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JETBeam E26: flat EDC flashlight with SFT-40, UV and green laser
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
You don’t hear much about JETBeam. That’s a shame, because the long-established company has some interesting flashlights in its portfolio. The new JETBeam E26 (“Kunai”) 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 would be the perfect EDC flashlight for me. But even as it is, it makes a very good impression.
This review was sponsored by flashlightgo.com, a Chinese shop with a large selection of flashlights.
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.
Cyansky Carbon – Searchlight with LiFePO4 battery
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
The description of the Cyansky Carbon sounds tempting! Constant brightness of 2000 lm for four hours and a modern LiFePO₄ battery, which you hardly ever find in flashlights. Plus practical functions such as the integrated fast-charging via USB-C, a charge level indicator with five separate LEDs and a powerbank function.
All of this joy is somewhat diminished when you look at the rather simple direct-drive driver or the slightly greenish SST-20 LEDs, for which there would have been better alternatives.
And yet the Cyansky Carbon is a good choice in some situations: Even if it is not able to maintain the brightness perfectly, it achieves roughly 2000 lm for around four hours without excessive heat. It is quite suitable as a searchlight for longer missions at distances of around 50 m. It is also currently available for pre-order via Kickstarter at a very attractive price.
Got curious? The Cyansky Carbon is now available for pre-order on Kickstarter!
Wurkkos WK03 Gold with Nichia 519A (TLF 2024 special edition)
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.
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.
Skilhunt EC200 – look at this fantastic EDC light!
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
Three powerful LEDs with a buttery smooth, floody beam and amazing color rendition, a USB-C charging port, magnetic tailcap and an easy UI. Skilhunt added several new models with USB charging port to their EC series. The single color EC200 shown in this review is a fantastic EDC flashlight at high standard.
Actually I can’t really find any major disadvantages. It would be nice if the head was less symmetrical to make it easier to find the switch. But otherwise it is close to being perfect and definitely a great recommendation for an EDC flashlight.
Wurkkos TS26S – 4x Nichia 519A and boost driver!
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
A novel design, four Nichia 519A with outstanding color rendition, a boost driver for constant brightness and a simple user interface. The Wurkkos TS26S is an excellent flashlight in its category – good job, Wurkkos!
There are just some minor details that need to be improved, like the sharp cooling fins. Also it would be nice to have a symmetrical battery tube with a single direction clip that you can turn around.
Armytek Partner C2
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
I’ve been waiting for this flashlight for a long time: At first glance the Armytek Partner C2 seems unspectacular, but in practice it turns out to be a reliable and easy to use partner in demanding situations. The electronic, two-stage tail switch gives you momentary light, silent operation and also serves as a magnetic charging port. The intense spot achieves a surprising amount of throw.
Instead of the strobe I would have preferred direct access to the lowest level. The flashlight can only be switched on in the last used brightness. Overall, an even lower brightness level would have been nice.
Got curious? Then check out the full review linked above! It also includes a 15% discount code.
Enova Gyrfalcon S8000 – new professional Li-ion/NiMH charger
The full review is available here
Summary
The Gyrfalcon S8000 is a powerful charger that targets professional users. It allows you to set many detailed options to adjust the charging and discharging process. And it performs really good in charging and discharging batteries!
On the other hand it doesn’t feel quite finished. The firmware got improved a lot over my testing period, but there’s still room for improvement and extension. There are a few mechanical usability problems with the terminals as well.
It is quite obvious that Enova took more than a single look at the SkyRC MC3000 when designing the S8000. It has a similar appearance, similar menu and the manual is almost identical. However it still lacks some features to be a real competitor. So far it is more like an “MC3000 light” – but with the potential for improvement!
Sofirn SC13 – small EDC flashlight with Fresnel optic
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
The Sofirn SC13 is a small and lightweight EDC flashlight with a creative design. The waist and texture feel very nice in the hand and allow for a reliable grip. Sofirn did everything right with the UI: It is simple, has shortcuts to lowest, highest and last used brightness and no unnecessary features.
Not sure if there is any benefit from the fancy Fresnel optic. The beam has a smooth spot with some small rings in the spill. Unfortunately the tint is not the best: slightly green with a noticeable tint shift between spot and spill. But for most users it should be acceptable.
Got curious? Then check out the full review linked above. There you can also find a link to Amazon US with a 10% discount code.
Armytek Prime C2 (non pro) – an entry-level Armytek flashlight
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
The Prime C2 – Armytek’s new entry-level model of the Prime flashlight series. Compact size and with a simple user interface. But also tough, great switch and with the proven magnetic charging system.
But in my opinion there are too many compromises with the driver, the firmware and especially the light quality. Why was the battery level indicator omitted? The LED is probably still hidden behind the switch. Why is the current so low? The LED could handle more. And who approved this horrendous beam?
I would have been happy to recommend this flashlight. I was really looking forward to it myself. Unfortunately I got disappointed. But just try it out and decide for yourself whether you like it or not. Alternatively, I can recommend the Prime C2 Pro, which is a bit larger but otherwise better in many respects.
Manker E05 II – nice 14500/AA EDC flashlight with mechanical tailswitch
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
The Manker E05 II is a compact EDC flashlight, supporting Li-ion and NiMH batteries. It has three levels of brightness with constant output for most of the runtime. The mechanical tail switch makes it easy to use.
Waterproofing of the switch is a little questionable, though. Better don’t try to press it under water.
You can get the flashlight in various colors and materials. You even have the choice between different LEDs (get the Nichia 519A version).
