For years the Wurkkos TS10 has often been recommended when people are looking for a small EDC flashlight with lots of functions. Compact, fun, great light and also inexpensive. Over time, different colors and materials such as titanium, brass and copper were added.
If you think the TS10 was too small and not bright enough, you should take a look at the new Wurkkos TS10 Max. It has a larger 18650 battery and Nichia 519A LEDs with even higher light quality, but is otherwise very similar to the classic TS10.
You can find the German version of this review on my website: SammysHP Blog › Wurkkos TS10 Max
I have received the flashlight as a present from the manufacturer, thank you very much!
Overview of hardware
The flashlight is supplied in a sturdy cardboard box with magnetic closure. A novelty is the charging cable, which now has a USB-C plug on both sides. With previous flashlight models, a USB-A to USB-C cable was included.
- Wurkkos 18650 Li-ion battery with 3000 mAh (unprotected, button-top, 71 mm long, USB-C charging port, 3.84 V at arrival)
- Lanyard
- Clip
- 2x replacement o-ring
- USB-C to USB-C charging cable
- Manual
As Anduril is extremely complex, I would describe the supplied manual as a quick start guide. If you want to use more than the basic functions, it makes sense to take a look at the official manual.
Externally the Wurkkos TS10 Max is very similar to the original TS10. The difference is mainly in the size and the battery used (18650 instead of 14500).
Length: 94.1 mm
Diameter (head): 26.7 mm
Diameter (battery tube): 21.5 mm
Diameter (tailcap): 26.0 mm
Weight (without battery): 48.2 g
Weight (18650 battery): 52.8 g
Weight (total): 101.0 g
Although the TS10 Max is only around 30% longer and thicker than the normal TS10, the battery has four times the capacity (18650 batteries are also available with 3500 mAh).
Compared to other 18650 flashlights, the TS10 Max is surprisingly small – even though it has a tail switch. It is very comparable to the FW3A, which is no longer manufactured.
FW3A | Emisar D4v2 | Wurkkos TS10 Max | Noctigon KR4 | Skilhunt MiX-7 Gen 2 Plus
A noticeable feature of the design is the slim waist. This also helps when holding the flashlight so that the tail switch can be operated more easily. Otherwise, the TS10 Max is somewhat slippery due to the smooth anodization.
The large button is just as comfortable to press as the small TS10. Only around 350g is required for actuation - quite a low force for a button of this size.
In contrast to the classic TS10, the tailcap can be unscrewed, as the switch PCB is held in place by a small screwed-in ring. As with all TS10s, the battery tube has a double-walled design: While the inner tube carries the power, the outer tube is responsible for the signal from the button to the driver.
The three pads to update the firmware with the corresponding adapter are clearly visible on the driver.
Although the flashlight itself does not have a charging port, the supplied Li-ion battery does. It is fully recharged in just over two hours via the USB-C connection with a current of up to 1.75 A. A small status LED lights up red during the charging process and changes to green once charging is complete.
I am completely satisfied with the build quality. According to the specification, the TS10 Max is waterproof to IP68 (waterproof to a depth of 2m) and should withstand drops from a height of up to one meter.
User interface
The TS10 runs Anduril. By now you should all be familiar with it. Otherwise (or if you need further help), I suggest to read the official manual or take a look at the UI diagram. And if you are still lost, just ask here in the forum.
I got my TS10 Max with version 0713-2023-07-29, which I immediately updated to a custom version.
Illumination
Three Nichia 519A with a neutral white color temperature of around 5000 K and a particularly high CRI create a beautiful light. Between them there are six RGB aux LEDs, which give the TS10 Max that little bit extra.
A TIR optic produces a wide, evenly illuminated spot that smoothly fades into a diffuse spill. No color gradients, no artifacts. Simply beautiful light.
The wide spot makes the TS10 Max a good allrounder. At close range, the spot is still wide enough, and at full power it achieves a usable range of just under 50 m (according to the ANSI FL1 specification: 6125 cd / 157 m).
Driver and runtime
With such a compact flashlight, temperature is the most limiting factor for the brightness. Specific runtimes are therefore difficult to determine. In addition there are also no fixed levels, as Anduril can switch continuously between “extremely dark” (barely visible) and “very bright” (2500 lm according to the manufacturer).
In my measurement I ran the TS10 Max at maximum brightness. The target temperature was set to 50 °C (can also be set higher in the settings, but then it becomes uncomfortable to hold). The deviations from the target temperature are mainly due to the fact that the slightly cooled surface temperature was measured, but the temperature sensor is located deep inside the flashlight.
The TS10 Max uses a classic “FET+1” driver. This means that a PWM-operated linear regulator (AMC7135) is used below 350 mA, above which a FET is added in direct-drive mode. The PWM frequency is adjusted dynamically, but is selected so that it isn’t visible.
Originally a more efficient buck driver was planned, but this wasn’t finished when the TS10 Max was approaching its release date. Wurkkos therefore decided to launch the model with the simpler driver on the market so that it could be updated later if necessary.
When the battery voltage is low, Anduril reduces the brightness and finally switches the flashlight off at around 2.8 V to protect the battery from deep discharge.
Conclusion
Slightly brighter, longer runtime and even better light: If you think the TS10 was too small and not bright enough, you should take a look at the new Wurkkos TS10 Max. Only 30% longer and thicker, but with four times the capacity thanks to the 18650 battery. Plus the great Nichia 519A LEDs and the typical, elegant TS10 design. I’m looking forward to a version with an efficient buck driver.
