Wuben A1 Full Review - 20,000 lumen quad SBT90.2 searchlight!

[@johnmpifer]

Excellent job! Wuben flexed their engineering muscles with this one. Now I wonder, will they build a flooder to dethrone the Acebeam X75? I like how you didn’t have any fluff in your review - just the facts and specs about the products, their performance, and how they compared with each other. And, of course, your opinion, which is why I watch. Brevity is a gift. Nice work!! Look forward to the next one.

[@cheule]

Thank you for noticing my work to put in the information that was important and leave out extraneous fluff. I will say, though, that this review nearly broke me. It might be hard to imagine it-but it took 2 months to complete, and about 50 hours of work. (Most of that was off camera testing and working with new equipment to provide a reasonable comparison between the two products). I asked myself, “what do I think the thesis of this video should be? What question needs to be answered for my audience?” And my reply was “is this light that much better than the GT94x?” In conclusion, I’m not saying I won’t product reviews of this caliber again, but it might be a minute. I really have to ease up on the production value and testing or else my video releases will become too infrequent. So hopefully you will forgive me if I put out some “better than bridgetec, but worse than Luxead content for a while.”

[@JmasterJr]

Wow I’ve watched countless reviews on KZbin since its inception. This has to be the best review,technical analysis I’ve ever watched. Bravo I’ll absolutely be buying one and subscribing.

[@christamu2]

I love how Lumintop's follow-up to the GT94X is the GT98X. Just seems like doubling down on what doesn't work. I have an A1 and this review is spot on. Nicely done.

[@cheule]

Totally agree

[@jlappin6277]

I have the A 1 also it’s a great torch with amazing throw capabilities. it’s expensive but so Ferraris.

[@seanb1081]

I will probably need the Wuben A1, but I was still blowen away how impressive this beast is!

[@LostLeftyLimb]

It would be a huge marketing/PR power play if they sent a bunch of these over to Ukraine for them to use as search lights. (Here from your Reddit comment. Great review)

[@cheule]

I bet the Chinese government wouldn’t like that. They’re low key siding with Russia.

[@Buapo]

I agree with your sentiments exactly. This is the quad 90.2 I've been waiting for.

[@InLakech_AlaKin]

This is just insane! Had I the funds to get one of these into my household, I would not hesitate!

[@jlappin6277]

I just picked this monster up after watching your video.thanks for sharing and making it so easy for me to pull the trigger on this beautiful torch.

[@FalconFXICCY]

I'm tempted to use it on trails my family hikes on in the Sierras. I always love blasting a thrower on the trails. But it sucks that most good throwers will step down dramatically from their top end lumens output, or their mid range output is so small as to render their throw basically useless... That 5 hour runtime on a flat 4,000 lumens seem quite enticing.... Have you tried hand carrying the Wuben A1 for a long duration, say an hour or more? Would you rather carry the WA1 or a smaller SBT90.2 like the Convoy L7/8 if you know you'll be out walking with it for 3-4 hours?

[@cheule]

Hand carrying the A1 for over 30 min would be unpleasant. But using a should strap would really make it much more manageable. I have hiked with a Convoy L7 for 30+ min in my hand and it was fine.

[@FalconFXICCY]

@@cheule Thanks for the input. I thought about going for the Acebeam K75 instead since you mentioned how light it was in the SBT Thrower comparison video. But the steep stepdown and short runtime is scaring me.

[@SouloftheTroll]

Great production on this installment, fascinating light! Well done.

[@cheule]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GoldenDuck0]

The only thing that’s seems to be better about the GT94X is the cooling fins, if only the wuben A1 had them, it would be perfect. A lot of additional weight but when the light is already so huge, it’s worth it, since it doesn’t have an active cooling system. I only own the GT94X and not the A1, and one major flaw with the GT94X is the handle. The light is too wide and off balanced to properly hold without the handle, but then your hand isn’t on the button and requires 2 handed operation. I hope wuben comes out with an 8x SBT90.2 light like the GT98 that has enormous cooling fins or an active cooling system, I would absolutely get it.

