Wuben sent this G5 free of charge for me to review.
Introduction.
The Wuben G5 is an EDC flashlight, it is about the same size and shape as a classic Zippo lighter, it has a rotatable head with one white LED and one RGB LED. It includes a pocket clip, magnet, split ring and lanyard for various mounting options.
Available in army green and black as standard with special finishes of white/blue and "ice cracks" - there is also a titanium version for a rather hefty premium!
First impressions.
The G5 arrived very well packaged in a plain brown outer box, with the retail box wrapped in bubble wrap inside, the retail box is good quality with mostly cardboard packaging.
The G5 feels very well made, the head doesn't wobble and rotates smoothly, it has a indent/click at straight ahead and 90 degrees in both directions.
The jog wheel for adjusting the brightness/colour also has slight indents, but it doesn't "lock" into them at all, it's more a tactile thing than anything.
Letting the side down slightly in terms of quality is the sliding USB cover/lock out switch - It's not bad, but it is very easy to move and clearly made of plastic
It is the perfect size and shape to disappear into a pocket, and fits in the hand well.
Comparison to Wurkkos HD03.
In terms of use case and comparing to other lights I own - the Wurkkos HD03 is a good benchmark!
They are about the same height while the G5 is slimmer and slightly wider - the G5 is much nicer to have in a trouser pocket than the HD03, the Wurkkos has the advantage of a throw and flood modes and appears to be a higher CRI than the G5 - the G5's beam profile is in between the throw and flood modes of the HD03.
In RGB mode the G5 has a bit more throw and looks brighter at a distance than the HD03 - if you wanted to choose one of these as a marker light/beacon for a backpack or vehicle in an emergency, the HD03 would be the better choice.
A few beamshots.
Here is a couple of unedited shots from my cellar/basement, exposure/temp locked to compare beams from the G5 and the HD03
I think the beam profile is pretty good as a general do it all light, no weird rings or blobs, no hotspot, just a reasonable cone of light.
User Interface.
The user interface is reasonable given the single button and knob, when it's unlocked a single click turns the light on in the last used mode - white or RGB and set at previous brightness, it does not store beacon or "warning light" modes.
White mode - this has 5 distinct brightness levels and turning the knob ramps between them, you can just about feel the indents that signify each level, at the lowest and brightest levels it briefly cuts the light to show it has reached the end of its range. Moonlight is rated at 2 lumens, there is a fairly big jump to the next level above that. While the light is on a double click gives you turbo.
RGB mode - In RGB mode the brightness is fixed and turning the knob ramps between colours - this is not infinitely variable, but 7 distinct colours. While the light is on a double click goes to beacon mode of whatever colour is selected.
To cycle between White and RGB mode hold the button while the light is on.
Warning light mode - from off a double click gives you a flashing multi colour mode (faster than beacon) that has 3 colour modes, red-blue, red-yellow and red-green. In this mode a double click changes between the colours.
In any mode the light can be turned off with a single click or sliding the lockout to locked. While the light is off and unlocked you can check the battery level by holding the button.
Use case/dog tax/more size comparisons
Hangs nicely on my dogs harness.
Emisar D4V2 - G5 - Emisar DW3AA
To follow.
I am going to be using this light as EDC and at work replacing my HD03 and Sofirn SC13 for a while and see how I get on with it - so any questions let me know!
Here is my link for the G5 on Wubens site direct : Here (affiliate)
and amazon : Here (affiliate)
There is a bit of a discount at the moment, and I think it's a bargain! Cheers