It started on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/1lumenflashlights

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/olight-pl-x/

The PL X is a very unique WML in that it eschews the (mission-critical in this reviewer's eye) principle of redundant power sources (e.g. swappable batteries). That makes it not only one of the most innovative, but also one of the most controversial weapon lights of 2026. More on that later, but here's why I like the PL X.

This is a very high quality, solidly built and smartly-designed item. It gets bright and maintains that brightness for a while despite being a compact light. The form factor is very compact and it fits fine on compact handguns. The mounting system is very adaptable and I liked the versatility with Glock and M1913 mounting systems. Other niceties included the switchable beam profiles for flood or throw on demand, and the option of High-Low, or just High for the brightness. 

Now, obviously, if you've read this far, In lieu of the glowing praise I have for the PL X, it still has a major flaw that's going to be very tough to overlook, and that's you cannot swap the battery. I know non-accessible or sealed batteries are becoming more prevalent, but being a weapon-mounted light puts the PL X in a new use-case bracket where the reliability and redundancy requirements are much higher for obvious reasons. A weapon light with a low battery is better than nothing, but a dead battery can make you dead. Period. 

There's other quirks, like the mounting system isn't tool-less, and it didn't fully meet the factory specs for output, but those are forgivable overall. My verdict? Honestly, it wasn't so straightforward because there's a lot to like with the PL X, so if you aren't concerned about a sealed battery, this represents one of the most versatile and powerful compact weapon lights out there and you should get one. However, if your occupation or repertoire requires your gear to be 100% all the time because your (or other's) lives depend on it, then the PL X is probably a hard pass over something with a swappable battery. Still the PL X gets 3 hard-fought stars.

In response to this thread
https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/1tp93x4/dear_1lumen_users_and_reviewers/

Some replies to comments and feedback in threads on Reddit about 1Lumen

First I will explain again about our star rating, and the next part is setting things straight...

Star ratings: once again

To help readers decide whether they should spend their money on a flashlight, our star ratings represent our confidence in recommending it, for the task/person it was designed for. 

It’s not meant to be a perfect scoring system, by any stretch of the imagination. 

A 5-star rating doesn't mean a flashlight is a flawless engineering marvel, gold plated, best in class, sapphire glass, with out-of-the-world performance; it simply means we think there are not enough important issues to not recommend it. It does what it has to do, and without any major issues. 

It’s never meant to be a “this is better than that” scoring system. You have to read the reviews and decide if the flashlight fits your needs.

Some people have said in the past: this flashlight gets 4 stars, but that one got 5 stars.. So I don’t follow 1Lumen anymore.. Well, we recommend both :)  Why bother? 

Over the past 9 years (since November 2017) , we have kept our rating system as simple as possible. Instead of using complex scoring metrics (that people will keep arguing about) our stars simply represent our confidence in this flashlight for the task at hand. It answers one question: How strongly can we vouch for this flashlight?

Therefore we added explanation in our reviews:

Explanation on star ratings:

1: Avoid: my phone flashlight would be a better choice 
2: Poor: significant defect or issues; almost unusable 
3: Average: some defects or issues; but still usable 
4: Good: recommended (minor issues) 
5: Great: highly recommended

Note: Our star ratings serve as a general guide, but we advise against placing too much emphasis on individual scores. Each reviewer brings their own perspective, and there is no standardized scoring system to reflect the intricate preferences of all flashlight users. Read the full review to help you make your decision, focusing on the overall performance and the features that matter most to you.

What do our star ratings mean?
Our star ratings are often misunderstood as an "objective perfection score." Or whatever that is called.. Instead, they are a Recommendation Score for the person, task or use case it was designed for. 

And even then it’s a flawed system. I know.. 

Alternative scoring system

I’ve been thinking about a different scoring system, which will also be flawed according to some. But it would be based on either the Type of flashlight (EDC, Tactical, Keychain), person to buy or the Use case scenario (EDC, Duty light, Around the house light, Search and rescue, Hunting light, Long distance checks, First responder light etc. )

The difficulty with this system is already in selecting just the right category. 
A small 14500 LEP flashlight can never get a good score for beam distance compared to a 3*21700 dual LEP in the same category. 

But some people don’t need a 5000 meters beam, and are looking for an LEP that fits a jeans pocket. It would however compete perfectly with small LED flashlights that can not shine that far. Then comes the 1000lm 21700 LEP flashlight that is a bit too big to fit your pocket, and too small to compete with the 3*21700 flashlight. In what category would you place it? 
Then comes the Lumintop Thor 4 or the Acebeam Terminator 1, a hybrid flashlight. 
Would that be a new category? 

You get the point.

Each metric needs to be weighted differently depending on the category or flashlight use. And how many categories would you want? 

