Flashlight News: Phreaky Briefing Issue 42
Welcome to the latest Phreaky Briefing Issue! We provide Phreaks like yourself with all of the latest flashlight news and information in this flashlight briefing. No more keeping track of 3 forums, 2 Facebook groups, and every manufacturer on Instagram, we do the work for you! We won’t spam and will keep hawking wares to a minimum. If you aren’t into flashlight news just click here to skip to the PhotonPhreaks updates, otherwise; Let’s get on to the news!
You may have noticed this Flashlight News Briefing is formatted differently than previous briefings. As part of our continuous effort to improve, we noticed most readers are on mobile, so we are optimizing for that. There’s also a Table of Contents that you can click to expand and help you navigate.
Table of Contents
High End / Custom Flashlight News
Andy Zhu
Taking on the Convoy C8+, Andy Zhu has modded the usually-single-emitter flashlight into a light with six emitters. These look great and we look forward to more being available!
Brat Guy Enterprises
Mickey of Brat Guy Enterprises has created another one-off work of superconductor art in flashlight form!
Dawson Machine Craft
Joshua Dawson, maker of the Hoku, has created a mule head version of this little twisty flashlight!
Efren Guevarra
A bit of an unusual use of LED technology are these animal skeleton bracelets available from Efren on Facebook. They’re made-to-order and feature… well just check them out!
Emissary Development
Details are a little sparse at the moment, but it looks like Emissary Development is making a “paddle shifter” to fit over some Surefire pistol lights.
Frelux
Benjamin has continued work on the Synergy3, and here is showing a nearly complete version. It’s looking great, and noteworthy because the pocket clip will not need to be removed for cell swaps on this version!
Focus Works EDC
Jordy at Focus Works EDC has continued to create the Cylons, and continues to ship! This special anodized version left with a matching pen.
Gennady Larin
Yet another incredible pocket clip creation by Gennady. This is dedicated to the musical group “Misfits,” and again is 925 silver.
Gyorgy Kemenes
Gyorgy is making a new flashlight which will be called TiHany. This light looks to be more intricate than Gyorgy’s previous flashlights, which is remarkable news by itself. It’s been hinted that this may also function as a dive light
Jacob Boswell
An Olight fan on FaceBook created a mat with various to-scale Olights. This useful mat features top and bottom rulers, and may be available in silicone soon! If you aren’t an Olight fan, PhotonPhreaks offers a similar work mat featuring the drawings from the very first flashlight patent!
Laulima Metal Craft
A couple of aluminum Ions have been spotted!
More importantly, here’s the finished product.
Lumens Factory
Still making products for the Surefire flashlights, Lumens Factory has released the B90/B92, which is a 1×18650 adapter for many Surefire lights.
Lux-RC
Serge is working on a leather belt holster for the tiny incredible FL33 flashlight.
McWhinney Designs
Work is progressing on the CNC milled flashlight by McWhinney Designs on instagram!
Panja
Extraordinarily talented engraving artist named Panja has been working on an incredible Cool Fall Spy 007. The work in progress already looks great!
Peng Wang
Pen Wang teased a “Bamboo” flashlight! It’s metal (copper or titanium are available) but has a distinctive bamboo design. This triple emitter flashlight also has secondary emitter options. ZeroAir has put this WWLZ Bamboo Small through the paces.
Peng also showed off this special button that fits the ReyLight Lan. We think it’s just the switch cover being offered, but there were no further details.
PhotonPhreaks
Did you know the Photon Phreaks Flood Ring can fit into bigger lights like the Noctigon K9.3? Some modification may be necessary but this turns the Noctigon K9.3 into a dual beam pattern sodacan light! See a full Noctigon K9.3 review here.
Yellowday Energy
Never one to back down from a special edition, YDE has released a few “Batman Wreck-it” editions! These are titanium with cerakote.
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Flashlight News Intermission
Alright, that was a lot of info. Before we continue with the flashlight news, take a deep breath and a bathroom break, self care is important.
If you’re having trouble finding the right flashlight for you, check out Parametrek. It’s the most detailed flashlight search engine that I’ve found and they help make the Phreaky Briefing a reality.
Production Flashlight News
Acebeam
A new can-light entry by Acebeam is the X50. This light features multiple Cree XHP70 emitters and USB C for a great wall of light, but also has reflectors that will give decent throw.
