• solrize@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    6 days ago

    One more comment: in the Skilhunt E3A section I’d mention that the slate blue version (that specific case color) has a harder finish (type 3 anodization) and usually costs a little more.

    • potatopotato@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      3·
      12 days ago

      I’ve started using them almost exclusively, they can be used just like a normal light but they also work really well as a headlamp. Most have a magnetic base which combined with the side output makes them ideal for working on stuff that requires both hands. Normal magnetic lights just mean you have a flashlight pointed at your face.

      I have an H300 and it’s absolutely amazing if you just ignore the weird charging thing.

  • vladmech@lemmy.worldEnglish
    71·
    12 days ago

    Super interesting read, thank you. This showed up on All for me and now I want to get a cool flashlight

  • Zak Reviews@social.goodanser.comOP
    61·
    7 days ago

    Changes:

    Linked reviews for the majority of lights

    Removed EC35 II (discontinued)
    Removed Pineapple Mini (discontinued in aluminum)
    Removed Sofirn SC21 and SC21 Pro (discontinued)
    Removed Thrunite T1 (discontinued)
    Replaced Fenix PD32 v2 (discontinued) with PD32R
    Added Sofirn HS21
    Removed Acebeam L18 (discontinued)
    Added Acebeam L19
    Added Skilhunt EC500
    Replaced Convoy S3 with S2+
    Removed Wurkkos TS10 Max (it’s not that compelling)

    Later changes:

    December 27: added Wurkkos HD10

  • RedC@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    2·
    11 days ago

    Great to see you as always zak! Keep up the awesome work, you legitimately got me into this hobby.

    Also, is it possible to request a review of sofirns SC28? I know “tac lights” aren’t the vibe here but for anyone looking for a light for emergency response, police/military, and such; I think it’s one of the best offerings in the category! 21700 bat, extremely pocketable, robust little light with on board charging usbc, one click turbo, and a pretty unique reflector design that gives a nice balanced beam with no hot spot. It’s been my favorite tac light for a while now and I’m interested to hear your thoughts!

    Heck I’d even send one or the money for one if that helps, I just think it’s neat, and should be on this list. But it’s your list and up to you of course. Thanks as always!

  • solrize@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    8 days ago

    I’d add Wurkkos TS10 or TS10 SG, both seem more attractive than SP10 pro by now. They are 14500 while SP10 Pro claims to support 1.5V but at least in mine, 1.5V doesn’t work, so I discount the claim.

    Change Sofirn SC13 to SC13A, which uses Anduril.

    Add Wurkkos/Sofirn/Boruit(?) H25LR and H25S, these are really good 1x18650 budget headlamps. I reviewed H25LR here recently. I don’t see much reason to buy any other 18650 headlamp unless there is one with Anduril and you want that.

    Wurkkos HD10 Mini seems worth adding: right angle 1x14500 with USB-C charging and Anduril. I’d always take an Anduril light over non-Anduril. BLF review of earlier version. It would be great if they did ths light in other formats too (16340, 18350, 18650). The BLF review complains of several issues (no flash pads, no removable bezel, firmware bugs) that are all fixed now. The product page, the current version does have flash pads and a threaded bezel. Weight is 46g (no battery), 65g (with battery), headband weight unknown.

    For Nitecore Tube, I’d mention explicitly that it uses micro USB. Maybe they will eventually do a USB-C version.

    Maybe dubiously, add Home Depot Defiant 3AAA cheap headlamps. They are functional and reasonably sturdy and ridiculously cheap. Main drawback is horrible UI where you have to advance through all the modes to turn off, plus the 3AAA format which is nonetheless popular. Currently $10 special for a 3-pack, shipped (in US), including batteries, just crazy. They seem to do this at the end of each year. The rest of the time they are $16 for 3-pack, still cheap. They are great for leaving in glove box, tool bag, etc. I got a pack last year and might get another pack:

    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-200-Lumens-Headlight-3-Pack-90651/320076177

    People wanting random cheap flashlights for their cars should be told to get headlamps instead, of whatever kind. They are way more useful if you have to fix something in the car or even read a map (if anyone still uses paper maps).

