REVIEWS
2019 May
Upcoming reviews!
- Imalent MS18 100,000 lumens flashlight (waiting for arrival)
- Imalent R90TS 36,000 lumens flashlight (waiting for arrival)
- MecArmy CPL wristwatch light (Review in progress)
- Nitecore TUP Keychain light with 1,000 lumens (Review in progress)
- Lumintop Zoom1 (Review in Progress Peter)
New Maglite
Maglite now added modes to their famous D sized flashlights, now called the ML300L with a 1000 Lumens and Eco Mode for 434 hours of runtime according to Maglite. Check out the details
https://www.maglite.com/shop/flashlights/full-size-flashlights/maglite-ml300l-led-4-cell-d.html
And including a nice commercial:
New Convoy
Simon (Convoy) announed a few nice budget flashlights on BLF in the last few weeks. As we all know, Convoy is an affordable flashlight brand that produces one of the best bang for the buck flashlights.
Convoy H1
The convoy H1 is Convoy's first headlamp using an 18650 battery. It is not glued together, so you can easily disassemble the head and replace something if you need to.
Convoy M3
The new Convy M3 is a 26650 type flashlight including a XHP70.2 LED with a max output of 4300Lumens. Both springs on the driver and tailcap are bypassed to decrease resistance for max output.
Convoy M21A (host only)
This is the 21700 version of the Convoy C8+. You get the design of the C8, but without Driver or LED. This is a host only.. at least for the time being. I hope they will soon include a driver + LED.. and I'm pretty sure Simon will do that.
Convoy S11
Another 266650 type flashlight with an XHP50.2. Convoy doesn't mention any Lumen numbers. Modes; 0.1% - 3% - 30% - 100%. Maximum of 3A current.
Convoy S21A
The 21700 version of the incredibly famous Convoy S2+. The Convoy S2+ is one of the best gems in the flashlight industry imho.
REVIEWS
2019 April
Backlog of upcoming reviews!
- Secret little flashlight by Mecarmy (Arrived, waiting to be reviewed)
- Astrolux FT03 thrower : review ready.
- Malkoff MDC Bodyguard V2 18650 ... extremely impact resistant flashlight with lifetime warranty.
- Emisar D18 review ready: Multi emitter with SST20 4000K 95CRI 10,000 lumens
- Nitecore TUP Keychain light with 1,000 lumens (arrived, waiting to be reviewed)
- Lumintop Zoom1 (Review in Progress Peter)
- Acebeam X45 Review ready: 18,000 Lumens powerhouse
Acebeam announced the small Acebeam X65 Mini with 5 CREE XHP35 Hi LEDs. A max of 12,000 Lumens and 1300 meters of throw! I don't actually know in which category this fits. Medium thrower?
Nitecore TIP2
Nitecore jus announced the upgrade TIP, with 720 Lumens and a built in USB charger. Featuring a XP-G S3 LED, 720 Lumens (15 minutes) and a Low of 1 lumen for 55 hours.
Acebeam TK16 copper
The Acebeam TK16 copper is a EDC light that should reach up to 1800 lumens. This is one of the smallest flashlights Acebeam has in their lineup. It is available with 3 different LED options: XPG3, Osram, Luminus SST20. Runs off either a RCR123 (16340) or a non-rechargeable CR123A.
Fenix E30R
The Fenix E30R is compact rechargeable LED flashlight. It has an output of 1600 lumens and 70 hours of runtime max. It holds a 18650 battery and has a magnetic charge system. No finicking with Micro USB plugs. The LED used is a Luminus SST40! 5 output modes and strobe. A 4 level battery indicator finishes it all off.
Fenix WF05E
The Fenix WF05E is a Intrinsically Safe flashlight, especially made for High Risk environments. It runs off 2 AAA batteries. Max output of 85 lumens. This is definitely one of the very few intrinsically safe flashlights out there.
