Amutorch XT45 fresnel

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Amutorch XT45 Review: Thrower Flashlight

Amutorch XT45 specifications

Brand/modelAmutorch XT45
LEDUnspecified
Max. Lumens1,300 lm
Max. Beam intensity894m / 200,000 cd
Battery config.1*21700
Onboard chargingN/A
Modes3
BlinkiesStrobe
ReflectorFresnel lens
WaterproofIPX8
Review dateFebruary 2022

Introduction:

If you follow 1lumen closely then you may be thinking that we’ve already reviewed the Amutorch XT45. You’re right: back in 2020 we reviewed the SBT90.2 XT45, which comes with a smooth reflector. That one was a massive 5000 lm (for a few seconds) and 167kcd.

The version I’m reviewing has a slightly different host and a very different LED and optic. In fact, I don’t think we’ve reviewed any lights with this LED before and we’ve only reviewed a handful of flashlights with a Fresnel lens. This results in an XT45 that’s a pocket thrower, almost like a LEP.

Package quality.

You can classify Amutorch along with the likes of Convoy when it comes to packaging. You get a cardboard box with a sticker and inside there’s just enough foam to keep the light protected.

You don’t get much in the box – well I didn’t anyway – it might be that mine was an early version, before they had the manual ready.

  • Amutorch XT45
  • Spare o-rings
  • Lanyard
  • Manual
  • Cigar grip ring

Notably, there’s no cell, charging mechanism, or manual. I’m perfectly happy with that but bear this in mind if you don’t have other lights with 21700 cells and a way to charge them.

Flashlight in use

When picking up the Amutorch XT45, it reminded me of the Alonefire X40. Not just because of the Fresnel lens but the switches, knurling, and anodisation. In fact, I’m 99.9% sure that there’s 1 company behind both flashlights.

In terms of size, the XT45 is about the size of a C8. A bit big for daily EDC but easily small enough to slip into a small jacket pocket or holster.

The light uses both a side e-switch and a rear mechanical switch. Turning on and off is with a forward clicky, which means you can half-press to turn on for signaling.

The indentations on the flashlight stop it rolling, which aside from anything else makes taking review photos much easier! It will tail stand too, though it would probably fall over on rough ground outdoors. The tailcap is U-shaped to both protect the switch and make it easily accessible. It has holes for the lanyard too, which is a pretty standard adjustable style.

The box also includes a handy cigar-grip ring, which allows easy holding of the light between 2 fingers.

You might have guessed from the specs that this is a pocket thrower flashlight. Not so good for finding the bathroom in the middle of the night but very handy for seeing things a long way off outdoors. It’d also work as a pointer, similar to a laser pointer, as you can highlight an area 20cm from across the room. It could come in handy for inspections too.

Build Quality, and Warranty

I wasn’t super impressed with the build quality of the Alonefire X40 and I can say the same about the XT45. It’s by no means bad but it’s a long way from great. I think we’ve been spoiled by Convoy here, which manages very high quality at budget prices.

The knurling is grippy but a bit rough. The anodisation looks good, including on the threads. The threads themselves are OK.

In general, it feels like it will last well but no one’s going to pick it up and get that Olight or Acebeam feeling.

Amutorch include a 1-year warranty, covering parts and labor, and a lifetime warranty where you pay for the parts.

LED, Lens, Bezel, Beam, and Reflector

The product listing doesn’t mention the LED. The LED has a round light-emitting surface and comes in a 5050 package. The round light-emitting surface is unusual and if you’re well versed with modern LEDs then you might already know that it’s the Yinding 5050 30W LED. Well, I can’t be 100% sure but it looks identical and has similar specs.

This is a cool white LED, which runs at 3V. The small light emitting surface means the lumens are more concentrated and there’s more throw. Let’s see what the Opple Light Master Pro has to say:

  • CCT: 5803K (cool but not very cool)
  • CRI 64.3 Ra (low)
  • DUV: 0.0085 (slightly green)

The LED is behind a Fresnel lens. This is similar to an ashperic lens in terms of light output. Fresnel lenses take up less space and can be cheaper, especially at large sizes. I’m not sure if there’s much benefit with the 45mm head though.

Normally Fresnel and aspheric lights result in a projection of a square LED. The Yinding LED is round, which results in a much better round hotspot, just like a LEP.

The Fresnel results in slight artifacts on the hotspot but these aren’t too bad at all. The light has almost no spill as instead of the light hitting the sides of a reflector, it hits the black anodised inside of the head. Having no spill is good for some situations but remember that the spill is “wasted”, rather than directed into the hotspot. Actually, as with most asperics there’s still a little spill, as even the black insides reflect a little light. At the right distance from a white wall, you can even see the colored wires going to the MCPCB being projected.

The Fresnel lens is protected by a glass lens, all neatly held in place by the bezel. The bezel looks to be aluminum too and isn’t crenelated.

Dimensions and size comparison

  • Length: 14.73cm / 5.80 inches
  • Head diameter:   4.49cm / 1.76 inches
  • Body diameter:  2.55cm / 1.00 inches

Weight: 

  • Without cells: 155 grams / 5.5 oz.
  • With cells: 224 grams / 7.9 oz.

