Acebeam X60 & X60M brief review and beamshots

[Lauri_L]

Following brief review is about two magnificent flashlights manufactured by Acebeam (ex. Supbeam) – X60 (updated version) and X60M. Please note that flashlights were not provided by Acebeam for review. There is no commercial implication. Just want to share with you what these lights look like and what they are capable for.

First one is Acebeam X60. I happened to get X60 modified version which has 6500lm output and 800m throw (manufacturer rated). The other one is X60M with 10000lm output and 525m throw (manufacturer rated). As you remember, the original X60 had 5000lm output and 700m throw. Acebeam also confirmed that they have made some current and output modifications on new X60. Unfortunately I don’t have special equipment to test these numbers.

Both lights were well packed into nice gift boxes. You can find light itself, AC/DC charging adapter, USB charging adapter, car USB charging interface, spare o-rings and tailcap set, shoulder strap, warranty card, user manual and some bags of silica gel-s from standard set. My X60M also had 6pcs of Sony VTC5 30A high drain batteries included by reseller.

Acebeam X60

Acebeam X60M

Regarding design X60 and X60M are very similar lights. Battery tubes and main dimensions of the lights are identical. Both lights share the same built-in charging feature and the same UI. The only visible differences are in flashlights heads. X60 magnetic control ring is silver, X60M control ring is black. X60m has about 17mm wide section before control ring covered with gold-like surface treatment. X60 has the same part black anodized. Bezel ring is painted silver in case of X60 and black in case of X60m.

The biggest visible difference is when you look through the lens. X60 has 5pcs Cree XM-L2 U2 emitters placed inside overlapping reflectors. X60M has 3pcs huge Cree MT-G2 emitters placed into non-overlapping reflectors.

X60M (Left), X60 (right)

Reflectors have flawless surface treatment without any imperfections. There is huge sealing ring visible between reflector and lens. Lens itself is clear and and has anti-reflective coating on it. The biggest suprise is that all emitters on both lights are perfectly centered. In most cases in multi emitter lights slight deviations can be detected but not these lights. If you look at the photos you may think that some leds are a bit out of center but that is an illusion caused by wide angle photo lens I was using. So outer overall build quality of these two lights are superb (at least on my samples).

X60 and X60M can be unscrewed into 3 basic parts: head, battery tube and battery carrier. Battery carrier is placed into battery tube and then tightened by head. Visual finish of internal details including battery carrier is perfect. All threads are also well lubed. I didn’t took any of 3 mentioned basic parts apart so I can not say anything about electronics that is inside.

Heads from inside. X60M (left), X60 (right)

Battery carriers in battery tube facing toward flashlight head. X60M (left), X60 (right)

Bottom part of battery carrier pointed towards to the bottom of battery tube. X60M (left), X60 (right)

Battery carriers of both lights are visually similar but marked with different yellow stickers. They are ment to remind users that in case of X60 you have to use batteries with PCB with current control at least 5A and all batteries has to be from same brand, same voltage and same capacity before installing into carrier. X60M users will find reminder that that only hi-drain cells (5A and up) has to be used and all batteries has to be from same brand, same voltage and same capacity before installing into carrier.

Some more photos about battery carriers. X60M (left), X60 (right):

And now some beamshots...

I used Canon 5DmkII camera and 70-200 f4L lens to make these photos. Camera was fixed into manual mode (WB-daylight / ISO200 / F4 / 5s). All photos were taken into lights max output.

Weather conditions: +3 deg.Celsius, clowdy, no moonlight, some water mist in the air (beach), really dark

Photos hasn't been modified any way.

X60 – 150m to goals + 20m to forest

X60M – 150m to goals + 20m to forest

X60 – 250m to goals + 20m to forest

X60M – 250m to goals + 20m to forest

X60 – 350m to goals + 20m to forest

X60M – 350m to goals + 20m to forest

X60 – 450m to goals + 20m to forest

X60M – 450m to goals + 20m to forest

X60 – 550m to goals + 20m to forest

X60M – 550m to goals + 20m to forest

X60 – 650m to goals + 20m to forest

X60M – 650m to goals + 20m to forest

X60 – 750m to goals + 20m to forest

X60M – 750m to goals + 20m to forest

As you can see X60 and X60M really throw because of their raw power.

Following two photos are to show how floody these lights are. Beach line is about 50...60m wide.

X60

X60M

Hope you enjoyed my review and beamshots

 

[mvyrmnd]

That X60M is awesome.

I'm trying to work out how to justify one...

 

[thedoc007]

That X60M is awesome.

Those beamshots are great work, thanks for doing that!

I am actually more impressed by the X60. The X60M doesn't look that much brighter (nor is the spill obviously wider), and it doesn't throw as well. Not only that, but I know the MT-G2 version will have more issues with heat...so all around, the modded X60 looks like a far more useful light, and it still has MORE than enough brightness to blow away almost any other LED light.

 

[Ryp]

Amazing photographs, thank you!

 

[Lauri_L]

Thanks guys!

Yes, X60 looks brighter and throws better than X60M but X60M beam is absolutly smooth and creamy. Also the beam of X60M is amazingly wide and warm.