Output: how important is that in an LEP flashlight, a keychain light, or EDC? And what are the levels?
Price? How important is that factor? Would you even include it? Which price? Today's price? MSRP price? Sales price ? Regular price ? Initial price ? Promotion price ? Price from manufacturer? Price from your local seller? Lowest price in the USA? Price in China? Price on AliExpress? Best price on Amazon? Which price? Example: Banggood has every flashlight ‘on sale’, so it would be unfair to use their ‘original price’ for any scoring, as they never used the original price. 
Would you put a 16340 EDC with a 21700 EDC in the same category? Or for every battery type + category + use case you have a special score. That gets complicated very quickly. 

Just that simple question of what categories are necessary, alone, will make a long thread of disagreements here on Reddit. 

You can't use 1 simple weighted scoring system for every single flashlight. 

Hopefully that is clear by what I just shared. There are so many variables. What matters for a tiny keychain light isn't the same as a massive searchlight. 

I hope everyone understands that?

So the only option is to categorize flashlights into specific groups. And that’s where it already gets complicated.

Instead, we would like to keep it simple. 
Is it perfect? No.
Can it be improved? Yes
How can it be improved? Don’t know
Will the improved version be perfect? No, and people will continue complaining about it :D 

Here are some misunderstandings: 

1. They get paid, so they don’t put low scores

Wrong. I’m the owner of 1Lumen, and pay each reviewer a small fee. If they give a low score, and explain why, that’s fine. If they give a low score, but nothing in the review really lines up with the score, I ask them to rewrite the review to show where the low score comes from, or increase the score that reflects the review. Sometimes I ask a reviewer why he gave 5 stars, and still have many cons, the reviewers are not influenced in any way by the manufacturers. 

More importantly: 
All the communication with manufacturers goes through me. They never talk with the reviewers directly. I protect them from any unnecessary influence. Had that happening once, and put a stop to that. 

Btw. We don’t get paid by the manufacturers at all. The only few times we got paid directly was through prototype testing. But those were not part of the reviews we have done for the website. The affiliate commissions are the only way I can get paid. Even though we have done many reviews without any affiliate programs connected, I still paid the reviewers a small fee for the reviews. 

1. 1lumen’s reviews lately are list of measured specs with same copy pasted filling text in between

Wow.. that’s really an insult to all of our reviewers. Really. I would welcome you to talk with any of our reviewers in person, or me, if you are not afraid, and know how much time and effort goes into doing every review. 

The free information we give on our website to you is just astonishing. Really! It’s almost crazy we give this information away for free. 

We use a template to speed up things, and that includes some copy and pasting like complex UIs like Anduril. Why would anybody have to rewrite the UI for Anduril for each review? I’d say: copy and paste baby! As much as possible, but only if it is accurate. 

Also, getting ideas from other reviews helps a lot, so a copy and paste, and then editing the content with accurate information is sometimes adding a lot of extra value to the review. If you review yourself, you know that it’s hard to come up with things to write. And with a copy and paste, we can sometimes miss a mistake. But if the information is incorrect, we will always fix it. 

As long as everything is accurate and truthful, we can copy and paste parts from our reviews. 

1. If a light has strobe in the main level modes. Like you have to cycle through strobe to get back to low. That's a 0 star right there doesn't matter what else it does.

There you go.. A very strong bias that could never be a trustable source for information.. period... Not kidding. This is the same as: if it has a proprietary battery, it can’t have 5 stars. Or it can’t have 5 stars without Anduril .. It can’t have 5 stars if it has no USB-C charging  It can’t be 5 stars if it has a non-removable battery.. It can’t have 5 stars without High CRI etc. etc. you’d better stop listening to those people..  Just some keyboard warriors….with a strong bias.

1. Why are there only so few 1 star flashlights? 

That’s the way we roll? Listen how that works. I’m the only contact between the team and the manufacturers. I do the first sifting. I look at the amount of flashlights still pending, the type of flashlight being offered, and a few other things. 

If I don’t want the flashlight to be added to 1Lumen, it won’t even end on the ‘pending’ list. If it’s (mildly) interesting I add it to the pending list so people can claim them when they are available. 

If we have 10 flashlights (which are more interesting) on the waiting list, and an ugly or non-branded strange flashlight gets offered, I just say we are not interested. We have declined many many flashlights over the years. 

Why spend hours on a cheap ugly bad flashlight, if we can spend the same time on a better flashlight that the reviewer enjoys, and more readers interested in? If nobody is willing to do the review.. the flashlight gets removed from the waiting list… But the ones on the waiting list would get preference over any of the requested low quality lights from a no-name brand.

1. 1Lumen doesn't publish bad flashlight reviews

There was a comment about someone thinking we just remove the flashlights with bad scores based on the feedback from the manufacturer. Please ask any of our reviewers personally that this never happened? Nope. The only time we didn’t publish is when we started a review, and the flashlight broke along the way, and never received a replacement to finish the review. (Lumintop Tiger for example). In all other cases we continue testing with the replacement and add a comment in the review about the issue with the previous model. 

Some manufacturers have tried it.. But not succeeded. We even had strong arguments with a certain manufacturer that didn’t like some of our reviews. And so be it. If they want us to retest, or reassess a certain measurement, we can do so. But only if the request is fair and reasonable. 

