A light source is touted by many as an indispensable item, not only from an emergency survival standpoint, but also from an everyday utilitarian one. While many of us (incluing yours truly) would like to carry a powerful light source with us every day, it just may not be practical. With flashlight technology improving every year, smaller flashlights are now able to produce much brighter beams than in the past. The Lumintop Tool AAA is one such flashlight. Small, lightweight, with three brightness settings and a “clicky” button, it appeared to check many of the boxes on my list of desired features for a small pocket flashlight. Let’s check it out! Gadget on!
All images in this review have been enabled with clickable enlargeability.
Options
The Lumintop Tool AAA comes in two versions:
- Tool AAA (with “clicky” on/off-button tailcap, as reviewed here)
- Tool AAA Magnet (with twist on/off, magnetic tailcap)
Technical Specs
Per the Lumintop site:
- LED: Cree XP-G2 (R2)
- Working voltage: 0.9v-1.5v
- 3 modes: Low (5 lumens, 36 hours runtime), Mid (32 lumens, 10 hours runtime) and High (110 lumens, 30 minutes runtime)
- Max beam intensity: 553 CD
- Max beam distance: 47 meters
- Impact resistance (i.e. safe drop height): 1.5 meters
- Water resistance: IPX-8 (2 meters)
- Battery type: AAA
- Length: 3.2 inch overall
- Weight: 0.53 oz (15 g)
- Stainless steel removable/reversible clip
- Aluminum alloy with anti-scratch HAIII military-grade hard-anodized finish
Packaging
The Lumintop Tool AAA had some reasonably nice packaging. A small window on the front displayed the product inside.
The rear of the package listed features and technical specs in eye-crossingly small font. You whipper-snappers could probably read this no problemo, but not an old geezer like me. 😉
Contents
The Lumintop Tool AAA included the following items (see image above):
- Lumintop Tool AAA flashlight
- Reversible clip (show above attached to flashlight)
- Plastic storage case with protective foam insert
- Small Ziploc bag containing two replacement O-rings
Features & Functions
Right out of its clamshell protective case, I already liked the Lumintop Tool AAA flashlight. It was very lightweight (only 0.53 oz/15 g) yet with a solid, durable-feeling construction in both materials and finish.
It was also small in size (only 3.2 inches long), so it could easily slip into a pocket.
As mentioned above, the materials and construction of the Lumintop Tool AAA looked and felt very well done. Like many small flashlights, it is made from aluminum, allowing it to be both lightweight and strong. Its matte black surface is anti-scratch type HAIII military grade hard anodizing for a durable finish. It also includes a stainless steel clip that can be detached or reversed in direction, so you can place it in a pocket either lens-down or lens-up as you choose. Or, you can attach it to the bill of a hat and Boom!, you have a makeshift headlamp.
The Lumintop Tool AAA can be separated into three parts by twisting and unthreading the lens portion and endcap from the main body. Each section has diamond-pattern knurling machined into it to provide the user with a better grip. I really like this knurling; it provides a firm, slip-resistant grip while not being so aggressive that it feels like you could use it as a pumice stone on your calloused heels.
The Lumintop Tool AAA runs on—Are you ready for this?—one AAA battery! Joking aside, I really like that it runs on a standard, easy-to-find alkaline battery. That way, if you are in a pinch, it would be fairly easy to replace it, rather than looking all over for some type of special battery. Small O-rings between each of the sections aid in the IPX-8 water resistance rating and Lumintop included an extra set of two O-rings. However, I wasn’t sure if Lumintop included them out of convenience, or because they expected them to fail and would need replacement. Time will tell, I suppose, but thus far I have no reason to think they won’t be fine for quite some time.
While the vast majority of flashlights of a similar style to the Lumintop Tool AAA utilize a rotating barrel as the on/off mechanism, one of the features that I was really looking forward to trying with the Lumintop Tool AAA was the “clicky” on/off button. Covered by a layer of silicon with tiny gripping nubs, this little button is actually quite sophisticated in that it is not just a simple click-on/click-off operation. Starting with the flashlight off, a full click initially cycles it into Medium power mode. From there, a light half-press cycles it into Low power mode, and another light half-press cycles it into High power mode. The button produces a satisfying “click” when pushed down completely to switch the light on and off. Additionally, as seen in the image above, the Lumintop Tool AAA includes two small slots near the button end that can be used to attach things like a keychain or lanyard.
