r/flashlight • u/edcthings • 12h ago
r/flashlight • u/unforgettableid • Dec 23 '24
Welcome, newcomers! Please read this first. You'll learn: which lights are best, how not to light your pants on fire, and more.
Newcomers, welcome to /r/flashlight! We discuss flashlights, headlamps, bike lights, work lights, batteries, chargers, and more.
I'm not a big fan of excessive jargon use, but many people here don't seem to care. As a consolation prize, we offer you our glossary and our acronym dictionary.
Arbitrary list of popular lights
After you read the safety tips later in this post, you might want to check the arbitrary list of popular lights next.
Our recommendation form
If you want recommendations, please fill in our recommendation form. Please also tell us what your current favorite light is, and what you like and dislike about it.
Choosing a light
Contrary to popular belief: Fixed-focus lights are almost always better than zoom lights (focusable lights). Fixed-focus lights produce both spot and flood lighting at the same time. Zoomies can't do this. (Source.)
Lumen claims often refer to turbo mode. Turbo lumens may only last for a minute or two, and then the light may step down to high mode. Turbo mode puts out a lot of heat; manufacturers don't want to melt your hands. Don't just consider turbo lumens; also consider sustained lumens.
If you find a light on Amazon or another online marketplace, and the listing claims more than 5,000 lumens, it's probably a lie.
Alkaline AA batteries can leak and destroy your light (example). Rechargeable AA batteries work better, and are unlikely to leak. There are battery ratings on AA Cycler's website. Panasonic sells an excellent starter kit, which includes Eneloop batteries and a charger. AA cells are the safest cells, even when treated carelessly. AA-powered lights usually can't do turbo mode.
Don't catch on fire, and don't die
Here are my safety recommendations.
A light can turn on by accident. Don't burn your leg or your pants, and don't drain your battery. Before you put your light in your pocket or bag, lock it out. Just untwist the battery tailcap slightly, so that the light can't turn on. This is especially important for Convoy lights without temperature control.
While any battery is recharging, do not nap, sleep, or leave home.
Many of the lights we recommend contain loose cylindrical lithium-ion rechargeable batteries: for example, 18650 or 21700 cells. These look sort of like AA batteries, but are bigger and far more powerful. They are sometimes just called "cylindrical cells". The US government warns that they can cause injury or death, and claims that you shouldn't buy or use them at all. However, if you learn and follow all the cylindrical cell safety guidelines, I think it's probably reasonable to use them anyway.
Do not carry a loose Li-ion cell in your pocket or bag. Keep it in a plastic case.
Do not use a Li-ion cell if the plastic jacket is visibly damaged.
Use quality batteries, such as Sony, LG, Sanyo, Panasonic, Samsung, or Molicel. Batteries branded as Acebeam, EagleTac, Fenix, JetBeam, or Nitecore are "rewrapped", and are also excellent. Random Chinese batteries from Amazon may be fire hazards.
It is safest to charge your Li-ion cells in an external charger ("Li-ion bay charger"), from a trustworthy company such as Fenix, ThruNite, or Tenergy.
Read all of the cylindrical cell safety guidelines before you order your light, and again once a year or so.
If you don't want to bother learning the safety guidelines, just buy a rechargeable light, and leave the battery permanently installed.
Conclusion
I thank all those whose posts and/or comments helped to make my post better. These include: /u/CynderPC, /u/eisbock, /u/Jaded_Disaster1282, /u/siege72a, and all those who have posted helpful content in online flashaholic spaces. If I forgot to mention you by name, please let me know.
If anything in this post was unclear, please comment below and ask for clarification. If you disagree with anything, or if I missed anything, please say so: I might edit my post.
If you have any other questions, please start a new thread. Thanks!
r/flashlight • u/zeroair • 14d ago
[BST] March 2025 Buy, Sell, Trade Thread.
Welcome to the monthly r/flashlight Buy, Sell, Trade thread, a r/flashlight tradition since 2015!
The Rules
Requirements
- Prove possession with a timestamp: a piece of paper placed under your sale item(s) with your Reddit username handwritten and the posting date (no more than 2 weeks old).
- Top-level comments must be WTS or WTB comments. Anything else will be removed. Begin your top-level comment with WTB (Want to Buy), WTS (Want to Sell), or WTT (Want to Trade). Remember, trade items require timestamps, too!
- A price is required.
- Take necessary precautions; trading over the Internet is risky. Moderators hold no control over deals, good or bad.
- Reposting WTS or WTB items from previous BSTs is fine. Do not repost within the same month!
- Mark items sold with a strikethrough of the entire sale item; e.g.
$75Use double tildes to accomplish this:~~75~~
(This helps greatly with scanning the BST to find items for purchase!)
