Acebeam provided me with a discount for this flashlight. This had no influence on the review.
All measurements were done using hobby-grade equipment, inaccuracies and deviations are therefore possible.
Introduction
The X35 was a light that caught my eye right from the first teasers thanks to its design language - and I also like lights with handles. As more details were revealed, I was curious to see if the light could live up to what I hoped for. A larger version of the UC3A paired with the X30 sounds pretty appealing at first!
Specs by Acebeam
Currently, only the version with XHP70.2 LEDs is available for purchase, but the version with XHP70.3 HI tested here will certainly hit the market as well!
You can buy the light directly from Acebeam.
Package Contents and Impressions
Corresponding to its form factor, the light arrives in a flat box. Included are the light incl. 2 batteries, a holster, a lanyard, the handle, a short charging cable, two O-rings, a manual, a certificate, and a warranty card.
Once you free the light from its packaging, you initially hold a little chunk in your hand - no offense intended, but the light is quite boxy and does not feel overly ergonomic. My hands are neither particularly small nor large, and I never had issues operating or holding the light, but with the handle attached, I found it significantly more comfortable.
But back to the light itself. At the rear is a tailcap with an integrated magnet, locked by a slider. When opened, the spring tension pops the cap open quite energetically. Springs are present on both ends of the batteries. Correct orientation is marked on the side of the light. The batteries are in series with a balancing circuit.
On one side is the plastic panel with the side light underneath, along with its dedicated switch. On the other side sits the main light switch with its associated lockout switch.
Between the side light and its switch lies a flap covering a USB-C port. The battery level indicator is located on one of the wide sides. Specific details about it are not provided, but I assume it behaves like in other Acebeam lights:
Green >30%
Red < 30%
Blinking red < 10%
Looking at the front of the light, you see the relatively shallow orange-peel reflectors containing the large XHP70 LEDs - in my case, XHP70.3 HI.
To the left and right of the main switch are two "rails". The clamp of the detachable handle grips onto these. This works simply and reliably. The handle holds rock solid, and the switch remains easy to operate.
A special feature of the light is the mechanical lockout. This locks the main light switch - regardless of whether it is electronically locked, off, or on. Since it is a mechanical lock, it does not affect the side light.
There are several laser engravings on the light, all crisp and sharp. These include important warnings:
The available flashing modes of the side light are also listed. That is nice to know what comes next, but it also reveals a certain weakness of the product developers when it comes to Morse code - matching the label, the light actually morses SOSOSOSOSOSOSO instead of SOS SOS SOS ...
Size
Lumintop Mach V2, Acebeam X35, Wuben X1 Pro, Sofirn Q8+
The light weighs 433g incl. batteries, adding the handle adds another 54g.
Without the handle, the light is 60mm wide, 28mm thick, and 135mm long. With the handle, the width increases to 102mm and the thickness to 34.5mm.
Carrying Options
Lanyard: A lanyard is included. It features a thick attachment loop, comfortable cord, and a sturdy-looking cord lock - appropriately robust and high quality for the light. It can be attached to a wide, raised eyelet on the light itself or to a hole in the handle.
Handle: The handle is, in my opinion, an absolute highlight. Not only does it protect your fingers from the very noticeable heat output of the light, but it is also comfortable, and the button allows full operation of the main switch. Additionally, it is quick to attach and detach - it hardly gets any better than this.
Holster: A holster is included. It is made of thick, sturdy material and feels extremely durable. It fits the light in all configurations - so the light can be stowed easily even with the lanyard and handle attached. On the back, a plastic D-ring is attached, along with two belt loops. These are layered over each other. The upper layer opens with velcro, while the lower one is permanently stitched.
Magnet: : A magnet in such a large light is unusual - but it is not only included, it holds the light extremely securely in all positions. If you want to remove the light, you should tilt it rather than pull straight off, otherwise it requires quite a bit of force. By the way, even the additional weight of the handle does not throw the magnet off balance.
(Jacket)pocket: Due to its flat, relatively smooth shape, the light disappears into relatively small pockets - e.g., the back pocket of my jeans - quite inconspicuously and comfortably. Even in a sling bag/fanny pack or a purse, the X35 is not bulky. In a jacket pocket, aside from the weight, it is barely noticeable.
Clip: A pocket clip is not included.
