The Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight options flood, throw, a novel aspect emitter array with rotary management, and a GAME! Learn on!
Official Specs and Options
Right here’s a hyperlink to the Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight at flashlightgo.com product web page.
Variations
A number of physique colours can be found. They embrace silver, purple, blue, inexperienced, orange cerakote (seen right here), and yellow cerakote. A few of these are aluminum, however this orange cerakote is stainless-steel. All of them have the identical emitters and options.
Value
All aluminum variations of the Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight promote at flashlightgo.com for $66.99. The stainless/cerakoted seems to be to be a bit extra, at round $72.
What’s Included
- Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight
- Charging cable
- Lanyard with ring
- Handbook
Bundle and Handbook
Construct High quality and Disassembly
As I stated above, this model of the Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight is orange cerakoted stainless-steel. So this one has fairly a little bit of heft to it. Even beside that, the sunshine does really feel stable in construct high quality.
I didn’t take the Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight aside in any respect, although. The again does have 4 TORX screws, the place I count on the battery may be accessed.
Measurement and Comps
Dimensions 90 × 35.5 mm
Weight 121 g (with battery)
Right here’s the sunshine in hand:
Right here’s the check mild with the venerable Convoy S2+. The model under is a customized laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full submit on an engraved orange host proper right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to purchase your Convoy S2+ now!
Additionally within the picture above, my Normal Reference Materials (SRM) flashlight is the Hanko Machine Works Trident, an 18350 mild. Whereas I’ve not reviewed or examined the Gunner Grip model seen right here, I’ve examined a Hanko Machine Works Trident Complete Tesseract in brass. I really like the Trident, and it’s a putting distinction to the cheap Convoy S2+, one other nice SRM.
Retention and Carry
The Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight ships with a pocket clip put in. The clip is close to the center of the sunshine, although, which makes carry a bit unbalanced.
The aspect has a magnet. It’s sturdy sufficient to carry the sunshine however not sturdy sufficient for any bouncing round in any respect.
Additionally included is a brief size of cordage hooked up to a gated ring. This may often connect via the loop on the tail finish of the sunshine.
Energy and Runtime
The Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight is powered by a built-in 850mAh LiPO battery. The battery isn’t field-serviceable, and possibly fairly troublesome to alter, if it’s even potential in any respect.
I examined Turbo mode for all three outputs sorts – flood, spot, and each.
The temperature strains in these charts are included as basic context, not exact measurements. The values signify the vary (min to max) throughout testing, however shouldn’t be taken as actual readings. A temperature sensor just isn’t at all times hooked up to the bezel (and even the most well liked spot, assuming that might be outlined). Even with ultimate placement, too many variables have an effect on temperature to definitively state a selected max worth.
Charging
The Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight has USB-C charging. Under you possibly can see the cost port cowl. It simply presses in. It’s skinny, and there’s not a lot of a spot to select it out, so it’s an actual ache to take away for charging.
It was such a ache to take away for charging that I simply eliminated that screw and took the quilt off.
Mateminco features a USB to USB-C charging cable.
Charging works nice and takes round an hour to finish. However in the event you depart the sunshine on the charger, you’ll proceed to get these temporary cost spikes for hours and hours (basically so long as I examined – effectively previous what’s proven within the graph under).
I assume this might imply that the parasitic drain on the Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight may be very excessive, and the sunshine wants to be charged that usually. Or it may simply imply one thing else I didn’t consider. Anyway, good follow can be to take the sunshine off your charger as soon as the entrance ring turns from pink to inexperienced.
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo – Each | 1550 | 2h | 1357 (0s) 1223 (30s) |
| Low – Each | 60 | 5.5h | – |
| Turbo – Flood | 1000 | 2.5h | 1181 (0s) 1114 (30s) |
| Low – Flood | 16 | 9h | – |
| Turbo – Spot | 650 | 2.5h | 643 (0s) 610 (30s) |
| Low – Spot | 30 | 8h | – |
Pulse Width Modulation
The bottom mode at all times makes use of PWM. The very best mode doesn’t. All through the ramping virtually actually makes use of some stage of PWM, too.
Click on right here to see a “baseline” – a chart with virtually no mild hitting the sensor.
Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has a number of the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so unhealthy that I used a submit about it to elucidate PWM! Listed below are a number of timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make evaluating this “worst” PWM mild to the check mild simpler. That submit additionally explains why I didn’t check the WF-602C on the traditional 50us scale.
Consumer Interface and Operation
The Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight options numerous means to manage the output. First, this swap on the again switches between entrance white LED output and aspect (varied choices) output.
After that, there’s an e-switch on the aspect that controls on and off, amongst different issues.
The motion on this swap may be very low, and it sits flush with the physique. It’s not more likely to get by accident pressed, although.
Lastly, there’s a giant rotary dial, accessible from either side.
