<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Available modes: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- 5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Available blinky modes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- SOS\/Strobe\/Beacon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
From OFF:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Press and hold: Moonlight<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Single click: On <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 5 fast clicks: Lock\/unlock<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 7 fast clicks: Toggle button backlight<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
From ON:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Press and hold: Off<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 1 click: Advance mode<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Double click: Turbo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Mode memory:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Sadly yes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Shortcuts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- To Low: Not to low, only to Moonlight<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- To Turbo: Only when on<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- To Strobe: No<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Low voltage warning:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Sort of, the manual says it will lower the output, not turn the light off<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Strobe\/blinkies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Only accessible when using Moonlight via a double click<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Lock-out mode: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Yes, physical via tailcap or electronic<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 5 fast clicks: Lock\/unlock<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
PWM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- None that I can detect<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Additional\/summary info on the UI:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile the UI works and is usable<\/strong>, I can\u2019t say I\u2019m a fan. I don\u2019t know why, but I find it so unintuitive to have to do a long click to turn the light off. Almost every time, despite knowing what I need to do, I end up advancing the mode when trying to turn the light off!<\/p>\n\n\n\nI also completely dislike the fact it has mode memory that you can\u2019t turn off<\/strong>. It is a real pet hate of mine, I completely detest not knowing what mode the light will be in when I turn it on. You can sort of get around this by starting in moonlight and then advancing through the modes, but it just feels like a lot of concentration just to perform a simple task. As moonlight can be accessed from off and allow you to advance to the next level, it would make much more sense to have the light default to High when you turn it on<\/strong>. As it would then give the user instant access to either end of the output spectrum, negating the need for a mode memory altogether. The AD01 has a specialised thrower beam, you really won\u2019t be using this kind of light for close up reading, it\u2019ll be for seeing objects over large distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt is also somewhat strange that the blinky modes are only accessible from moonlight<\/strong>, something you\u2019d probably forget unless you use them frequently. It does keep them well hidden, but there is no point in having a strobe if you have to click and hold to enter moonlight first, just to then have the option to access the strobe function. The SOS and beacon modes may have uses, so it is good they are there, it is, as said, just rather odd in how you get to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn the plus side, I like that there are only 3 main outputs<\/strong> and scrolling through them is quick and easy. Quick access to turbo is also good, although this feature is only available with the light on, you can\u2019t go to turbo from off, which again is another very strange design choice. I do struggle to fathom the logic and decisions that have been made at the design stage of user interfaces like this. It feels like nobody has reviewed the design or tested the final product before putting it into production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Lumintop AD01 Charging and batteries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
For many the multi chemistry and battery choice is going to be the big appeal here with the AD01.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I confess, I was drawn to it on the basis of it using a D-cell. I\u2019ve often dreamt of a 1D Maglite that could take 3AA\u2019s, and the AD01 is quite close to that vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The D cell fits very well in the body of the AD01. But as you\u2019ll see below, the performance isn\u2019t quite what I was hoping for or expecting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 3AA holder is a generic holder<\/strong>, so should accept pretty much any regular alkaline or NiMh AA battery. Personally I\u2019d be adverse to using alkaline AA\u2019s unless in an emergency as they are so prone to leakage. The same would be true for a D cell in this regard.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLumintop does warn against using 14500 Li-ion batteries, as 3 of these in series configuration in the 3AA holder would massively exceed the voltage ratings for the light and likely fry the electronics. 3 x NiMh or alkaline AA\u2019s in Series gives a static voltage output quite similar to that of a single Li-ion battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As mentioned above, the AD01 does not support flat top batteries<\/strong>, but does recommend a short unprotected 18650. You could probably get away with using a small rare Earth magnet on a flat top cell, but a button top is going to be the best choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe supplied holder does limit you to only using 18650s. Personally I think this light is screaming out for a 26650<\/strong>, although I accept button top 26650\u2019s are even rarer than unprotected 18650 button tops. I\u2019m inclined to either enlarge the supplied holder or create a second insert to allow the use of a 26650 with the AD01.<\/p>\n\n\n\nI mentioned earlier that the 18650 rattles. I have since found if you use the holder the wrong way round that it cures the rattling problem<\/strong>, although the holder does make some horrible noises as you insert it or remove it from the AD01\u2019s body when it is the wrong way round.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe AD01 does not support any on board charging, which is understandable given the wide array of batteries it supports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n