Review: Thrunite TC20 v2 - a powerful, utilitarian light

The Thrunite TC20 v2 is a powerful, efficient general-purpose flashlight with a large battery and USB charging. It includes some minor improvements over the original including more throw and a USB-C port.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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