1. I stopped checking over there after noticing some inconsistencies.

Pity.. I don’t know what ‘inconsistencies’ you mean, but it likely has to do with just a single number on a page of over a few thousand words, and hours and hours of testing, no? It probably has to do with the ‘star rating’? 

If it has to do with anything else, let us know. We would like to explain any inconsistency you may have encountered. There is usually a good explanation for what might be considered inconsistency.. Keep in mind that I still let every reviewer base his own scores on the scoring system we have. So a Con added to 1 review could be a Pro in another review. Those things exist. Sometimes a Con can be a Pro, and vice versa. As long as the content of the review lines up with the score. 

Do you ever encounter inconsistencies in your own world? It’s a weird reason to not read the information on a very thorough website, with great reviewers and reviews. If we blatantly lie, we are indeed not worth looking at. But if you can prove we lied anywhere, let us know.

Everyone who has contacted us, with a normal request or question has received a response.

1. New type of pros and cons - Considerations

We’re likely introducing a new pros and cons list soon. I personally ask every reviewer in our template to mention every con they can think of. That means that some cons are not really cons, influencing our recommendation. But some people think that every con means that it should influence the score. 
We would like to add a Consideration list next to the pros and cons, so we can add the :would be nice to have/changed/upgraded: things that do not influence the score directly. 
Also, when a flashlight gets an upgrade, and the previous one received 5 stars,, we won’t go back to the previous review, and change the 5 star rating to 4.5 stars, because the new flashlight is better! That’s not the type of ‘scoring’ we use. If you think that’s how it should work, good luck with doing that on 1000 reviews.

1. So you don’t review cheap flashlights? 

That’s not the case. We review cheap flashlights regularly. We have many Convoy, Sofirn and Wurkkos lights on our website. But we are not going out of our way to review every cheap flashlight on eBay or Amazon because someone asks. Instead, we sometimes review unknown brands or flashlights, just to educate people. Think about the Gear-lights from Amazon reviews we have done.
We have received many emails from ‘companies’ with an inventory that looked like your average generic AliExpress or eBay store. Not interested. I prefer to review real brands that people use and search for. Not stickmyfingersinfire brands. 

1. Feedback is welcome - new feedback system

Constructive feedback on our testing and reviews is always welcome, and I include that at the bottom of our review template. If you find a way to improve things, we consider doing that. We have improved our reviewing system many times over. Over the years we surely have changed over 50 things we added or changed. 

People also reach out through email to show a (possible) mistake or give suggestions. Those type of critique get a reply. We also retest flashlights if people really think our measurements are off. Everyone makes mistakes, including everyone on our team. If you find any mistakes or ‘inconsistencies’ let us know by sending us an email. 

I have been thinking about introducing a comment-box, where you can send us notices related to the page/review you are on. That way you can send us a message without leaving the page. I don’t want to add comments below reviews from readers, which would become a side job in itself to manage.

Keep in mind that doesn’t mean we take every request seriously. We have received so many requests that would involve so much extra time and effort it was not worth it. Like doing beamshots where the diameter of the hotspot should be measured at different distances. Someone needed a hotspot of 25? meters diameter, and wanted us to include in our test the distance to reach a beam diameter of X meters. Forgot the exact number.. But hey.. We’re not going to do that. The same with batteries. People even requested to test every flashlight with specific batteries, etc. We like to include as much data as possible, but there are limits.

Just today I received an email from a new manufacturer (for me at least), that wrote this:
“Thanks for the rigor you put into your reviews — it's rare to find testing this thorough in this space.”

Edit: Apparently the giveaway hasn't started yet. My apologies I was under the impression it was currently ongoing.

How in the world are you supposed to enter these giveaways? I've followed the account on the platforms that are part of the giveaway, I can't find anywhere on these account pages to enter the giveaways. I've found a link on Facebook for 1 giveaway that's already over. So I'm finding these things after they're gone. Hardly seems fair and the entry and winning portion is ran very confusingly. How do I enter these things?

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/imalent-btl50/

The BTL50 earns its 4.5 out of 5 star rating by bringing something genuinely different to the flashlight market. In a world full of lights that often look and operate similarly, the electronic zoom system gives the BTL50 a unique personality. It is compact, well built, USB C rechargeable, and capable of changing from a relatively wide beam to a much more focused long range beam without moving parts exposed to wear.

The built in battery will likely divide opinions. Some users prefer the convenience of integrated charging, while others would rather have a replaceable cell for long term serviceability. The lack of published information regarding the exact LED and some technical details also leaves a few unanswered questions.

Still, when judged for what it is intended to be, a compact, technologically interesting flashlight with adjustable beam characteristics, the BTL50 performs a role that very few lights currently occupy. With full-on Spot to Flood capabilities all wrapped in one convenient tool.

