Wurkkos WK05 14500 Penlight Review

The Wurkkos WK05 14500 penlight offers a great high CRI Nichia 519a emitter as well as dual-chemistry support. The mechanical switch makes it easy to use, too!

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Official Specs and Features

Here’s a link to the Wurkkos WK05 14500 penlight product page.

Versions

I see only one version of the Wurkkos WK05 14500 penlight but that package is available with or without two 14500 cells.

Price

Including the cells seen in this post, the Wurkkos WK05 14500 penlight sells for under $29. You must include the cells (really it shouldn’t even be an option) unless you plan to only use AA (1.5V) cells. In that case, you can save a measly $4 by opting out of the 14500 cells. You can buy the Wurkkos WK05 14500 penlight here.

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What’s Included

• Wurkkos WK05 14500 penlight
• Wurkkos 900mAh 14500 (2)
• Spare o-rings (2)
• Lanyard
• Pocket clip
• Manual

Package and Manual

Build Quality and Disassembly

For $25, I’m not sure what you expect but I’m nearly sure the Wurkkos WK05 14500 penlight will be enough. This is a solid light, and nicely built.

Only the tail has a spring, which I think is fine for a penlight. I did not try flat top 14500 cells, but it does look like the positive terminal prevents flat top. This is one more reason to include the cells from Wurkkos!

The cell tube is not reversible.

One note is that except where I could use the bench power supply at 3V to test the WK05, I did not test the light with AA cells. If you anticipate using only AA cells, you should be able to infer most of what you wish to know based on the data included here.

Size and Comps

Dimension: 5mm (length) x 22.5mm (head diameter)
Weight: 70±1 gram (without battery)

If the flashlight will headstand, I’ll show it here (usually the third photo). If the flashlight will tailstand, I’ll also show that (usually in the fourth photo).

Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+. The version you see below is a custom Convoy S2+ host that’s been laser engraved by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full post on an engraved orange host right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to buy your Convoy S2+ now!

Also above is the light beside a TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light. I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats. I also reviewed that specific edition, the “Oveready BOSS FT Collector Vintage Brass” 35. I love it!

Retention and Carry

A friction-fit pocket clip is included. It attaches only on the tail end, for bezel-down carry. The clip is notably sturdy.

A lanyard is included as well, and it attaches either through the pocket clip or through one of the tailcap holes (preferred).

Power and Runtime

If you buy the kit (and again, you should) you’ll get two 14500 cells. They’re 900mAh cells, and have a button top.

They go into the flashlight in the usual way – button toward the head.

This light can also be powered by two 1.5V cells – AA primary or rechargeables would work fine. Never mix a 14500 cell and any 1.5V cell!

Below are a few runtime charts with the included 14500 cells. Wurkkos didn’t include any AA cells, and I didn’t test runtimes with AA.

Modes and Currents

Mode	Mode Claimed Output (lm)	Claimed Runtime	Measured Lumens	Tailcap Amps
Turbo (14500×2)	900	1.5h	567	1.28
High (14500×2)	300	1.8h	192	0.35
Medium (14500×2)	100	6h	71	0.13
Low (14500×2)	10	32h	13	0.02
Eco (14500×2)	1	133h	0.05	[low]
Turbo (AAx2)	350	3.5h	–	1.87
High (AAx2)	150	3.8h	–	0.84
Medium (AAx2)	70	14.5h	–	0.35
Low (AAx2)	10	20h	–	0.09
Eco (AAx2)	1	140h		[low]

Pulse Width Modulation

Each of the modes except Eco when using 14500×2 have PWM. It is not egregious PWM, and quite quick.

Here you can see a “baseline” – a chart with almost no light hitting the sensor. Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has some of the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so bad that I used a post about it to explain PWM! Here are multiple timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make comparing this “worst” PWM light to the test light easier. That post also explains why I didn’t test the WF-602C at the usual 50us scale.

User Interface and Operation

The Wurkkos WK05 14500 penlight uses two switches. First, and most important, is the mechanical tail switch.

The switch is not proud, but accessible from two sides, even if you’re wearing gloves. It does stick past the metal part and does prevent tailstanding.

This mechanical switch controls only on/off. Next is the e-switch on the head, which controls the modes. The switch is just a little proud and has a hard cover.

Here’s a user interface table!

State	Action	Result
Off	Click Tail Switch	On (Mode Memory, excluding Eco and Turbo)
On	Click Tail Switch	Off
On	Click Side Switch	Mode advance (Low, Med, High)
On	Hold Side Switch	Eco
Off	Tap Tail Switch	Momentary (Mode Memory)
On	Double Click E-switch	Turbo
Turbo	Click E-Switch	Return to the previous output level
On	Triple Click E-Switch	Strobe
Strobe	Double Click	Strobe advance (Strobe> SOS> Beacon)

This user interface is not remarkably different from other Wurkkos lights (like the TD04) and that is a good thing. I really enjoy user interface continuity.

LED and Beam

Wurkkos has used a Nichia 519a emitter in the WK05 14500 penlight. This is a great choice.

LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)

CCT is claimed at 5000K and the penlight hits that about right. CRI is also high.

Beamshots

These beamshots always have the following settings:  f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level, and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.

Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b version) (affiliate link)

I keep the test flashlight on the left and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the right.

I compare everything to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!

Summary and Conclusion

If you need a penlight, the Wurkkos WK05 14500 penlight is a great choice. I love that it runs both 14500×2 and AAx2 – this gives great versatility. High CRI also pleases me, as does the 5000K. What’s better than (or … at least on par with) all that is the price! All of that and cells for under $30 is a great deal.

Honestly, even if you chose to buy this as an AA flashlight, it’s not a terrible deal to include these 14500 cells for use in some other light like the titanium TS10 (which you should probably have, too!) Regardless of that side of things, the Wurkkos WK05 14500 penlight is definitely worth owning!

The Big Table

Wurkkos WK05 14500 penlight
Emitter:	Nichia 519a (5000K)
Price in USD at publication time:	$24.99
Cell:	2×14500
Runtime Graphs
LVP?	Yes
Switch Type:	Mechanical
On-Board Charging?	No
Claimed Lumens (lm)	900
Measured Lumens (at 30s)	567 (63% of claim)^
Candela per Lumen	8.08
Claimed Throw (m)	141
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s)	250lux @ 4.732m = 5598cd
Throw (Calculated) (m)	149.6 (106.1% of claim)^
Claimed CCT	5000
Measured CCT Range (K)	4900-5300 Kelvin
Item provided for review by:	Wurkkos
All my Wurkkos reviews!

^ Measurement disclaimer:  Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.

What I like

• Dual chemistry support (1.5V, 4.2V)
• High CRI
• Nichia 519a
• Nice user interface
• Low cost

What I don’t like

• ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Notes

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