NLIGHTD LZ1 Zoomable LEP Torch Review
NLIGHTD LZ1 Zoomable LEP#
- Specifications
- Introduction
- Torch in use
- Build quality
- LED, bezel, lens, reflector and beam
- Size and comparison
- User interface
- Batteries and charging
- Performance
- Beamshots
- Conclusion
- Price
- Product page
Specifications#
| Brand/model | NLIGHTD LZ1 |
|---|---|
| LEP | Mirror-style LEP module |
| Maximum lumens | 600 lm |
| Maximum beam intensity | 2,002,400 cd |
| Maximum throw | 2,830 m |
| Battery | 1*21700 |
| Onboard charging | No |
| Material | Aluminium |
| Modes | 5 |
| Blinkies | Strobe |
| Waterproof | IP67 |
| Review date | March 2025 |
Introduction#
The NLIGHTD LZ1 is a Laser Excited Phosphor torch with a ratcheting head that can be rotated to zoom in and out.
NLIGHTD is a brand by nealsgadgets.com.
Neal kindly provided this prototype for review. I have not been paid for this review nor have I held back my opinions of this torch.
Packaging#
This NLIGHTD LZ1 prototype came in a black box with a foam cutout to protect the torch.
The following is included in the box:
- NLIGHTD LZ1.
- Lanyard.
- USB-A to USB-C cable.
Torch in use#
The NLIGHTD LZ1 feels very grippy due to the tactical-looking design.
The torch is slightly top-heavy when trying to hold it in the middle. That said, I am sure that a 25mm scope clamp will work when trying to mount it to a rifle.
The two-way pocket clip is screwed on securely.
The tactical ring near the tail has a hole for the included lanyard.
The torch can tailstand but it is a bit difficult due to the protective bits poking out to help prevent the button from being accidentally pressed. This design reminds me of an Olight Warrior Mini 2.
Build quality#
The build quality is pretty good!
The NLIGHTD LZ1 is made of aluminium. It has a matte black anodized finish.
There are five green battery status LEDs around the middle of the torch.
There is a smooth electronic tail switch to turn the torch on and off. It gives a satisfying click when pressed.
The threads have not been anodized and they become gritty over time. The tailcap turns smoothly.
There is an inner tube for the electronic tail switch.
There are springs at both ends to allow flat top and button top cells to fit.
LED, bezel, lens, reflector and beam#
The NLIGHTD LZ1 appears to have a WP-Rx45 mirror-style LEP module.
There is an aggressive looking bezel that has been screwed into the head. It is not sharp.
CCT, CRI, and duv#
I have taken Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) and Colour Rendering Index (CRI, RA of R1-R8) measurements with the torch positioned ten metres away from an Opple Light Master Pro III (G3). I measured the centre of the beam.
The CCT is around 10000K, the CRI is around 68 and the Delta u, v is slightly positive. I would not call the beam rosy or green. There is a bit of yellow tint shift in the beam due to the lens.
The beam is what you would expect from a WP-Rx45 mirror-style LEP module. It is powerful and it throws a long way!
There is a small rectangular mirror in the middle of the beam if you shine the light on a wall nearby. The beam has a bit of tint shift when zoomed in and a lot of tint shift when zoomed out.
| Zoom | Mode | CCT (K) | CRI (Ra) | x | y | Duv |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In | Turbo | 10,010 | 68.2 | 0.2728 | 0.3012 | 0.0114 |
Calculate Duv from CIE 1931 xy coordinates
Dimensions and size comparison#
Dimensions#
I took the following measurements using a digital caliper.
| Measurement | Unit (mm) |
|---|---|
| Length | 177.53 |
| Head diameter | 60.00 |
| Tube diameter | 25.40 |
| Tail diameter | 31.08 |
Weight#
I took the following measurements using a digital scale.
| Weight | Unit (g) |
|---|---|
| NLIGHTD LZ1 | 285.52 |
Size comparison with its competition#
From left to right: NLIGHTD LZ1, Weltool W4Pro, Mateminco FW1
From left to right: NLIGHTD LZ1, Weltool W4Pro, Mateminco FW1
User interface#
The torch has an electronic tail switch to turn the torch on, off and select the mode.
There are six modes in the main cycle group: Turbo, High, Medium, Low, Moonlight and Strobe.
You can zoom in and out by rotating the head. I think the trick is to hold the head while spinning the tube so that the beam remains stable while zooming in and out.
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Full press | On (Turbo) |
| On | Full press | Off |
| On | Half press | Cycle (Turbo, High, Medium, Low, Moonlight, Strobe) |
Mode Memory#
The NLIGHTD LZ1 does not appear to have mode memory. It returns to Turbo from off.
Strobe#
Strobe has an alternating frequency. It flashes like a fast SOS mode.
I measured Strobe with a Zoyi ZT-703S oscilloscope using High Speed mode.
Low voltage protection#
There appears to be low voltage protection.
The light dims to a very low output when the voltage drops and it eventually turns off around 3.0V.
I tested low voltage protection by connecting the driver of the torch to a bench power supply and then by lowering the voltage from 4.2V to 0V.
Pulse Width Modulation#
I did not notice any visible PWM (flickering).
