LED test / review - Skilhunt SL-F35R-3V (5000 K 95 CRI) - good high CRI LED with small LES and high luminance

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts LED Testing
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LED test / review EN


Skilhunt SL-F35R-3V (5000 K 95 CRI)


2026-02-04


  • Type: single die, lateral
  • Bin: —
  • Color group: — (5000 K)
  • CRI: 95
  • Rated voltage: 3 V
  • Max. Forward current: 3000 mA
  • Max. Peak current: 6000 mA
  • Viewing angle: — °
  • Thermal resistance: — K/W
  • Max. Temperature Tj: max. —°C

I received the F35R from Skilhunt in mid-January 2026. I do not have any further information about these LEDs apart from the values stated above.

The F35R has a simple design. The light surface is covered by orange phosphor and is surrounded by white silicone potting compound. Bonding wires are not directly visible, but can be seen beneath the potting compound when reflected appropriately. Four bonding wires appear to be used. All in all, the F35R is very reminiscent of a smaller version of the FFL505A or W5050SQ3, which have already been tested.

The footprint is compatible with all 3535 and XP boards, and the thermal pad is electrically insulated.

This LED may be from HSXLED (Hopthink), but this cannot be confirmed.

The luminous surface is covered with bright orange phosphor, which indicates a larger amount of red phosphor with a high wavelength maximum.

The luminous surface measures 2.69 mm2. There is virtually no light emitted to the sides.






  • at 6000 mA (official maximum current): 1155 lm @ 3.63 V
  • Power at official maximum: 21.8 W
  • Efficiency at 6000 mA: 53.0 lm/W
  • Maximum reached at 8.6 A, at this point 1286 lm @ 3.93 V
  • Power at maximum 33.8 W
  • Efficiency at maximum 38.1 lm/W




Data for 25 °C Tsp (at 85 °C the luminance values are around 13 % lower).


The F35R is relatively efficient, at least when compared to similar LEDs with similar color rendering and LES size. The Vf is quite high at maximum possible current, which should enable direct drive operation, at least with smaller batteries (14500 and similar).

The luminance is relatively high compared to other 3535 emitters with high CRI. However, due to the lower efficiency and the associated low luminous flux, the luminance does not match that of common 3535 emitters with a small light-emitting area. In general, LEDs with a small light-emitting area and low CRI are more suitable for throwers, with the disadvantage of visibly poorer light quality.

The beam is flawless, with no artifacts. Depending on the reflector used and its quality, slight rings may appear.



The spectrum shows no abnormalities. The specified CRI (Ra 95 / R9 80) is maintained. In general, the spectrum is very similar to other neutral white high CRI LEDs from recent production. The cyan hole is normal, and the R12 is lower, as expected with blue-pumped LEDs.

In addition to YGG:Ce3+ with λex=513 nm and YAG:Ce3+, Ca-a-SiAlON:Eu2+ is also very likely to be used. SSN:Eu2+ with a λex=620-630 nm is probably used for the red component. YGG:Ce3+ seems to be relatively popular for such high CRI LEDs because it is quite temperature-stable and, above all, can fill the cyan hole to a certain extent.

There is no strong tint shift with increasing current. The tint is solid and offers no cause for complaint.


  • Ra: 95
  • R9: 91
  • CCT: 5348 K
  • duv: -0.0007

The SL-F35R-3V is essentially a solid LED that does little wrong. The tint is good, the beam is just perfect, and the performance is relatively high.

The biggest disadvantage is the lack of a source of supply from Skilhunt, which makes it difficult or impossible to use in DIY projects. This means that this LED is only worth recommending in theory. There is also no official data sheet, so characteristic curves and other important parameters remain unclear.


Thank you for reading this test. :slight_smile:

Greetings, Dominik


v1.0.2
13 Thanks
2

Looks pretty good, though the high-CRI SFT25R has a bit smaller LES and a bit higher efficiency. I expect these to be a big hit in Skilhunt’s lights; I’ve always wanted a bit more reach from the M150 and M200 with 519As.

3

But is also likely more expensive and has more chance of being green. I think Skilhunt is aware of this greenish tint problem and will order LEDs on or below BBL.

But yes, I also think these LEDs would be quite popular in Skilhunt lights since they do basically everything right, except for slightly lower efficacy.

4

Someone should tell Skilhunt about green AR glass. Most of their lenses raise Duv, but I’m glad they’re paying attention to it when it comes to LEDs.

2 Thanks
5

I don’t really get the point of this, since it’s round isn’t it the main point to throw very far ?

But it’s not going to throw very far it only produces 500 lumens at 1 amp

The Cree xhp series is way better in terms of power

I wish it produced like 4,000 lumens at 6 amps or 8 amps while still retaining 90 plus CRI

6

Excellent, informative review as always!

I’m not so impressed by this emitter’s output compared to FFL350RD. Barely any higher despite a 5000K vs 3500K CCT advantage, plus the FFL’s substantial efficiency loss from masking a square die to achieve roundness.

A bit off topic, but do you happen to have a list of papers/datasheets on these phosphors? If so, I would be really grateful if you could send me via direct message; if not, I’m happy to look them up myself.

7

Smaller (real round) LES of the F35R makes a huge difference. The FFL350RD was basically a fake round (square) LES which was way bigger. Pretty sure the 350RD was held back in it’s performance by this shady method of creating a “round LES”.

I have a list; but it took me probably weeks to create it… I will think about it. Let’s talk about this via PM.

1 Thank
8

The point of something like this is to increase throw in a given flashlight model without giving up other useful traits like nice tint and good color rendering. This will throw farther than a Nichia 519A in any of the several lights Skilhunt makes with that emitter.

Looking at the LED flashlights with the most throw for their size, it’s rare to see the Cree XHP series and common to see LEDs with a small surface area. It’s just as useful to decrease area as to increase output when the goal is more throw.

Skilhunt’s other bespoke LED, the F50S produces higher output, but it has a considerably larger area and will produce less throw in the same size optic even if driven very hard.