[@cheule]

In my testing, the GT98x couldn’t handle the heat, while the A1 was able to. So not only do the large fins on the GT94x make the light much heavier, they don’t seem to help much with cooling. Seems like the Wuben engineers might have known that?

[@danielelise7348]

This thing is a certified hand Canon 😯😯🔦🔦⚡⚡

[@rangerturner2544]

Cheule, thank you for this review. You’re definitely the best flashlight reviewer on KZbin.

[@cheule]

I appreciate you saying so!

[@biggig8548]

FINALLY...someone to compare the GT94 to the Wuben. Great video! As stated a few times below...any thoughts or comments on the Lumintop GT98? I've considered purchasing it but wondering if it would just get even hotter than the 94. Thank you!

[@cheule]

Even Lumintop’s own specs say it is lower candela. And based on how poorly the GT94x performs, no thank you.

[@danzender7665]

Hey Cheule! I've been binge watching your videos lately, and I love the content. I am new to the flashlight world, and I'm becoming quickly fascinated with it all. I'm not sure if this would be your type of content, but I'd love to see your top 5-10 favorite lights as of now, or even a short beginners buying guide of "must have lights" (in your opinion.) Thanks for the great videos.

[@cheule]

I will make such a video in June. Sorry for the delay, but my work frees up then.

[@laggy42o5]

Awesome vid as always! I don't get why Lumintop doesn't stop with the GT94X's battery tube / carrier's, and start selling them with the GT98 USB-C PD 3.0 PPS 100w tube? I can charge all 8 cells from dead to full in an hour, 4 cells you can sit there and watch the % increase in real time lol. If they sold the GT98 tube separately as a GT94X replacement tube would that increase the rating of the GT94X vs the Wuben A1?

[@engineren8023]

Hi guys, I'm thinking of buying a flashlight. Which of these flashlights has longer range and more brightness, the Lumintop GT94X or the Wuben A1?

[@cheule]

Wuben is slightly more lumen in testing, but doesn’t step down like the GT94x. So Wuben A1 is the one to get.

[@engineren8023]

​@@cheuleIsn't it the lumintop GT94X that has the brighter light and throws it farther?

[@patrickames7684]

Do you have a new code so I can purchase this?

[@cheule]

I’ll ask Wuben.

[@cheule]

Try CFR20 for 20% of this product: www.wubenlight.com/products/wuben-a1-longest-throw-spotlight-flashlight?ref=Cheule Let me know how that goes!

[@rosedcurt2865]

@@cheule incredible. Code still works as of 7/15/24. Not quite ready to drop that much on a light, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the code was still functional. Thank you.

[@Alex-yr2vp]

Oh my... the wife ain't gonna be happy about this one

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Incredible man. I wonder what the A1 would look like next to the Imalent SR16. Could you do a comparison?

[@cheule]

I don’t have a SR16 unfortunately. I’ve contacted Imalent a few times but no luck. Based on published specs, the Wuben A1 will out throw the SR16, 1 mcd vs 750 kcd. So the A1 has a more intense beam and hotspot, but the SR16 has a wider beam and larger hotspot. I also take Imalents lumens ratings with a grain of salt. Their lights also usually step down quickly.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

@@cheule good point, I have a couple of their lights (MS03/MR90) but don't really rely on them as they're more for shock value. There a new SR32 or something out. 120k lumens. I got for smaller lights there days. But the throw and power of the A1 is awesome.

[@eckyeckypikang]

I figured it wouldn't be long before we saw a video from you on this light... And you did not disappoint! Great review, -Cheule-! This is a nice beast of a thrower and I'm impressed by the performance numbers. Your beamshots segment was quite nice with the daytime / nighttime alternated like that... a great way to help the viewer understand the kind of distance you're showing.

