Acebeam has announced the L16 2.0, an updated version of its L16 long-range flashlight. It uses the new SFT-40 LEDs from Acebeam, which are available in two light colors: 5,000 and 6,500 Kelvin. Acebeam states that the SFT-40 has a service life of 50,000 hours, which is almost six years of uninterrupted use.

The biggest change compared to the predecessor is the switch from micro USB to USB-C for charging the flashlight. The charging function is built directly into the flashlight body. The socket is located at the back, where the switch is also located. An optional USB remote control can also be connected there to trigger the flashlight from a distance.

However, this means that the flashlight cannot be placed on its back to light up a room, for example. This also applies when charging, as the flashlight can only be placed on its back when no cable is plugged in.

Inside is a 21700 round battery, a significant increase in capacity compared to the 18650 of its predecessor. Acebeam specifies 5,100 mAh, i.e., around 18 watt hours at 3.6 volts. However, the option of using two CR123 primary cells in an emergency is no longer available.

As usual with Acebeam, the battery life of the flashlight is very complex, so we refer you to the chart at the end of the article for details. Compared to its predecessor, it has been doubled in many areas. The specified battery runtimes currently only refer to the cold light version with 6,500K.

Turbo mode is not worth mentioning

An important point here is that the highest Turbo mode can only be used for 60 seconds, after which the 670 meter range and 2,100 lumens are no longer available. The flashlight then drops to 1,000 lumens and 440 meters and can hold this mode for around 2 hours before dropping even further. If you don't use Turbo mode at all, you gain an extra 6 minutes of runtime at 1,000 lumens.

The maximum is 250 hours (or around ten days) if the flashlight is operated in moonlight mode with 1 lumen. There is also strobe mode with 1,000 lumens, which lasts for 5.5 hours.

The flashlight is IP68 certified, meaning that it is water resistant in fresh water to a maximum depth of 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes, and is protected from dust. Regarding dimensions, it is 15 cm long and quite heavy at 212 grams, including the battery.

The flashlight is set to hit retail stores on June 25, 2024, and cost around $110, although a discount campaign has been announced for the launch. This is slightly cheaper than the L16, which is officially available for $115. Other flashlights from Acebeam, such as the P18 or L19, are available at Amazon.