I have been using mine for a few months now. I really like the two hole lanyard fastening system as it allows the lanyard to be hooked on the side of the light so as to not interfere with tail standing. You can see it in the video that lightskies posted above. Just because of that feature alone it has won the honor of being my bedside light replacing the PD22UE. As a really unexpected bonus in the bedside role, it has a "glow in the dark" switch cover! I have never really thought much of that "cheesy" approach to marketing but much to my surprise, it actually works!!! I leave it in the low mode standing on its tail and if I wake up in the middle of the night, I can see it glowing a faint green and simply reach out and squeeze it on. In low, the light bouncing off the ceiling is perfect for middle of the night illumination without blinding or waking up my wife. As I always have chargers for phones, tablets, blue tooth, etc on the bedside table, the USB charging is Very convenient. As it will also operate with the USB plugged in, you are never without a light even if the battery needs charging.
I took it to China recently and was very happy that it had all the functions mentioned above as I had the opportunity to need all of them, which brings me to the shortcomings as they apply to me and my needs.
The first and most glaring is the side switch itself. I put it in my carry on computer case with it relatively close to the zipper for easy access. Somewhere during the 24 hours from leaving the house to arriving at my final destination, it was subject to enough pressure for long enough to activate it!! Fortunately I had it on the mid setting which gives 11 hours of run-time and doesn't generate much heat. The switch LED was glowing red showing a need to recharge but the light was still bright. I put it on charge and was able to use it in the room as a night light at the same time. If it had been on high or turbo it would have generated a great deal of heat and drained the battery to shutoff. This would also apply to the E35UE.
Second shortcoming is also the side switch. I have the E35UE which also has the side switch. Both of these lights are so far out of the mainstream of operational control movements that it takes a moment of thought, usually after a failed attempt, to operate them. If I have been using any standard tail switched or push-button side switched light, I need to "shift" to the push and hold mindset. When I pick up a standard push type again, I find myself holding the button in, like an idiot, instead of continuing to cycle the switch! My wife, who is definitely Not a flashaholic but who none the less uses whatever light I have laying around calls the "push and hold" Stupid! She is very patient and understanding about her husband's malady. This is the first strongly negative thing she has ever said about any of the over 100 lights I have brought home over the years. This is significant negative from a not so casual observer. I now keep these out of her way.
The third is the beam configuration. This throws a tight ball of light. It was impressive in China to light up something 100 meters out but on low or mid level it is not good at all for taking a walk in the evening with several people. It throws
such a small puddle of light that you need to keep swinging it from side to side to light the path for more than two people. This then night blinds the very people you are trying to help. If you put it up on high so enough light spills over into their path for them to see, you get flashed by oncoming cars and cursed by others walking in your direction. I think this is a domestic light, not a tactical one and should have a flooded beam.
Fourth is its size and weight with no carry clip. It is just a bit too large for front pocket carry. When we were going out for the day and we would be back after dark I put it in the computer case, away from the possibility of bumps. When I needed to get it out for later use, I put it in my back pocket next to my wallet. This kept it vertical and if it got bumped and came on I would feel the heat and turn it off. I kept it on high for the heat generation. A belt/pocket clip would have been greatly appreciated.
Bottom line:
If you want only one light or decide on the "Push and Hold" format only; or if you relegate it to a car light, or to the bed side where the glow in the dark and USB features are marvelous, then this is a great light in spite of the shortcomings.
I have ordered the UC35 which is also USB charged and has the glow in the dark button but is tactical and has a carry clip. I will look for a stippled reflector to try for a floodier beam, if such a thing exists!
Just for clarification, this is one mans opinion, Not a deceleration of war!