I really like that the Lumintop Tool AAA includes three brightness modes and I think this adds to its usability. It allows the user to adjust the brightness to whatever level is most appropriate to the task and conserve battery power. And the Cree XP-G2 (R2) LED light source really throws the white light. The first mode, Medium, is 32 lumens and is good for more everyday applications. It can run in this mode for 10 hours. It can easily illuminate most of an average-sized room. The next mode, Low, is 5 lumens which can run for a whopping 36 hours. This is a great mode for things like reading a book in bed at night or when you need a lower-level, sustained burn. The third mode, High, is 110 lumens and is super bright. This mode throws light quite a ways. Lumintop states 47 meters maximum, and I’d say that’s about right—which is a long way for a little pocket light like this. The downside of this mode is that it will only run for 30 minutes. In all modes, the beam is a clean, white light. Additionally, that green ring visible around the lens in the image above actually glows in the dark: after the light is switched off, the ring glows for several seconds before fading to black. Pretty neat little feature.
EDIT 25 Feb 2018: The paragraph above was edited to reflect the correct runtime specs.
Conclusion
I really like the Lumintop Tool AAA. This little flashlight is exactly what I had been looking for. It is small, lightweight, water resistant and includes a reversible clip. It features three brightness modes, and best of all it has a “clicky” on/off button that cycles through those modes quickly and easily. I’ve already started carrying the Lumintop Tool AAA daily and I suspect it will be a staple of my EDC for some time to come.
06/28/16
The Lumintop Tool AAA is the best small flashlight I have ever used. Period. I carry it every day in my EDC ruck. It is very versatile with its three brightness level settings, it is small and it is durable and water-resistant. I’d have a tough time finding a better small EDC flashlight.
Source: The product sample for this review was provided by Lumintop. For more information, please visit their site or Amazon to order.
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I actually had been thinking about writing a review for this light and giving it to Juilie to use. I tend to find something that works and will continue using that tool/method until I am forced to change. This light is a happy change I was forced to make a bit ago. Won’t go back.
This light replaced my Mag Pro Plus about 6-8 months ago when I lost my belt pouch :(. I saw it reviewed on EEVBlog and looked like EXACTLY what I needed, but it also looked too good to be true. The light is often on sale for $20 on amazon, this seamed a bit low considering my previous light of choice is about $45 but I decided to give it a try. Well After 6+ months I have to say it’s the BEST flashlight I have ever owned for everyday (at least IT) use.
I use Enerloop AAA batteries. I probably average 10-15 minutes of use a day, a single charge will last me 4-5 weeks. I find I tend to hold it in my mouth often when crawling in small places or under server room floors. I never thought about flipping the clip and using it on hat brim or other place, I’m going to try that. I usually use it on low or medium, high is just TOO bright for the small places I tend to use it.
The construction is very good, I dropped it into my pond while working on it month or so ago. It unfortunately went down the drain and through to the filter system. I assumed it was shot, grabbed a backup LED Mag headlight and finished my job. The next day I dismantled filter to retrieve it. Battery was dead (it was on when I dropped it) but battery chamber was bone dry. Light suffered some scratches where the black anodized coating came off, but 100% functional. In fact it’s still the same unit I keep on my belt every day. I can’t recommend this unit more for moderate daily use. It’s small, bright, damn durable, and not to mention sexy too.
I love the click button vs, twisting to run on light, much easier and “satisfactory”. I bought 2 more a few months ago. The second one I use the magnet end instead of click button and it sticks to the bottom of my lab bench’s upper shelf. It’s always there easy to grab use, and slap back when done. The 3rd is still in the box as back up in the event I actually end up murdering one of them.