    Added: TS10 Max is still of interest I would say, despite recent price increase. It’s cheaper than a D4v2 and can handle button top cells including the type with built in charge ports. That is a significant advantage imho, especially since I have several lights with 18650 button cells and interoperability is nice. I’d restore it to the list and maybe drop some other random 18650 lights instead.

    • Zak Reviews@social.goodanser.comOP
      2·
      7 days ago

      @solrize The TS10 is already on the list, in the enthusiast section. I think that’s the right place for it because it trips USB-charging 14500s, doesn’t have onboard charging, doesn’t take AA, throttles hard on max, and uses Anduril. I don’t have a hard set of criteria for it, but that’s a lot of non-mainstream traits in one light. My SP10 Pro runs on Eneloops, and it’s one of the highest output lights I’ve seen on 1xAA with 403 lumens and good regulation.

      The SC13A is mentioned as a variant of the SC13. Currently, it’s priced quite a bit higher, which diminishes one of the most compelling things about the SC13.

      I’ll think about something from the DL25 series. I see there’s a version with deep red now, and there’s some merit to that.

      Added HD10, enthusiast section for now. The USB charging might get it moved to mainstream later.

      Noted about the Tube.

      I’m not adding a 3xAAA headlamp with a bad UI no matter how cheap it is.

      I’m hoping they’ll do a bit work work on the TS10 Max. I believe a buck driver was part of the original plan.

      • solrize@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        7 days ago

        Thanks for the fixes. Ok for TS10 because of batteries, though I’d say Anduril makes a light more mainstream-friendly rather than less, since it makes the simplest UI’s possible (1 level on-off has gotten ridiculously hard to find). I’ve somewhat lost interest in the TS10/TS10 Max because of the HD10, or HD10 Max if they do one, because of the USB. It helps that both TS’s can accept cells with USB charging. That makes them more mainstream than D4v2 which requires flat top unprotected. I wonder whether D3AA can handle a USB cell.

        D25LR (the one I have, called H25LR in Wurkkos naming) has 660nm. Tbh I’m not sure I’d buy it again instead of D25S (white only): both have their attractions. I reviewed the D25LR a few weeks ago, https://lemmy.world/post/22928160 . I’d call both of these very mainstream. Nitecore HA11 by comparison is more enthusiast–its UI is almost as bad as those Home Depot lights, it has that fiddly shock cord headband (saves weight), and its high mode is marginal (shuts down quickly) on older Eneloops and on alkaleaks. I need to buy some new Eneloops to try but if that doesn’t work I think I will use L91’s in my HA11. For occasional use they will last long enough that their ridiculous cost won’t be too troublesome. The D25LR is my goto headlamp now and I use it all the time. HA11 will be tucked away in my pack.

        I emailed Wurkkos suggesting an HD10 Max and they said hmm maybe. I also suggested a 16340/CR123A version which (if CR123A is supported) would require a boost driver. A buck driver in the TS10 Max / HD10 Max would possibly allow use of 2xCR123A which could be useful.

        I defer to you about the 3aaa headlamp. Below, however, is the most mainstream of all flashlights: 60 lumens, 3AAA, 1 level clickie, the one light my mom can use:

        https://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-60-Lumens-Aluminum-Flashlight-8-Pack-90652/320076174

        It is $15 for 8 lights (last year $10 for 8) shipped including batteries (“heavy duty”, even worse than alkaleaks, lol). I can’t believe I find myself buying Anduril lights just to recreate this UI. I wish they would do a 1AA version. The three AAA’s are in a little caddy so it might be possible to use an 18650 instead.

        One more suggested addition: Countycomm glow tape and glow rings. These are great as flashlight locators, almost as good as tritium and better in many ways (cost, durability, etc.):

        I have one or the other on most of my lights now.