| Vastlite Bow | |
|---|---|
| LEP type / class | shine through |
| Max. beam intensity (candelas) | 140,650 cd |
| Max. beam distance (meters) | 750 meters |
| Max. output (lumens) | 280 lm |
| Modes | 2 |
| Avg. Price | $120 |
Vastlite Bow, one of the few titanium LEP flashlights
The Vastlite Bow is a small LEP (laser-excited phosphor) flashlight, notable for its limited competition in this size and material category. As an early-production model, mine lacks original packaging and features a straightforward user interface with a forward clicky switch, allowing mode changes only when powered off. The flashlight has bare titanium threading at both ends of the battery tube, which requires periodic cleaning and lubrication to maintain smooth operation. For battery insertion, it’s easier to remove the head rather than the tailcap, which lacks knurling but benefits from a stonewashed finish that enhances grip.
The build quality of the Bow is fine, with well-machined components and no significant defects, although my unit had a minor imperfection on the bezel. It comes with six glow tubes, which may require modification to fit properly. The flashlight features a one-piece titanium head without a traditional bezel, and it uses a shine-through LEP module that offers a pleasant beam quality without the blue rings typical of older mirror-type modules. While the hotspot appears slightly blueish, it is an improvement over many previous LEP flashlights.
The Bow has some drawbacks, including a quick output drop and the heavier weight of titanium compared to aluminum. The design is pocketable, but it only accepts button-top 18350 batteries, limiting compatibility. Additionally, the hidden strobe mode may be seen as unnecessary by some users. Despite these cons, the Bow’s simple design and decent performance make it an appealing option for those seeking a small LEP flashlight, especially for fans of the stonewashed aesthetic.
Performance
Lumen
All of my readings were taken from a fully-charged Keeppower 18350 1200mAh battery
The measurements were taken manually at turn on and 30 seconds. The 10-minute numbers are taken from the runtime graph.
| Mode | Specified output | Turn on | 30 sec. | 10 min. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | – lm | 80 lm | 78 lm | 69 lm |
| Turbo | 280 lm | 312 lm | 301 lm | 65 lm |
Runtime
Runtime tests were conducted in my 50cm homemade integrating sphere, paired with the Extech SDL400 data logging Lux Meter. Each runtime is based on the manual measurements taken during the Lumen measurement. Ambient temperatures are included from the moment the runtime test started.
| Mode | Specified runtime | Runtime (ANSI FL1) | Time till shut off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | – | 1h 35min | 1h 35min |
| High | 1h 30min | 1h 19min | 1h 22min |
Throw measurements
| Low (20m) | – | – | 31,600 cd | 356 m | 389 yd |
| High (20m) | 140,650 cd | 750 m | 108,000 cd | 657 m | 719 yd |
