Software developer from Germany with interests in programming, electronics, flashlights, calculators, writing instruments and various outdoor activities.
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See also: /u/[email protected]
Not exactly. Both have a clip on their rear side, but otherwise are very different.
Cyanlamp M12R – multifunctional EDC clip light
The full review is available here
English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website
Summary
The Cyanlamp M12R from Cyansky combines many good ideas: A spotlight for throw, that can also be used as a headlamp when clipped to a cap. A floodlight that evenly illuminates at close range. There are also RGB LEDs with various effects and work great as a beacon or marker. The flashlight can be attached either with the large clip, an eyelet or the integrated magnet. It can also be switched on and off with a simple gesture control.
However, there is still room for improvement in the implementation: Starting with the cool white light with low CRI, the unattractive color shift of the spotlight, to the simple driver that cannot keep the brightness constant. In addition, it doesn’t indicate whether you turn on the spotlight or floodlight.
Nitecore TINI3 – keychain flashlight with adjustable color temperature
The full review is available here
English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website
Summary
With up to 600 lumens, the tiny Nitecore TINI3 achieves an impressive brightness for its size and with the adjustable color temperatures it adapts to any situation. The practical OLED display provides information about brightness, battery level and remaining runtime. Thanks to its small size and a weight of just 20 g, it is barely noticeable on your key ring, but is always ready for use.
It would have been nice to have an (optional) automatic lockout to prevent the flashlight from turning on in the pocket if you forget to lock it manually. Time will tell whether a glass would have been useful to protect the TIR optic. Other than that, the TINI3 is pretty much perfect.
Is that a magnetic goose? Awesome!
How is the beam shape? The EC4SW is pretty floody for a reflector based light, which I personally prefer.
It can be both, thanks to the UHi 20 MAX. The main limitation is that the selection of flood/throw is linked to the brightness level.
They made a light a while back with two side by side 18650s inside and that’s what I expected on seeing the pic.
Do you mean the mighty EDC37? That one isn't released yet.
Nitecore EDC29 – tactical flashlight with two UHi 20 MAX
The full review is available here
English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website
Summary
The Nitecore EDC23 flashlight has been my everyday companion for a few months. The Nitecore EDC29 is the perfect alternative when more light is needed. The two UHi 20 MAX LEDs are not only quite bright at 6500 lm, but also produce a wall of light in Lumin Shield mode. I also like the great UI with two buttons and the “Rapid Lock” lockout using a slide switch.
Given the compact design, it is not surprising that the flashlight heats up quickly and cannot maintain the high brightness for long. In the lower levels however, the constant current driver keeps the brightness pretty constant. Unfortunately it is not possible to choose freely between the wide and narrow beam for each brightness level. The permanently installed rechargeable battery can also be seen as a disadvantage.
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The review has a whole section about it.
Wurkkos TS10 Max – another evolution of the TS10
The full review is available here
English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website
Summary
For years the Wurkkos TS10 has often been recommended when people are looking for a small EDC flashlight with lots of functions. Compact, fun, great light and also inexpensive. Over time, different colors and materials such as titanium, brass and copper were added.
If you think the TS10 was too small and not bright enough, you should take a look at the new Wurkkos TS10 Max. It has a larger 18650 battery with four times the capacity and Nichia 519A LEDs with even higher light quality, but is otherwise very similar to the classic TS10.
CRI 95 SFT-40? Count me in! Thanks for the giveaway!
Acebeam P20 maybe? No Anduril, though.
Cyansky Vanguard – a different kind of "weapon light"
The full review is available here
English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website
Summary
How does someone come up with such an idea? The Cyansky Vanguard is a great toy for flashlight enthusiasts and gun lovers – definitely a flashlight with a high fun factor. What makes it so special? Its unique design, which is slightly reminiscent of a Glock and that it is loaded with a “9 × 19 mm” battery after the slide has been pulled back. Crazy!
As a flashlight, it is a pretty decent thrower. The beam shape is perfectly fine, but it has a strong green tint. The (matching) green laser is a nice extra. After all, you need something to shoot with, right? When it comes to the buttons, design comes before ease of use.
Got curious? You can preorder the Cyansky Vanguard now here on Kickstarter.
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Nitecore EDC31 – tactical EDC flashlight with "9-core" UHi 20 MAX
The full review is available here
English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website
Summary
When you first see the Nitecore EDC31, it may not appear that special. But a closer look reveals its special secrets. A compact EDC flashlight with a touch of tactical flair, a rather unusual LED with nine dies and a super simple control scheme with a two-stage electronic switch. While most modes are optimized for throw, the “Lumin Shield” mode impresses with a bright and floody wall of light. I also like lockout with a slide switch, called “Rapid Lock”.
Given the compact design, it is not surprising that the flashlight heats up quickly and cannot maintain the high brightness for long. In the lower levels however, the constant current driver keeps the brightness pretty constant. Unfortunately it is not possible to choose freely between the wide and narrow beam for each brightness
It's not on my list currently.
Because apparently every flashlight needs strobe. It's there since they were made with microcontrollers. Someone might find a purpose for it eventually. But it's fine as long as you don't have to cycle through strobe every time.
Sofirn SR12 – a pocket thrower
The full review is available here
English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website
Summary
Despite its slim head, the new Sofirn SR12 is a real thrower – the deep reflector and the Luminus SFT-25R make it possible. With a length of only 112 mm and a diameter of about 24 mm, it should still fit easily into your pocket, making it perfect as an EDC flashlight. It becomes even more interesting when combined with an optional short battery tube for 18350 batteries, which reduces its length to 79 mm.