What I like about the UI#
- Simple.
What could be improved#
- A shortcut to Strobe would be nice instead of having it in the main cycle group.
Batteries and charging#
Battery#
The NLIGHTD LZ1 takes a 21700 3.7V Li-ion cell. Flat top and button top cells work.
I found that some protected button top cells work. But cells with USB-C charging built-in may be too long.
I tried the following cells:
| Cell | Top | Compatible? | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armytek 21700 3.7V Li-ion 5000mAh | Flat | Yes | |
| LBF 21700 3.7V Li-ion 5000mAh USB-C | Button | No | Too long. |
| Lishen LR2170HP 3000mAh | Flat | Yes | |
| Molicel P42A 21700 4200mAh | Flat | Yes | |
| Samsung 50S 21700 5000mAh | Flat | Yes | |
| Weltool UB21-50 21700 5000mAh USB-C | Button | No | Too long. |
| XTAR 21700 3.7V Li-ion 5000mAh | Button | Yes |
Charging#
There is no built-in charging.
Performance#
Specifications from the user manual:
| ANSI/NEMA FL1 | Zoom In | Zoom Out |
|---|---|---|
| Output (lumens) | 600 | 600 |
| Runtime | ||
| Beam Distance (metres) | 2,830 | 1,510 |
| Beam Intensity (cd) | 2,002,400 | 570,700 |
I tested the light using a Molicel P42A 21700 4200mAh cell.
Lumen measurements#
I used a bench power supply to measure the current at turn on.
| Zoom | Mode | Amps at start | Specs | Lumens @turn on | Lumens @30 sec | Lumens @10 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In | Turbo | 2.400 A | 600 | 610 | 612 | 335 |
| Out | Moonlight | |||||
| Out | Low | 90 | 89 | 84 | ||
| Out | Medium | 385 | 299 | 276 | ||
| Out | High | 412 | 385 | 323 | ||
| Out | Turbo | 2.400 A | 600 | 627 | 602 | 317 |
Moonlight was too low for my DIY lumen tube to detect.
Standby drain#
38 µA
Runtime graphs#
I used my own DIY lumen tube with a TSL2591 sensor and forked bmengineer’s project RuTiTe to record runtimes.
Note: Lumen measurements may be off by 10% with my DIY lumen tube.
The room temperature was approximately 22 C.
Runtime#
Here is a summary of the runtime results:
| Zoom | Mode | User manual | Runtime | Turn off | Final voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In | Turbo | 2h 9min 20s | 2h 57min 3s+ | 3.15 | |
| Out | Turbo | 2h 5min 48s | 2h 55min 34s+ | 3.20 | |
| Out | High | 2h 29min 24s | 3h 3min 8s+ | 3.38 | |
| Out | Medium | 2h 40min 43s | 3h 5min 25s+ | 3.19 | |
| Out | Low | 4h 56min 41s | 5h 0min 34s+ | 3.43 | |
| Out | Moonlight | 10min+ | 10min+ |
“Runtime” is the time until the output reduces to 10% of the output at 30 seconds (as per the ANSI/PLATO FL1 2019 Standard).
“Turn off” is the time until my DIY lumen tube no longer detects more than one lumen.
“+” indicates that the light remained on after recording had stopped.
The NLIGHTD LZ1 continued beyond 3 hours with an output of less than 1 lumen. The output was too low for my DIY lumen tube to detect.
The runtimes are good. The regulation could be improved.
Throw#
I took lux measurements with a UNI-T UT383BT at 30 seconds. Turbo was measured at ten metres.
| Zoom | Mode | Specs (cd) | Specs (m) | Candela measured (cd) | Distance (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out | Turbo | 570,700 | 1,510 | ||
| In | Turbo | 2,002,400 | 2,830 |
Beamshots#
I went to a local park and I aimed the torch at a tree 100 metres away while using Turbo.
Beamshots were taken using a Sony RX100M2 using 1.3", f3.2, ISO 800, 5000K WB.
NLIGHTD LZ1 (Turbo) Zoomed In#
NLIGHTD LZ1 (Turbo) Zoomed Out#
Weltool W4Pro (High)#
Amutorch BT35 (High)#
Conclusion#
The NLIGHTD LZ1 is a pretty good LEP torch with a manual zoom mechanism.
I enjoy using the ratcheting zoom mechanism (that click, click, click sound).
It would be better if the torch could zoom out more and produce a floody beam. This would make it much more practical for hunters.
The NLIGHTD LZ1 is very simple to use, the build quality is pretty good and it is good value while on sale.
Pros:#
- Good build quality.
- Good beam distance.
- Ratcheting zoom mechanism is fun to use.
Cons:#
- The output regulation is ok but it could be better.
- It does not zoom out very far. The beam is relatively narrow when the flashlight is fully zoomed out.
Price#
The NLIGHTD LZ1 is US$119.97 from nealsgadgets.com when using the promo code ND40F (valid 14th March 2025 to 13th April 2025).
Product page#
Promo code: TimMcAU
Promo code: TIMMC
NLIGHTD LZ1 at nealsgadgets.com (affiliate link)
I may earn a commission if you use an affiliate link or a promo code. This will help fund future torch reviews and tutorials.