Acebeam is offering a free 21700 bulb attachment with purchases that qualify. This small light is USB-C powered lantern that attaches to their 21700 batteries with integrated USB ports.
Armytek
Happy 12th birthday to Armytek!
Astrolux
There’s a new A02 in town! This upgraded version has high CRI, and supports both AAA cells and 10440.
Brinyte
Brinyte has created the HL16 “Noctua”, a flashlight that twists into right-angle position.
Cloud Defensive
Recently Cloud Defensive began a weapon-light trade in program. There was some confusion because it initially seemed easy to take advantage of the program. Cloud Defensive double down and has more interest in getting their quality lights to users, than worry for getting junk lights traded in. Good for Cloud Defensive.
Here is the initial entry by Cloud Defensive:
Cloud Defensive also teased a pistol light in development: 50,000 Candela, 1200ish Lumens, SHORTER THAN A G17, Momentary and Constant-On.- Fits existing Safariland Duty holsters. No pictures are available as of writing.
Convoy
The most important bit of news out of Convoy, and possibly out of the whole flashlight world: Convoy is stocking and selling flashlights with, and bare emitters of various Nichia 219b emitters. These are the fabled R9080 versions!
Convoy now offers a number of replacement lenses for the S21A, a 21700 flashlight. These options should add great utility to the S21A lineup.
Convoy looks to be increasing support (and interest) in the longer 26800 lithium-ion cell. Now an adapter is available for Convoy’s bigger lights like the L6 and L7.
More updates for Convoy product lines. Now the M3-C will have USB-C output, so can serve as a powerbank, too!
Fenix
Fenix will have an anniversary soon, and is planning a “new classic product” release. A guessing game was hosted on Facebook.
The Fenix HP25RV2.0 is now available. This three emitter light has USB-C charging, and a separated battery pack for great balance.
More headlamp news from Fenix is the HM50R V2.0. This small headlamp uses the great Fenix TIR optic.
The Fenix E05R is a tiny keychain flashlight that has a built-in 320mAh LiPO and a side e-switch. Fenix usually has great e-switches, and this one looks to be consistent with that!
Lumencraft
Matt Smith is beginning the phase-out of asflashlights.com, and will be listing all his new things on https://lumencraft.com going forward. As a thank you, Matt is offered a coupon: NewSite21 for a discount store-wide on orders $25 or more through August 17th, sorry, it’s expired now! Join our facebook group to see the news as it occurs!
Lumintop
The FWAA has been a popular addition to the Lumintop lineup, so Lumintop is adding titanium!
ZeroAir has reviewed the FWAA a couple of times.
The Lumintop D2 is a 21700 cell flashlight featuring USB-C charging and an Osram emitter for great throw. A 4000K Nichia emitter is also available.
Lumintop is also featuring a couple of new tactical rings. Right now they look to be available for FW3A and FW21 Pro, but will likely fit other similar models.
In case we don’t have enough small thrower flashlights available (we don’t; we can never), Lumintop is considering production of this 14500 Tool thrower. It will feature an Osram NM1, and throw nearly 600 meters!
A bit of non-flashlight news out of Lumintop is this Tactical Pen teased by a representative .
Lumintop also announced a GT nano Triple! Featuring XP-G3 for 1600 lumens (other LEDs will be available), Narsil UI and will come with the 10440 tube.
Prior to this announcement Jeffery Morris modded a few GT Nanos into triples with the PhotonPhreaks Flood Rings, we expect them to fit the new stock GT Nano Triple as well
Manker
Manker has a “new start” by moving to a fresh and clean new office setting. We certainly look forward to what Manker comes up with in their new facility!
Manker has also teased a new flashlight that can switch to being right-angle, too. Not only that, but this flashlight offers zoom functionality, too.
Modlite
The Modlite PL350 pistol mounted flashlight was announced. This single emitter weapon light has a very reliable toggle switch for quick access.
Modlite makes a statement about honesty, integrity, and transparency. We stan a company with integrity
Nextorch
The new Saint Torch 31 by Nextorch is a feature-rich searchlight. It has a built-in battery, but can also function as a powerbank!
Nicron
A new Nicron which features both usual flashlight usage and also a set of 5 COB style emitters on the side has been released. The Nicron N6 is avaiable now.