REVIEWS
2019 March
- Imalent MS12 Extremely bright flashlight, claiming 53,000 Lumens. Uses 12 XHP70 LED Diodes and a built in battery pack + charger.
Imalent is doing it again. During the IWA Outdoor Classics 2019 in Nuremberg, Germany they will be displaying the Imalent MS18! With a whopping 100,000 Lumens! The Exhibition is from March 8-11, and Imalent can be found at Booth 333, Hall 6. If you are in Germany and have some spare time, visit their booth!
Emisar also just announced their new Emisar D18 flashlight (an upgraded Meteor M43) with smaller dimensions and more output! The D18 is driving 18 pieces of SST-20 Hi CRI LEDs. We have one on pre-order..
REVIEWS
2019 February
Reviews added for February 2019
- Nitecore MH25GTS : Great rechargeable flashlight! Very bright, and very versatile
- Wuben A21: Very powerful at 4200 lumens and has more throw than the manufacturer claims.. Even double their numbers
- Convoy S9: Review done by Richmond, and he likes it a lot. Great rechargeable budget flashlight
- Convoy C8+: Reviewed by Peter. Very affordable and good quality thrower. Reaching almost 100kcd!
Beamshots
Beamshots added for many flashlights.. Check out the reviews of the Astrolux MF04S (XHP70.2) MF04, Astrolux FT02, Zebralight SC700d and Nitecore MH25GTS for newly added beamshots.
It has been a little quiet this month, but at least we have 1 interesting new headlamp show up. It's the Klarus HA2C, with apparently 3200 Lumens (XHP70.2) from a single 18650 battery. They say its a L-angle, Flashlight, Headlamp and Tool light in 1. This is what they have to say:
"Powered by a 18650 battery with up to 3200 Lumens output, Micro-USB recharging port, the HA2C is a high performance light with bi-directional pocket clip and magnetic tail cap for multiple mounting platforms. These include handheld, pack strap mounted, magnetically attached, headlamp strap, pocket or belt clip, and more! There is always a way to use the HA2C as you see fit."
REVIEWS
2019 January
Reviews for January 2019
- AstroluxFT02: The Astrolux has some serious throw of 160.000cd / 160kcd. That is pretty impressive.
- Zebralight SC700d: Didn't think I would like this one so much. A excellent EDC, a bit on the thick side, but pocketable. Pumping out 3000 Lumens and has a runtime of over 2 hours with 1000 Lumens...
- Wuben A21 (package en route to Marco) Likely to be reviewed in February
Are we going to see the first 100,000 lumens flashlight this year? There have been some people modding flashlights and hitting the 100,000 lumens, but no mass-produced LED flashlight has been able to reach that yet.. My prediction is still at 2020.. before we hit that number, but 2019 will be exciting.
- Astrolux announced the Astrolux FT03... just at the moment I'm writing a review on the FT02
- Xtar announced their new Xtar D36 dive light with 5800 lumens.
- Lumintop showed the Lumintop GT4 picture on Facebook! It's coming!
- The new Nitecore P18 and P22 announced. Should be available in March 2019. Intro vid for the P18 https://youtu.be/8SJiRAtZC3g and for the P22 (now 1800 lumens): https://youtu.be/29wqtljcNOc
NEWS
2018 December
Acebeam H40
Acebeam announced a new headlamp, the Acebeam H40 with an Cree XPL HD or Luminus SST-20 CRI98+ LED. Infinitely variable brightness from 20-230lumen...according to their specs. And Olight announced the Olight Warrior X, a 2,000 lumens tactical flashilght.
NEWS
2018 November
BLACK FRIDAY
BLACK FRIDAY is around the corner, and we have put together some coupons + deals for Amazon, Banggood and Gearbest, and some other stores!!! Check them out here: https://1lumen.com/black-friday-flashlight-deals-cyber-monday/
REVIEWS
2018 November
Reviews for November:
- Astrolux MF04S (XHP70)
- Astrolux S43
December will be quiet for reviews. I hope to get some new reviews up in January 2019 again.