Thanks. In the D4v2, the aux led locators use the cpu idle mode pulldowns (idr the exact name) so they use very little battery power, but the brightness isn’t adjustable.
Yeah, the driver of the TS10 does it exactly the same. It's how Anduril works.
Do you know of a current measurement or runtime test for the aux leds on the TS10?
I've seen one on reddit a while ago, but can't find it right now. It's a little tricky to do because of the tube design.
It looks like this light has a tail clicky?
It has an electronic tail switch, just like the regular TS10.
Do you know what CPU it uses?
t1616, just like the regular TS10.
Where is the lanyard hole? I don’t see it in the photos, though I see an included lanyard mentioned.
It doesn't have a hole in the flashlight, just in the clip.
Too bad about the low CRI led. I’d prefer a floodier beam but that depends on the user.
Then get the regular TS10 that is available since 2022. Floody and high CRI.
Should there be any issue with using a USB-rechargeable 14500 in the TS10?
I use USB-C rechargeable batteries from Manker and Acebeam in all of my TS10.
Is it possible to leave the aux leds on with minimal battery drain as locator lights, like some Hanklights can?
Of course, at least in low brightness. The high level drains the battery in just a few days.
Wurkkos TS10 SG – mini thrower with SFT-25R
The full review is available here
English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website
With this little review I wish you a merry Christmas! Have fun, but don’t overdo it with the lights. The tree should not start to burn at any time! �*
Summary
When the Wurkkos TS10 was released in mid-2022, only few might have imagined what a great success this flashlight would become. Compact, playful, great light and also affordable. Over time, different colors and materials such as titanium, brass and copper were added.
The Wurkkos TS10 SG is a successful update of the classic TS10. With the new optics and the Luminus SFT-25R, the throw has been significantly increased. Otherwise everything has remained the same. There’s a reason the TS10 has enjoyed great popularity for years.
 for about $10 (about 10€) with a battery
The FC11 is not a clone, it is the predecessor of the FC11C with a less efficient driver. The FC11C is worth the upgrade, if you want longer and better regulated runtime.
I have the standard black one for over 2 years
That's the old FC11 with FET driver, not the new FC11C with higher efficiency buck driver, that was released in June.
It also works with AA, except that yours is broken. ;)
There's also the Emisar D3AA that works with AA.
Skilhunt MiX-7 Gen 2: Nichia 519A, red, green, blue and UV – now with color mixing
The full review is available here
English review at BLF
German review at my website
Summary
The Skilhunt MiX-7 Gen 2 is a successful update of the little multi-color flashlight. Finally it delivers what its name suggests and you have the option of mixing the colored LEDs with each other. With the long Plus version you can now use 18650 batteries for a longer runtime.
The UI is still not perfect, but it is an improvement on its predecessor. For example, the UV light is a little hidden to activate. On the other hand, it is not an easy task to design a UI for so many functions with just one button. It would be nice to be able to adjust the brightness of the mixed colors.
 has just been released.
The E26 was announced a few months ago via a Kickstarter campaign and was successfully funded after just one day. I had the opportunity to test the flashlight before it was officially shipped.
JETBeam made a successful start with the E26 “Kunai” into the world of flat flashlights: white light, UV light and a green laser, combined with intuitive UI using a rotating ring and two buttons, fast charging via USB-C and an ergonomic, practical design.
For the perfect experience I miss direct access to the lowest level, which could also be a little lower. That, and if the flashlight was a little shorter, it w
JetBeam E26: SFT-40 + UV + green laser
Just arrived, review will come in a few weeks.
Mateminco MT70 MINI-S
The full review is available here
English review at BLF
German review at my website
Summary
The Mateminco MT70 MINI-S is a nice thrower if you can live with a few limitations. Minimal UI, simple FET driver, only IP65. In addition, the manufacturer does not see a reason in advertising their product with any kind of runtime or documenting it in detail.
In some ways, the LED is also a disappointment. Bad color rendering, slight green tint. The round light emitting surface – which has recently become increasingly popular with flashlights, doesn’t help either.
This review was sponsored by flashlightgo.com, a Chinese shop with a large selection of flashlights.
The full review is available here
English review at BLF
German review at my website
Summary
The Wurkkos WK03 is a great entry-level flashlight if you don’t have too high expectations. Costs were saved in some places, but overall it is by no means a “cheap” flashlight. The special “Gold” edition offers some improvements, such as the significantly better Nichia 519A LED or the extra tailcap with magnet.
In the review you can find a code that saves you 20% when ordering from Amazon.
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Wurkkos TS26S: original vs. dedomed – more throw, warm and rosy color
Wurkkos FC11C – now with 519A and buck driver!
The full review is available here
English review at BLF
German review at my website
Summary
The Wurkkos FC11C is a nice upgrade of the FC11: The light quality has been further improved by using a Nichia 519A and the buck driver keeps the brightness constant for most of the runtime. Combined with the easy UI and the integrated charging function, the FC11C is a really great flashlight for everyday use.
I can’t really think of any negative aspects. Perhaps it could be a bit shorter. Basically, Wurkkos has done everything right. While I have often recommended the FC11 as an entry-level flashlight, the FC11C will take its place in the future.