Modlite PL350: How Many Lumens?

We have to apologize. We recently wrote that the most lumens that we could get a Modlite PL350 to output was about 980 lumens, nowhere near the 1350 lumen output that Modlite claims. However, we were using an older ANSI spec to determine measurements. The current spec requires that lights be tested from 30 seconds to two minutes, and each sample is averaged to determine the lumen rating. Using that methodology, the same data from the PLHv2-PL350 gives us an average of 968 lumens.

It was brought up that our testing may be inaccurate due to the equipment we used.

It was also stated that our results were not accurate due to poor equipment.

We decided to get a reputable, neutral 3rd party to measure the lights. And who better to provide such measurements than Underwriter’s Laboratories. Yes, this is the same organization that certifies pretty much all electrical appliances in the United States. They’re also a member of PLATO, the industry organization that sets the standards that are used for performance ratings such as lumens, candeala, and runtime. Even more so, UL runs the certification program to certify companies are properly measuring flashlight performance. If there is a better authority in the world of flashlights, I was unable to find them.

We packaged 3 light samples and sent them off to UL for testing of both lumens and candela. We had 2 brand new lights (replacements direct from Modlite) plus a used light. We provided the Modlite charger so that all batteries could be topped off before testing.

Within a couple weeks, we had the results from UL. And the measured lumen output from the Modlite PL350 PLHv2 head is…

The 3 lights tested provided 804.3 lumens, 823.2 lumens, and 815.8 lumens.

Here is the full PDF for you to review:

https://www.lowlightdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/14032962-14032962.01.pdf

So, I have to apologize for our previous results. When reviewing the data we have, and the current FL-1 standard, we should have reported 963 lumens. We are still off from the UL testing, but the 963 number is more accurate. To be honest, I was worried about not being accurate and catching a lot of flack for it. It turned out we were still off, but we overrated the lights. I will be improving our testing in the future.

Moving on, Modlite claims 54,000 candela. We had UL test candela as well.

The 3 lights tested provided 48,400 cd, 48200 cd, and 49300 cd for an average of 48,633 cd

It appears that Modlite is off on their candela claims, but not nearly as much as they were off on lumens.

If Modlite has a response to any of these test results, I’m happy to hear it, and post it within our articles.

What do you think? Should Modlite be claiming 1350 lumens and 54,000 candela? Or do we need need a 3rd opinion? Or does it even matter because the lights are such a huge leap forward? Let us know in the comments below.