FAKE NEWS
2018 November
Acebeam X70-GT
THIS IS FAKE NEWS>>>UNFORTUNATELY>>> Acebeam has done it again. They just released the X70, and have already announced their new addition. The most powerful flashlight yet! A 90,000 lumen flashlight, called the X70-GT I predicted we would see a 100,000 lumens flashlight in/before 2020, but Acebeam already announced one that is only 10,000 lumens shy of it.
REVIEWS
2018 October
Reviews for October depending on the shipping speed:
- Astrolux MF04S (XHP70) (arrived November)
- Convoy T2 (cheap AA flashlight)
- Astrolux FT01 (XHP50.2 LED)
NEWS
2018 October
Acebeam news and more
Acebeam is entering the mega thrower arena. After Lumintop and Astrolux Acebeam now also wants to compete with the farthest throwing flashlights. The Acebeam K75 is the newest XHP35 LED thrower in their lineup.
NEWS
2018 September:
Acebeam news and more
Now available: Acebeam re-specced their X70, to beat the Imalent MS12. The X70 is now spced at 60,000 Lumens! Yep, a serious increase of 20,000 lumens.. and I'm very curious how they gonna do that. They also changed the MSRP price to 625 USD. Read more on the Acebeam X70.
REVIEWS
2018 September
Reviews for September are:
- BLF GT Mini (mini thrower reaching over 100kcd)
- Fireflies ROT66 (High Cri Nichia LEDs)
- Klarus G35 (XHP35 thrower)
Who is going to win the Lumen battle trophy for 2018? Is it Acebeam with the X70? Is it Astrolux with the MF05, or is it Imalent with their newest MS12? Who knows.. but on paper the Imalent MS12 has already won. Crazy amount of lumens....claimed. 53,000 that is. Continue reading about the Imalent MS12
REVIEWS
2018 August:
New Reviews:
- Jetbeam TH20 (tactical flashlight: 3250 lumens)
- Astrolux MF04 (mega thrower: 1.2Mcd / 2000m throw)
- Solarforce L2M mini review (Host)
- Reylight BLF Titanium 3*Nichia (EDC flashlight: 2000 lumens)
- Haikelite MT03 TA Devourer Extremely bright flooder: 21,000 lumens
Astrolux MF02s is the successor of the famous MF02. This time round, they changed the LED to XHP70.2 with a reach of 1000+meters and max of 6000 lumens. This is comparable to the Acebeam K65! It is now available for around $150. (Now only $109 at Banggood with code 7dc412)
NEWS
2018 July 14:
Emisar D4s
Emisar D4S: Hank from intl-outdoorshop has started producing the cousin of the incredibly famous and extremely bright Emisar D4. He updated the D4 so it would fit 26650 batteries, but with about the same output. BLF member ToyKeeper has provided the updated firmware for the D4S and you can read her review here: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/61509. It has about 2-3x the throw, more mass so it keeps the temperature down. And added AUT LEDS which produce an interesting glow, almost like trits. Fortunately he also changed the button so it is more difficult to activate.. this was in my opinion the main issue with the D4.
NEWS
2018 July 02:
Lumintop Extreme
Lumintop Extreme: Lumintop has given word to add an extremely bright flashlight that nobody can beat..... along those lines. Read the post by Texas Ace: http://budgetlightforum.com/comment/1343238#comment-1343238
NEWS
2018 July 02:
Astrolux MF04S XHP70.2
Mateminco MT70 Plus
While the Mateminco MT70 Plus has been on aliexpress for a few weeks now, Banggood also announced they are going to upgrade their Astrolux with the MF04S. The S may stand for: Super? Who knows.... They will have an XHP70.2 LED instead of the throwy XHP35 LED. Anyhow, the Astrolux MF04S is going to be on my list to review...just on the list.. it may actually never come into my posessions because there are so many interesting and powerful lights nowadays. Keep an eye on the banggood flashlight coupon page as well for a discount code in case I can't review it.