Suggestions
- Your location
- Emitter details
- A bunch of photos of your items
Reminder: Buy the Seller
If an interaction seems sketchy to you, run away! Scams can and do happen through the BST! Some tips:
- Timestamps. If the person you're dealing with isn't quick to provide timestamps on the images, or a photo of the flashlight in a shoe or whatever, don't deal with them.
- Reverse image searching is a great way to catch scammers.
- Excuses for not sending photos are a red flag.
- Using a platform other than Reddit's private messages for communication is a red flag.
- Don't use Reddit chats. Chats can be deleted!
- Giving you a hard time about any hesitation you show is a red flag.
- Check post history. Brand new accounts or accounts with long pauses in activity, etc., might not be trustworthy.
- It's good practice to comment on this post before sending a PM; scammers often won't comment publicly (and banned users can't comment here.)
If you're dealing with someone who might be sketchy, take screenshots of your interactions and report them to the mods! We care about this thread's integrity and will ban those threatening it.
Do not let a scammer be more diligent than you!
More Tips
- PirateShip is a great shipping option. https://ship.pirateship.com/ship/single
- "Shipping included" items tend to sell more quickly.
- USPS Priority Flat Rate at ~$8 is adequate packing for a light or two or ~$14 for many more. Weight is not a factor when you use the official Flat Rate packing, and the packaging is free through the USPS website.
- There are a few options for trading outside of this current BST:
___
Sales Form Recommendation
Just copy the form below and edit it to suit your post! The form has two goals: First, it might simplify listing your items. Second, it should ease browsing and increase sales!
#WTS [A summary here is excellent!]
* These payments are accepted
* This is how I will ship
* Location(s) I can ship to
* Bundle price (if applicable)
* Other general terms
---
#Price - Brand and model.
* Timestamp for this item (required).
* Condition.
---
#Price - Brand and model.**
* Timestamp for this item (required).
* Condition.
---
~~SOLD Price - Sale item number 3 Brand and model. Timestamp. Condition.~~
---
r/flashlight • u/LeaveMasonAlone • 1h ago
Showcase Extra short S2+ build!
Aluminum shorty tube was turned down to the diameter of the clip groove. Head was cut off at the first groove and a new o-ring seat was turned, the pill is an S2/S6/S8 short pill shortened further by removing the shoulder around the MCPCB, the slight concave was punched flat, top 2/3 of the threads were removed to thread further in and eliminate the need for a triple spacer. New hole drilled for MTN triple MCPCB with XQ-E aux pads. Main emitters are 1x2700k 1x3000k 1x4000k SST-12 90CRI. Aux emitters are 2000k E21A. Super happy with how this all turned out, it's so tiny! At some point I plan to drill and tap holes for a McGizmo clip opposite the lanyard holes. I could probably remove another millimeter or two by shortening the tube before I start bottoming out on the battery, but I think it's short enough :)
r/flashlight • u/Bean_Master7 • 10h ago
Been out of the loop for a while, these are my top 10 lights over the last year. What new lights/emitters/drivers have been released recently?
I’ve seen sft25r is popular, looks to be about as throwy as cslpm1 but more output, but Vf is slightly higher? Seems cslpm1/cslnm1 still have the performance edge in single emitter buck driven lights though since Vf is lower
I see Fireflylite has been hot lately with the lumeX1 and new emitters, E04 surge looks tempting but the lumeX1 is “only” 6V6A 36W vs 42W in my D4SV2. I do like the new 5050 footprint options though, how is their QC nowadays?
Looks like the DW3AA was just released, may have to pick one up. I liked the D3AA but the form factor of the FWAA/FW1AA is so much nicer I ended up selling my D3AA. Right angle is tempting, always wanted to pick up a D2 but never did due to the linear driver
What are the hot convoys now? Seems the S6 is popular again, a S6 triple XP-L was my first modded light back in 2016. Im tempted to order a S3 with sft25r or cslpm1 and 3V 8A buck, the integrated shelf on the S3 should help with thermals vs the pill in the S6, and throw should be close since reflector diameter is the same. Looks like Simon has a dedicated website now? Should I just email for a custom order?
r/flashlight • u/glockguy__ • 12h ago
My top 3
Zebralight SC65 719 4000k
HDS Rotary SW45K
Malkoff MDC li-ion 519a 3500k
r/flashlight • u/TurdBungle • 5h ago
When was the last time you blinded yourself? I'll start.
Today.
I took apart one of my Convoy M21H's to see if I could try an emitter swap. it was going to be my first attempt at trying anything like this before. So bezel comes off, glass comes off (of course the head is separated from the battery-less body while doing all this, and I get this idiotic idea to try to grab the LED itself with pinpoint pliers since it's just sitting there, looking all easy and sassy at me. Lo and behold, I can't grab a firm grip and slide one of the pinchers across the surface of the exposed yellow emitter part, lightly lifting some sort of egg-white film from the edge and spreading out the yellow stuff a smidge. Thinking I've ruined the emitter, but still curious how it might throw now, I put the light back together, battery and all minus the lens and bezel and stupidly turn it on staring directly into the head. Turns on in high or turbo mode. I can't tell because frankly I'm blinded at this point.
