Flashlight recommendation

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Sofirn-SF32-LED-Mini-flashlight-18650-Powerful-Flashlight-Cree-XP-G2-LED-tactical-flashlight-5-modes/3145031_32828357280.html?spm=2114.12010610.0.0.571dc845ao99Dw

As you described, Sofirn SF32 is a good choice, portable and 18650 battery.

I like the MH12GT better since it’s more compact.
The USB charging is very useful because you don’t need to carry an 18650 charger around, and not even open the flashlight.
Just plug it in with the same cable you probably use with your phone.

MH12GT looks pretty interesting based on specs. Are you folks taking a risk buying new products/new vendors to see what works and what doesn’t? Of course discussions like these and collective wisdom of this forum helps to rule out a lot of bad stuff (e.g. my recent purchase of Ultrafire from ebay for $5 which claimed 6K lumens).

I haven’t seen much discussion about DX3B Pro on this forum. 2,480 lumens and beam distance of 165 yards or 1,870 lumens and beam distance of 280 yards but smaller footprint. Is there something fishy with their specs?

thx

DX3B Pro seems to be OK, a bit less lumens than advertized

As someone pointed out, it is a slipper slope. Once you have the charger and few battery, it is a dangerous thing. A light for $10 here, another one for $15 here and soon you know, I will end up on “Hoarders” show :slight_smile:

I have some good suggestions to look more into. As far as battery goes, are folks still liking 18650 over others? Are there any tradeoffs to another size in terms of size versus performance?

LiitoKala can cover both Lithium and NiMH batteries
Once you have that, makes sense to go for Convoy S2/S2+
This is not hoarding

LiitoKala charger and two S2+ are on the slow boat from China…
Looking forward to use them.

IMO (because of the XHP emitter) the Eagtac DX3B Mini Pro is in a whole different category from the others you’ve listed, and it appears your thread contains the only mention of the DX3B on the forum.

I have the same question specific to that category, I started a thread about it:

You are right and I had briefly referenced to it in the post #3. Looks like the industry at the top end is moving towards XHP and probably a matter of time before they make it into the budget brands. That’s why these pocket sized flashlights can claim 2k, 3k lumens output. Curious to see if someone has first hand opinion on this flashlight.

Yes I see what you mean, and yes hopefully we will be seeing this in a budget mini or tube light soon.

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Here’s a review of it on TLF with some nice photos and graphs:

But the TLF is in German, I tried google translate, it worked for the text but removed the photos and had a error message saying the page was already translated, which it wasn’t. Maybe you’ll have better luck. After the translation it was still a bit hard to follow but still informative.

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Also here’s a review on YouTube:

The YouTube reviewer also has a text review on his website:

Doing a web search I also found a thread about it in the “candle” forum, several members there who bought one provide some feedback.

Who doesn’t want more lumens in the same light form factor? And yes it is now possible to get multi thousand lumens out of a 18650 tube light. One of the most cited “best light” of 2017 is the Emisar D4. The XPL version can put out more then 4000 lumens out of a light the size of a S2 - even a tad smaller… But about five times the price.

However, with actual led efficiency, there is a limit to what a tube light can sustain because of the heat. Even a regular Convoy S2 with 8x7135 close to 1k lumen will get pretty hot on high. Some argue that 6x7135 is better in that regard. The above mentioned D4 can’t really sustain more then 600 lumen for some time. The multi thousand lumen turbo is only good for a few seconds before the head becomes too hot to handle.

That said, i would recommend the BLF A6. Essentially a S2 revisited by BLF enthusiasts. Seven brightness levels from moon to 1400 lumen turbo. A must have budget and very versatile light. Can often be found around $20.

Agree. I think the issue with Nitecore, Eagtac etc. is that they don’t publish runtime on the highest setting but they use high lumens are the main highlight on the flashlight. After S2+ arrives and I have some time to play with it, I am going to look into BLF A6 and others. Is there a particular config of A6 that you recommend?

It would be cool to see more flashlights with XHP70.2s but driven at really low levels like 1000lm instead of like 3000+
This would give a very high efficiency for longer runtime on max, and no heat issues.
It would be closer to 200lm/W at 1000lm, compared to the 100lm/W for an XP-L HI at the same output.
Less throw, but double the runtime and less waste heat!

Well… there are not many options apart from the led tint. My preference goes to 3D NW - but that’s just a matter of taste. The 18350 tube is nice to make a shorty pocket rocket. Even better if you can find one of those Aspire 1100mAh 18350 cells. I think they are discontinued but other similar cells have come - up but much more expensive. The bare Al A6 is pretty nice too. Just a different finish without anodizing.

Seriously, the BLF A6 is probably the ultimate budget 18650 tube light - especially for the price. I forgot to mention no visible PWM. The only things missing would be a choice of other emitters, OP or smooth reflector and USB charging. But just as is it is a great value light you’ll find a use for no question. You’ll probably want a couple of them. Lol. :wink:

thx for the tips. Will order an A6 as well…

The blf A6 is a great light and a great value.

If you want a small premium quality 18650 light less than $100 you should consider zebralight. They offer models in every tint and beam pattern. People who have zebralights swear by them.
Something like this would do nicely. http://www.zebralight.com/SC600w-Mk-III-HI-18650-Flashlight-with-Neutral-White-High-Intensity-XHP35_p_179.html

Looks like 3D NW out of US warehouse is sold out. Is there a difference between buying the ones from Chinese warehouse other than the long shipping time?

What’s the opinion of Astrolux S1? Looks like Chinese clone of BLF A6…

:+1: Nicely wrapped up

They are in fact the exact same. Astrolux manufactures both.

A6 is the way to go.