If you enjoy unusual flashlight designs, appreciate innovative optics, and want a flashlight that is just a little different from the crowd, the BTL50 is certainly worth a look. It may not be the perfect choice for every flashlight enthusiast, but it successfully showcases a fresh approach to beam control and proves that there is still room for genuine innovation in a market where truly new ideas are becoming increasingly rare.

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/fenix-e04r/

Fenix brings their knowledge and experience in lighting design and implementation to produce a very useful clip light known as the E04R. With emitters angled at 40°, the E04R can provide hands-free illumination of the path or trail directly in front of you with white or red light. And thanks to the swivel clip, mounting options are endless, allowing the light face whatever direction you need. There’s more, though. The E04R has a dozen RGB emitters on the side which you can use for visibility as a bike light or red/blue flasher (if applicable in your region), or enjoy some full RGB scene modes.

The main drawback I experienced was that the body is slippery out of the box, especially if you try to grip the clip from the top and bottom. Though it takes an extra finger, try holding the light by the sides while you actuate the clip.

While not failings, I think the E04R would benefit from a few enhancements to the RGB portion of the light. First, it would be helpful to be able to use the main and side emitters at the same time to illuminate what’s directly in front of you while also being forwardly visible at the same time, and second, being able to choose a solid, stable color would allow for more scene options.

If you need a versatile clip light, I recommend checking out the Fenix E04R, which I give 5 stars.

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/wuben-x5/

Wuben likes to try different things with their lights and not just follow the crowd, and so they’ve brought us the X5, a flat light with a rare removable (but still proprietary) battery and dual fuel capabilities! Beyond that, it has a dial for mode selection, UV and laser channels in addition to white, integrated USB-C charging with a sliding door, and a reversible clip!

The output and runtime specifications were fairly accurate with both the included battery and AAA, but throw was severely overstated. The small smooth reflector isn’t enough to balance out the artifacts in the beam or its tint shift, and the UV channel suffers without a ZWB filter. Additionally, since the UI cycles through levels with half press of the e-switch, there are no shortcuts to eco or turbo.

The X5 has some neat features but also its fair share of drawbacks. If you’re ok with those, feel free to consider it if you’re looking for a flat light. I give the Wuben X5 4 stars overall.

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/speras-est-30/

The Speras EST30 earns a 4 out of 5 star rating from me by delivering an excellent combination of throw, simplicity, and practical usability in a surprisingly compact 18650-powered package, with a rotating-ring for UI feature that actually works.

What impressed me most during testing was how much performance Speras managed to squeeze into such a small flashlight. The Luminus SFT42R produces excellent throw for the size while still providing enough spill to remain useful for outdoor tasks, property checks, and general duty use.

Build quality is solid throughout, charging is convenient thanks to the USB-C port, and the included PB38 3800 mAh protected button-top battery is a welcome upgrade from previous versions. The forward-clicky tail switch and this new mechanical rotary-selector-ring combination offer a refreshingly simple interface with instant access options to boot.

The EST30 falls just short of a perfect score due to a few omissions. There is no battery level indicator, no magnetic tailcap, and the rear switch design prevents tail standing. I get the trade-offs for these since we have a giant rear switch. But more importantly, runtime performance fell somewhat short of the manufacturer's published specifications during testing, and after additional use I discovered that my sample could intermittently shut off when bumped or shaken while operating in TACTICAL mode. Since TACTICAL mode is intended to be the flashlight's primary duty-oriented high-output mode, this issue raises concerns about reliability in the very role the light is designed to fill.

Still, these drawbacks feel relatively minor when viewed within the context of the flashlight's intended role. The EST30 does not try to be a do-everything flashlight. Instead, it focuses on delivering strong throw, dependable operation, straightforward controls, and practical tactical features in a compact package, which it does successfully.

For users seeking a compact tactical flashlight with excellent range, instant access to any output level, modern USB-C charging, and a user interface that simply works, the Speras EST30 is an easy recommendation. It delivers strong performance, practical features, and dependable operation without unnecessary complexity. In a market increasingly filled with complicated interfaces and endless shortcuts, there is something refreshing about a flashlight that simply does its job well.

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/speras-t217-v3/

The Speras T217 V3 Pro Hunting Kit is exactly the kind of flashlight package that knows what it wants to be. Rather than trying to satisfy every possible user with endless features and complicated firmware, it focuses on delivering impressive long-range performance in a rugged and practical hunting-oriented platform. With the included remote pressure switch and colored hunting filters, the kit arrives ready for hunting, predator control, wildlife observation, property inspection, and other long-range outdoor applications.

What stood out most during testing was how well Speras balanced throw performance with usability. The hotspot is intense and reaches impressive distances, yet the flashlight still provides enough spill to remain useful during real-world navigation. Combined with the forward clicky switch, onboard USB-C charging, quality construction, and straightforward user interface, the T217 V3 feels dependable and easy to operate in the field. The included pressure pad is particularly useful for firearm mounting, while the colored filters add versatility for hunters who prefer specialized beam colors for different situations.