[@cheule]

Thanks, I think I’ll do that from now on with any megathrowers. Otherwise my street as always :)

[@sarahparks5724]

so is it better then the mini marauder and mini javelot flashlights

[@cheule]

This flashlight is in an entirely new league.

[@BullstrongDVM]

I'd love to have one of these beasts. What's the deadline on the discount code?

[@cheule]

I think we have a whole, my rep at the company didn’t give me a deadline.

[@nickbruns4154]

I tested this light. The battery isn't 33,600 mAh. It's 4S2P so 8400 mAh

[@cheule]

33,600 mAh is the claim on their website, and it’s true if you count them as separate cells (4.2v).

[@Bigboy-ks7ez]

love this light I'm going to order 10 of them amazing light :)

[@cheule]

Wow, 10! For what application?

[@Bigboy-ks7ez]

@@cheule definitely buying 2 for myself and the rest is for family that hunt and a few friends . the wuban a1 is just the the x75 when it came out its just that type of special light i gotta have 😁

[@willmoore5550]

I'm not sure how I missed the release of this and just now found out about it after 3 months... Next purchase.

[@cheule]

It’s an amazing light. This is the king of all my throwers. The only other light that has as much wow factor is the Imalent SR32, but it’s a very different light. The A1 has incredible runtimes.

[@willmoore5550]

@cheule yeah I got the SR32 in last week. She's a keeper. I sold my Mateminco MT90 so I really want this after holding off on getting another crazy thrower.

[@willmoore5550]

​@@cheuleordered! KZbin is worse than Reddit.

[@TopDog8762]

Awesome, just incredible

[@twrcrew8852]

has this been surpassed yet?

[@cheule]

Still top of the heap for quad Sbt90.2. Even Lumintop’s GT98x (eight emitter version) is arguably worse in all the ways that matter for a massive search and rescue light.

[@jmd1743]

Looks like they should water-cool it with an CPU AIO & mount it on a tripod for commercial work.

[@cheule]

I like this idea!

[@jmd1743]

@@cheule If you're interested in doing a DIY project for the channel then consider using quick disconnect fittings so you could remove the water cooling system when you need to do mobile work, and then reconnect it. Commercial work came to mind because it looks stupid big. I use "Koolance Qd4" fittings for a rack mount computer build to guarantee zero leaks. I have to awkwardly fit components,so I need the QD fittings to remove hardware for maintenance.

[@jerryinohio1978]

Pretty impressive without a fan

[@cheule]

A lot of mass and heatsinks!

[@g3force782]

The only light worthy enough for Grandalf...

[@cheule]

Ahem, half-grandalf

[@jamesguralski5156]

Sasquatch search light, bro! All the way..

[@All_SportGG]

Excellent review

[@GripFreak]

Your 20% discount code is not valid.

[@swecreations]

I have to say I don't like the pauses between words when you're talking, otherwise great video though! ❤

[@cheule]

Can you elaborate?

[@bradymckinney1712]

Personally, I would rather spend $600 and get the Imalent M18.

[@AustinLeeds]

Could spend 2/3 that and get the Acebeam X75, which is 4/5 as bright.

[@cheule]

The MS18 is a flooder, and XHP70.2 emitters. It’s a different type of light entirely. This light can easy illuminate large objects a kilometer away (and more), the MS18 is a wide angle flooder, that falls off after several hundred meters. In short, there is a huge candela difference between the two.

[@tjackman]

The imalrnt M18 and mr90 have been incredibly disappointing to me. They're bright but not good tools. The driver is lacking and so is the thermal management. The acebeam x75 is going to be brighter in every situation except for the first 10 seconds, where it will be 10-20k lumens less. Keep in mind that you need a 4x in lumens to get a 2x in perceived brightness. Not to mention that the x75 is $200 cheaper than the M18. It's kind of the same battle between the gt and the w1 in this video.