NEWS
2018 July 02:
Lumintop BLF- GT XHP70.2
Lumintop BLF GT70: Lumintop has acknowledged they are going to add another powerhouse to their lineup. This time it is going to be the successor of the BLF GT. Instead of powering it with a single XHP35 Hi, they are going to add a XHP70.2 for about 6000 lumens and a lot of throw. I am very interested in knowing more about this. Stay tuned for the 2nd edition of the BLF GT
The Acebeam X80-GT is the successor of the X80 with more lumens and more LEDs. It powers 18 pieces of XHP50.2 LEDs with a max of 32500 lumens. This is the same as the Imalent DX80, but with 500 more lumens.LOL.. I guess they wanted to beat the DX80 on paper. hahaha. 8 Output modes, 200-1000-2000-4000-15000-325000 and powered by 4x18650 batteries. (Special Acebeam 20A 3100 high amp batteries).
The Imalent RT70 is supposed to beat the Acebeam K65 I reviewed earlier. Which is rather interesting, because the Acebeam has 1000 more lumens, and about the same reach. Also using the same LED emitter, being the XHP70.2. It could trump the K65 however if it remains the same output for longer. Mfg mentions 5500 lumens and 900 meters of throw. Charging happens via built-in magnetic charge system. Great for people who only want 1 light and dont want to buy a separate charger.
The Olight X9R hosts 6 XHP70.2 Leds for extremely bright and floody beam. According to their specs it comes with a removable battery pack, home charger, car charger, shoulder strap and retaining ring for anti-roll. It is supposed to reach the max intensity of 25000 lumens, and max "throw" of 600 meters. 7 output levels and the lowest mode being 400 lm and no firefly..lol. But NO cooling fans? Read more about the X9R Marauder
Acebeam told me that the Acebeam W10 is going to be available any time soon. So I guess June 2018 will be the month for one of the first "flashlights" to use a powerful white laser. It can generate up to 300 lumens of white laser light, and reach about 1km far.... useful? Don't know! Check out the Acebeam website.
The Acebeam EC65 is on pre-order now. 4 Nichia high-cri LEDS with 2000 lumens (1 battery). There isn't much to talk about at the moment. The first review I've read from Maukka isn't in favour of the flashlight.
Nitecore has relased the premium version of their famous keychain light, made of copper. It will reach a max of 370 lumens and has 4 modes. You can charge it via USB port so a great gift for non-flashoholics. Read more about the Tini on the Nitecore website.
The Acebeam X70 is going to be available in July 2018. It is currently the brightest LED flashlight on paper with 40000 lumens when it is going to be put on the market..Check out more details about the X70 here on 1lumen.com
2018 February:
Astrolux MF05
The Astrolux MF05 has been announed as an active-cooled flashlight that will pump the output to about 48000 lumens (at least on paper?), and might surpass the Acebeam X70 when it is going to be released at the end of 2018. For the moment no final specifications have been released yet, so I'm eagerly waiting on some more details. This might become the brightest flashlight in 2019? Who knows
Flashlight Manufacturers
Interesting news will be reported here about well-known flashlight manufacturers and also about smaller exclusive builders.
Here is a list of Flashlight manufacturers.
-
Acebeam
-
Astrolux,
-
Armytek
-
Convoy
-
Eagletac
-
Emisar
-
Fenix
-
Imalent
-
Jetbeam
-
Klarus light
-
Lumintop
-
Manker
-
Nitecore
-
Olight
-
Sunwayman
-
Surefire
-
Thorfire
-
Wuben
Smaller flashlight companies/brands/builders
-
Malkoff
-
Okluma
-
Oveready
-
Polarion
-
Promotheus
-
Reylight
-
Sinner