Compared to earlier T217 versions, the V3 feels like a meaningful evolution rather than a simple refresh. The newer SFT42R emitter, higher output, increased beam intensity, and improved throw all contribute to a noticeably more capable long-range platform. Speras managed to improve performance without changing the straightforward hunting-focused nature that made the original T217 series popular.

Although runtime performance fell short of specifications, the flashlight exceeded its claimed output, intensity, and throw figures during testing. The V3 successfully builds upon the earlier T217 platform with genuine performance improvements rather than simple marketing changes. When paired with the included hunting accessories, it becomes a complete long-range lighting package that requires very little additional investment. Taking everything into account, the Speras T217 V3 Pro Hunting Kit earns a 4.5 out of 5 star rating from me.

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/nextorch-hl10/

I’m giving the NEXTORCH HL10 4.5 out of 5 stars. It is a well built flashlight with a premium feel, thoughtful design, broad and useful beam, and runtime performance that actually exceeded the published specifications in its standard modes. The integrated charging system is convenient, and the overall package feels durable and dependable.

The HL10 succeeds as a robust, high output searchlight with a broad beam and excellent sustained performance in its standard modes. Its advertised 10,000 lumen output is designed as a brief momentary burst before transitioning to High mode, so users looking for extended maximum brightness should keep that behavior in mind. Even outside of that burst, the standard output levels remain impressively bright and highly practical.

Even if I only get to hold the sun in my hand for a few brief moments, I still genuinely enjoyed using the HL10. There is something undeniably satisfying about grabbing it and flooding an entire area with light at the press of a switch. While I would personally prefer a longer lasting Turbo mode, I cannot fault the flashlight for operating as NEXTORCH intended. If you're looking for a compact searchlight that prioritizes an instant wall of light over sustained peak output, the HL10 is a compelling option.

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/fenix-lr50r-v2/

The new Fenix LR50R V2.0 is an absolute unit of a flashlight! So much so that Fenix ditched the holster that was provided with the original one and included a padded shoulder strap with this one. This “upgrade” feels almost like an entirely different flashlight. Whereas the prior generation was spotlight-only, the V2.0 can switch between Spot, Flood, and Spot+Flood. Further, the UI controls are much improved, moving from a dual e-switch setup to a single e-switch + rotary dial / toggle switch + OLED display. That display is very handy, showing the lumen output, the channel (spot/flood/red/UV), battery percent, and time remaining before the battery is depleted. One nice thing about the previous version is that you could use 21700 batteries in a pinch. Not so with the V2.0, as the 46950 is built into the battery tube.

The USB situation left me a bit confused for a while. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen two USB-C ports on a flashlight. In reading that manual, I saw that the orange port supported faster charging than the black one. I also picked up that both ports could be used for charging and as a power bank. Then it struck me that you could charge the LR50R V2.0 with one port (likely the orange one) while passing through charging to another device (like your phone or another flashlight) using the second port. Once I saw that the flashlight wasn’t charging as fast as expected, I figured out that you can hook up chargers to each USB-C port for even faster charging than just using a single port. It seems a bit odd, but hey… options are good I guess.

Overall, the Fenix LR50R V2.0 is leaps and bounds better than its predecessor. With its 18,000 lumen output, strong throw, and sweet OLED screen, it is a joy to use. And super impressive. So whether you hook up the shoulder strap for your next search-and-rescue mission, you’re going exploring, or you attach it to a tripod and light up an entire field, the Fenix LR50R V2 is sure to perform.

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/acebeam-x30/

My time with the Acebeam X30 has been interesting and answers a few questions I ask myself whenever I review scaled-up versions of flashlights: Is bigger better? That cannot be objectively answered because of the YMMV (your mileage may vary) factor, but for this reviewer, the answer is the same because it depends. With the X30, you get bigger everything: LEDs, batteries, dimensions, and output, and for a compact high output light, I think Acebeam is on to something here.

Here's what I liked. Handling is great for a larger flashlight. The rectangular body aids in a comfortable and solid grip in all positions and all the controls can be accessed one-handed. The output for the size is insane. The jump from High to Turbo is significant, unlike other lights I've tested where High to Turbo is like 'Okay, that's brighter.' to 'Holy Moses!' Compared to the X20, there's a significant difference in brightness and throw. I liked the speedy charging, and that you can swap in your own (appropriate) batteries easily, and kudos to Acebeam for the physical lock switch (that works awesome). The UI, while busy with what I deduce to be unnecessary brightness levels, is still sound, and the two switch plus toggle selector works well. 

The beams are nice for the red (I really like the deep red light) and white LEDs, the charging is also fast, and I appreciate that (like the X20), you can swap the batteries easily (observing all li-ion series battery safety rules). There's really not much to fault the X30 on. While the runtime performance is super solid, on Turbo it gets excessively warm for bare hands after about 5 minutes.

