@technomad @flashlight
Maybe the FC11C, unless you need secondary LEDs on the side, then maybe the Sofirn IF24 Pro.

Not a lot of changes this time around:

Added SC13 519A
Added L16 v2
Updated MiX-7
Removed Convoy Z1
Pending Wurkkos TS10 Max

@flashlight

@carter2077 @flashlight it doesn’t have a sub-lumen low and the UI is a little weird. As more competing options became available, I think it’s less compelling.

It’s still a good flashlight, and if those traits don’t bother you, may be the right light for your.

@clay_pidgin @flashlight

The SP36 is a fairly large light, larger than I think most people really need for general use and camping. The FC11C is adequate, simpler to operate, and a more convenient size. Pick up a couple spare batteries if you’re concerned about runtime.

@XeroxCool
The Wuben is a round beam without cutoffs. The 20x65 TIR I have in the Convoy has little spill outside its rectangular beam.

@JazzmanJosh I like the 719A pretty well in this application. I also have one in an S21E, but the B35A is clearly better there. I have yet to try a B35A in a C8 and haven’t read about anyone else doing so. It only loses 10% throw in the S21E, but I think it would do worse in the C8.

@flashlight So far it’s looking like the 20x65 has a much harder vertical cutoff than the rest, which is desirable to avoid blinding other road users. The 10x65 and 15x30 don’t focus all that well.

@Cooljimy84 These don’t quite have the hard cutoffs that are ideal for bike lights, but they come pretty close.
https://social.goodanser.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/859/111/411/447/138/small/0e4d608ae9b0155b.jpg

More changes:

Replaced Sofirn IF22A with Wurkkos TD01C. The regulated buck driver is much more efficient and doesn’t dim as the battery drains in medium modes. It also has more throw.

Added Zebralight SC700d HI.

Re-added Reylight Pineapple Mini.

Added Skilhunt EC200S Mini.

@flashlight

Changelog:

Wurkkos FC11 replaced with FC11C

Acebeam E70 Mini removed

Skilhunt EC200 and EC200S added

Sofirn SP40A removed

Acebeam L35 updated to 2.0

Thrunite TC20 v2 removed

Emisar D3AA added

Convoy C8+ updated

Convoy M21F replaces M21C

Convoy M3C removed

@flashlight

@Showroom7561 @flashlight There have been Olight models on this list before. There aren’t any currently due to the company’s heavy use of proprietary batteries. Their LED selections in many models also leave something to be desired.

@EmperorHenry The MH25 Pro is a much fatter light that doesn’t fill the same role. Direct competition for the MH12 Pro would be more along the lines of the Fenix PD36R v2 and Acebeam T35.

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.

@[email protected] @[email protected]

@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”.

@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).

@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.

@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.

@helenslunch @flashlight check the publication date.

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