Review: Nitecore T4K - a 4000 lumen "keychain" light

The Nitecore T4K is a compact light with a keychain attachment, USB-C charging and a 4000 lumen burst mode, but is it practical?

read more ...

Review: Olight Warrior Mini 2 - a tactical EDC light with an unfortunate battery

The Olight Warrior Mini 2 is an everyday carry light with features for high-stress or tactical use, excellent efficiency, magnetic charging, and a proprietary battery. It would be an excellent flashlight with just a couple changes.

read more ...

Review: Skilhunt H04F RC

The Skilhunt H04 series is a 1x18650 right-angle light that can be used as a handheld, headlamp, or magnetic area light. It comes in several optic and LED variations; this one has a reflector with flip-out diffuser and a high-CRI 4000K Samsung LH351D.

read more ...

Review: Zebralight SC64c LE - my favorite everyday carry flashlight

The Zebralight SC64c LE would be a serious contender for best everyday carry flashlight if flashlights were so one-dimensional that the idea of best made any sense. The SC64c LE combines excellent color rendering with compact size, a recessed switch that's easy to press on purpose and hard to press by accident, a capable user interface with shortcuts, sub-lumen low modes that preserve dark adaptation

read more ...

Review: Skilhunt M150, a slim EDC flashlight with high output, great color rendering, USB-magnetic charging, magnetic tailcap and the ability to use AA batteries

The Skilhunt M150 gets AA/14500 right in a way few competitors do, with good modes using either battery type, slim dimensions. ond o lew-veltoge shutoff for both battery types. Add to that magnetic charging for 14500, a high-CRI option, and a magnetic tailcap and the M150 is among my favorites.

read more ...

Review: Thrunite T2 - a highly-efficient 1x21700 flooder with USB-C

The Thrunite T2 is a 1x21700 flooder with the highest efficiency I've ever tested in a flashlight. It features USB-C charging, and can be put in a pants pocket in a pinch.

read more ...

Review: Nitecore MH10 v2 - an all-purpose rechargeable light that's very versatile about batteries

The Nitecore MH10 v2 is a general-use flashlight powered by a 21700 Li-ion rechargeable battery, with onboard USB charging, and the ability to use a great many different sizes of Li-ion cells.

read more ...

Review: Wurkkos FC11 - an all-in-one 18650-powered everyday carry light with high CRI

The Wurkkos FC11 is a very compelling entry-level flashlight, with an 18650 battery included, USB-C charging, a strong tailcap magnet, and an LED with very good color rendering.

read more ...

Review: Armytek Wizard Pro Nichia 144A

Some time ago, I suggested an upgrade to Armytek's premium right-angle light. They finally did it, and I was very excited. Right-angle lights are generally the most versatile style of portable light, working as handhelds, headlamps, clipped to clothing or gear, and when equipped with a magnet as this one is, attached magnetically to surfaces. I had hoped this would be a light I could recommend to everyone, but Armytek introduced some firmware bugs, which give me pause.

read more ...

Review: Acebeam UC15

The UC15 is an unusual 2xAAA or 2x10440 light from Acebeam. It has a high-CRI (optionally) main emitter with red and UV secondaries and makes for an interesting lightweight carry option that's not yet another tube light.

read more ...

Review: Acebeam TK16 - a small EDC triple with a tail e-switch and high CRI

The Acebeam TK16 is a 1x16340/CR123A everyday carry light with three emitters and a tail e-switch. It resembles a cross between a Lumintop FW3A and an Olight S1. It combines excellent power efficiency, class-leading max output, and very good color rendering.

read more ...

Review: Xtar ST2

The Xtar ST2 is a USB-C PD fast charger for larger cylindrical Li-ion cells. It can charge two cells at up to 4A and has indidivual temperature sensors to prevent overheating. Its performance is impressive, but mine proved unreliable.

read more ...

Review: Fenix LD02 v2.0

The Fenix LD02 v2.0 is a 1xAAA light with a reverse-clicky tailswitch, high-CRI warm-white Cree XQ-E HI, and a 365nm UV secondary emitter. It has a useful selection of modes and reasonable output for its class, though the beam pattern isn't ideal. In a market short on 1xAAA tailswitch lights, this is my favorite.

read more ...

Warranty report and teardown: Viltrox FA-D10

The Viltrox FA-D10 is a 95 CRI, adustable-color-temperature, 800 lumen LED panel the size of a smartphone, with USB-C power and an internal battery. Mine failed after a minor impact, so I contacted Viltrox via Amazon for warranty replacement. They didn't ask for the old one back, so I took it apart....

read more ...

Review: Lumintop FW3A - perhaps the ultimate flashlight enthusiast's EDC light

The Lumintop FW3A is the result of two years of development on enthusiast forums BLF and TLF. It's one of the smallest 18650 flashlights, with three emitters, a tail e-switch, an open source firmware, and a firestarting 2800+ lumen burst mode. It already offers four LED options, with more to come, has great ergonomics, a fantastic user intefrace, optics that are nearly as easy to change as the battery, and no glue anywhere. Did I mention it's under $40? It's under $40.

read more ...

Review: Oveready BOSS 70 - the most expensive flashlight I've ever used

The Overready BOSS is the most expensive flashlight I've ever reviewed, and the best built. It's also one of the least efficient at higher outputs, and falls well short of its claimed performance. That's unfortunate, because its Lux-RC buck/boost driver is one of its major selling points over other high-priced lights which mostly use simpler electronics.

read more ...

Review: Thrunite TC20 - a powerful house/car light with USB charging

The Thrunite TC20 is a mid-size light for the house, car, backpack, and jacket pocket. Its high initial output of 3800 lumens and sustainable 1800 lumens make it well-suited to most tasks not requiring large amounts of throw. USB charging, a large-capacity 26650 battery, and excellent efficiency provide convenience and long runtime.

read more ...

Review: Thrunite TC15, a powerful single-emitter EDC flashlight with USB

The TC15 is a USB-rechargeable general-purpose and everyday carry light from Thrunite with unusually high output for its size. It's powered by a single 18650 rechargeable battery (included), uses a Cree XHP35 LED and advertises an output of 2300 lumens and throw distance of 246m - figures it actually achieves. It also maintains a stable level around 1000 lumens even when the battery is low.

read more ...

Review: Thrunite T10 II, a 1xAA/1x14500 EDC

The Thrunite T10 II is an AA/14500 EDC light with a magnetic tail and shortcuts from off to low, high, and last-used for $20. It's a compelling value, and most people should own one.

read more ...

Review: Thrunite Ti4, the almost-perfect penlight

The Thrunite Ti4 is a 2xAAA flashlight with a form factor similar to a pen with a design suited to urban and indoor use. Compared to what's typical for the market segment, the Ti5T has a lower low, a higher high, and a choice of cool or neutral tints. At $20, the Ti4T is very competitive. There's a titanium version offered for $30 with a more floody beam pattern. Unfortunately, no high-CRI version is offered, or it would be the perfect penlight.

read more ...