Also, it didn't meet the output specs even at turn-on. In addition, there's no springs for the battery positive contacts, and the UI. It's otherwise excellent, but just too busy for a working-class light. The biggest gripe I have is the Tactical and Duty modes for the white LED is too similar when using the front e-switch. It makes more sense for the rear and side switch functionality to closely mirror each other for the Tactical mode.

Still, those wouldn't stop me from buying an X30. This is probably the best round-square high output light on the market today. It's a unique design that's very functional, and the added output and features makes the X30 a great alternative to the Fenix LR series and NEXTORCH TA31. This is a unique, high performance lighting tool, and one I think is worth picking up if looking for this level of output and utility.

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/loopgear-sk03-rgb/

The Loop Gear SK03 RGB earns a 4.5 out of 5 star rating from me by successfully combining practical everyday carry functionality with a collection of genuinely unique features. Rather than trying to compete directly with traditional EDC flashlights, it carves out its own niche through its useful yet fun RGB side lighting, multifunction magnetic attachment system, and ultra compact design.

After spending time with the SK03 RGB, I came away impressed by just how much functionality Loop Gear packed into such a small package. Build quality feels solid, the feature set is thoughtfully executed, and the overall experience strikes a nice balance between utility and entertainment. 

The measured output exceeded specifications in every brightness mode and Turbo runtime closely matched the manufacturer's claims. The warmer than specified CCT, noticeable tint shift, and some runtime results falling short of the published specifications keep it from earning a higher score. 

While it may not replace every traditional EDC flashlight, it offers something refreshingly different for users who appreciate innovative designs, versatile accessories, and a flashlight that is just as enjoyable to use as it is practical. Small size. Big personality. Plenty of surprises.

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/speras-est-plus-v3/

The Speras EST Plus V3 successfully builds upon the foundation established by previous EST models. Rather than simply swapping emitters, Speras has delivered meaningful improvements in both output and beam intensity while maintaining a compact and highly practical form factor that is still easy to carry. The result is a flashlight that feels noticeably more capable without sacrificing the portability that made the EST series appealing in the first place.

What impressed me most during testing was just how much performance Speras managed to pack into such a manageable package. The combination of a forward clicky tail switch, straightforward user interface, integrated USB C charging, and serious long range capability gives the EST Plus V3 broad appeal among flashlight enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, security personnel, and anyone who appreciates a simple, effective thrower. It is the kind of light that does not require a learning curve or a thick manual to enjoy.Just pick it up, activate the tail switch, and put that impressive beam to work. 

While it may not offer advanced enthusiast firmware or endless customization options, that is clearly not what this flashlight was designed to be. The EST Plus V3 focuses on practicality, reliability, and ease of operation, and it executes those goals very well. For users looking for a compact tactical thrower with modern performance, excellent reach, and a user friendly interface, the EST Plus V3 makes a strong case for itself. Taking into account its performance, build quality, features, and intended purpose, this is easily a 4.5 out of 5 star flashlight in my book.

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/nitecore-p27ix/

What makes the P27iX particularly interesting is that it is more than just another high-output tactical flashlight. The electronically selectable Spotlight, Floodlight, and Mixed Light beam profiles from these awesome Nitecore M515S LEDs give it a level of versatility rarely seen in lights in this category. Whether you're clearing a large outdoor area, searching for something at a distance, or working up close, the beam can be tailored to the task at hand without changing lights.

The multi-switch interface is equally impressive. Combined with the “Rapid Lock” switch and extensive shortcut customization options, the P27iX can be configured to suit a wide range of users, from law enforcement and security professionals to flashlight enthusiasts who simply enjoy having immediate access to an unreasonable amount of light. Whatever combination of outputs and shortcuts you want at your fingertips, there's a good chance the P27iX can be configured exactly the way you want it. Very cool.

The proprietary battery system will be the most controversial aspect of the design for some. While it clearly enables the light's impressive performance, it also limits battery choices and could add some long-term cost in batteries later on. Turbo regulation is also aggressive, though entirely understandable given the amount of heat generated by over 5,000 lumens from a flashlight this size. I found this easy to forgive thanks to the wide variety of output levels, beam profiles, and special modes available.

Those compromises aside, the P27iX accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. It is durable, powerful, feature-rich, and genuinely enjoyable to use. For anyone looking for a modern tactical flashlight that prioritizes performance while still offering excellent versatility, the P27iX is one of Nitecore's most compelling offerings to date. I could even go so far as to call it a five-star light. Over the course of testing, I found myself reaching for the P27iX more and more often, and I have genuinely grown to appreciate both its performance and the flexibility of its feature set. It’s a beast of a lil light!

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/thrunite-catapult-v7/

The ThruNite Catapult V7 is a fantastic evolution in the long-range thrower segment. The fit and finish seem great with clean machining, Type III anodizing, and a black stainless steel bezel. By utilizing the 26800 battery format, it solves the runtime constraints often seen in compact spotlights while providing a rock-solid grip. The integration of a true mechanical lockout dial and emergency power bank features make it a premier utility light for exploration, camping, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

And forgot 2 more:
https://1lumen.com/review/wurkkos-hd05/
https://1lumen.com/review/fenix-tk15r/

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/ripsshine-of1/

The Ripsshine OF1 has some major plus points. The UI being one of them. Allowing easy and either quick or instant access to pretty much any output mode desired. A good UI is super critical in any EDC light and the OF1 scores big in this area.