Thrower Flashlight comparison

Compared to other handheld flashlight throwers

From left to right:

  • Lumintop Thor II
  • Manker MC13
  • Sofirn IF25A
  • Amutorch XT45
  • Alonefire X40
  • Convoy Z1

Driver & User Interface:

The XT45 is a dual switch light: a tail switch for turning on and off and a side e-switch for changing brightness. This is very simple to explain and quick to get used to, though it does mean you need to move your fingers around a bit to go from turning on to changing modes.

So there’s no turbo mode, no moon mode, and definitely no fancy candlelight or lightning modes that you get on Anduril lights. This is basic but as it’s a thrower it does the job well.

Available modes: Low, Medium, High, Strobe

From OFF:

  • Half click tail switch: momentary on
  • Click tail switch: on

From ON:

  • Click tail switch: off
  • Click e-switch: cycle low → med → high and back to low
  • Double click e-switch: strobe

Mode memory:

  • Yes

Shortcuts:

  • None

Low voltage warning:

  • The light will step down and turn off at low voltage

Strobe/blinkies

  • Double click from on for strobe
  • Single click to go back to last normal mode
  • Strobe is memorized too

Lock-out mode: 

  • None

PWM

  • None detected

Batteries & Charging

There’s not much to say here. There’s no cell with the light, so you need to supply your own 21700 cell. Cells with a charging circuit won’t fit but button tops might be OK. I’d recommend flat tops, as the springs don’t compress much and could damage a longer cell.

Performance

Lumen measurements:

Lux meter: All lux and lumen measurements are from my home made integrating sphere, calibrated with a S2+ measured by Maukka. Measurements are done with a UNI-T UT383S lux meter and Adafruit TSL2591 connected to a Raspberry Pi (using RuTiTe by bmengineer). Expect them to be within +/-10%.

DMM: Current readings were taken with a Precision Gold PG10B DMM for low currents and a Mustool X1 clamp meter for high currents.

Lumen measurements (for each mode)

Only about 20% of the claimed lumens sounds very bad. I think Amutorch has measured the lumens directly from the LED, which I’d expect to be closer to 1300 lm. Without the bezel and lens the light hits 378 lm, so this light isn’t the most efficient.

ModeAmps at startSpecs@turn on@30 sec@10 minutes
Low0.12151115
Med2.09143143133
High5.131300 lm271251 lm128

Parasitic drain:

  • None, due to the physical switch

Runtime graph

On high, the light starts off just over 250 lumens and holds around this level for about 5 minutes. It then drops down to about 130 lumens, which is around the same as the high level. The XT45 holds this for pretty much 2 hours. It’s not many lumens but it’s good to know that the light doesn’t run through batteries really quickly.

The medium mode is very flat: starting off at about 140 lumens and dropping to 130 lumens for the full 2 hours run time.

Low mode just keeps on going and going at 15 lumens, lasting over 30 hours.

Note that the noise on the chart is due to the lux meter resolution being set to about 3 lumens for the run times and it occasionally rounding a different way. In reality the output is smooth

Throw numbers: 

Throw was measured indoors at 10m at 30 seconds. I checked the numbers at about 5m too, just to be sure.

ModeSpecsCandela measured MetersYards
Low6987 cd167 m183
Medium91 kcd604 m660
High894m / 200 kcd170 kcd (170,000 cd)825 m902

By my measurements, the XT45 reaches 92% of its claimed throw distance. That’s under spec but not by a long way. For comparison, this is still a bit more throw than any of these lights:

  • Lumintop GT mini
  • Manker MC13
  • Lumintop FW21 X1L
  • Acebeam L17

Beamshots

The distance to the building is 170m. Photos were taken with a Pixel 6 Pro, set to 1/12s shutter speed and ISO 400, F1.85. 

  • Amutorch XT45
  • Convoy Z1
  • Lumintop GT Nano
  • Lumintop Thor II
  • Manker MC13 90.2
  • Sofirn IF22A

Disclaimer: This flashlight was sent to me for review at no cost by Nealsgadgets. I have not been paid to review, nor have I been holding back on problems or defects.

Final Verdict

Pros

  1. Throws far for its size
  2. Dual switch and simple UI
  3. Nice circle projection

Cons

  1. Not many lumens
  2. No cell, charger, etc

Explanation on star ratings:

1: Avoid: my phone flashlight would be a better choice – 2: Poor: significant defect or issues; almost unusable – 3: Average: some defects or issues; but still usable 4: Good: recommended (minor issues) – 5: Great: highly recommended

Reviewer Dave
Author: Dave

4 stars: ★★★★

With the average build quality I was going to give the XT45 a mediocre score, then I started comparing it to similar sized lights with the specs. From what I can tell, there aren’t any LED flashlights that throw as far with a bezel that small. If you want more throw then the next biggest throwy LED lights are the Convor Z1 and Manker U22, both of which have a 7mm wider head. The closest competition seems to be the Acebeam L17. If you want any more throw in a small size then you’ll need to shell out for a LEP flashlight.

For the price, if you want a pocket thrower then the Amutorch XT45 is a great option. The build quality is good enough and while it doesn’t feel super-high quality, it’s more robust than a zoomie like the Convoy Z1.

Just remember that this is a focused thrower that’s all about the hotspot: all the lumens that would normally go into making the beam’s spill instead get absorbed by the inside of the head.

In short: If you’re on a budget then this is the pocket thrower you’re looking for: the size of a C8 with over 800m throw.

Amutorch XT45 frennel for sale

1lumen selects and reviews products personally. We may earn affiliate commissions through our links, which help support our testing.