Review: Acebeam EC35 II (Killzone SST-20 edition)
The Acebeam EC35 II (SST-20) is a duty/tactical light with high CRI, a decent amount of throw, USB-C charging, and a powerbank function.
read more ...Review: Skilhunt M200 - a useful everyday carry light with 18650 power, magnetic charging, and high CRI
The Skilhunt M200 is a medium-size everyday carry flashlight with an optional high-CRI LED, USB-magnetic charging, and a magnetic tailcap. It ought to be more popular than it is; perhaps it needs a different pocket clip.
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: 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: 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: 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 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: Sofirn SP31 v2.0 18650 dual-switch
The Sofirn SP21 v2.0 is a 1x18650 dual-switch flashlight with a Cree XP-L HI emitter, 222m throw and 901 lumens for under $30. It compares well to competitors that are twice as expensive.
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: 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.
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