Right here’s a person interface desk!
| State | Motion | End result |
|---|---|---|
| Swap ahead for white LED output – Off | Click on e-switch | Flood – reminiscence |
| Flood – reminiscence | Click on e-switch | Spot – reminiscence |
| Swap ahead for white LED output – Off | Double click on e-switch | Strobe |
| Swap ahead for white LED output – On | Double click on e-switch | Turbo – Each |
| Swap ahead for white LED output – On | Click on e-switch | Off |
| Swap ahead for white LED output – Off | Triple click on e-switch | SOS |
| Swap ahead for white LED output – On or off | Maintain e-switch | UV on |
| UV on | Maintain e-switch | UV off |
| Swap in both place – Off | Click on e-switch 4x | Voltage indicator |
| Swap in both place – Off | Click on e-switch 5x | Lockout (ring blinks blue to point lock) |
| Lockout | Click on e-switch 5x | Unlock (ring blinks blue to point unlock, mild doesn’t activate) |
| Swap rearward for aspect output – Off | Click on e-switch | Facet white LED on |
| Swap rearward for aspect output – On | Double click on e-switch | Single mild strobe |
| Swap rearward for aspect output – On | Click on e-switch | Off |
| Swap rearward for aspect output – Off | Double click on e-switch | Facet pink/blue flash |
| Swap rearward for aspect output – Off | Triple click on e-switch | Sport mode |
| Swap rearward for aspect output – Off | Lengthy press e-switch | A couple of aspect LEDs are activated |
| Swap rearward for aspect output – On or off | Click on e-switch 6x | Iterate UV on/off |
| Swap rearward for aspect output – On | Rotate ring | RGB advance |
| Swap rearward for aspect output – Sport mode | Rotate ring | Play recreation |
| Swap ahead for white LED output – On | Rotate ring | Clockwise: output enhance Counterclockwise: output lower |
I’m pretty certain there are extra choices or “options” to this mild, however the person interface graphic will get so small that I can’t see sufficient element to cowl these options.
LED and Beam
Flashlightgo.com states that these two emitters are a Luminus SFT25R (Throw) ×1 and an HL2X-V (Flood) ×1. Every has a TIR that fits their utilization (flood or throw).
The LED ring is simply lined on this clear dome, and the LEDs are in any other case not directed. They’re very floody (and in addition not meant to be “vibrant” or throwy, so that is simply nice.
LED Coloration Report (CRI and CCT)
Output on all modes is excessive CCT (cool white) and low CRI.
CCT (Correlated Coloration Temperature) refers back to the measurement of the colour look of sunshine, expressed in Kelvins (Ok), which signifies whether or not the sunshine is heat (yellowish) or cool (bluish). A decrease CCT (under 3000K) is taken into account heat mild, whereas a better CCT (above 5000K) offers cooler, bluish mild.
CRI (Coloration Rendering Index) is a measure of how precisely a light-weight supply renders colours compared to pure daylight. Scored on a scale from 0 to 100, increased CRI values point out that colours seem extra true to life and vibrant, much like how they might look below the solar.
Beamshots
These beamshots at all times have the next settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and handbook 5000K publicity. These images are taken at flooring stage, and the beam hits the ceiling round 9 toes away.
Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b model) (affiliate hyperlink)
I hold the check flashlight on the left and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the best. These images are taken round 18 inches from the door.
I evaluate every thing to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 as a result of it’s cheap and has the perfect tint!
Abstract and Conclusion
I actually love the orange shade of the Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight. I’d in all probability choose an aluminum physique, however that’s not accessible in orange. (Orange = extra necessary than aluminum is > stainless-steel!) It is a neat mild, however I actually don’t want any such rotary. And there finally ends up being three switches for utilizing the sunshine, which suggests you’ll have to change grip or swap to utilizing each palms, and many others, presumably typically. The rotary works very effectively, although, and that’s potential to twist with only a thumb. I dislike how UV is accessed (otherwise, relying on the place the swap is ready) and truthfully don’t care about having UV on this mild in any respect. However usually, the Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight works like it’s purported to, so if these are options you want, this isn’t a nasty alternative!
The Massive Desk
| Mateminco TACUBE 3.0 multi-function RGB flashlight | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | Luminus SFT25R (Throw) ×1 + HL2X-V (Flood) ×1 |
| Value in USD at publication time: | $71.99 |
| Cell: | Inside |
| Runtime Graphs | |
| LVP? | Most likely |
| Swap Kind: | E-Swap |
| Quiescent Present (mA): | ? |
| On-Board Charging? | Sure |
| Cost Port Kind: | USB-C |
| Cost Graph | |
| Energy off Cost Port | Sure |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | Each: 1550 Flood: 1000 Throw: 650 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | Each: 1223 (78.9% of declare)^ Flood: 1114 (111.4% of declare)^ Throw: 610 (93.8% of declare)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | Each: 5 Flood: 0.8 Throw: 12.2 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | Each: 209 Flood: – Throw: – |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | Each: 188lux @ 4.563m = 3914cd Flood: 97lux @ 3.405m = 1125cd Throw: 168lux @ 5.579m = 5229cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | Each: 125.1 (59.9% of declare)^ Flood: 67.1 Throw: 144.6 |
| Claimed CCT | Each – Flood: – Throw: – |
| Measured CCT Vary (Ok) | Each 6700-7100 Kelvin Flood: 6600-7600 Kelvin Throw: 7200-7900 Kelvin |
| Merchandise offered for assessment by: | Mateminco |
| All my Mateminco critiques! | |
^ Measurement disclaimer: Testing flashlights is my interest. I take advantage of hobbyist-level tools for testing, together with some I made myself. Strive to not get buried within the particulars of producer specs versus measurements recorded right here; A certain quantity of distinction (say, 10 or 15%) is completely cheap.
What I like
- Nice orange shade
- Strong construct high quality
- UV is pretty simple to keep away from
- Sport is enjoyable (however approach, approach too brief!)
- Rotary works effectively
What I don’t like
- Constructed-in battery
- That there’s UV in any respect
- So many switches (or management mechanisms: 3)
- “Simply” sturdy sufficient magnet
