The AceBeam L19 2.0 is lightweight and comfortable enough for either handheld use, mounted to a rifle, or on a FAST helmet, without adding any noticeable heft or being uncomfortable in prolonged use. Running on a single 21700 battery that's simple to charge over USB-C and replaceable, it's the brightest flashlight in its class, though I wouldn't advise using the full Turbo mode if you're hunting because blasting 2200 lumens of any color is going to spook your quarry.

Specifications
  • Battery : 1 x 21700 (included)
  • Weight: 283g / 10oz
  • Runtime: 62 days @ 1 lumen; 1h38m @1200 lumens
  • Dimensions: 6.44" long; 1" tube diameter; 2.36" head diameter
  • Maximum Brightness: 2200 lumens
  • Maximum Throw Distance: 1500m
  • Strobe: Yes, 1100 lumens
  • Mountable: Yes, with optional adaptor
Pros
  • Lightweight and simple to mount with optional pic rail adaptor
  • One button to jump straight to Turbo mode
Cons
  • Turbo mode only runs for around 2 minutes before dimming down
  • Tricky to locate the side button in the dark
Buy This Product

Need to put a narrow beam of light out for up to a kilometer or so? Something powerful, comfortable to hold, with enough lumens to blind an intruder, as well as a serrated edge to break glass (or other things)? Something as at home on the end of a rifle as it is handheld? You’ll be wanting the AceBeam L19 2.0 tactical long-throw flashlight.

Green or White?

As you can probably tell from the photos, we opted to look at the green version of the L19 2.0. This refers to the beam color, not the flashlight body, which is currently only available in black. There are actually three versions of this flashlight, though the green has the longest throw distance:

  • Green with 1520m throw, 2200 lumens brightness
  • White SFT40 with 1023m throw, 2200 lumens
  • White PM1 with 1300m throw, 1650 lumens

But why is there a green option at all, you might ask. Both red and green are common for tactical flashlights, where hunting is a primary use case. Animals with dichromate vision like foxes and deer are supposedly colorblind to green and red light, so it’s less likely to spook them. However, this is only true if you’re not blasting them with upwards of 1000 lumens, regardless of the color.

acebeam l19 2.0 beam foggy daytime

Science also tells us that human eyes are more sensitive to the green light wavelength, allowing us to easily pick out shapes even with relatively low levels of green light. This may be an evolutionary trait to aid in identifying different shades of foliage.

It’s also said that green light attracts fewer bugs, like mosquitoes. That one seems to veer more into urban myth territory though, especially when actual studies have shown they prefer green light!

Regardless of what the truth is about whether green or red hunting flashlights are best (it's a debate I'll decline from wading into), the green version of the AceBeam L19 2.0 is brighter and has the longest throw. So that's the one we're looking at.

Box Contents and Optional Extras

Inside the box you’ll find:

  • AceBeam L19 2.0 flashlight
  • Woven nylon carry case/holster
  • USBA to USB-C charging cable
  • Wrist strap
  • One 21700 battery of 5100mAh capacity
  • Spare o-rings, and spare switch cover.
acebeam l19 2.0 contents and optional accessories

If you’re stressing over having to buy yet another specialist battery recharging device, then stop. Spin the battery around and you’ll find a USB-C port built-in. The battery is a standard 21700 format, so it can be swapped out easily—but can also be charged through USB-C without the need for an external charger. You'll still need to remove the battery from the L19 body in order to access this charging port, but this seems like an ideal compromise between on-device charging and the ability to replace a failing battery or simply carry spares.

Spare batteries can be purchased for less than $20 directly from AceBeam, so you might want to pick up a few at the time of ordering. Bear in mind that while the L19 2.0 may be compatible with other brands' 21700 batteries, they won't necessarily have built-in charging circuits. The 21700 specifies a physical size, not features or capacity.

acebeam l19 2.0 body upright

In terms of optional extras, you can also purchase a Picatinny mount rail adaptor, which allows you quickly attach the L19 2.0 to a rifle or other tactical kit, though you will need a hex screw to attach the adaptor to the body of the L19. While it's easy enough to pull it off a pic rail, it's much less comfortable to use handheld with the adaptor fitted. The L19 is also compatible with a tactical switch, which replaces the end cap and provides a roughly 30cm cabled remote switch.

acebeam l19 2.0 pic mounted

L19 2.0 Design and Specifications

The 2.0 version superficially changes the switch and bezels from a silvered aluminium finish to anodized black, thereby reducing the likelihood of reflecting light from your concealed position. There are no other major design deviations from the classic L19 style, though the specs also received a small jump.