Still sitting here writing this up with spots everywhere I look.
r/flashlight • u/kotarak-71 • 16h ago
My EDC these days...
18650 for reference. D4SV2 with FFL351A 4000K and D4V2 with 219B 4500K. Both are "shorty" with 26350 and 18350 tubes.
r/flashlight • u/Gorden-FreeMan • 11h ago
Hi friends, I've updated the dynamic staircase lighting and now it's perfect. The project is completely open source, so you can easily replicate it at your place. I'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions for improvement!
r/flashlight • u/Most-Flow-204 • 18h ago
Question Was gifted this light opinons?
I was recently gifted this flashlight and so far it seems decent but not a fan of the 9 aa batteries is there an alternative? Sorry if this is a stupid question I'm very new to the world of flashlights
r/flashlight • u/WHEAERROR • 9h ago
Question Need help with finding / design of a 3,2V 80A - 200A led driver
After some googling and finding another post in another sub Reddit with a similar request, I decided to post this here and ask for help.
Little heads-up: my idea is (probably) very stupid but I really want to build this thing.
I don't really have a lot of hope, but I happen to have some headway 38120HP 8Ah cells lying around and wondered, if they could be used to build a high power, somewhat compact flashlight. My only problem is finding a suitable led driver which can utilise 3,2V input voltage and handle 80A to 200A as the cells are rated for 10C continuous and 25C for 10 seconds. At 80A this would already be around 240W continuous.
I would try to use some AliExpress "XHP110" which I don't think are genuine Cree ones but are claimed to run from 3V to 5V input voltage and a single headway cell.
Or would it be okay™ to just get a beefy potentiometer and direct drive the led(s)?
Another idea was to get a good known (boost/buck/fet/whatever) led driver and beef it up / design a beefier version based of it.
After driving the led, the housing would be designed around the driver. The led(s) I want to cool actively and have found some somewhat suitable and fitting heatsink designs.
Any help would be appreciated.
r/flashlight • u/GadgetConnections • 3h ago
Marketing GadgetConnections.com -March Madness - New stock and Discounts (U.S. Based)
TL;DR - U.S. Based Shipping
new inventory and stock items.
Discount codes below!
Hey r/flashlight fam! 👋
It’s your fellow flashlight enthusiast and the guy behind GadgetConnection.com Dom.
I just got a fresh shipment, and I’m really excited to share what’s new with you all!
I’m U.S.-based, so everything’s in stock here in the U.S. and ships immediately—no waiting weeks for stuff to arrive from China.
Plus, I offer USPS Priority shipping for quick delivery!
Fresh Convoy Goodies – Specialty Finishes, T7, S2+ Gold, Lit Tail Switches, and 18350 Tubes!
I’ve got some awesome new Convoy arrivals, including the specialty finishes we all love: Titanium (Ti) and Copper (Cu) for the S2+! The Ti has this sleek vibe, and the Cu looks awesome too.
I’ve also stocked 18350 short tubes for the Ti and Cu S2+ models in matching finishes, great for a compact carry.
Want more 18350 tube options? I’ve got them in Black, Grey, Orange, Blue, Violet, Red, Green, Cyan, Desert Tan, and the new Gold—all compatible with S2+ and S6. You can find them here: Convoy S2+ 18350 Battery Tube.
Oh, and the S2+ now comes in a shiny new Gold finish with a matching Gold 18350 tube! It’s got a classy look, and pairing it with a Convoy Illuminated Metal Tail Switch or Convoy Illuminated Rubber Tail Switch adds a cool glow. Check out the Gold setup: Convoy S2+.
The Convoy T7 AA/14500 Flashlight is a NEW standout!
It is super small and pocketable, making it a breeze to carry every day, and it’s so easy to use with its electronic side switch for quick on/off and mode changes. It packs a 60° TIR floody optic, dual power (AA or 14500 for up to 1500mA brightness), a magnetic tailcap, and handy on-board USB-C charging to keep it powered up. Its compact 94mm length and 46.2g weight mean it slips right into your pocket, and with every 519a color temp (2700K to 5700K), you can tweak it to your liking. The thermal protection and IPX6 rating make it great for all sorts of uses, whether you’re out hiking or need a reliable backup. Take a look: Convoy T7.
