe ask Vinh why he chooses IMR10440. Also read this post in which Vinh explains why it is a bad idea to use 10440 with a stock Tool driver...

 

[Thetasigma]

Received my unit today as ordered from Lumintop Direct through Amazon.

It arrived surrounded with a ball of bubblewrap which contained this box and sleeve.

My unit arrived in a brown linen? lumintop box, with padding and the extra rings and manual below the pad. The light itself was foil packed to prevent early corrosion and had a felt piece, though mine apparently fell off in packing. The clicky boot has some weird green residue, though it is coming off and appears to be to no degradation of the boot or switch. The switch itself has a nice positive click, which requires more force than my D25A's clicky both to activate and switch modes, though this makes sense to me due to the exposure of the clicky. The driver is the new PWM free version as evident by the ring around the LED and the circuit itself, like the Maratac Ti and Rev 3.5 Cu.
The Nichia 219B produces a very pleasing beam in this setup with a smooth transition from the hotspot to spill. The particular LED appears to be a little warmer than my D25A's 5000k Nichia, though still quite a neutral white appearance.
The sequence for this retail unit is M-L-H, 18-3-80, which I personally find agreeable for EDC purposes, though some will lament the lack of a lower low and starting in Medium as opposed to low.

As previously noted the knurling is different from previous Tools and Maratac AAA's. The knurling is now squares with a dimple instead of the sharp diamonds.
As before, the clip is identical to the Maratac AAA clips, and due to its position yields a shallower carry.

 

[RUSH FAN]

The packaging must be different for the Cu vs Al versions.
I like the 'Luxury Flashlight ' written on the front of the box.

 

[realista]

you are a real COPPER LOVER ... that version is really beautiful ....

thank you for sharing with us your pictures

 

[ven]

Really classy presentation , for a really classy light! Thanks for sharing the pics that no doubt are going to cost me money :laughing:

 

[jon_slider]

The driver is the new PWM free version as evident by the ring around the LED and the circuit itself, like the Maratac Ti and Rev 3.5 Cu.
The Nichia 219B produces a very pleasing beam in this setup with a smooth transition from the hotspot to spill. The particular LED appears to be a little warmer than my D25A's 5000k Nichia, though still quite a neutral white appearance.
The sequence for this retail unit is M-L-H, 18-3-80, which I personally find agreeable for EDC purposes, though some will lament the lack of a lower low and starting in Medium as opposed to low.

As previously noted the knurling is different from previous Tools and Maratac AAA's.

Great post! Happy Xmas!

Great details. One update, no dimple on my new Maratac Rev3.5 knurling.
Your Tool has the old style dimples I think. In your pic above they look the same as the other presumably pre3.5 Maratac. Excellent detail in your pics too btw, nicely done!

Maratac Rev3 with the extremely rare N219 Wrom head, LOL, on left, Rev3.5 on right

> The particular LED appears to be a little warmer than my D25A's 5000k Nichia

try a side by side beamshots on a piece of printer paper folded at 90 degrees

I think the Wrom N219 is a really nice addition to my selection , it makes me smile.

Enjoy your shiny new copper high CRI clickie, while it lasts (the shine I mean.. ;-))