UI
The UI for the main light, aside from one quirk, is fairly standard. Activating Turbo via 2H is a bit odd. However, this can be changed to "normal" activation via 2C by holding both buttons while the light is locked until it turns on.
| State of the light | Action | Result |
| off | 1C | on, last used brightness mode except Eco or Turbo |
| off | 1H | Eco, if held further -> Lock |
| on/off | 2C/2H, depending on the setting | On, Turbo, then last used mode (with 2H) |
| on/off | 3C or more | Strobe |
| Lock | 4C | Unlock and On in last used mode |
| on | 1C | off |
| on | 1H | Cycle modes (low -> med1 -> med2 -> high -> low -> ...) |
The reason the light locks and unlocks differently is likely to prevent attempts at accessing Strobe from ending up in Lock. On a tactical light, I would understand this approach - on a light designed for adventure and SAR, I would prefer consistent operation. At least Acebeam could be convinced that holding to unlock is slow and insecure.
The side light, by the way, cannot be locked out separately. Only the electronic lock of the main light locks it. Why Acebeam decided against a separate lockout with 4C is unknown to me. I would like to divide the operation of the side light into three blocks: White light, Blink modes, and RGB.
| State of the light | Action | Result |
| off | 1C | on, lowest level |
| on | 1C | off |
| on | 1H | Cycle modes (low -> med -> high -> low -> ...) |
| on | 2C | Turbo |
| State of the light | Action | Result |
| off | 2C | On, last used mode |
| on | 1C | off |
| on | 1H | switch modes |
The RGB modes cycle extremely fast. So fast that it is sometimes difficult to catch the right one. I would have preferred direct access via 2C to either constant red or white Turbo rather than direct access to three, for me, relatively useless "party modes".
| State of the light | Action | Result |
| off | 1H | On, last used blink mode |
| on | 1H | off |
| on - blinking | 1C | switch modes |
| on - blinking | 3C | switch to constant on |
| on | 2H | switch colors |
| on - constant on | everything besides 1H, 2H or 3C | switch back to blinking |
Acebeam meant well by keeping turning off and on consistent, I am sure of that. But reversing the logic here and using 1H to turn off only at this point repeatedly leads to me switching modes instead of turning the light off. 1C should consistently always turn the light off! I also dislike that constant light can only be reached via the blinkies. To be fair, the light turns back on in constant light if it was turned off there.
Despite all criticism, I would like to note that the UI works quite well for a light with such a wide range of features. Especially for the white light, Acebeam kept the operation simple and intuitive and even built in two variants for Turbo. Everything else comes down to personal taste and application anyway. For example, I can easily imagine others appreciating the direct access to the blinkies!
I would also explicitly like to mention with praise that the side light and main light can be operated completely independently of each other, and thus simultaneously! This allows you to project soft, high-CRI light at your feet while activating the spotlight forward when needed. That turned out really well!
Beam Profile and Measurements
All measurements were done in my 30cm integrating sphere. The temperature was between 20 and 24°C. Additionally, an Opple Light Master III and a TASi TA636B lux meter were used. Please note that this is hobby equipment, so inaccuracies and deviations are possible!
The light surprised me. When I first played around with it for a bit, I thought to myself after a short time: "Whoa, that gets unusually hot". Of course, I measured it - 85° can be reproduced on the light at any time. Looking closely, that does not surprise me. A Wuben X1 Pro reaches 65°C with similar regulation behavior and active cooling, and the X35 has significantly higher maximum output. It is astonishing nevertheless, especially since both buttons sit on the head and thus in the hottest zone.
When asked about this, Acebeam had a pretty good reasoning at hand in my eyes: On one hand, the 2H-Turbo is intended so that the heat tolerance of your fingers limits the Turbo. On the other hand, Turbo should potentially be available at any time on a light intended for search-and-rescue, among other things.
Output and Beam
Large LEDs, small orange-peel reflectors, so I expected a rather floody beam pattern. However, the light surprises with a distinct spot and quite a bit of throw! In combination with the side light, this is exceptionally versatile.
Unfortunately, I cannot measure the output of the side light, but a runtime graph is provided nonetheless. Even on the highest level, the side light is perfectly regulated.
For the main light, there is the full treatment. Turbo steps down quickly, but can be reactivated again.
An overview of the runtime for all modes is also provided, only Eco was omitted.
Below you will find a comparison to what is probably the most direct competitor, the Wuben X1 Pro. With its fan, it features impressive sustained performance - but the X35 does not look bad for its size in this discipline either. Turbo drops quickly on both, but the maximum output of the X35 is impressive.
