Wuben E7 Rechargeable Headlamp Review
The Wuben E7 rechargeable headlamp offers dual Osram P9 emitters, USB-C charging, optional 18650 support, a magnet, and a host of accessory features. Read on!
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a link to the Wuben E7 rechargeable headlamp product page.
Versions
I suppose there’s really just one version of the Wuben E7 rechargeable headlamp but there are a number of options and additions. First, there are two emitter choices. Both seem to be Osram P9, but 6500K (seen here) and 5000K are available. Then there are the two cell options: 18350 (default) and 18650. Further options include a USB-C touchless switch and headband.
Price
The Wuben E7 rechargeable headlamp base price is around $40 and includes the 18350 cell. With all the things you see here, the light is $60. You can get just the base light with cell for around $40. Buy the Wuben E7 rechargeable headlamp through my referral link!
What’s Included
- Wuben E7 rechargeable headlamp
- Wuben 1100mAh 18350
- Wuben 3400mAh 18650
- 18650 body extension
- Lanyard
- Headband
- “Inductor” accessory switch
- USB-C to USB-C inductor connector
- Charging cable (C to C)
- Spare o-rings (2)
Some of that will require a separate purchase. I guess what I have here is all of the goodies!
Package and Manual
Build Quality and Disassembly
The Wuben E7 rechargeable headlamp follows Wuben’s design style. That is to say, the E7 is not a cylindrical tube. Wuben seems to like rectangular lights, and this is no exception. It’s a nicely built light, too.
Only the tailcap comes off. This tailcap is the type that sort of “caps” the cell that’s being used, but it does still have a spring.
In fact, both the head and tail have springs.
There’s not too much writing on the body either.
Size and Comps
60.6mm x 24mm x 28.01mm and 80g. That’s for the 18350 size.
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
Wuben includes a pocket clip already attached to the E7. It screws in with two screws.
The tailcap also has a strong magnet.
As the E7 is marketed as a headlamp, it of course has a headband. This is not a typical headband though, mostly. The connection is different, if nothing else.
As for wearing the light though, that’s the same. There’s an over-the-head band, too.
That over part can be removed if you wish, but there will be remnants in the plastic parts.
Power and Runtime
The default package runs a single lithium-ion cell. That’s this 1100mAh 18350. It’s a standard button top.
The cell goes into the light in normal fashion: positive end (button) away from the tail.
Below you can see three runtimes with this 18350 cell. Output is pretty good, at around 1400 lumens for around a minute. That’s well below the 1800-lumen claim.
Wuben also sent the 18650 adapter and an 18650 cell. The adapter is just a screw-in sleeve. It works fine.
Below you can see the same runtimes as above but with the higher capacity 18650 cell.
Low voltage protection was observed in every test, as well as the switch indicating approximate cell voltage along the way, as follows:
Blue: ≥90% power
Blue flashing: 90-40% power
Red 40-15% power
Red flashing: <15% power
Charging
The Wuben E7 rechargeable headlamp supports charging via USB-C. There’s a port in the “head” or switch area with a press-in cover.
This short charging cable is included. USB-C to USB-C.
Charging for either 18650 or 18350 both use around 1.5A. That’s over 1C for the included 18350 which is ok but on the “quick” side of charging. For the 18650, it might be considered slow. Either way, it’s consistent and I have no complaints.
While charging, the switch is red. When charging is complete, the switch turns blue.
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo | 1800-800-400 | 1m-1m-1.2h | 1559 (0s, 18650) 1351 (0s, 18350) 1268 (30s) |
5.82 |
| High | 400 | 1.3h | ~320 | 0.73 |
| Medium | 150 | 4.5h | 115 | 0.23 |
| Low | 5 | 60h | 6 | 0.01 |
Pulse Width Modulation
There’s a bit of sawtooth ripple on the lower three modes, but nothing in Turbo.
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
A single e-switch controls the Wuben E7 rechargeable headlamp. It’s an indicating e-switch.
The action is really nice. It’s firm and not squishy.
Below, you can see the switch indicating in red.
