Manker U21: Pocket thrower, XHP35 HI, 1300 lumens, 26650/18650; (beam)shots, compare
An interesting flashlight just came in, because both brand and LED are new for me. The Manker U21 is a USB-rechargeable pocket-sized thrower that is powered by a XHP35 High Intensity LED. In combination with only one high-drain 26650 or 18650 you’ll get a real compact thrower that has the size of an average flashlight. In this review I will show you how this compact searchlight performs; also compared to some other XP-L HI-powered lights. Highest time for a closer look!
a new brand, a powerful torch
the Manker U21
powered by a XHP35 HI LED
compact, but impressive performance
rechargeable via micro-USB
To start with, the features and specifications here, given by Mankerlight:
• Emitter Type: CREE XHP35 HI
• Max Output: MAX 1300lumens
• Maximum Beam Intensity: 124000CD
• Maximum Beam Distance: 700 meters
• Working Voltage: 2.8-4.35v
• USB Charging Current: 2A (Over charge and discharge protection)
• Circuit Driver: PFM/PWM Synchronous booster intelligent conversion circuit
• Intelligence Lithium battery charge design
• Reflector: Aluminum Reflector
• Material: Aero grade aluminum alloy(Surface treatment: Premium type III hard anodized anti-abrasive finish)
• Thickness > 50μm
• Switch Type: Clicky Switch
The dimensions:
• Length: 148mm
• Head diameter: 59mm
• Body diameter: 35mm
• Weight: 290grams (without battery)
And the output specs:
Unboxing:
Like we see often here, simple card boxes guard special lights. The Manker U21 comes in a light brown carton, that has a wrapping around it that only shows the brand and number of the light. Inside we find protecting foam with some cutouts to (re)store the U21, the manual and the accessories. A no-nonsense box here, but it is sturdy enough to protect the light. This is not the completest box I’ve seen ever: No holster, cells or for example spare USB-covers in this package. A spacer is included, so a (high drain) 18650 can be used too. But all-in-all, a fairly complete box, especially for a light in this price-range. Have a look at the pictures that show the box and what’s inside!
a simple card box
with only a print at the wrapping
some cut-outs to (re)store the U21
the contents: U21, manual, charging-cable, spare O-rings, lanyard and spacer for 18650-cells
Impressions:
First impression: This is a compact thrower! This is the first “big” searchlight that will fit in my coat pocket without problems. The combination of the thicker tube and the huge head with deep reflector give the U21 powerful looks. Personally I like the style of the U21, this is not an ordinary light. The light comes in matte black color; the side button is an eye-catcher with the special design and the silver ring around. The build quality of the U21 is very good, the light feels little heavy but sturdy. The anodizing-job is well done, I couldn’t detect defects here. The engraving is clear, but looks a bit blurry. A rubber seal, that doesn’t feel that durable, covers the micro-USB port that’s placed between the deep cooling-fins. This is a reason (I think) why Manker rates this light IPX7 instead of IPX8. The overall finishing is ok, only thing I detected were some chips at the edge of the reflector. No defects in the smooth and deep reflector, but the led could be centered better. While opening the U21, the well-machined threads run without scratching. Both inside the tail cap and the tube we see gold plated springs. The finishing is fine here, no glue or solder rests found. All-in-all, I have to say Manker has done a good job on machining and finishing, especially for a light in this price-range! Check out the pictures below that show you more about the light and the details!
Manker U21, a decent thrower in your pocket!
a large head relative to the body
but nice looks
well-built and finished
about the size of a man’s hand
stable standing, both at the head and the tail
a cut-out to add the lanyard, well done!
a close up at the head. Mind the chips at the edge at left side
can run both at 18650 (with spacer) and 26650; a high-drain cell is recommended
a close-up at the engraving and the knurling
well machined threads that run without scratching
the illuminated power button with the silver ring is an eye-catcher
a good job at the machining
heavy but sturdy feels
charging the U21 via the micro-USB port
impressive: the deep and smooth reflector
the led could be centered better
the flat XHP35 HI delivers impressive performance
and look into the cap
and into the tube: gold plated springs, no defects
the power button lights up red during charging-progress or low battery voltage
blue means fully charged
an animation of the breath-flash, that is in purple
the most impressive compact thrower I had my hands-on until now
easy to handle with
an impressive performance thanks to the XHP35 High Intensity
the lanyard added-on
some outdoor-pictures
can be used as a candle, also thanks to the good low mode
I like compact throwers like this U21!
User interface:
As seen earlier at the impression-pictures, the U21 is easy to handle with because of the compact size. The knurling ensures good grip and the big head prevents against slipping out of your hand. The power button is easy to find because its hidden in a notch. The breath-flash function can help you to locate the light in complete darkness. So, nothing to complain about here.
Charging the light is easy: Simply plug is a micro-USB charger and the indicator will tell you about the progress. The button lights up red during the progress; this red light is also a low voltage indicator: When the voltage is less than 25%, this red light warns you to recharge the U21 as soon as possible. Works all without problems, and you can’t miss the clear blue indicator when the light is fully charged.
