Wuben E8 Modular Flashlight Review
The Wuben E8 modular flashlight features swappable side pieces as well as some optional fidget attachments – all modular! Output includes white and UV, too.
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a tracking link to the Kickstarter page.
Versions
I’ll just say there’s “one version” but a ton of options for that version. There are many attachments, a number of different attachment colors, and so on.
Price
The Kickstarter has a number of tiers, but it looks like the ‘base price’ for the Wuben E8 modular flashlight is $50.
What’s Included
My package is a prototype, so this isn’t everything that’s included. Please see your Kickstarter order information to know what to expect. But here’s what I got.
- Wuben E8 modular flashlight
- Wuben 14500
- Charging cable
- Screwdriver (TORX)
Package and Manual
I didn’t get a production package or a manual. The manual is still in progress.
Build Quality and Disassembly
Wuben designed the E8 in collaboration with NAYICI. This is apparently a maker of popular EDC fidget items, and (according to a quick search) the E8 design fits nicely with other NAYICI items. So that connection plays a big role in the design of the E8.
I say all that to say two things, mainly. First, this light is different. It’s not just for flashlighting. Second, you might not be the market for it! That’s fine! And if you’re newly into lights because of this fidget item, welcome!
The build quality is good, but I don’t love at least one of the design choices. The photo above probably shows best how the tailcap removes – you need to press in (around the switch) onto those ridges, and unscrew the tailcap. You won’t do this without pressing the switch, and that’s annoying. Next, once it’s out, it’s nearly impossible to avoid touching the threads, which stinks because you’ll get lube on your hands. That’s annoying, too. But it does work like it’s supposed to, and the tailcap can be removed easily for charging the cell.
Below, you can see the two screw holes where the side pieces attach. There are three pieces, so six screws total. The Wuben E8 modular flashlight will look odd without these pieces.
Size and Comps
90.5mm x 26mm and 80.6g with cell.
If the flashlight can headstand, I’ll show it here. If it can tailstand, I’ll also show that here!
Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+. The version below is a custom laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host 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 in the photo above, my Standard Reference Material (SRM) flashlight is the Hanko Machine Works Trident, an 18350 light. While I have not reviewed or tested the Gunner Grip version seen here, I have tested a Hanko Machine Works Trident Total Tesseract in brass. I love the Trident, and it’s a striking contrast to the inexpensive Convoy S2+, another great SRM.
Retention and Carry
A pocket clip is included and attached to the Wuben E8 modular flashlight. The clip is removable by two screws. It doesn’t allow deep carry, though.
Power and Runtime
A single lithium-ion cell powers the Wuben E8 modular flashlight. Wuben includes this 920mAh 14500. It’s a standard 14500 cell.
The positive end of the cell (the button) goes into the light. In case you forget which way to put the cell, you can check the little printed icon near the tailcap.
Below you can see runtime testing for all three white output modes.
The lowest level is quite low, and I ended up stopping the test before the light shut off.
The temperature lines in these charts are included as general context, not precise measurements. The values represent the range (min to max) during testing, but should not be taken as exact readings. Temperature sensors are attached however feasible and not always on the bezel or hottest spot (assuming that can even be clearly defined). Even with ideal placement, too many variables affect temperature to definitively state a specific max value.
Charging
While the Wuben E8 modular flashlight itself doesn’t have charging, the included cell does. There’s a USB-C charging port on the positive end.
A USB to USB-C cable is included.
Charging looks great, at around 0.6A.
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 1300 | – | 1016 (0s) 643 (30s) |
3.65 |
| Medium | – | – | 100 (0s) 100 (30s) |
0.27 |
| Low | – | – | 7 | 0.02 |
| UV | – | – | – | 0.44 |
Pulse Width Modulation
Each of the white output modes uses PWM. This isn’t great PWM, but it’s fairly fast, and will probably not bother most people.
Click here to 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 Wuben E8 modular flashlight is controlled by a single tail switch. It’s a mechanical reverse clicky switch.
The switch cover, as you can see above, is also the attachment point for many of the modular aspects of the E8. That includes, for example, a spinner top!
Action on the switch is pleasantly deep, but does not go past the edge of the tailcap (that’s good.)
I didn’t get a manual, so here’s the user interface table from what I’m able to ferret out just by using the light!
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Click | On (memory) |
| On | Tap | Mode advance |
| On | Click | Off |
LED and Beam
Wuben states these white emitters as 5000K SST-36F. I don’t know that emitter, but we can see more testing below. Each emitter has a small orange peel reflector. The third (and different) emitter below is the UV emitter.
LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)
These SST-36F emitters are in fact around 5000K, which is great. The CRI isn’t high, but that wasn’t a claim.
CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) refers to the measurement of the color appearance of light, expressed in Kelvins (K), which indicates whether the light is warm (yellowish) or cool (bluish). A lower CCT (below 3000K) is considered warm light, while a higher CCT (above 5000K) gives cooler, bluish light.
CRI (Color Rendering Index) is a measure of how accurately a light source renders colors in comparison to natural sunlight. Scored on a scale from 0 to 100, higher CRI values indicate that colors appear more true to life and vibrant, similar to how they would look under the sun.
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. These photos are taken around 18 inches from the door.
I compare everything to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!
Summary and Conclusion
The Wuben E8 modular flashlight is certainly a neat light! I’d consider it at least as much of a fidget as it is a light, because it’s so distinctive. I love the Ultem-like side attachments (I don’t think Wuben calls them Ultem, but it feels and looks like Ultem.) The UV output should not be in the main group, and I could use on more mode – despite low being 6 lumens, it’s a “bright 6 lumens.” Also, for your reference, definitely purchase at least one of the accessories. The Wuben E8 modular flashlight really shines when it’s used as an EDC fidget!
The Big Table
| Wuben E8 (Proto) | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | SST-36F (two) |
| Price in USD at publication time: | $50.00 |
| Cell: | 1×14500 |
| Runtime Graphs | |
| LVP? | Yes |
| Switch Type: | Mechanical |
| On-Board Charging? | Yes |
| Charge Port Type: | USB-C (On cell) |
| Charge Graph | |
| Power off Charge Port | – |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 1300 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 643 (49.5% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 3.5 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | – |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 94lux @ 4.893m = 2250cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 94.9 |
| Claimed CCT | 5000 |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 5000 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
- Ultem (probably) attachments
- Fidget spinner attachment to the switch (also Ultem!)
- Includes 14500
- Neat collab with NAYICI EDC
What I don’t like
- UV in the main group
- Pocket clip too low
Notes
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