The L19 2.0 measures 6.44-inches long, with a 1-inch diameter tube, expanding to 2.36 inch diameter at the head. Including the battery, it weighs 285g, or around 10 oz.

acebeam l19 2.0 in holster

It features a comfortable grip with two protrusions on either end and anti-slip grooves, so it’s easy to hold and doesn’t require an extra handle to be fitted. Since the body never gets too hot, it's very comfortable for extended handheld use. The tactical ring on the back is technically removable, but unless you find it's catching too often on the holster, you'd be best leaving it on.

The L19 2.0 is IP68 rated: waterproof to 5m (though not a dive light), and has drop resistance to 1m. It has a serrated strike bezel on the front should you need to break glass in case of an emergency.

Operation and UI

Speaking of operation, there are actually two buttons on the L19.

The first and simplest is the endcap latching switch. This is a simple on/off switch and it takes you straight to Turbo mode. That's it. There's no menu system, and it locks out the other button once it's on. You'll get the maximum light output that it's capable of.

acebeam l19 2.0 body detailing

On the side, you find the standard operating button. This function with the same UI as any other AceBeam flashlight:

  • One single long-press enables the super-low moonlight mode (1 lumen)
  • One quick press turns the flashlight onto whatever standard mode it was last on.
  • When activated, one long press will cycle through the standard modes: Low, Medium 1, Medium 2, High.
  • Quick double press from off or any other modes takes you straight to Turbo.
  • Quick triple press from off or any other modes activates the strobe.

It's a lot simpler than it sounds in writing, but my one complaint would be that in the dark, it's difficult to find the side switch. Unlike other AceBeam models that feature a handle in a specific location (and therefore you can memorize where the switch is), you can grab the L19 at any angle, and then have to hunt around for the button. Of course, if you're desperate for the light, the endcap switch is the easiest to find.

If you've opted to fit the tactical switch, this replaces the endcap switch entirely. The tactical switch adds two buttons, one which is a momentary Turbo activation (you'll need to keep it pressed down to keep the light on), and the other which simply duplicates the standard operation button.

Since the L19 could be dangerous in the wrong hands, potentially blinding people or animals, a lockout feature is also programmed. Simply hold down the button for five seconds, and all controls will be locked out. Repeat to disable the lockout.

L19 2.0 Performance

The AceBeam L19 2.0 headline figure is a maximum 2200 lumens output in Turbo mode. At the opposite end of the spectrum, "moonlight" mode outputs a mere 1 lumen. Standard modes in between those are available at 100, 300, 620, and 1200 lumens, as well as a strobe mode at 1100 lumens. If you're rolling your eye at the inclusion of a strobe mode, you needn't worry as it lies outside of the standard operating modes, so it can be safely ignored.

acebeam l19 2.0 beam foggy night mounted

Like all flashlights with a Turbo mode, the full 2200 lumens is only available for a limited time: 1 minute 50 seconds in this case. It'll then drop to 1600 lumens for ten minutes, then 1200 lumens for a further hour and a half.

On the other end of the spectrum, moonlight mode will run for 62 days.

acebeam l19 2.0 night shot 2

The L19 uses a TIR (total internal reflection) lens to achieve an extremely tight, narrow beam. Although the beam distance is a stated 1.5km, realistically the light you get that far away is not going to be useful for any human eye. Still, the figure serves as a metric to compare with other flashlights in this class. The Nitecore P30i is the closest competitor, similarly priced, with an output of 2000 lumens / 1000m throw.

Blindingly Good Tactical Flashlight

The AceBeam L19 2.0 is lightweight and comfortable enough for either handheld use, mounted to a rifle, or on a FAST helmet, without adding any noticeable heft or being uncomfortable in prolonged use. Running on a single 21700 battery that's simple to charge over USB-C and replaceable, it's the brightest flashlight in its class, though I wouldn't advise using the full Turbo mode if you're hunting because blasting 2200 lumens of any color is going to spook your quarry.

acebeam l19 2.0 FAST helmet mounted-1

The beam is tight and narrow, but not as narrow as you can get from some laser-excited phosphor or LEP flashlights.

At just $120, the price is quite irresistible, too.

That said, if money is no object, and you just want something bright but don't particularly need it mountable, I’d recommend the X80 GT2.0 (our review). For most people, a floodlight style with wide beam is just more practical, eliminating the tunnel vision that you get with a thrower flashlight. Holding a literal lightsaber is fun, but less practical outside of specific use cases.