Summary

For months, there have been hints of a new flashlight from Nitecore, but specific details have been kept top secret. That's now changed, as the new model has been officially announced: Here is the new Nitecore EDC37.

Was it worth the wait? Absolutely! The EDC37 combines many of the best features from previous models to make it Nitecore's new flagship of the EDC series.

The two "UHi 20 MAX" LEDs – already known from the EDC29 – now deliver up to 8000 lumens. Of course, this high brightness in such a compact flashlight can't be sustained for long. The heat sink is protected from direct contact, making handling more comfortable. One of the two dual-stage buttons can be programmed at both stages, and the "Rapid Lock" switch allows for quick and easy lockout at any time. It would be nice to have the option to freely choose between a wide and narrow beam at every brightness level. The built-in 8000 mAh battery offers long runtime, though its non-replaceable nature may be seen as a downside.

All in all, the Nitecore EDC37 is an impressive flashlight.

The full review is available here

English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website

Summary

It’s the little details that make the fourth version of the Skilhunt M200 a successful update. With three LED options, users can now choose between high brightness, long range, or accurate color rendering. The improved charging port should eliminate issues with water or metal shavings. And the already great UI has been further improved.

There’s not much to complain about. The slightly sharp edges on the bezel and the tailcap could be improved. In the version with the Nichia 519A, the LED is pushed to its limit in Turbo mode, which could affect its lifespan in the long run.

All in all, I’m very satisfied with the Skilhunt M200 V4. While there’s no compelling reason for V3 owners to upgrade, one of the other LED variants could still be an appealing addition.

The full review is available here

English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website

As a flashlight enthusiast, you might be interested in this new professional battery charger and analyzer for checking and maintaining your batteries.

The full review is available here

English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website

Summary

For many years, the SkyRC MC3000 has been considered one of the best chargers for round batteries. The user has full control over the charging process and can set not only the charging current but also many other parameters. It can also connect to a PC or smartphone for settings and data logging.

And here comes the new SkyRC MC5000!

I was really looking forward to the SkyRC MC5000: a modern design with a large color display, innovative scroll-wheel input, charging currents of up to 5 A per slot, Bluetooth connectivity and advanced analysis features.

All in all, everything has worked so far, but the range of functions still seems somewhat limited. Many enhancements could potentially be introduced through firmware updates, such as expanded parameter ranges, more effective use of the status LEDs and possibly even support for 1.5V Li-ion batteries. The absence of program memory slots is particularly disappointing. At this price point, a PC interface for control and data logging should also be included.

In its current form, the SkyRC MC5000 is still a long way from being a real successor for the MC3000. It is not a bad device by any means, but it does not yet fully meet the expectations I have for a professional charger in this class.

Got this inexpensive thermal camera (which is also a multimeter!) for a review recently. Although it is not a high-end device, the resolution of 32 × 32 pixels (with high resolution camera overlay) is absolutely sufficient for many applications – and a lot of fun as well! Finally I'm able to see how my flashlights warm up.

Flashlights in the pictures are: Skilhunt EC200, EC500 and M200 V4

If you are interested in the review of the Zoyi ZT-R01, you can find it here:

English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website

The full review is available here

English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website

Summary

The Cyanlamp M12R from Cyansky combines many good ideas: A spotlight for throw, that can also be used as a headlamp when clipped to a cap. A floodlight that evenly illuminates at close range. There are also RGB LEDs with various effects and work great as a beacon or marker. The flashlight can be attached either with the large clip, an eyelet or the integrated magnet. It can also be switched on and off with a simple gesture control.

However, there is still room for improvement in the implementation: Starting with the cool white light with low CRI, the unattractive color shift of the spotlight, to the simple driver that cannot keep the brightness constant. In addition, it doesn’t indicate whether you turn on the spotlight or floodlight.

The full review is available here

English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website

Summary

With up to 600 lumens, the tiny Nitecore TINI3 achieves an impressive brightness for its size and with the adjustable color temperatures it adapts to any situation. The practical OLED display provides information about brightness, battery level and remaining runtime. Thanks to its small size and a weight of just 20 g, it is barely noticeable on your key ring, but is always ready for use.

It would have been nice to have an (optional) automatic lockout to prevent the flashlight from turning on in the pocket if you forget to lock it manually. Time will tell whether a glass would have been useful to protect the TIR optic. Other than that, the TINI3 is pretty much perfect.

The full review is available here

English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website

Summary

The Nitecore EDC23 flashlight has been my everyday companion for a few months. The Nitecore EDC29 is the perfect alternative when more light is needed. The two UHi 20 MAX LEDs are not only quite bright at 6500 lm, but also produce a wall of light in Lumin Shield mode. I also like the great UI with two buttons and the “Rapid Lock” lockout using a slide switch.

Given the compact design, it is not surprising that the flashlight heats up quickly and cannot maintain the high brightness for long. In the lower levels however, the constant current driver keeps the brightness pretty constant. Unfortunately it is not possible to choose freely between the wide and narrow beam for each brightness level. The permanently installed rechargeable battery can also be seen as a disadvantage.

The full review is available here

English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website

Summary

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 with four times the capacity and Nichia 519A LEDs with even higher light quality, but is otherwise very similar to the classic TS10.

The full review is available here

English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website

Summary

How does someone come up with such an idea? The Cyansky Vanguard is a great toy for flashlight enthusiasts and gun lovers – definitely a flashlight with a high fun factor. What makes it so special? Its unique design, which is slightly reminiscent of a Glock and that it is loaded with a “9 × 19 mm” battery after the slide has been pulled back. Crazy!

As a flashlight, it is a pretty decent thrower. The beam shape is perfectly fine, but it has a strong green tint. The (matching) green laser is a nice extra. After all, you need something to shoot with, right? When it comes to the buttons, design comes before ease of use.

Got curious? You can preorder the Cyansky Vanguard now here on Kickstarter.

The full review is available here

English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website

Summary

When you first see the Nitecore EDC31, it may not appear that special. But a closer look reveals its special secrets. A compact EDC flashlight with a touch of tactical flair, a rather unusual LED with nine dies and a super simple control scheme with a two-stage electronic switch. While most modes are optimized for throw, the “Lumin Shield” mode impresses with a bright and floody wall of light. I also like lockout with a slide switch, called “Rapid Lock”.

Given the compact design, it is not surprising that the flashlight heats up quickly and cannot maintain the high brightness for long. In the lower levels however, the constant current driver keeps the brightness pretty constant. Unfortunately it is not possible to choose freely between the wide and narrow beam for each brightness level. The permanently installed rechargeable battery can also be seen as a disadvantage.

The full review is available here

English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website

Summary

Despite its slim head, the new Sofirn SR12 is a real thrower – the deep reflector and the Luminus SFT-25R make it possible. With a length of only 112 mm and a diameter of about 24 mm, it should still fit easily into your pocket, making it perfect as an EDC flashlight. It becomes even more interesting when combined with an optional short battery tube for 18350 batteries, which reduces its length to 79 mm.

The full review is available here

English review at BudgetLightForum
German review on my website

With this little review I wish you a merry Christmas! Have fun, but don’t overdo it with the lights. The tree should not start to burn at any time! 😉

Summary

When the Wurkkos TS10 was released in mid-2022, only few might have imagined what a great success this flashlight would become. Compact, playful, great light and also affordable. Over time, different colors and materials such as titanium, brass and copper were added.

The Wurkkos TS10 SG is a successful update of the classic TS10. With the new optics and the Luminus SFT-25R, the throw has been significantly increased. Otherwise everything has remained the same. There’s a reason the TS10 has enjoyed great popularity for years.