Sort of a cross-post from reddit, but more like an effort for me to try get more active on lemmy :)
This is not a review. This is first thoughts.
I saw a couple of threads by Aplos on BLF but I didn't pay it much mind because it was an unknown brand to me and the designs looked a bit basic if I'm being honest. Then I saw Flashlight Enthusiast's video on it and I was very intrigued by the runtime graphs he posted. I ran the tests myself after getting the light in and it corroborated.
Turbo runtime, stepdown around 1.5 minutes at which point it holds at around 800-ish lumens for over an hour.
High runtime, holds at around 800 lumens for 80 minutes before a gradual decline until empty, cutting off at 2.89v.
I must say the regulation performance at this price point is really quite amazing. Bought from GeForest on AliEx, original price is $22, I paid $16.50 shipped by using discount coupons. That's with a cell included (generic rewrap without even a brand on it, but still). It's a bit unbelievable of a deal even at $22. MSRP on Aplos's website is USD29.99, $39.99 on Amazon (I wouldn't buy it at that price when you can get it basically half-off on AliEx. You wait a couple weeks, so what?).
Now, some more thoughts on the light itself.
According to u/Funtastic28 on reddit (I'm not sure if he's on here or how to tag him if he is), Aplos are another Jinba Tech brand. If you're unaware, Jinba Tech is the OEM of Sofirn, Wurkkos, and a number of other flashlight brands. And it definitely feels/looks like it.
Build-quality-wise it's right there in the same ballpark as offerings from Sofirn/Wurkkos. It's pretty much exactly the kind of build you expect from them. That is to say - good for the money. No sharp edges, everything's rounded off where it's supposed to be (no hotspots), no play/creaks/flex. Satin finish will probably last a good while. The rear forward clicky has nice tactility, works well.
The included two way clip is the same one Sofirn/Wurkkos use on some of their lights. Curiously, however, the tubes and tail-cap do not lego with parts from Sofirn/Wurkkos.
I find this surprising. I would have assumed they'd have used the same threads etc, but I guess not. I'm a little disappointed that lego-ing isn't a possibility, but it's by no means a dealbreaker.
The aesthetics of a flashlight will always be a subjective thing. I'm a fan of the Sofirn/Wurkkos aesthetic, and the T02 is obviously cut from the same cloth. The branding is a little basic. Nothing wrong with that. Even Sofirn with their lowercase font logo had a certain charm to it I guess, but then they updated it. Not much else to say about it.
UI is nothing wildly different from a 'standard' UI we might expect from a dual-switch light like this.
- From off, half-press tailswitch for momentary on. Momentary level is memorized.
- Double half press tailswitch shortcuts to turbo.
- 1C tailswitch for on/off.
- While on, 1C side-switch to cycle modes ~ 'eco'/low/medium/high
- While on, 2C for turbo, 1C to return
- While on, 3C for strobe, 3C again for SOS. 1C to return
- No shortcut to moonlight
- Clicking sideswitch from off does nothing.
Totally acceptable UI for me. Some may want quicker access to strobe but I don't find a problem with it.
The 'eco' mode really isn't a proper moonlight, but it's not a dealbreaker to me for this sort of light.
Aplos advised me not to attempt to remove the bezel but I usually pay no heed to warnings like that and used wrenches and inner tube (my usual nitrile dipped gloves were not sufficient in this instance).
Here is the reflector side-by-side with a Convoy S6 'deep' reflector. The Aplos is 3mm wider but depth seems to be identical. So, a good throw for the size.
Apologies for sub-par beamshots. My phone camera doesn't do well in low-light.
At 100m,
...and at 50m. Quite a good beamshape for mid-range duty-type applications, like on a large property.
This is already even longer then the reddit post so I'll cut it off here.
I was looking for a very budget but well-regulated 18650 'tactical' light for duty around the property. Previously the options I boiled down to were either the Sofirn SP31 V2.0 (regulated but unimpressive emitter options for my use-case), or the Wurkkos FC12 (better emitter but unregulated driver). In my eyes this is the better option compared to the other two. For $22, with those flat runtimes, it's a bargain.
Thanks for reading if you've reached the end. Let me know if y'all have any questions.
