Links
Get the Loop SK05 here 👇
🌐 https://loopgear.com/products/loop-gear-sk05-flashlight-vip-deal-1-deposit?sca_ref=6428366.8wubgKG6dp (my affiliate link)
I review the new Loop SK05 – a unique flashlight with flood, spot, colored light functions, and replaceable batteries!
Loop SK05 Review
General thoughts after a week of usage/size comparison/practicality/interesting things:
• I’ve been excited to review the SK05 as I’m a big fan of the Acebeam Terminator M2, except the single cell power source has always left me worried on long trips. The SK05 uses a dual 18650 configuration, and has multiple flood, spot, work light and RGB light functions. It’s like carrying around multiple lights in one compact package. Loop have provided me a sample of the SK05 for this review. I haven’t been paid to make this video, nor have I held back on any negative opinions.
• What you get in the box: this is a pre-production sample. So apart from the light, all I got was USB-C charging cable, and the manual. The light comes with 2x3000mAh 18650 cells.
• Comparison with other lights: Acebeam Terminator M2, Wuben X2 Pro, Wuben X1 Falcon, RovyVon E8
Overall Construction, LED, lens, bezel and reflector
• Great quality machining. There are no rough spots, imperfections. I like the futuristic ‘cyberpunk’ style look. It stands out compared to my normal tube flashlights. There are cutouts on the head, what appears to be 6x tritium slots on the side. Body is constructed from 3 parts – head, battery tube and tailcap. Anodising is between glossy and matt back and feels slippery.
• Rotating mode selection dial with electronic switch. The position of the switch feels comfortable, especially with the three indents below the light. Strong magnet in the tail. There are two screws on the tailcap that prevent hot-swapping of batteries. You can remove the screws to access the 2×18650 batteries (3000mAh). The pro model of this light has a latch on the tail that allows you to hot-swap cells as well as upgraded capacity batteries (4000mAh) and increased lumen output. Mine didn’t come with a clip, but the production model will. There’s also a lanyard hole. 20W USB-C charging. Also works as a power bank and supports fast charging. Interestingly, the light also works with one 18650 cell.
• Dual bezel configuration. Flood beam – 3xSST20 (2100 lumens) with triple TIR lens. Spot beam SFT12 (750 lumens) with smooth reflector. Recessed bezel helps protect the lenses. There is also a multi-purpose LED strip that has a flood light and RGB light functionality. It also acts as a battery level and charging indicator.
UI – modes
• The mode selection dial has four settings: lock, floodlight, spotlight, sidelight mode
○ Lock – no mode is accessible.
○ Floodlight – single click for memory mode and off. Press and hold for LMH. Double click for turbo. Triple click for strobe mode, press and hold from here for SOS mode.
○ Spotlight – Same as above.
○ Sidelight – single click for memory mode and off. Double click to cycle RGB sub modes + work light mode. In each sub mode, press and hold to adjust colour. Triple click for red-blue warning light mode.
○ Special mode – press and hold from off in all modes for dual turbo mode.
Performance – total output, beam profile, longevity, practicality
• Ceiling bounce test, CRI, CCT
• Perfectly circular hostpot on the spot mode, and a nice wide, smooth beam on the flood mode.
Considerations
• Would be good if I could hot swap cells in the base model, but I’m just glad the batteries can still be replaced. Get the pro model if you want to hot swap cells.
• A little slippery. I’d use it with a lanyard.
• UI related – delay when activating turbo mode from off – it’s about 1 second. Would prefer the usual double press. Wish there was a way to activate turbo for both modes without having to hold the button down. I also don’t have much use for the triple-press strobe mode.
• No true moonlight mode on main lighting modes. The side flood light on the lowest mode is dim enough for my liking though.
Verdict
Sometimes unconventional can be more hassle than it’s worth. In this case, I’m blown away with how Loop has managed to squeeze a flood, spot and worklight + RBG functionality into a single, pocketable flashlight. This is the perfect light if you want something that looks different and would be great for any purpose including; travel, long road trips, around the house, spotting… I could keep going forever.