[@eckyeckypikang]

Quite a different light... The MS18 is a floody light with extremely rapid stepdown due to the heat it produces. A much better performing, and quality, light in that category is the less expensive Acebeam X75 - "only" 80k lumens, but it will sustain them far longer... and probably last a lot longer thanks to its better built quality. But in any case, the MS18 or Acebeam X75 are apples to the Wuben A1's orange - it's a light designed to put a LOT of lumens a long ways away. Go back through Cheule's video history and you'll see some examples of what everyone is saying.

[@maggi98mw]

SBT90.8 :)

[@SemiNormal42]

SBT360.8

[@Mechanix360]

Does not beat Imalent's MS32 !

[@رضاشریعت]

This flashlight is way beyond those chinese flashlight craps

[@cheule]

Agreed!

[@bamaboy6207]

nice light but can we scream sponsorship favoritism a little more!! you almost sound like one of those computer generated voice overs with this one! u have great channel an make awesome videos but maybe u wont end up like most of everyone else an start doing this!!

[@cheule]

I spent a lot of time on this review. I mean a LOT of time. Maybe 20 times more than other reviews. I did so, not because anyone asked me to, but because I thought the light deserved it. Several users have seen my scripted Voice Over, and quality B-roll, and screamed sell-out! Which is really odd to me. That people would equate quality video production with false information. But I’ve learned my lesson. Only off the cuff, unscriptied, low production videos from now on :)

[@Ranger-ly5qf]

That looks like a great light! Please review the Nitecore Tm39 as well which claims to have the longest runtimes on its high level outputs. That’s also an insane 1500 m searchlight.

[@johnmpifer]

I just looked up that flashlight. FIVE HUNDRED dollars?! Sorry, but there’s no way in hell that light is five times better than my Convoy L7.

[@donhames5492]

Wuben make some innovative lights, but they are a dishonest and untrustworthy company who does not live up to the promotions and who's customer service is lousy. Here is the story behind these comments. Wuben recently had a 2 for one sale. This was my first visit to their website, so I decided to get an E12R (plus the free one). On the product page it clearly said the E12R was part of the 2 for 1 promotion. But when I put them in my cart and tried to check out, their cart would not give me the promotion and was charging me full price for 2 lights. I emailed their customer support and told them what was happening. They responded by asking which item I was buying, so I replied and told them the E12R. Several emails when back and forth where they said that since I had not made the purchase, I was not eligible for the deal as it had ended. I explained that their system would not give me the deal so I did not check out while I was waiting for them to resolve the issue. A few more emails went back and forth but they refused to honor their promotion and blamed me for the problem because I did not check out at full price for 2 items. Ava, the customer service rep seemed unable to understand why there was a problem and refused to do anything to resolve the issue. So, that was my first , and last, time I will buy anything from Wuben, because they cannot be trusted and are dishonest and provide terrible/non-existent customer service.

[@cheule]

I have heard stories about poor customer service. However their products are very good, and their marketing team is really good (Edison Zhou particularly). So I believe what you are saying completely, but I suppose as a reviewer and speaking to the marketing team, I get a different experience.

[@jerryinohio1978]

Just like imalent they don't honor any warranty

[@quickcuts3000]

really corny commercial. i bet you didn't even make $20 off this.

[@cheule]

This light is phenomenal. I bought the Lumintop GT94x with my own money. It blew me away. Then I realized how much better this A1 was, and I sold the GT94x immediately.

[@quickcuts3000]

@@cheule yes the A1 is obviously a nicer light in every way. lumintop is a budget brand, hello? anyways, keep spinning that gerbil wheel of meaninglessness, "content creator".

[@cheule]

@@quickcuts3000 I guess you aren’t aware that the GT94x is $670 at it’s lowest price, and the A1 $750 at it’s discounted price. Seems like a fair comparison. Especially when the GT94x doesn’t include batteries or a case. I guess I’m just not seeing your point. Feel free to keep making it and maybe I’ll understand.

[@quickcuts3000]

@@cheule my point is in the first post. this video is corny and weird. see ya man.