The U21 has a thought-out interface, and I can tell you it works fine. A short click will always activate the low-mode, after that you can cycle (only up) through the modes by short clicks. If you press (from off) longer than one second, the U21 will start in last used mode. This works fine, and I like the fact that you can always at lowest mode. Unfortunately, there’s no instant-turbo. I hope Manker will add this in future…. Press long to shut off. A quick double-press (no matter when off or on) will bring you into the special modes, starting at strobe. When in strobe, a short click will give breath-flash and again a short click brings SOS. Strange fact is the breath-flash (to locate your light in the dark) only can be activated after turning into strobe first. Activating this (nice) mode will disturb other people at night; I would like to see this function activated by pressing and holding the button for about 3 seconds (when the light is off).
Summarizing, I can say I like this interface, but would like to see some things changed/edited.
Modes:
The U21 has total five normal modes, in order of: LOW > MEDIUM 1 > MEDIUM 2 > HIGH > TURBO. It’s not usual that a manufacturer gives a light two medium modes; most name it for example “lower and low” or “eco and low” or something like that. There’s a rather big jump between LOW and MEDIUM1, but, on the other side, I like the fact that the U21 has a real low mode, that is as far as I can see lower than 15 lumens; but I didn’t measure exactly. No instant modes here. Two special output modes: STROBE and SOS (one frequency). STROBE mode works both from off and on, so we can call this an instant-one. Another special mode, but not an output mode, is BREATH-FLASH. This mode is placed between STROBE and SOS (which is a bit strange to me). The U21 can be LOCKED-OUT by releasing the tail cap a little.
Size comparison:
In this comparison I’ll show you the U21 together to some others that have also a XP-L HI LED, the Olight SR52UT and the Limited Edition of the Armytek Barracuda. This comparison shows the compact dimensions of the U21.
18650-cell, 26650-cell, Manker U21, Olight SR52UT, and Armytek Barracuda Limited Edition
Manker U21, Olight SR52UT, and Armytek Barracuda Limited Edition
Manker U21, Olight SR52UT, and Armytek Barracuda Limited Edition
Manker U21, Olight SR52UT, and Armytek Barracuda Limited Edition
the heads: XHP35 HI, and two XP-L HI LEDS
the tails: Manker U21, Olight SR52UT, and Armytek Barracuda Limited Edition
Tint:
The tint of the U21 looks good to me, it is (slightly) warmer than the other XP-L HI’s that are acting in this review. Clearly visible at the spill on the picture below also. I like this tint!
Beamprofile:
A typical thrower-profile here, not a surprise for this emitter in combination with and deep and smooth reflector. But, thanks to the relatively big head (for a light of this dimensions) the U21 emits a usable beam. A tiny and bright hotspot, a medium corona and a lot of spill. The XHP35 HI brings enough power for a usable spill too. So we can say, the U21 has an impressive beam that can reach a big distance for such a compact light. The beam is clean, without defects. No PWM at any mode, good job of Manker here!
Beamshots:
As we’re used of, we start inside by showing the output modes of the U21 by projecting the torch a white wall. The distance to the wall is about 1,25 meters.
Camera-settings: ISO100, F/2.7, WB daylight, 1/125 sec, 35mm
GIF-picture:
And now, some outdoor shots! Starting, as usual, by showing the normal modes here. First location is in the forest, to show the beam profile of the U21.
Camera-settings: ISO100, F/2.7, WB daylight, 4 sec, 35mm
GIF-picture:
Location 2: The tree is about 75 meters away here.
This picture shows the narrow, “throwy” beam.
Some pictures in open area now. The tree line is about 200 meters away. The light I used is this shootout have better specs and bigger proportions, and are powered by two or three cells. But this shows the good performance of the U21.
the Manker U21 against the Olight SR52UT
a shoot-out Manker U21 aginst the Armytek Barracuda Limited Edition
Conclusion:
The Manker U21 is a nice and powerful pocket-thrower. Overall build-quality and machining is good, the light feels durable, some (little) details at the finishing could be improved. Charging function and interface (that I like) works well, but I would like to see instant-turbo at a searchlight like this. Mind that the light is IPX7-rated. As far as I’ve seen, the U21 hasn’t a stepdown when the light gets hot. I can recommend to use the highest level for about a maximum of five minutes to avoid damage. The tint is good, and there’s no PWM.
I like the looks and the impressive beam of the U21 most; and can say this may be a good and rather cheap (price around $ / € 64,95) choice for those who’re looking for a decent thrower!
Thanks to Mankerlight for the proper shipping!
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Re: Manker U21: Pocket thrower, XHP70, 1300 lumens, 26650/18650; (beam)shots, compare
Originally Posted by ven
about that. For most I assume a thrower isn't something you walk around with on high for 45 minutes. It's more of a "what's over there...boom", "what's over there...boom", "look over there...boom". Throwing light here and there to search for something, identify something in the distance, then go back to a headlamp or other light to continue. At least that's how I use them. So a MOMENTARY or at the very least instant access to turbo is necessary. And to make it worse, you can't even click 5 times quickly to cycle up to turbo, becuase the UI thinks your double-clicking and gives you strobe. 
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