Review - Zanflare F3 ( AAA 3 mode )

Zanflare sent me the F3 for review .

You can buy your Zanflare F3 here ( At the time of this review the F3 is $9.99 USD )

Brand: zanflare
Model: F3
Emitters: CREE XP-G2
Emitters Quantity: 1
Output: High: 150LM, Medium: 35LM, Low: 3LM
Color Temperature: 4500 - 5000K / 6000 - 6500K
Feature: Adjustable brightness,Constant Current Circuit,Pocket Clip
Function: EDC
Switch Type: Clicky
Switch Location: Tail Cap
Mode: 3 (Low - Mid - High)
Battery Type: AAA
Battery Quantity: 1
Battery Included or Not: No
Mode Memory: Yes
Waterproof Standard: IPX8

Reflector: Orange Peel Reflector
Beam Distance: 50-100m
Impact Resistance: 1.5M
Body Material: Aluminium Alloy

First impressions :

I really do like the AAA flashlights as they are simply so easy to carry and store on ones person for when needed . The very first thing I did was take the F3 for a walk to see how easy it was to use and it did not disappoint . The F3 is a 3 mode light with no hidden or extra flashy modes , just a simple 3 mode flashlight . The reverse clicky is very mechanical and solid performer , not mushy or vague . Modes are Low - Medium - High ( in that order ) .

There is no detectable PWM in any mode and the build quality is excellent . Fit and finish is excellent , the O ring on the tailcap feels firm , the pocket clip is also excellent , feels strong with good tension . I really hate saying this , but I have found nothing to complain about . The F3 has to be one of the best 3 mode AAA flashlights that your hard earned can buy .

What’s in the box :

Instructions

AAA 3 mode F3 Flashlight

Clip

Keyring

Two spare O rings

Performance :

As always , I am reporting what I was able to measure . So please bear in mind those nasty variables .

Alkaline Battery > Low 0.02Amp - 4 Lumens … Medium 0.19Amp - 21 Lumens … High 0.83Amp - 80 Lumens

Eveready Nimh > Low 0.02Amp - 4 Lumens … Medium 0.23Amp - 29 Lumens … High 0.61Amp - 59 Lumens

Duracell Nimh> Low 0.02Amp - 4 Lumens … Medium 0.19Amp - 29 Lumens … High 0.93Amp - 120 - 115 Lumens

Matsushima Nimh> Low 0.02Amp - 4 Lumens … Medium 0.19Amp - 29 Lumens … High 0.96Amp - 120 - 115 Lumens

Pisen Nimh > Low 0.02Amp - 4 Lumens … Medium 0.19Amp - 29 Lumens … High 1.05Amp - 143 Lumens

As can be seen performance is very much dependent on the battery used , so the better the battery the better the performance . Due to the design of the tailcap and the design of AAA batteries it was very fiddly getting a current measurement so I did it many times and each time the result varied some . So I have posted the most consistent results for current measured .

Zanflare F3 :

A 3 mode AAA flashlight with no disco modes ( that’s so nice ) , also left out has been PWM , sorry you just don’t get any and I know just how much flashaholics love their PWM . ( Not ) One may have noticed two groves cut into the body , this is to enable the clip to go either way so that the user can orientate the light for say hands free by clipping it to a suitable object ( rim of a hat ? perhaps ) . Anyhow the option is there to point the clip either way . The clicky is just a pure joy to use and too often these small lights are fitted with tricky or vague tail clickies that just make the flashlight less than a joy to use , not so with the F3 . It is very positive and easy to use , heck even my 80 year old mother can use it ( I kid you not ) . I gave the light to my mother and she negotiated the modes with great ease , not something I have seen when she tries to use other flashlights . Now I am torn between keeping the F3 for myself or actually giving it to my mom , she could really use a new flashlight . ( One that she can actually use easily )

The F3 is a very solid little light , there is no battery slop , the tailcap screws on very easily and seals against the O ring well and solidly . Another nice feature is the fast mode memory . As long as you take longer than ( one thousand and one ) about one second between turning the light off and on , it will not change modes . Yeah , turn the light off count - thousand and one - and turn the light back on in the mode you turned it off in ( that’s so nice ) . How annoying is it when you are out walking at night and you turn the light off and then have to turn it on again a few seconds latter ( spotting spiders - doggy poop etc ) only to have the light change modes on you because of the insanely slow mode memory ( take note other manufacturers ) . Zanflare has got the mode memory nailed !

Conclusion :

At the time of the review the F3 is on sale for $9.99 USD and at that price represents insane value for money . I simply can not find anything to complain about , the F3 is a well built light that works and sets a standard that should please everyone .

Excellent Build quality

OP reflector

Anodizing is excellent

Excellent clip ( reversible )

Clicky is excellent

No battery slop

Tailcap threading is excellent as is O ring fit

Fast mode memory

No detected PWM

Over all a very nicely made and tight unit .

Looks like a winner.

Thanks for the review.

Thanks for review, :beer:
I like the light, but….too big for me (in AAA the limit is….I do not know, but small than this sure :slight_smile:
As always Zanflare perfect package for product.

Nice review. My F3 and F2S are on the way

Thank you …

DIA is 15.5mm
Length is 87mm

Quite a bit smaller than a AA light , compared to a twisty ?
My Maratac 3 mode twisty is DIA 13.9mm Length 68.2mm

??? Do you want a AAA with tail switch ?
Hard to beat a twisty for size ( if that’s important ) . I like a tail switch and ( wait - I own a few cameras - ill take a picture )

I don’t care some millimeters bigger or smaller. The nuance of size does not affect the user experience. Sometimes, it is not the smaller the better.

Excellent review, I ordered it from gearbest, same price with coupon, $9.99.

Thanks for the review.

Hope zanflare will do a better 2xAA flashlight than the F2 and with USB recharging

(NiMh capable flashlights are always handy)

Looks nice in a lot of ways but the size rules it out for me. There are lots of AA torches same size or smaller and lighter. I mean, even the DQG tiny 18650 isn’t too dissimilar.

Does yours tight fit at the tailcap for the batteries?
I ordered two and both damaging the battery wrapping and it caused contact problems.
The tailcap inner side is too sharp.


It is so tight that the bottom one battery stuched inside even against the spring force:

No - No such issue …
My Pisen AAA is 10.3mm DIA and is a slight slop fit inside the tailcap .

i saw a Chinese battery

My battery is 10,37mm thick.

It seems old does not like to take beamshots

Nice, only found two reviews of this flashlight through Google, and yours gives more details. if there are more pictures to show the beamshots, will be better. :smiley:

I can do beams - ( Raining cats and dogs ATM )
U seen one XPG - U seen em all …
Hotspot is broad , ever so slightly purple tint on the edge ( Probably the cooler emitter - other is not available )
Such a small light is not going to be a thrower .

Probably should lower the shutter speed … But here is a comparison against my Nitecore D11 which is XPG …
The smaller reflector on the F3 offers a less defined hot spot …

Tis a indoor shot due to the spring storm outside …

Why no reviews with Energizer ultimate lithiums??

I don’t know ?