Both lights step down after some (3) minutes of use. Still there is no huge difference in brightness when stepped down but heat generation will be reduced significantly. I used the lights in quite cold climate (+3C). When the light was on max mode I felt quick rise of temperature. When the light stopped down, no further noticable increase of temperature can not be detected by hand. Probably it still raised but cold air cooled the light down. Cooling ribs of both lights are huge. Anyway I enjoy using both of my lights

 

[plata0190]

Bought the X60M from banggood for 250€, but have had to return it back for some issues. Step down in 21° ambiental temp was after only 50sec, and noticed that carrier springs was not elastic so shocking the tail on a hard surface as a desk should momentary turn off the contacts inside the carrier and a poor contact with 6 IMR unprotected is dangerous. Than some manufacture issues was that putting magnetic control ring close an iron as a railing,it turns the flashlight into strobe mode, it's not a significant problem, just funny . But a real problem is that for charging you have to pull out the iron lanyard because it touches the connector and makes short circuit.

Regarding the power and the beam, I noticed that is not so much brigher than my MM15. The beam is usefull only to illuminate at long distances, and hotspot is quietly narrow for short distance, like for a walk outside or to illuminate a garage. My ceiling bounce measuring was 205 lm for the X60M and 95-100lm for Niwalker MM15, but here depends by the intensity of the hotspot, and when I'll purchase the second batch of MM15 I'll do another ceiling bounce comparison.

Concluding, this power emitted from a flashlight of these dimenions is not so usefull. There are many other flashlights with almost similar power but more compact, i.e. Acebeam K40M, Eagletac SX25L3, Niwalker MM15, Thrunite TN36..

 

[HIDSGT]

u need to have beam shots against a building vs an open field. can't really see much with those other then a big spill of light.

if they wud redesign that light to look less like a toilet plunger and more like a flashlight and move that stupid rear button to the side I might consider buying one. its WAY to heavy to have a rear mounted button. works with PD35 or P12 cause its small and light but absolutely does NOT work on this light.

I bought an X60 wen it first came out and it stopped working a week later lol. junk! hopefully they have fixed the issue but from reading above it doesn't appear so.

 

[Lauri_L]

I have used both lights for a while now. X60 gets more use because X60m beam is too wide for me. Haven't detected any problems with them.

One of my friends has an older version of X60 (5000lm). This light is about 6 months old for now and used daily. No problems either.

Rear button is not an issue for me. It is just power on/off button. The rest is done by magnetic ring.

Plunger-like design may be a bit odd and make the light look wierd but after long time of use you can understand that this design provides very good balance. X60 is heavy but well balanced on hand.

I won't deny that there are many-many lights that look better, weight less and feel more expensive. But if you take this light as a tool then there is not many competitors regarding price (260$), performance (6500lm, 800m throw, wide beam), flexibility (magnetic ring UI, direct charging) and runtimes.

If there should be any technical problems I'll let you know

 

[plata0190]

@Lauri L: where you seen that X60 throws 800m with 6500lm? manufacture data says 5000lm
http://acebeam.com/5000-lumens-x60#.VG38pclrYw4
http://www.supbeam.com/en/supbeam-high-power-led-flashlight-x6#.VG38uMlrYw4

 

[ven]

Awesome Lauri,cracking pics thanks for sharing and making me want both lights :laughing:

If i had to pick one i would struggle tbh,both have advantages,mtg2 for colours and smooth flood,xml2 u2 for the throw and i like cool too.

 

[Lauri_L]

@Lauri L: where you seen that X60 throws 800m with 6500lm? manufacture data says 5000lm
http://acebeam.com/5000-lumens-x60#.VG38pclrYw4
http://www.supbeam.com/en/supbeam-high-power-led-flashlight-x6#.VG38uMlrYw4

I have seen it on my X60 user manual. Also asked from Acebeam if these numbers are true. They confirmed and explained that they have made some adjustments/modifications. I think that I managed to get one of the first upgraded X60-s. Haven't compared with old 5000lm X60 tough... :shrug:

 

[Cullihall]

Hey folks.

I just received my new Acebeam X60M. The only light I have to compare it to is my Jetbeam RRT 3 1950 lumens flashlight. I don't know a lot about lights but I would say that I expected to see a bigger difference going from 1950 lumen to 10000 lumen. It's noticeable but not a huge amount I wouldn't think. Just my completely novice opinion though. The light seems to be quality built but there is a significant oddly shaped yellow spot in the center of the beam when shining on a wall.

 

[CelticCross74]

those are some of the greatest beam shots I have ever seen....

 

[Cullihall]

those are some of the greatest beam shots I have ever seen....

I agree

 

[CelticCross74]

Still nothing that a TK75 and a dedicated thrower cant do hell the Olight Javelot throws just as well if not better with only 1000 lumens. The "10000" lumens doesnt look any different than a Vinh modified TK75...the lights themselves look very impressive but....

 

[bright star]

I must say the beam shots are very impressive . But the overall aesthetics of the light could be improved in my opinion. That being said I still want one :twothumbs

 

[HIDSGT]

freakn toilet plunger! if they made it smaller and moved the button to the side vs. the rear which is retarded I mite buy one. but they are not reliable lights and I wud wait for someone to make a smaller version which I'm sure won't be long with 5200 and 6500 lumen compact lights out now.

 

[HIDSGT]

Still nothing that a TK75 and a dedicated thrower cant do hell the Olight Javelot throws just as well if not better with only 1000 lumens. The "10000" lumens doesnt look any different than a Vinh modified TK75...the lights themselves look very impressive but....

even the modified TK75 isn't even close to this. not even in the same league as far as overall brightness.

 

[Cullihall]

freakn toilet plunger! if they made it smaller and moved the button to the side vs. the rear which is retarded I mite buy one. but they are not reliable lights and I wud wait for someone to make a smaller version which I'm sure won't be long with 5200 and 6500 lumen compact lights out now.

I really like mine. It's big, sure, but's it's frikin' awesome.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

I want to party with you.

Nice review, thanks.


Chris