The version with XHP70.3 HI is officially not available yet, so I do not know if the values in my manual are already correct. Therefore, I will not list them, but only summarize my measured values. The runtimes are each until shutoff.
| Mode | Output (lm) | Output bei 30s (lm) | runtime |
| Turbo | 22036 | 2530 | 6h 21min |
| High | 2666 | 2649 | 6h 13min |
| Med2 | 892 | 892 | 8h 58min |
| Med1 | 432 | 432 | 17h |
| Low | 104 | 104 | 40h 35min |
The light is rated at 551m throw. I measured 577m (measured at 4m distance, highest value after turn-on was 83,232cd).
CCT, CRI, DUV, PWM
| main light | Low | Turbo |
| CCT | 6000K | 6500 |
| CRI | 71 | 74 |
| DUV | 0,005 | -0,001 |
| side light | Low | Turbo |
| CCT | 6400K | 6400K |
| CRI | 100 (according to LMIII…) | 100 (according to LMIII…) |
| DUV | 0,002 | -0,001 |
During the flicker test, there were no surprises, both main light and side light stay in the safe zone across all modes.
PWM could not be detected on either the side light or the main light, neither by eye nor with a camera.
All measurement data can be found here.
side light:
main light:
Beamshots
First, without any comparison, I would like to show the great illumination possible by combining both light sources - but also that the front light alone can illuminate a path at 200m and more effectively! In the image with the combined beam, the main light appears very greenish - the camera apparently struggles with the difference between the side light and the front light. In the picture with only the front light, the tint looks significantly more realistic!
For comparison, I chose the Wuben X1 Pro, which shares a very similar form factor. Additionally, a Sofirn Q8+ in 5000K and a Lumintop Mach v2 modded with LHP531 in 5000K.
I find the following perspective very interesting - yes, I am not always in the exact same spot, but it suffices for comparison. The X35 puts more light at your feet than all other lights in the comparison, yet it can still keep up in terms of throw. Only the significantly larger and heavier Mach V2 offers better overall illumination.
The blinkies are self-explanatory or are already explained by the labeling on the light. I would like to briefly show you the three "party modes" in action.
Batteries and charging
The charging profile is quite interesting. At the beginning, there is the handshake, then the light charges via 20V PD at approx. 30W. The current sits at around 1.5A. During the CC phase, the charge controller interrupts the charging process - I am fairly certain that during this time, the cells are being balanced without load. The CV phase is flawless and finishes cleanly, after which the quiescent current rests at 0.022A. The cells are charged at ~0.75C, which in my eyes is a good compromise between charging speed, longevity, and efficiency.
The batteries are balanced inside the light and are protected against reverse polarity and over-discharge. Acebeam uses protected batteries, so it is entirely possible that over-discharge protection is left to the batteries themselves.
Apparently, my light tripped the protection circuit on the batteries, or at least on one of them. When trying to charge the depleted light, it initially only flashed weak red, shortly after not at all, and stopped accepting a charge. Opening and closing the battery compartment fixed this, and it did not happen again during the test period.
While charging, the side light can be used without restrictions. The main light cannot be used at full brightness.
By the way, the light has a hidden power bank function. If you hold the side light button while closing the battery compartment, you have about 30s to connect another device. This device will then be charged reliably and flawlessly.
Summary
The X35 is not perfect, that much first. A few more party modes, e.g., a candle/flame mode, would have been nice. The UI is inconsistent in some places, and the light is unfortunately not waterproof, "only" IP66. Whether you can fault the light for having batteries in series, protected, and so long that you cannot use unprotected ones, I do not know, because I consider that unavoidable in this configuration. Ergonomics, especially without the handle, depend heavily on hand size.
With the handle, however, the light should be very usable even for small hands. That is when the light plays to its strength of being able to use the side light and main light simultaneously. I cannot emphasize this feature enough, because walking with glare-free light at your feet without insects in your face while having plenty of light forward on demand is a true unique selling point of this light!
All of this garnished with a USB-C port featuring a great metal cover, mechanical lock, surprisingly good magnet, stable tailstand - the light is a great all-rounder that makes a good impression from camping to SAR operations. Thanks to the flat design, the light even fits into a rear jeans pocket - and if not, a high-quality holster is included. Acebeam has not only created an interesting light with the X35, but above all, put together a great overall package!