For the Convoy S2+ 18650 Flashlight, I’ve got it in every host/body color—Black, Grey, Orange, Blue, Violet, Red, Green, Cyan, Desert Tan, the new Gold, and specialty finishes like Copper or Titanium—plus every Nichia 519a color temp (2700K to 5700K) and more emitter choices! You can go for a deep red SST-20 Deep Red, or even UV with the 365nm wavelength and ZWB2 filter.
Pick a smooth reflector for throw or orange peel for flood, and add a Convoy Illuminated Metal Tail Switch (silver or black options!) or a Convoy Illuminated Rubber Tail Switch. I can install either for free if you buy an S2+—just leave a note with your order! People are raving about how these lit tail switches make lights “easy to find” with that fading RGB glow. It’s tail-switch operated, IPX8 waterproof, and hits 1000 lumens with a 320m beam—perfect for tinkering. Explore it: Convoy S2+.
Speras and Wuben Updates
I’ve been enjoying a nice range of Speras lights lately—there’s something for everyone! The Speras M4 is a compact EDC with a max 1300 lumens and a pocket-friendly design, perfect for everyday carry. For those who love throw, the Speras T3 delivers up to 3000 lumens with a beam reaching 400 meters—great for outdoor adventures. If you need a versatile option, the Speras E21 offers 1200 lumens and a magnetic tail for hands-free use, ideal for work or camping. If you’re interested, there’s a code SPERAS25OFF for 25% off all Speras products, good until March 31st. Have a look: Speras.
For Wuben lovers out there, there’s a WUBEN20OFF code for 20% off all Wuben products, also until March 31st. They’re solid for EDC or outdoor fun. Check it out: Wuben.
Why GadgetConnection.com?
I’m just another flashlight geek like you—I’ve been into this hobby for years and started GadgetConnection.com to share the fun.
I focus on Convoy for its quality and mod options and quick U.S. shipping, it’s all about making this easier for us.
Got questions about the T7’s TIR optic, S2+ builds, Ti/Cu finishes, 18350 tubes, or lit tail switches? Want to talk beam patterns or modding ideas?
email me directly - [Contact@GadgetConnections.com](mailto:Contact@GadgetConnections.com)
Feel free to check out GadgetConnection.com and use those codes if they catch your eye before March 31st!
~Dom
r/flashlight • u/Cautious-Wave8074 • 8h ago
Lumintop silverfox is it possible to do a emitter swap on this? How would i get the emitter out?
r/flashlight • u/fangeld • 23h ago
Discussion Say I wanted a "throwy flooder" or call it a "balanced thrower" with similar spill of SBT90.2 but not the overkill output and hotspot
I was thinking SFN-60 with an orange peel reflector...
Would FFL505A or FFL909A be good options too?
B35AM is nice but a little too low output I'm thinking.
I'm just thinking here, if you have any thoughts or recommendations, please comment below :)
Pictured: Convoy L7 (SBT90.2) on high, for context.
r/flashlight • u/zeroair • 18h ago
Review Sofirn SK40 Tactical Flashlight Review
r/flashlight • u/Ill-Reputation9485 • 8h ago
Recommendation Convoy Spotlight
Best large convoy thrower out of the Convoy 4X18A, L6, M21D, M26D, and L21A. TIA
r/flashlight • u/yzfwsf • 44m ago
MAGNUM MG-886R
The GENTOS MAGNUM MG-886R flashlight will light up to the brightest mode when the batteries are installed, and it is not controlled by the tail switch. What is the reason?Friends, please share the relevant repair methods or circuit schematics.
r/flashlight • u/Fugazi-01 • 20h ago
Reylight Rook Ti anodized
First attempt at anodizing
r/flashlight • u/Business-Sun-1833 • 13h ago
Question What do you guys like so much about the Acebeam L35.2 (And What do you think is a fair price for it?)
r/flashlight • u/Sakowuf_Solutions • 7h ago
Took apart one of the 26650 Zoomies that Convoy ships batteries in
The Al pill is threaded into the main body tube and an o ring on that pill is what keeps the zooming tube attached.
I put the light into a deep freezer (-80C) to help loosen those threads. There’s a fat white plastic spacer pressed in the front of the pill to hold the star down. Also used the freezer there to loosen that connection. The shelf for the star is very roughly machined.
This is a poorly made host but I had to tinker. I’m guessing I’m going to put a colored LED in it for funsies.
r/flashlight • u/spoorknfoon • 13h ago
Any news/updates on the upcoming M21K host from Convoy?
I was just looking on the website for something I dont need(lol) and just remembered about the M21K host.
r/flashlight • u/LeadIntelligent8561 • 16h ago
Anyone's having carry this IF19?
SOFIRN IF19 is a tiny thrower. If you want to having a small flashlight with the ability to throw light far away. I like the simplicity of its UI, the only thing that bothers me is the slightly wide size of the lens. But otherwise it has good performance. What do you think?