
Today I have another Imalent light, much like the LD10 I reviewed a while back. This is the LD70, a Cree XHP70.2 emitter light with an OLED display.
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a link to the official product page.
Versions
Just one internals option, but there are four body colors. Gold, Black (seen here), Blue, and Green.
Price
These are going for $59.95 on ImalentStore.com.
Short Review
Another fun pocket light from Imalent. I’m still not a big fan of the magnetic charging this uses, and I’m much more a fan of removable cells. The output on this guy is great, and I like the metal switch cover. The OLED display is a novelty, but does provide useful information.
Long Review
The Big Table
Imalent LD70 | |
---|---|
Emitter: | Cree XHP70.2 |
Price in USD at publication time: | $59.95 |
Cell: | Internal |
Turbo Runtime | High Runtime |
LVP? | |
Switch Type: | E-Switch |
Quiescent Current (A): | ? |
On-Board Charging? | Yes |
Charge Port Type: | Proprietary Magnetic |
Chargetime | |
Power off Charge Port with no Cell? | ? |
Claimed Lumens (lm) | 4000 |
Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 2086 (52.2% of claim)* |
Candela per Lumen | 2.4 |
Claimed Throw (m) | 203 |
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 330lux @ 4.022m = 5338cd |
Throw (Calculated) (m) | 146.1 (72% of claim)* |
All my Imalent reviews! |
- 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
- Imalent LD70 Flashlight
- Charge cable (USB to proprietary magnetic)
- Lanyard
- Manual and papers
Package and Manual
Build Quality and Disassembly
This is a solid little chunk of a light. Well built, and interesting in-hand.
It’s not especially able to be disassembled, though. I’m not even sure where someone would start…. The parts feel more or less press fit together.
Press fit parts are not good for longevity, though.
The OLED display is a nice addition, and it’s neat to see the output lumen number and cell voltage etc. The screen has a fairly low refresh rate, so you might be able to pick up on that with the naked eye. For the screen, it’s not really a problem though.
Size and Comps
· Product size: 81 (length) * 25 (diameter) mm
· Net weight: 87g (including battery)
Retention and Carry
There is no pocket clip on the LD70. That’s a pretty massive failing in a pocket/EDC light. All that’s included is the lanyard pictured above, which attaches only through the hole pictured below.
Power and Runtime
The LD70 is powered by an internal lithium ion cell. Almost certainly an 18350 cell, but I don’t know that it’s stated anywhere – and it’s not really replaceable anyway. The little OLED you see below can display the cell voltage, which is a nice feature.
Here’s a runtime on Turbo. The light doesn’t hit 4000 lumens for me, but again – I’m an amateur flashlight tester. And certainly at 30s, the light isn’t at 4000 lumens. The stepdown to >2000 lumens is fairly quick, but 2000 lumens holds for almost 2 minutes, which is pretty respectable. The light does shut off with LVP, at a voltage displayed on the OLED of 2.99V.
The High output roughly holds for around 2 minutes – again respectable.
The light has built in charging, by way of a USB to proprietary magnetic cable.
The LD70 suffers the same “exactly accurate attachment” issue that the LD10 had – you have to get the connection perfect or it’s not going to charge.
Still once the connection is made, charging is very good. The rate of 1.1A is probably around (or just over) 1C, which is perfect for this 18350.
Modes and Currents
Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
---|---|---|---|---|
Turbo | 4000/900 | 1m/38m | 2086 | – |
High | 2000/900 | 1.5m/39m | 1597 | – |
Middle | 900 | 45m | 736 | – |
Middle Low | 200 | 3h50m | 140 | – |
Low | 20 | 15h | 43 | – |
PWM
All but Turbo has PWM. On the lowest mode I consider it very visible. Middle Low and above, not so much.
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
The switch on the LD70 is much improved over the LD10. It’s a metal switch cover e-switch, with the button covering most of the tailcap. So it’s easy to find, and easy to actuate.
As stated above, the OLED display shows the claimed output for any level you’re in.
You can also manipulate the switch to cause the OLED to show cell voltage, too. Three clicks from off shows cell voltage, but doesn’t turn the light on.
Here’s a UI table!
State | Action | Result |
---|---|---|
Off | Click | On (Mode Memory) |
Any | Double Click | Turbo |
Off | Triple Click | Cell Voltage display |
Off | Hold | No Action |
On | Click | Off |
On | Hold | Mode Advance (Low to High direction, skipping Turbo) |
Turbo | Double Click | Strobe |
Off | Click 4x | Lock |
Lock | Click 4x | Unlock |
LED and Beam
The emitter of choice in the LD70 is a Cree XHP70.2, behind a lightly orange peel shallow reflector.
These beamshots are always with the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure.
Tint vs BLF-348 (Killzone 219b version)
Test light is on the left!
I compare everything to the Killzone 219b BLF-348, because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!
Conclusion
What I like
- Good build quality
- Nice OLED display
- Good metal switch
- Nice output – sustained 2000 lumens in a light this small is not nothing.
What I don’t like
- No pocket clip
- Doesn’t have ramping, and ramping would suit this light well
- Low isn’t low enough
- Proprietary charging
- Non-replaceable cell
- Visible PWM on Low
Notes
- This light was provided by Imalent for review. I was not paid to write this review.
- This content originally appeared at zeroair.org. Please visit there for the best experience!
- For flashlight related patches, stickers, and gear, head over to PhotonPhreaks, another site where I write!
- Use my amazon.com referral link if you’re willing to help support making more reviews like this one!
How’s the tint of the light, on the greenish side?
This light is way too pricey. I can get a wowtac with no PWM and higher output that last longer for less.