Nitecore
Nitecore has an innovative headlamp hitting the market. The CU10 has a “self-adaptive gravity sensor” which keeps the light where you want it to be.
Niwalker
The new Niwalker ETmini V1 looks to be new, but we’re certain we haven’t before seen all the colors that are being offered! Orange is in the mix!
Olight
The Valkyrie IR has been released as a white light infrared light combo! The light will feature Olight’s standard charging system, which is fully accessible even while the light is mounted.
More Olight news – Olight has released the Open Pro, an upgrade to the Open 2. This pen/flashlight is now also a laser pointer! Many of the good features from the other versions of Open remain. ZeroAir has tested the Open Pro.
Olight introduced the “Omino” charge base, which uses USB-C power to charge four Olight magnetic charge base lights at one time!
Speaking of Olight charging, they’ve also introduced a necklace/keychain charge adapter for taking anywhere!
Another Olight fan, this time from Youtube, tested the Obulb for diving. We can’t explain it, but have a look. We aren’t sure how deep Pascal R. took the Obulb, but legend has it he’s still descending.
Speaking of the Obulb, Olight released the Obulb MC, a multicolored Obulb with RGB, and a variety of modes.
Olight is hosting a massive summer flash sale in which a lot of these items will be heavily discounted, don;;t forget to check it out.
ReyLight
Rey is working on a new programmable driver, and seeks your input! Check in on Facebook.
RovyVon
The RovyVon H3 Pro flashlight is now available and features a built-in LiPO but also supports AA/14500 cells, too! This little pen-style flashlight has dual switches, dual power and USB-C Charging.
Sofirn
Sofirn SC31 Pro is now available! This side-switch 18650 flashlight is available in Luminus SST40 at 5000K or 6500K, and has Anduril user interface.
Streamlight
Looks like Streamlight has set out to have a little fun! They’re offering “Streamlight Trivia Game” on their facebook page. Here’s the first installment.
Vapcell
Vapcell has introduced a new 18650. This one has 3000mAh capacity, and can discharge at 3C (which is 9A).
Back in stock by Vapcell is the YR1030 internal resistance tester. These would be good for checking your cell health, which is very important for lithium-ion cells.
Wurkkos
Wurkkos had a great headlamp in the HD20, but has improved on that with the smaller HD15, and 18650 headlamp. The light still features dual emitters, and seems to have USB-C charging, too.
XTAR
The XTAR R30 1200 flashlight is now available, and features a removable 21700 cell (which is included) and also boasts USB-C charging. ZeroAir has posted a review of this light, too!
Zebralight
Enthusiasts on budgetlightforum have tested some of the latest Zebralight SC64c LE, which is advertised as 90+CRI, and found the CRI to be much lower, at around 70. Some communications with Zebralight have indicated that they were aware of this, at least in some instances. Zebralight has barely acknowledged the deception, only saying that they believe current lights are being sent with the appropriate LED
Congratulations on completing another Phreaky Briefing! Consider yourself up to date on all the latest flashlight news!
What’s New with PhotonPhreaks
Here’s a quick rundown of the latest happenings:
- Our Original Statue of Luminosity patch had issues during production and as such was blown out in a half off clearance sale. We’re pleased to reintroduce the design, with some minor changes, as Lumens and Liberty! Get yours now before they’re all gone.
- Oversize Desk Mats and Work Mats are in stock.
- Photon Raton patch is sold out, congrats to everyone that scored one!
- We still have some sPHinx patches available
- Flood Ring / triple mule conversions remain very popular, check out our instagram page to see how creative people are getting in its implementation
- I’m pleased to announce the birth of my child, a future Phreak! All orders up until this point have been shipped but please be aware there may be slight delays on future orders.
- Swag Pack subscriptions have been paused for now, I expect they will resume within 2 weeks or so. You won’t be charged during this time. I may reopen it to new subscriptions at that time, enter your email on the product page if you are interested in signing up.
- HDSRB Update!! All machining is complete, reflectors are done and bezels are cut. Just some buffing left to make the bezels shiny and then they’ll be on their way to their new owners. It will be shipping in waves so check your emails over the next few weeks. ZeroAir did an awesome writeup on the HDSRB and how it improves the stock light.
As always,
Spread the Light!
Simon
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