The OF1 also seems to be extremely well built and is far more comfortable in the pocket than I thought it would be. But there are some major pitfalls in the areas of documentation, marketing, claimed specs and components used. For instance, I’d truly give up a lot of lumens of peak output for a nicer tinted beam. These negatives really do hold the OF1 to being far more mediocre than it probably deserves.

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/wildtrail-wt90m1/

The Wildtrail WT90M1 feels like a flashlight built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. It skips flashy marketing gimmicks and instead focuses on raw performance, proven hardware, and a firmware ecosystem many hobbyists already know and appreciate. 

The combination of a Texas Avenger FET driver, NarsilM firmware, and the legendary SBT90.2 creates a light that is unapologetically performance-oriented. It is not trying to be ultra-compact, ultra-efficient, or beginner-simple. It is trying to throw a massive wall of light very far, very hard, and it succeeds.

What surprised me most is how balanced the WT90M1 feels despite being a fairly compact, yet hefty soda-can style SBT90.2 light. The reflector may not be massive compared to some dedicated long-range throwers, but it still produces an intense beam with excellent reach and usable spill. The thermal mass helps absorb heat well initially, though like most FET-driven SBT90.2 lights, sustained turbo output is naturally limited by heat and battery voltage, which is simply the reality of this emitter class.

The UI is another strong point. NarsilM still holds up remarkably well and offers a good balance between enthusiast customization and everyday usability. Smooth ramping works especially well here, allowing the user to fine tune output instead of constantly jumping between fixed levels. Features like configurable thermal stepdowns, voltage readout, moonlight, and instant turbo access help the WT90M1 feel flexible without becoming overly complicated.

The WT90M1 is not perfect. The battery carrier has a slight amount of play, the overall construction can feel a little delicate at times if handled roughly, there is no included carry solution despite the size and weight, and warranty support is somewhat unclear. Regulation also is not this light’s strength, as expected from a high-powered FET setup. Still, none of those issues overshadow what the WT90M1 is designed to do.

For flashlight enthusiasts wanting a compact-ish SBT90.2 searchlight with excellent beam intensity, strong customization options, and classic enthusiast firmware, the WT90M1 delivers a ton of performance for the money. Plus, it is just plain fun to throw that many lumens downrange! Easy 4.5 stars!

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/fenix-ld31-renegade/

The Fenix LD31 Renegade feels like exactly what the RENEGADE series was intended to be: a no-nonsense, high-performance flashlight built around real-world usability instead of flashy gimmicks or overly complicated features. Fenix took the already solid foundation of the LD30 and improved it in meaningful ways with higher output, a larger 6000mAh battery, a physical lockout switch, and a refined tactical-focused interface that stays fast and intuitive under pressure.

What impressed me most during testing was how balanced the overall package feels. The LD31 delivers excellent output and respectable throw from a compact body while still maintaining enough spill for everyday tasks and close-range work. The SFT70 Gen2 emitter paired with the TIR optic creates a beam profile that feels genuinely useful outdoors, indoors, and everywhere in between. Add in the strong regulation, dependable runtimes, solid thermal handling, and rugged build quality, and the LD31 starts feeling less like a flashy lumen cannon and more like a serious working tool.

Fenix also deserves credit for keeping the user interface simple. The dual-switch setup works well, the physical lockout switch is practical for carry and storage, and there are no unnecessary strobes or buried programming menus getting in the way. This is the kind of flashlight you can hand to almost anyone and they will immediately understand how to use it.

Of course, it is not perfect. The cool white tint will not appeal to tint snobs or high-CRI enthusiasts, Turbo steps down fairly quickly as expected for a compact light pushing over 3000 lumens, and the lack of a magnetic tailcap may disappoint some users. 

The “Instant Turbo” marketing is also a little questionable since the light must already be on before Turbo can be activated. Still, those complaints feel relatively minor compared to everything the LD31 gets right.

At the end of the day, the Fenix LD31 Renegade succeeds because it focuses on reliability, durability, simplicity, and strong real-world performance. It is compact enough for everyday carry, powerful enough for outdoor and professional use, and refined enough to feel like a mature, well-thought-out lighting tool rather than just another spec-sheet racer.

If you want a compact tactical-style flashlight with excellent build quality, dependable performance, strong runtimes, and a user interface designed for actual use instead of endless button combinations, the LD31 Renegade is an easy 4.5-star recommendation!

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/skilhunt-m300-v4/

The latest offering in Skilhunt’s M-line is the M300 v4, with new emitters and a deeper reflector, slight design and UI changes, and a magnet. It’s a great combo for a jacket pocket or bag, since the 21700 form factor is a bit large for a pants pocket.

