New LC40 torch review

#9

The idea of combo portable chargers and torches we have floated many times here, but no hints Anker is doing. The way we have envisaged is a USB output port, or one USB-C port and press a button to make it output rather than input. Then you have one torch which can also recharge your phone. If you look at the photos, Anker has slimmed the long part of the body and the end is really struggling to fit all the features of recharge input port and the torch on/off button, it is all very compact. Possibly a wider diameter version could exist.

So a merger of this:

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With either the new LC40 or the older LC90 so say merged in with this

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#10

Yes indeed that would and could work if Anker made it. The reason I asked about if that current version would be able to charge a phone is because I have an off brand ironwolf rechargeable flashlight that, while it doesn’t state it can, does recharge my phone until the battery is drained low enough. I just wanted to know if that could be the same for this, I know it’s not stated but doesn’t mean it may not work

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#11

Do not know. I would not try as then using for other than designed and tested. I think Anker is missing an opportunity to make a bright torch which is USB rechargeable and can recharge, and then offer in 2 or 3 flavors for different USB types. It would then be basically what I’d buy everyone. Xmas season cometh!

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#12

Awesome review. I do like the addition of the rechargeable battery. That was one thing that I was hoping it had when I was looking into getting an Anker flashlight. And I do like that the charging port is easy to get to. I ended up buying the LC90 but wouldn’t mind adding the new LC40 and LC130 to my flashlight collection. I also like the new look of the LC40.

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#13

Great review @nigelhealy :thumbsup: I’ve got the original LC40 and LC90, both used regularly on my night runs - LC40 for dark streets and LC90 off-road, fantastic torches, but I’m also tempted by the new Bolder LC40. Can’t have too many torches :wink:

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#14

Great review @nigelhealy and thank you for including the comparison photos!

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#15

great review! good job!!

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#16

Go jogging at night. Problem solved :smiley:

#17

Great review and yes a torch with a built in power bank that showed Power left would be a great next step :grin:

#18

Excellent review and comparisons @nigelhealy :thumbsup: , think I might be investing in a new LC40 when it comes to the UK

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#19

Not if you live in the brightest city ever…

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#20

Excellent review. Thanks Nigel! :thumbsup:

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#21

As always, great review. With the pattern of the latest updates, the LC130 is next for an upgrade. The longer battery life for the LC90 is great for someone who works the night shift. The clip of the LC40 would be great for a shirt pocket. The older version of the LC90 is roughly the length of most "deep"pockets. I compressed my keys so they don’t poke me and the LC90 is perfect so nothing spill out of the pocket.

#22

How useable is the 130? Sometimes I feel like the light can be too bright… Is it it focused or flood?

#23

It has different brightness levels.

Not zoomable and its a got a bright central light and a lot of side light.

Personally it is the least liked light in this house, we carry the LC40, LC90 as good enough. Where we do use it is is in the house for power cuts, put it pointing to ceiling to reflect down and illuminate a large room, or imagining if say the dog escaped and need to illuminate a wide area to make use of peripheral vision.

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#24

There are other brands that have released battery pack/flash light combo. But they are on the larger side.

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#25

I know.

Challenge Anker to do better.

#26

from the design of the lens and reflectors I figured it would have the problem of being too wide a beam. LC 90 it is for me!

#27

The original LC90 is, in this community at least, the most liked of the Anker torches, due to all the features, such as you say the zoomable focus.

I guess feedback to Anker was its battery life was inadequate so its doubling up. For me as I never use for more than an hour, and I can swap out the 18650 with another charged if I were to encounter a longer period demand, the newer LC90 is being made worse (bigger). Overall probably the LC40 will become the most popular now I suspect, despite lack of focus adjustment.

If you like the original LC90 grab one now.

Original:

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New:

I won another LC90 in a Powerdraw so I’ll own 3 original LC40, the new LC40, 3 LC90 and 1 LC130. These are not in some central collection, they are deliberately placed in and around all the places someone may need one.

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#28

I was going over one of my fladhlights that has a zoom/ adjustable beam pattern and thought to myself this would be great on one of Anker flashlights. However, I wanted your take on it since you have all 3 models. Like which would you think it would be more beneficial, or would you prefer a more subtle twist cap zoom…
I also would like to see a charge port similar to the one I have or a micro/type c port in the same spot instead of in the tailcap.

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