Wuben also makes a thing they call the “Inductor” which is an optional accessory. This thing connects via USB-C and offers a gesture-based way to control the E7. This is going to be most useful for when the E7 is mounted to a helmet or something.
Here’s a user interface table!
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Click | On (mode memory, excluding Turbo) |
| Off | Click 4x | Lockout |
| Lockout | Click 4x | Unlock |
| Off | Hold | No action |
| On | Hold | Mode advance (LMH) |
| Any (Unlocked) | Double click | Turbo |
| Turbo (from Off) | Double click | Turbo |
| Turbo (from On) | Double click | Previous state |
| Any (Unlocked) | Triple click | Strobe |
| Strobe group | Triple click | Strobe advance (Strobe > SOS) |
| On | Click | Off |
| Off (Using Inductor) | Wave (1x) | Iterate off/on |
| Off (Using Inductor) | Wave (2x) | Turbo |
| On (Using Inductor) | Wave and pause | Mode advance (LMH) |
LED and Beam
Wuben uses two Osram P9 emitters in the E7. They both have shallow TIR optics and blend together to have an even beam.
LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)
Wuben sent the 6500K version, which ranges from 6200K to 6800K and is low CRI. They have proven to know how to use good emitters, so it’s disappointing to see these in this light. High CRI would have been better, and either way 5000K is a better choice.
Beamshots
These beamshots are always with 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
The Wuben E7 rechargeable headlamp is a very neat little item. I’m pleased that there doesn’t seem to be a bunch of price creep here – the E7 is fairly inexpensive. It’s disappointing that both versions are low CRI and I’d rather have tested the 6500K option, but at least 5000K is available. All the accessories are neat, and if you’re a market in need of a helmet light, the Inductor attachment should be useful. Adding a sleeve to allow 18650 is clever and something I wish other brands would do more of.
The Big Table
| Wuben E7 rechargeable headlamp |
|
|---|---|
| Emitter: | Osram P9 (s) (Cool White) |
| Price in USD at publication time: | $29.99 |
| Cell: | 1×18350 |
| Runtime Graphs | |
| LVP? | Yes |
| Switch Type: | E-Switch |
| Quiescent Current (mA): | ? |
| On-Board Charging? | Yes |
| Charge Port Type: | USB-C |
| Charge Graph | |
| Power off Charge Port | with or without cell or tailcap: all modes |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 1800 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 1264 (70.2% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 2.79 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 132 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 191lux @ 4.673m = 4171cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 129.2 (97.9% of claim)^ |
| Claimed CCT | 6500 |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 6200-6800 Kelvin |
| Item provided for review by: | Wuben |
| All my Wuben reviews! | |
| Wuben E7 rechargeable headlamp |
|
|---|---|
| Emitter: | Osram P9 (s) (Cool White) |
| Price in USD at publication time: | $29.99 |
| Cell: | 1×18650 |
| Runtime Graphs | |
| LVP? | Yes |
| Switch Type: | E-Switch |
| Quiescent Current (mA): | ? |
| On-Board Charging? | Yes |
| Charge Port Type: | USB-C |
| Charge Graph | |
| Power off Charge Port | with or without cell or tailcap: all modes |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 1800 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 1268 (70.4% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 2.79 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 132 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 120lux @ 5.085m = 3103cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 111.4 (84.4% of claim)^ |
| Claimed CCT | 6500 |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 6200-6800 Kelvin |
| Item provided for review by: | Wuben |
| All my Wuben 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
- Non-round body
- Good tailcap magnet
- Fairly intuitive user interface
- Robust package with accessories available
- 18650 and 18350 support
- USB-C charging works consistently (but does not differentiate 18350 and 18650 cells)
What I don’t like
- Low CRI
- High CCT
- Just 4 modes – and really three if you exclude Turbo (which is not in the mode rotation, so is excludable)
Notes
- 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.com!
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Seems like they missed the mark on this one. They get a bunch of things right like the cool design, driver, and cell compatibility. Then, they totally lose it with the emitter choice and lack of moonlight mode.