Emitter swap: Luminus SFT40 4000K high-CRI into a Skilhunt M200 v3

Kaidomain sold a handful of these LEDs last fall and I made the mistake of buying only two. Rumor has it they were engineering samples, and may never be produced in large quantities.

Unlike the 3000K model, efficiency is not much worse than the low-CRI SFT40. I see 1400 lumens from this flashlight, and 250m throw. The increased throw over the original 519A is most welcome. Color rendering index is 92, and R9 (deep red rendering) is 71, which are a bit lower than the 3000K. That's probably responsible for the higher efficiency.

I noticed a broken bond wire after I took this picture. I'm glad it has extras.

#flashlight #flashlights #EDC #EveryDayCarry @flashlight

Mainly bought it for astrophotography, it’s also not bad for night book reading at home for its really low moonlight mode.

Arbitrary List of Popular Flashlights - Spring Equinox 2025 Edition

Happy Spring Equinox!

In honor of Spring Equinox, I've made an updated list of popular flashlights. It's alawys a good day for another flashlight, and I have some good candidates here.

#flashlight #flashlights #EveryDayCarry @flashlight

https://zakreviews.com/arbitrary-list.html

Whats todays edc and led/tint combo?

Review: Sofirn SC13 - a budget EDC light with great color quality and USB-C charging

The Sofirn SC13 is a very inexpensive pocket flashlight powered by an 18350 size rechargeable battery with a USB-C port on the flashlight body for charging and a magnetic tailcap for hands-free use.

#flashlight #flashlights #EDC #EveryDayCarry @flashlight
https://zakreviews.com/sofirn-sc13.html

NLD: red

After reading the post from @solrize regarding potential benefits of far-red light on cellular respiration, I bought a Convoy S2+ with the 660nm Luminus SST-20. It's red. Very red.

#flashlight #flashlights @flashlight

The Vapcell N40 18650 battery has impressive capacity

I tested this N40 I bought from Convoy at 1A on the Opus and got 3901 mAh. I expected a bit less since advertised capacity is usually at very low current, so I am pleased with this result.

#flashlight #flashlights #battery #batteries #18650 @flashlight

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.

Just thought it would be cool to have a thing on Matrix for this community as well. There's a discord server, but you have to have your phone number attached to your account to be there now

I started out in this hobby about five years ago with an Olight S2R Baton II. That was a fantastic light and I found myself purchasing more and more flashlights. It took me long enough, but now I'm truly through the deep-end. Getting into Emisar and Noctigon lights has turned me into a tint junkie, and if a light doesn't use Anduril 2, I'm no longer interested!

This is my current collection, including the brand new (and most recent addition) Emisar DA1K. The new Lume X1 driver really is a huge step forward for Hank's lineup, and I couldn't be more pleased with just how low that LED can shine without any flicker or stutter! Absolutely hyped to watch it become the standard for the next generation of Emisar/Noctigon!

Some highlights:

• Output: Dimmable 12,850 Lux at 3.3' w/ Reflector
• Built in fan
• 2700-7500K CCT
• Full RGB Color Control
• AC, Optional Battery & USB-C Power
• CRI 96 | TLCI 94 | SSI 82, 70

The battery connector accepts either a 14.8 or 26 volt pack, so presumably you could wire up a belt mounted battery. Or, you know, buy the official battery.

Now I have a use for my Sofirn C01R and that H25LR headlamp with 670nm LED's. Cool. 3 minute exposure to 670nm light in the morning apparently improves color perception for the rest of the week. I'll read more closely to find the right intensity and so on.

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.

In honor of [email protected] reaching 3000 members (yes, I know that was a couple weeks ago), I'm giving away this Acebeam T35 swapped to a 3000 Kelvin, 95 CRI Luminus SFT40. While not as bright as the original 5000K, low-CRI LED, it's sure to satisfy anyone who misses the incandescent look, but likes LED power.

Only accounts that have made a post or comment to [email protected] prior to this post may enter. You should have a shipping address in the USA or EU, which can be a package forwarding company if necessary. Entry ends on Februrary 14 2025 at 20:00 UTC.

To enter, leave a top level comment on this post. I will select the winning entry using a random number generator next Friday.

I've got 8 of these things, had them for a few years, never seen this weirdness.

Last time I charged it, it seemed fine until I turned it on. Now it's cycling through every mode; low -> high -> red -> red blinky. It's been doing this for 3 days! Had to shove it in my desk drawer because it's driving me nuts. No, it won't turn off.

Can't find any reference to this behavior. Ideas?

Review: Skilhunt EC200S (warm) - a compact 18650 EDC light with two color temperatures and USB-C

https://zakreviews.com/skilhunt-ec200s-warm.html

#flashlight #flashlights #EDC #EveryDayCarry #review @flashlight

Some background: I love flashlights. Been in the hobby for years. I have an original group buy version of "Giggles" the GigaThrower, and upgraded it with the new emitter and driver when the GT70 came out.

I've got a group buy LT1 and C01 as well.

I've EDCed a D4 for as long as I can remember, added Lexel custom aux emitters before they came standard. Wore out my first D4, had to replace the switch. Upgraded to a D4v2, used it for years. I forgot it on a job site a few weeks ago and it got stolen. So I have a D4v2 dual channel in the mail.

I'm pretty sure I was the first to mod a D18 with aux emitters, there's proof on Reddit somewhere. Definitely modded my fair share of headlamps with custom Lexel drivers and emitters, upgraded springs, etc.

All this to say: I've been around. But I definitely haven't been active in a long time, and even when I was I definitely focused on stuff that runs anduril. So I don't know what's out there these days.

I love the idea of a big fat heavy flashlight. I have a maglite, and I keep it by my bed. I know it's silly, but I like the idea of having a short club in hand if I hear a bump in the night..

I put an LED conversion bulb in it. But what I want is something like an xhp50.3, and anduril. I could modify it myself, 3d printed trays for 18650s and such, but I worry it won't have the weight I want.

Giggles is too big and expensive for the task. I want something maglite shaped and weighted, running anduril, but not ridiculously expensive. Doesn't even have to be that crazy bright either. Just big lol.

Any suggestions?

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.

They apparently do this every year. You have to make an account on their site which subscribes you to an email newsletter (you can unsubscribe) and deal with some popups and upsell attempts, but it's a decent basic 1AAA light from everything I've heard. 90 lumens, 1 level, 60mm long, maybe not great LED tint, i.e. sort of a less nice version of the Skilhunt E3A but still fine.

Users supposedly get free shipping on their first order and someone on reddit claims to have actually received this, but I didn't, and had to pay the $5.

It's 1 per person and there are apparently a lot of people trying to scam the site, so my payment got flagged as possible fraud (card declined). I called the card company and they fixed it, so my order went through.

I'm not a huge fan of Olight for various reasons, but hey, a free light, I'll take it.

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 level. The permanently installed rechargeable battery can also be seen as a disadvantage.

It's an old "Soshine" branded NiMH AAA cell claiming 900mah. I'm not about to test it but I did use it for a while. I've standardized on Eneloops since then. Anyway this is FYI so you know that NiMH leaking is a thing.

I’ve got a little stainless Coast A5, which I love, but its beam pattern is very, very much inspection torch. Dead circular, even spread.

Is there anything similar in body, but with a more every-day torch beam? I don’t really want some black knobbly military-cosplayer’s thing, I’m not too bothered about a built in charging port, I want minimal. I love the simple, smooth stainless body of the A5, it lives in my smart jacket pocket along with an elegant little pocket knife, I just wish it had a thrower-style beam.

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.

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.