stephenk
Enlightened
Disclaimer
This product was sent to me from GearBest for review. No other payment was received for this review.
Product page (external link)
Introduction
The Zanflare F1 was the first Zanflare branded light, and is a USB rechargeable 18650 tube light.
Packaging
The Zanflare F1 arrived in a branded cardboard box, with flashlight, instructions, lanyard, clip, USB cable, and 2 spare O-rings. The instructions are very good.
Design and UI
This is a unique looking light with a diagonal/spiral knurling. I really like this look. Quality of construction is excellent. It is larger than a typical 18650 tube light, at 28mm in diameter (head) and 136mm in length. It will fit the Light Painting Brushes Universal Connector. The tailcap unscrews to allow battery insertion, and the clip attaches to the body near the tailcap. There is an on/off switch on the tailcap, as well as glass breaker (not tested) and lanyard holes. The mode button is a side switch located near the head, but not too close to the front on the light.
There is only one spring at the tailcap (-ve end). The light was tested to successfully work with button top and raised top (e.g. Sanyo GA) 18650. I do not have any flat top 18650s to test, though these have been successfully tested by other reviewers. The light can also work with 18350 / RCR123 batteries, which were not tested.
The USB socket is located near the head, and a ring can be slid up and down to cover and uncover the socket. I prefer this to the usual plug design. A red indicator light displays when the light is charging, and green when fully charged. Fully charged batteries read 4.16V when tested in my XTAR Dragon charger immediately after charge termination in the F1. No batteries are included, and USB charging is not mandatory for those who prefer to use dedicated chargers.
As mentioned previously, there are two switches on this light, on the tail, and side. The tail switch is used for on/off. The side switch cycles through modes:
Moonlight>Low>Mid>High
The light has memory of the modes when turned on/off, which I like.
A double click enters the 1240 lumen flare mode, which lasts for 30 seconds before returning the output the high mode. This may have changed from earlier versions?
A 2 second click enters flashy mode. which cycles:
Strobe>SOS
A double click exists flashy mode.
The light has low voltage protection at 2.8V where it flashed and then turns off. This was tested successfully.
Output, Beam, and Runtime
The light has a fairly deep smooth reflector, that results in a beam profile that is a compromise between being floody or throwy. The beam is approximately 60 degrees, with a defined hotspot from the Cree XP-L (V6) emitter. The light is available in both cool white and neutral white versions, which is a bonus. I would like to see a warm white version as well, though I'm probably in the minority. My sample has a neutral white beam, with a yellow hotspot and "pure" white spill beam. I would estimate the CCT at around 5000k.
No PWM could be detected in all output modes.
The outputs are claimed to be:
Flare 1240lm (30secs)
High 590lm (2hr30m)
Medium 290lm (6h)
Low 60lm (22h)
Moonlight (1lm)
Ceiling bounce tests @ 30secs showed these claims to be accurate. Modes were well regulated.
Outdoor beam shot on high 590 lumen mode (not turbo). House in distance is 30m away.
Exposure: f/6.3, 4secs, ISO400, no post-processing.
Conclusion
I was really impressed with the Zanfare F1. Quality of construction is excellent, is well designed, works perfectly, has USB charging, and has minimal risk of overheating. Choice or cool or neutral white is a bonus. I would thus recommend this for consumers wanting to enter the world of 18650 lights, with a high quality, and value for money flashlight.
This product was sent to me from GearBest for review. No other payment was received for this review.
Product page (external link)
Introduction
The Zanflare F1 was the first Zanflare branded light, and is a USB rechargeable 18650 tube light.
Packaging
The Zanflare F1 arrived in a branded cardboard box, with flashlight, instructions, lanyard, clip, USB cable, and 2 spare O-rings. The instructions are very good.
Design and UI
This is a unique looking light with a diagonal/spiral knurling. I really like this look. Quality of construction is excellent. It is larger than a typical 18650 tube light, at 28mm in diameter (head) and 136mm in length. It will fit the Light Painting Brushes Universal Connector. The tailcap unscrews to allow battery insertion, and the clip attaches to the body near the tailcap. There is an on/off switch on the tailcap, as well as glass breaker (not tested) and lanyard holes. The mode button is a side switch located near the head, but not too close to the front on the light.
There is only one spring at the tailcap (-ve end). The light was tested to successfully work with button top and raised top (e.g. Sanyo GA) 18650. I do not have any flat top 18650s to test, though these have been successfully tested by other reviewers. The light can also work with 18350 / RCR123 batteries, which were not tested.
The USB socket is located near the head, and a ring can be slid up and down to cover and uncover the socket. I prefer this to the usual plug design. A red indicator light displays when the light is charging, and green when fully charged. Fully charged batteries read 4.16V when tested in my XTAR Dragon charger immediately after charge termination in the F1. No batteries are included, and USB charging is not mandatory for those who prefer to use dedicated chargers.
As mentioned previously, there are two switches on this light, on the tail, and side. The tail switch is used for on/off. The side switch cycles through modes:
Moonlight>Low>Mid>High
The light has memory of the modes when turned on/off, which I like.
A double click enters the 1240 lumen flare mode, which lasts for 30 seconds before returning the output the high mode. This may have changed from earlier versions?
A 2 second click enters flashy mode. which cycles:
Strobe>SOS
A double click exists flashy mode.
The light has low voltage protection at 2.8V where it flashed and then turns off. This was tested successfully.
Output, Beam, and Runtime
The light has a fairly deep smooth reflector, that results in a beam profile that is a compromise between being floody or throwy. The beam is approximately 60 degrees, with a defined hotspot from the Cree XP-L (V6) emitter. The light is available in both cool white and neutral white versions, which is a bonus. I would like to see a warm white version as well, though I'm probably in the minority. My sample has a neutral white beam, with a yellow hotspot and "pure" white spill beam. I would estimate the CCT at around 5000k.
No PWM could be detected in all output modes.
The outputs are claimed to be:
Flare 1240lm (30secs)
High 590lm (2hr30m)
Medium 290lm (6h)
Low 60lm (22h)
Moonlight (1lm)
Ceiling bounce tests @ 30secs showed these claims to be accurate. Modes were well regulated.
Outdoor beam shot on high 590 lumen mode (not turbo). House in distance is 30m away.
Exposure: f/6.3, 4secs, ISO400, no post-processing.
Conclusion
I was really impressed with the Zanfare F1. Quality of construction is excellent, is well designed, works perfectly, has USB charging, and has minimal risk of overheating. Choice or cool or neutral white is a bonus. I would thus recommend this for consumers wanting to enter the world of 18650 lights, with a high quality, and value for money flashlight.