XTAR VC8S – Li-ion/NiMH charger with eight slots and many features
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
If you often have to charge a lot of Li-ion batteries, the XTAR VC8S might be a good choice for you with its eight slots and powered by a USB-C port with 45 W USB PD. It also comes with helpful extra features like internal resistance measurement and a capacity test mode to check the performance of your batteries. To prepare them for storage, it has an storage mode that automatically charges/discharges them to 3.6 V.
NiMH batteries can be charged as well with the VC8S, but it only charges them with a fixed current of 500 mA and might terminate a bit early. That’s enough for casual charging, but if you want more control over the charging process, you might prefer a different charger.
Unfortunately the charging current cannot be manually set for each slot independently, only for four slots at once. If you rely on the automatic current selection, some batteries might be charged with a little too much current. This limits the flexibility of the charger when you want to charge different sizes of batteries at once.
Wurkkos WK40 RGB multi-color flashlight – get it NOW as long as you can!
Full review here
Sorry, I haven't got the time yet to translate it into English. But as it seems to be discontinued, I wanted to share this PSA with you!
Summary
If you like it colorful, the Wurkkos WK40 is the right flashlight for you, a little rainbow in your pocket! The four LEDs (white, deep red, green and blue) are controlled with a ring and a tail switch. It also has a buck driver for mostly constant brightness, USB-C charging and a short battery tube. You can choose from seven fixed colors or an infinite color gradient. Various blinking modes for your next party are included as well.
As this light seems to be discontinued, you might want to get one now as long as you can!
Armytek Prime C2 Pro Max – the new Prime flagship
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
With the Prime C2 Pro Max, Armytek managed to make a robust and powerful flashlight that fits perfectly into the Prime series. Its slightly floody beam and up to 4000 lm in turbo – even without a fully charged battery – makes it a perfect partner for your adventures and gives you a great overview of your environment.
There are just a few things I would have liked to see: a better lanyard hole, a clip and maybe a domeless LED. Just minor details, overall the Armytek Prime C2 Pro Max is a great flashlight.
Sofirn SC33 – Powerful flooder with tail e-switch
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
Looking for a powerful flooder, with simple user interface and easy to find tail switch? Then give the Sofirn SC33 a try! With its boost driver it is able to achieve constant low to medium brightness for a long time and up to 5200 lm in turbo.
There is not much to complain about the SC33. It is a little large for a 21700 flashlight and the autolock should be off by default (but you can turn it off manually). Overall I am very satisfied with the SC33.
Skilhunt/ESKTE MiX-7 – multicolor EDC flashlight with UV
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
Seven LEDs in five colors, in a very compact flashlight. The Nichia 519A LEDs are just beautiful with their high CRI and lovely tint. Red, green and blue are less interesting to me, but the UV light comes in very handy. This paired with the great driver and magnetic charging make the MiX-7 almost perfect.
It’s hard to say anything negative about it. I’d like to see more brightness levels for the color channels and maybe the possibility to mix them. Sometimes it can be annoying that the colors were integrated together with the white channel into the low group.
Overall I’m very satisfied with the MiX-7, even at my high expectations I had for this flashlight. If you want a flashlight with multiple colors, you should definitely try the MiX-7.
Acebeam TAC AA – Let's EDC a tactical flashlight!
This review was sponsored by flashlightgo from where I got the flashlight for free in return for this review. Thank you very much!
The full review is available here
English review at BLF German review at my website
Summary
As long as you ignore the term "tactical" in the product description, the Acebeam TAC AA is a nice EDC flashlight. On the larger side for a AA flashlight, but just the right size for a comfortable grip. The Nichia 519A with its lovely tint and high CRI will make you happy. The universal beam is great for EDC use and comes with good throw for a light of this size. Build quality is superb and it feels very robust.
Unfortunately the driver is on a different level: Simple brightness regulation using PWM and the modes are messed up when using a NiMH battery. A real shame, because the TAC AA would have been a very nice, simple AA flashlight for family and friends. I wonder why Acebeam didn't use a better driver.
Overall the Acebeam TAC AA struggles to stand out against other less expensive flashlights. Yet it is a good option if you need support for Li-ion and NiMH batteries, as long as you don't miss the medium mode with NiMH. There aren't many other candidates with similar features.
Dulotec Guardian – a surprisingly nice tactical flashlight from Bulgaria
Dulotec did a lot of things right with their first self-designed flashlight. Beam, handling and operation, the Guardian can impress in many practical situations of tactical use. Care was taken to keep the costs down, while keeping attention to details such as the integrated tactical ring or the magnetic charging port.
The full review is available here:
English review of the Guardian at BLF German review of the Guardian at my website
Cyansky HS7R – dual channel 21700 headlamp
Links to Cyansky HS7R review:
English review of HS7R at BLF German review of HS7R at my website
Summary
Compact, bright, long runtime, two channels for flood and throw, easy to use. That describes the Cyansky HS7R quite well. In addition, there is an integrated charging function and a sensor, which is supposed to reduce the brightness if something is close in front of the flashlight (however dark objects aren’t recognized).
The difference in distance between flood and throw is a bit too small in my opinion, but the flood channel has a pleasant warm white color. A more focused throw channel with the same color temperature as the flood channel would be great. It would also be nice if the mode memory would also work for the higher levels.
As a headlamp, the HS7R would be a bit too heavy for me in the long run. Instead I’d use a lighter headlamp with less brightness and a powerful handheld flashlight like the Cyansky P25 v2.