Review: Thrunite T10 v2
The Thrunite T10 v2 is an e-switch AA/14500 EDC light with a tailcap magnet. It was only available briefly before being replaced with an upgraded version, the T10 II.
read more ...Review: Astrolux S43, a powerful EDC quad with USB
The Astrolux S43 is a 1x18350/1x18650 EDC flashlight with optional high CRI and USB charging. For those who wish the Emisar D4 had built-in charging, this may be the light for you.
read more ...Review: Wowtac A4, a low-priced, high-output 764m thrower
The Wowtac A4 is a 2x18650 flashlight intended for long-distance illumination - a thrower. It's the lowest price thrower I know of using the XHP35 HI, giving it high output for its class, and full output on low batteries. I just wish it came in a warmer tint.
read more ...Review: Thrunite TH30, the most powerful 18650 right-angle headlamp
The Thrunite TH30 is a right-angle flashlight/headlamp using a single 18650 battery and a Cree XHP70.2 emitter to make 3350 lumens. It has the highest output of any light in this form factor as of this writing. As a result, the size and weight are higher than average, but manageable for those who value output. It features USB charging and includes a suitable high-drain 18650 battery.
read more ...Review: Wowtac A2S, a budget right-angle headlamp with USB battery
Wowtac is a budget brand affiliated with Thrunite offering a line of 18650-powered flashlights, with an included 18650 battery that has a direct USB charging port, starting at $20. The A2S is the right-angle/headlamp version with higher output and a larger battery capacity for $30. This is probably the best value headlamp on the market and also makes a good handheld.
read more ...Review and safety evaluation: Olight H2R, an 18650 right-angle headlamp with magnetic charging
The Olight H2R is a right-angle flashlight/headlamp/worklight similar to the Armytek Wizard Pro. Its exposed charging contacts presented a fire hazard at the time of this review, but the tailcap design has since been updated. It has high output and a good user interface, but a weak magnet, exposed scratch-prone plastic optic, and a headband I found uncomfortable.
read more ...Review: Rofis MR70, a multifunction flashlight/powerbank
The Rofis MR70 is a combination flashlight, lantern and USB powerbank powered by a standard-size 26650 Li-ion rechargeable battery (included). The lantern is warm white and the main LED is cool white. Neither has an especially low mode, and the timed stepdown for the main LED is quite aggressive. The MR70 is versatile though, offering several functions and a lot of battery capacity.
read more ...Review: Astrolux K1, a high-CRI USB keychain light with red and UV
The Astrolux K1 is a keychain light with white, UV and red emitters, an integrated Li-ion battery and USB charging. There's a choice of a cool white Cree XP-G3 or neutral white 90 CRI Nichia 219C and a variety of body colors. It's prone to activation in the pocket, and quality could be better. It does have a lot of features for the price though.
read more ...Review: Klarus XT12S, a multipurpose
The XT12S is a mid-size duty/utility type flashlight with magnetic charging and dual tail switches using a single 18650 battery. It offers shortcuts from off to high and low (or strobe). Its output falls well short of the advertised 1600 lumens, some modes have visible flickering and audible noise, and my sample was not waterproof. The concept isn't bad, but the execution could use some work.
read more ...Review: Acebeam L30, a 20700/18650/CR123 tactical light with very high output
Acebeam says the L30 is "like a side-arm that takes shotgun shells". That's been done and isn't a great idea, but the L30 is. The high-only tailswitch with all other functions on the side switch is what I would consider an optimal UI for a duty type light. Output is around 4000 lumens until heat limits it to 2000.
read more ...Review: Haikelite MT07S, a high-output light with 620m throw
The MT07S is a moderately throwy, 4x18650 high-output light to compete with the likes of the Nitecore TM16, Fenix TK75 and Acebeam K60, but at a much lower price. This is a light to bring to situations where a lot of light is required, or where light may be needed for a long period of time.
read more ...Review: Haikelite HT35, a high-powered zoomable spotlight
The HT35 is a large, 2x26650 zoomie with an XHP35 emitter. While beginners often think they want adjustable focus, I consider it a specialty feature better suited to those situations where a spill-free spot is desirable. Applications that come to mind are photography, signaling to indicate a specific object or location, some types of hunting and use as a makeshift followspot. The HT35 is much more powerful than what's typical of this category.
read more ...Review: Fenix HM50R, a compact angle headlamp that adjusts its brightness whether you like it or not
The Fenix HM50R is a small right-angle flashlight/headlamp using an included 16340 rechargeable battery and USB charging, or disposable CR123A battery. The HM50R features an intentional slow rampdown of its brightness during use designed to prolong runtime despite having hardware capable of sustaining full brightness. There is no way to turn this feature off. It seems like the HM50R is designed for inattentive users, or to compete with low-quality headlamps that advertise absurdly unrealistic runtimes.
read more ...Review: Klarus XT2CR, a slim dual-tailswitch light with USB
The Klarus XT2CR is a pocket friendly 18650 light with USB charging and dual tailswitches offering shortcuts to useful modes or strobe. It is hampered by output falling well short of advertised, visible flickering, poor thermal regulation and cool white tint.
read more ...Review: Acebeam L16, a rechargeable tactical light with long throw
The Acebeam L16 is a long-throwing tactical light. I usually avoid the T word, but this thing fits. It's intended to be a police duty light, or to be mounted on a rifle, and it fits that role well. What I found most compelling for the use case is that pressing the tailswitch always results in max output, with all other functions controled by the side switch. I strongly recommend looking for the 5000K neutral white version, as the cool white model reviewed here is very harsh.
read more ...Review: Armytek Wizard Pro XHP50
The Armytek Wizard Pro is a multipurpose right-angle flashlight/headlamp/worklight with magnetic charging and an 18650 Li-ion battery. Nearly two years after the original publication of this review, a modified (high-CRI) version remains my favorite and most-used all-around flashlight.
read more ...Review: Wuben T102, a large 1x26650 light with USB-C
The Wuben T102 is a 1x26650 light with an XHP70 emitter, large reflector for respectable throw, sensor-based thermal regulation, USB-C charging and a boost driver that could provide stable output as the battery drains. Unfortunately, it doesn't, dropping to half output unless the battery is fresh off the charger.
read more ...Review: Haikelite MT-01, a 3x18650 workhorse
The Haikelite MT-01 is a 3x18650 general-purpose light the size of a Red Bull can. Its large battery capacity and stable output make it a good choice for extended use. It also provides the option of using fewer 18650s if necessary.
read more ...Review: Fenix TK25 R&B, an 18650 flashlight with high-output red and blue secondary emitters
The TK25 R&B is an unconventional design with a rotating head to switch between two white, and one each red and blue emitters. It offers very high red and blue output, but no low-output modes to preserve dark adaptation. It's intended for hunting animals that don't react to red light, and following blood trails with blue. It should work well for that application, though better color quality for the white emitters would be most welcome.
read more ...Review: Armytek Prime C2 Pro XHP35, a versatile 18650 EDC light
The Armytek Prime C2 Pro XHP35 is an 18650-powered EDC light with 8 brightness levels, shortcuts to low, medium, high, and last-used from off, a removable magnet in the tailcap and a choice of color temperature. It only has one major issue: the optic it comes with was not designed for the LED it uses, resulting in terrible output and efficiency. A third-party optic fixes this.
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