zakreviews

joined 2 years ago

Reddit user fnksb pointed out that the measured current, runtime, and expected battery capacity didn't quite add up for the 14500s. I tested both my Vapcell H10s on my analyzing charger and got 737 mAh and 797 mAh, which is considerably lower than the 924 mAh figure I had been using. I've recalculated efficiency numbers based on a battery capacity of 797 mAh and also reran the M1 mode runtime test.

I got a bit longer runtime this time around and of course a little higher efficiency in every mode. My overall analysis remains the same though: boost/linear is a little disappointing and I'd much rather see boost/buck or boost-only using a 6V LED like the Nichia B35AM. So far, I think only the Emisar D3AA takes the boost-only approach to the AA/14500 problem.

@flashlight@lemmy.world @flashlight@kbin.social

@solrize Oops, that was meant to be a reply, not its own post.

@dual_sport_dork I think something similar happens any time people hyper-focus on a single attribute of their gear. The brightest headlamp is as unlikely to be a community favorite as the lightest because maximizing any one attribute has costs to others.

It's just an odd quirk that a community sprang up around minimizing weight as its core principle. "I want a good X that's lightweight" makes more sense to me than "I want a lightweight X that's good".

[–] zakreviews@social.goodanser.com 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

@Habahnow @flashlight The AA Zebralights used to cost less and support 14500. The current models don't support 14500, which is a major downside now that we have 14500 batteries with a capacity as high as 1250 mAh (4.6 Wh). That's about 50% more capacity than the best NiMH AAs and even exceeds disposable lithium (except at very low loads).

[–] zakreviews@social.goodanser.com 3 points 6 months ago (3 children)

@Habahnow @flashlight There's really no close competition. The Acebeam H16 and Manker E02 series are superficially similar, but don't have stable output or onboard charging. The E02 also doesn't appear to have the best track record for reliability.

[–] zakreviews@social.goodanser.com 6 points 6 months ago (2 children)

@dual_sport_dork I definitely have trouble relating to the ultralight crowd. I'd be more inclined to take an 18650 headlamp and an 18650 powerbank so I could swap cells between them than to recharge a headlamp from a powerbank.

[–] zakreviews@social.goodanser.com 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)
[–] zakreviews@social.goodanser.com 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (3 children)

@BearOfaTime @flashlight not everyone is stylish enough for the hatlight!

@solrize There are two entries for the SP36. The first one is meant for an audience that wouldn't know what Anduril is; the second does mention it.

The LT1 Mini looks like it pulls from the Sofirn parts bin, but isn't just one light. Much of the body comes from the IF22A, but the tailcap looks like the IF25A, the diffuser is on the SC03, and I think the button cover is from the LT1.

[–] zakreviews@social.goodanser.com 5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Changes aren't huge this time around:

Remove SC32 (high-CRI option discontinued)
Remove SP31 v2 (discontinued)
Remove Zebralight H53c N (overpriced)
Add H200 and H200 Mini
Acebeam L35 becomes 2.0
Wurkkos TS10 becomes 2.0
E70 (21700) removed (high-CRI option discontinued, and the low-CRI version isn't that special)

@flashlight

[–] zakreviews@social.goodanser.com 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

@Dhrystone It's a characteristic of any white light source. You'll find CRI listed on many household light bulbs as well.

[–] zakreviews@social.goodanser.com 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Additional testing has proven that I cannot accurately measure current with my ammeter in series at 6A, and the actual current with the tailcap installed is probably considerably higher. I have removed that number from the table.

 

Review: Acebeam E75 - an efficient general-purpose flashlight with great color rendering, USB-C charging and a 21700 battery

https://zakreviews.com/acebeam-e75.html

Some tools do their jobs so well they're a little boring to write about. The E75 provides everything most of us could want in a midsize flashlight, and very little we wouldn't.

#flashlight #EDC #EveryDayCarry #FlashlightReview @flashlight

 

Review: Skilhunt EK1 USB-C keychain flashlight

The EK1 is Skilhunt's take on a twisty keychain light with USB-C charging and an optional high-CRI LED

https://zakreviews.com/skilhunt-ek1.html

#flashlight #flashlights #keychain #EDC #EveryDayCarry #skilhunt @flashlight

 

Arbitrary List of Popular Lights - Winter Solstice 2023 Edition

In honor of Winter Solstice, I've made an updated list of popular lights. Today is the day you're most likely to need a flashlight in the northern hemisphere; if you're shopping for one, I hope this will help.

https://zakreviews.com/arbitrary-list-2023.3.html

#flashlight #flashlights #EDC #EveryDayCarry @flashlight@lemmy.world @flashlight@kbin.social

 

Review: Sofirn SP10 Pro - a high-CRI AA/14500 light running Anduril 2

The Sofirn SP10 Pro is the only flashlight running Anduril 2 and supporting both AA and 14500 batteries. It offers high CRI and a low price. I've reviewed it here:

https://zakreviews.com/sp10-pro.html

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

 

$16 flashlights make flat runtime graphs now. I am impressed.

This is a Convoy S21E with Nichia 719A in 3000K. It's not setting any brightness records at ~850lm, but that's top-tier regulation. It's CRI is in the 90s, and it's kind of throwy too.

#flashlight #flashlights #EDC #EveryDayCarry @flashlight

 
 

Arbitrary List of Popular Lights - Fall Equinox 2023 Edition

In honor of Fall Equinox, I've made an updated list of popular lights. Days are getting shorter and nights are getting longer - it might be time for a new flashlight.

https://zakreviews.com/arbitrary-list-2023.2.html

#flashlight #flashlights #EDC #EveryDayCarry #equinox @flashlight

 

Up close with the Nitecore UHI40 LED

Here's Nitecore's new bespoke round LED as found in the MH12 Pro. It looks a lot like a Yinding L50 20W, but not *identical* so my guess is Nitecore requested changes to something Yinding was working on.

#flashlight #flashlights #LED #LEDs #EDC #EveryDayCarry #Nitecore @flashlight

 

What's inside the recalled Skilhunt H150

https://zakreviews.com/h150-repair.html

I took apart my H150 to better understand the RPP short, show what else is inside, and attempt to make it safe to use.

#flashlight #headlamp #skilhunt #recall #h150 #repair #teardown #disassembly @flashlight@lemmy.world @flashlight@kbin.social

 

Safety warning: Skilhunt H150 short circuit

https://zakreviews.com/h150-warning.html

If you have a Skilhunt H150, do not use flat-top cells, and consider returning it

#flashlight #headlamp #skilhunt #h150 #EDC #EveryDayCarry @flashlight@lemmy.world @flashlight@kbin.social

 

Olight owes me $188.87 in affiliate commissions

Two months after initially contacting them about it by email, they have not paid and are no longer replying to messages.

https://zakreviews.com/olight-commission.html

@flashlight@lemmy.world @flashlight@kbin.social

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