Execs: Compact, shiny, handy and versatile. Common USB C charging, easy controls, useful flood-to-spot focusable beam. Rechargeable battery could be switched for a daily AA lithium/alkaline batteries (making it straightforward to hold a spare or two for emergencies), handy LED indicator reveals remaining cost on power-up and charge-level when charging. 7-Yr Guarantee (on registration).
Cons: As with earlier variations of the P5R we’ve examined, we discovered the bottom of the three accessible normal brightness ranges to be too shiny for some functions. No strobe/SOS choice or different flashing modes.
RRP: c. €90
Worth: Good
Score: Really useful
The most recent incarnation of LED Lenser’s common P5R sequence gives simplicity, versatility and comfort in a modern, pocketable design that appears and feels premium. Whereas it lacks the variety of mild modes and super-high lumen scores supplied by some rivals (simply low 25lm, medium 100lm and excessive 350lm of brightness, with a turbo choice to spice up brightness to a max of 750lm for brief bursts), when mixed with the useful focusable flood-to-spot beam the accessible mild ranges cowl most potential use-cases, and that simplicity generally is a energy if all you want is an easy, no-nonsense light-source you may rely on.
View the NEW P5R on the LED Lenser web site.
LED Lenser P5R (2025) Full Evaluate
I’ve mentioned it earlier than on this web site… nevertheless it’s value reiterating right here… one of many handiest bits of package you may carry as a wildlife fanatic, or anybody who spends loads of time within the outdoor, is a good torch. The best torch is supremely pocketable, shiny, versatile and, for max comfort, simply rechargeable.
The brand new P5R from LED Lenser ticks all of these packing containers, and makes for a extremely compelling bundle in case you’re searching for a take-anywhere mild supply that will get the job achieved.
Design and Construct High quality
As you’d anticipate from a model like LED Lenser, the P5R appears to be like and appears like a premium product. This time although, the anodised aluminium physique is machined from 75% recycled aluminium, lowering environmental affect whereas retaining the standard, precision and sturdy reliability of earlier fashions.
The P5 is designed to slide simply in a pocket or bag, so its immediately accessible everytime you want it, and at simply 99g it barely provides any weight. It’s comfy within the hand, the only side-mounted swap is conveniently positioned and intuitive and the twist-focus head makes it very fast and simple to focus the beam from flood to identify straight away.
An revolutionary twisting collar hides and protects the USB C charging port from water and dirt, and the IP68 ranking signifies that the P5R is impervious to water and dirt, no matter what the Irish climate decides to ship its means.
Total the design of the P5R is modern, practical {and professional}, and it feels prefer it’s constructed to face as much as the rigours of regardless of the outdoor can throw at it.
Utilizing the torch within the subject
The true take a look at of any piece of kit just isn’t the way it performs in lab-like circumstances and testing, however the way it delivers when used within the subject throughout a wide range of circumstances and use-cases. Since receiving the P5R from LED Lenser for overview, I’ve used it in a variety of conditions each at residence on the West Cork coast, and on a birding journey to Shetland, and it proved a greater than succesful mild supply in most conditions. It’s compact measurement, and the flexibility to simply and rapidly recharge utilizing an ordinary USB C connection, had been invaluable when travelling — offering high-performance illumination with out including vital bulk.
One other useful journey characteristic is the travel-lock perform: merely push and maintain the swap for just a few seconds (till the LED indicators flash) and the sunshine enters lock mode to stop it by chance activating in your pocket or bag. Repeating the process unlocks the sunshine prepared to be used: easy, sensible and efficient. These 4 tiny inexperienced LED indicators above the swap additionally provide you with a useful indication of the cost degree, each while charging by way of the USB C port, but additionally for just a few sections after you turn the torch on, so that you’ll know when your P5R wants topping up.
One factor I did discover myself wishing for often was a lower-intensity mild — many pocket-sized LED lights have a moonlight or perhaps a starlight mode, delivering just some lumens of sunshine that will help you discover your means, learn a map or subject information or typically present a low degree of background mild with out disrupting your evening imaginative and prescient, or that of these round you, and with out probably disturbing close by wildlife. The 25lm low setting on the P5R was too shiny in these conditions, and I discovered myself shuttering/shielding the sunshine with my hand to cut back mild ranges.
Mild modes on the brand new P5R
- Low Energy 25 lumens, 50 meters for 20 hrs
- Mid Energy 100 lumens, 100 meters for 4 hrs
- Normal Energy 350 lumens, 180 meters for 1 hr
- Increase Mode 750 lumens for 280 meters, a brief burst of most energy for while you want it most
The 450lm excessive setting is sort of a bit decrease than some rivals (the Sofirn SC31 Professional reviewed right here gives a light-weight vary that spans from 1lm all the best way as much as 2,000 lm, for instance), however the clear beam and flood to identify focussing mechanism on the P5R goes a protracted method to making up for the shortfall, with the spot providing spectacular light-intensity at distance. With the beam set to identify, the 750lm enhance mode gives a good throw of 280m.
The run-times on the P5R additionally lag somewhat behind comparable 18650 options — due to its smaller 14500 Li-ion battery — however that call makes for a really compact mild with the choice to change to a disposable AA battery in an emergency scenario. In follow whereas the P5R did want recharging extra commonly than different torches I’ve used, recharging by way of the USB C port was so fast and simple that it was by no means a problem.
Conclusion
Total I’d advocate the LED Lenser P5R to anybody searching for a light-weight, pocketable and simple to make use of torch/flashlight. It’s an ideal selection for the whole lot from discovering that elusive device behind a darkish shed, to strolling the canine, to extra adventurous nocturnal expeditions seeking wildlife. Whereas different torches pack in additional options, they’re inevitably extra difficult and could be trickier to make use of. If all you want is a transportable, shiny, dependable and versatile mild in a the brand new P5R from LED Lenser is a stable choice.
Specs (from LED Lenser)
- Weight: 99g
- Size defocused: 121mm
- Size targeted: 125mm
- Tube diameter: 22mm
- Battery Kind: 14500 Li-ion or AA Alkaline
- Battery voltage: 3.7v
- Battery capability: 920 mAh
- Time to full cost: 180 minutes
- Drop take a look at: 2 meters
- IP Class: IP68
- Working temp vary: -20c to +40c
- No. of LEDs: 1
- LED color: Cool White
- Color temp: 6000k to 7500k
- Color rendering index: 70
What’s within the field?
- P5R Torch
- 1 x 14500 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
- Adjustable Wrist Strap
Guarantee
Normal guarantee interval of two years, which could be prolonged by an additional 5 years with on-line registration. An trade main guarantee that covers defects in manufacturing, as much as 7 years.
Acknowledgements
I’d prefer to thanks LED Lenser for submitting the brand new P5R for overview on Eire’s Wildlife.
NB. Eire’s Wildlife has no particular affiliation to any optics or gear producer and all opinions on the location are utterly unbiased and goal. See our disclosure assertion for extra particulars. If you happen to’re an optics or gear producer and wish to submit your wildlife associated product for overview on the location please drop us a line utilizing the contact kind and we will take issues from there.