5 Stars, 5 Thumbs up.
I have two minor requests for the company. I would like to see a stronger magnet, and would like to see a cap that allowed for both click switches AND magnet. I love and prefer the click switch, but the magnet is useful, I don’t like having to choose. I know I know, I want my cake and eat it too.
Wow, Andrew! Thanks for that fantastically well-written and useful feedback! I don’t think I use my Lumintop AAA as frequently as you do on a daily basis, but when I do, I like it and appreciate its usefulness.
Whoot My letherman and mag light have been found! My sister found in hidden behind headboard at parents beach house. 10months later. LOL. Still keeping my Lumintop light tho.
Andy, 6+ months and my o-rings are perfect, even after spending the night in water. I think they will last a LONG time if you use the click switch, the twisting cap might cause more wear and tear and require replacement sooner, but I’m just guessing on that.
Thanks, that’s good to know. I don’t expect I’ll put it through much hard use, but one of the factors that I like about this little light is its water resistance.
This looks like a nice light, I have a question regarding the clicky-button though — in the images it looks like it extends quite a bit past the keyring/lanyard ridge on the bottom of the body, does it seem like accidentally triggering it might be a concern or does it require the user to depress the button fairly deeply to turn on?
It does not require a deep push, to does require a fair amount of force tho. I do not use it on a keyring but I did try it. You need to use a 6mm keyloop attached to larger keyring.
http://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Plated-Split-Chain-Findings/dp/B000RB77N0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452281601&sr=8-1&keywords=tiny+key+ring
Otherwise it is difficult to use the button.
I concur with Mr. Baker’s comments above.
Just ordered for <$20 on Amazon. Great review.
Thank you Lex, I’m glad you like the review. Come back and let us know how you like it!
Great job! I always like the products from AAA. They are designed modernly, but affordable. Thank you
Um, the company is called “Lumintop.” “AAA” is the type of battery that this flashlight takes. Are you a spammer?
Good flashlight reviewed. Have one in my collection. To my mind almost all flashlights using CREE LED are a good option.
I agree, Tom. The Cree series of illumination packs a great bang for the buck in all of the lights I’ve used where it was featured.
>06/28/16
The Lumintop Tool AAA is the best small flashlight I have ever used. Period. I carry it every day in my EDC ruck. It is very versatile with its three brightness level settings, it is small and it is durable and water-resistant. I’d have a tough time finding a better small EDC flashlight.
If I gave out awards, this little guy gets my unexpected gadget award for 2015/2016. 😀
Same here, sir! I may not use it every day, but I do carry it every day, and when I need it, it continues to surprise me with how bright it is. Great little light.
I’m still using mine since the original article prompted my purchase. It’s my EDC light in business suit pants pocket and it’s indispensible when going from car to buildings, in hotel rooms, in rental cars at night, anywhere.
Thanks for commenting here, Lex. It’s good to know that a review of mine resulted in a Gadgeteer reader finding a useful item that they are happy with!
@Julie
Wink Wink Nudge Nudge, Love to review this when it comes out. HEHE
http://www.lumintop.com/tool-ti.html
Dude if you are going to do a review take the time to get the specs right !! It does not last 36 hours on 32 lumens ?? it’s 4 and a half hours ?
Not sure what you’re talking about…?
KAB-EDC, your references please? Andy, I do believe, was quoting manufacturer specs.
You do indeed say that in medium mode it runs at 32 lumens and can do so for 32 hours. I think this is probably a typo and you meant 10 hours?
Thanks and good catch! I believe the Output and Runtime specs in the ‘Technical Spec’ section near the beginning of this post are correct per the Lumtop site, but I did indeed have some errors down lower in the body of the post, which I have since amended. Thanks again!
I saw you referenced this again on the “2022 Gear we’re using”
This was one of my favorite gadgets I got in 2016, I’ve since left IT (now engineering) and moved from the west to the east with lots of changes in-between. However this light still is used weekly, it no longer adorns my belt (hell I never leave the house these days) but I still have 2 of my original 3. One is kept on my desk up stairs, one is in my workshop down stairs, and one will be unearthed by some future archeologist at the bottom of a crystal cave in Mexico some day.
Great light, they are durable, well priced, well made and still my goto.