Key Takeaways
1. The Acebeam W50 2.0 flashlight weighs 1660 grams (3.7 lbs) and is designed for carrying in a shoulder bag rather than handheld use.
2. It features eight non-user-replaceable 18650 battery cells with a capacity estimated at approximately 92Wh, charged via USB Type-C.
3. The flashlight has a high-performance LEP light output, reaching up to 1,900 lumens with a beam distance of 5 kilometers, though higher outputs are short-lived.
4. It includes a zoom function, producing up to 2,200 lumens for 5 minutes and a flood effect covering 486 yards, but safety precautions are necessary due to the high-output laser.
5. The W50 2.0 has an IP68 rating for durability, is tripod-mountable, and is priced at $2,999, but is currently unavailable at standard retail outlets.
Acebeam has launched a new LEP flashlight, known as the W50 2.0. This flashlight is quite hefty and is best suited for carrying in a shoulder bag, if at all. Weighing in at 1660 grams, which is around 3.7 lbs, the W50 is actually heavier than many of today’s laptops.
Design and Battery Features
The weight is primarily due to its sturdy construction and internal parts. Acebeam incorporates eight 18650 cells for power, but these cells are not user-replaceable. Charging is done through a USB Type-C connection. The exact battery capacity details are not provided by Acebeam, yet if we assume a voltage of 3.7 volts, the flashlight should have approximately 92Wh of power.
This leads to the question of how quickly the battery can be charged, with mentions of a fast charging capability. However, it’s unclear if this is achieved through USB Power Delivery, as the specifications and manual do not clarify this. It’s likely that no proprietary charging technology like Qualcomm Quick Charge is utilized. If only USB Type-C current is available, which is 3A at 5V without the PD protocol, charging could take an extremely long time.
Performance and Usability
The large battery fuels a high-performance LEP light, where LEP stands for laser excited phosphor. The lumen output may seem low, but the beam is highly focused. According to Acebeam, the W50 2.0 can reach a remarkable distance of 5 kilometers or over 3 miles at 1,900 lumens.
As is common with Acebeam flashlights, this high mode is short-lived, lasting only 50 seconds. After that, the output drops to 1,050 lumens for about 2 hours and 40 minutes, though the range for this mode isn’t specified. However, given that continuous use offers 650 lumens with an approximate range of 2 miles, a practical range of around 2.5 miles seems reasonable. These figures apply specifically to the spotlight mode.
Zoom and Safety Considerations
The flashlight also features a zoom function, allowing the beam to spread out similar to a regular LED flashlight. On its highest setting, it can produce 2,200 lumens, casting light across an area up to 486 yards with a flood effect. This mode can be used for 5 minutes before reducing to 1,250 lumens for an additional 2 hours and 40 minutes.
The light beam is generated by a class 3B laser, and due to its very high output, there are several safety warnings. Even though it’s not a traditional laser, it should never be directed toward anyone’s eyes. Caution is particularly important in search and rescue situations, which are one of its intended applications, and starting with a lower output level might be advisable in many cases.
Durability and Availability
That being said, this Acebeam flashlight is tough and comes with an IP68 rating. A detachable carrying handle helps manage it despite the weight. Additionally, the W50 2.0 can be mounted on a tripod. Its dimensions are about 8.6 inches in length and a head diameter of 3.3 inches.
The Acebeam W50 2.0 is priced at $2,999 on the manufacturer’s website, but it seems to be unavailable through standard retail outlets.
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