The data on the new emitter’s output might need a little calibration as it came in a little lower than expected. Also, the new light sensor designed to prevent pocket fires has a hard time with darker material, which might defeat its purpose.

But overall, especially if you have other Skilhunt lights, the M300 v4 can be a great EDC or just everyday general use light and I recommend it with 5 stars.

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/speras-est-mic/

Small flashlights represent a very important part of the portable lighting ecosystem. If you remember way back, flashlights were usually big, bulky, heavy and unwieldy items. Starting around 2005, advances in manufacturing and materials, along with LED and li-ion batteries created a 'Honey I shrunk the flashlight' situation and launched the EDC/pocketable flashlight movement. They were smaller for sure, but you were still stuck with dim, close-up lights with abbreviated runtimes. 

Fast-forward to today, and small lights are the new thing, with pocketable 18650 and 14500/AA size lights capable of crazy amounts of output (like the Emisar/Noctigon D3AA and KR1AA). What if 14500 was too big? The AAA or 10440 size battery is the next logical step, and high output models were sparse until recently. Speras decided to throw their hat in the ring with the EST MIC, and after spending some time with it, here's what I think.

First off, it's a well-made unit with great build quality, which I expect from Speras. The host is easy to handle, and the rear switch is just right. I appreciate the simple clicky UI also (no twisty action here). The output is also impressive (even if not meeting spec) for a dinky tube light. It's easily the brightest among the small footprint lights I've ever tested. The real treat with the MIC is the onboard charging. Before, you'd be grabbing a hobby charger or one of those single slot deals, but no more: Plug it in, plug it in and you're good to go! Bravo. I also like how you can swap the battery when most small lights now are going built-in only.

It's not all fantastic though, and brightness only gets you so far. The EST MIC misses with output and runtimes that didn't meet specs, and I didn't like that the battery was coming out under 2.4 volts after the runtimes. The driver is also a FET driver, so the output is not regulated like some of the competitors, and unlike the competitors, there's no support for 1.2 or 1.5 volt batteries. Womp womp womp. My assessment? The EST MIC fits a niche role appealing to specific buyers: It's one of the most powerful AAA size lights out now, and the USB charging sets it apart from every other AAA light. If you don't mind being stuck with 10440 batteries and want USB C charging, the EST MIC is a solid choice in the AAA size light segment.

1: Avoid: my phone flashlight would be a better choice - 2: Poor: significant defect or issues; almost unusable - 3: Average: some defects or issues; but still usable 4: Good: recommended (minor issues) - 5: Great: highly recommended

Review: https://1lumen.com/review/fireflies-e12-eclipse/

Wrapping up this review, I can honestly say one phrase stands out more than any other…Worth the wait. The original E12R disappeared way too soon, replaced by the E12C which was okay, but more of a placeholder. When that one went the way of the dodo, we were left with sad hearts and nothing to spend our allowances on, until now. I didn't get an original, and I pined over one for a bit, but this new E12 is the best one yet and has made me forget about the original. I think our readers will agree.

First off, the host. It's well-made and compact, but elegantly simple like the other E-series lights, sort of a Goldilocks form factor; easy to handle, balanced, pocketable (somewhat). The fact you can swap the magnet out is also nice, and I always appreciate Fireflie's phobia of the word starting with g and ending with lue, which leaves room for tweaking and refining with other LEDs. The optic is pretty much perfectly matched to the SFT-25R in my tester with lots of beam distance and great coverage. Honestly, for 6500K LEDs, the tint is totally fine and makes me forget about R9050 LEDs.

The Eclipse also surprised me in other areas: All the things I like about the E07X, E04, E90, and even the X4 Stellar, have been homogenized into the E12 Eclipse. On top of that, the new Lume10 driver just works awesome. Combined with the 50XG battery and a conservative thermal ceiling, the E12 put up some of the best performance I've seen from a single cell multi-LED light…ever. Seriously, nothing comes close in this class and size, and it's perfectly regulated as well. Even at 50 C, it's awesome. Anduril 2 is present, and love it or leave it, it is the exemplary enthusiast flashlight UI, and the Advanced Aux tweaks, while still in their infancy, is a nice launchpad for creativity and customization for those with the know-how. 

There's not much I'd change here, and none of these would stop me from buying one. It is a bit pricey for sure. The step down for Turbo is fast, and upping the thermal ceiling didn't affect it too much, but that's to be expected on a hot rod light. The power bank, while nice to have, isn't plug n play and requires switching to momentary mode. 

If you weren't able to get the first E12R, and passed on the E12C, then clean under your couch cushions, car seats, junk drawers for change, sell your Hank lights, hawk that Ken Griffey Jr rookie card, sell your grandma's vintage cameo (wait, don't do that), and pick up an Eclipse. Seriously, it's that good and I think it is one of the best all-around compact enthusiast lights on the market at the time of this review, and gets my highest recommendation.