Update: April 2025

"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you" - Pericles

Content warning: Politics. This is my platform and I'll talk about it if I want to.

Another update has been long overdue. I apologise for the period of time that has passed. I'm still ok, just about. "Surviving" is as good as anyone can be these days, it feels like.

Due to some complicated personal circumstances, I have not yet reached a safe living situation. I was hoping to have done so and be able to get some reviews done by now, but that has not been possible. All of my reviewing equipment as well as 95% of my collection has been sitting in a storage unit for the past couple of months, and it feels like the time has just disappeared faster than I could even notice it passing. I have been preoccupied with such things as stockpiling essential medication and ensuring people I care about are safe, and just being there for my people and others that are being targeted. These days I feel more interested in activism than either pretending nothing is wrong, or biting my tongue to avoid the wrath of forum and subreddit moderators, when I warned everyone exactly what would happen back in 2024.

I love collecting and reviewing lights, but these last few months, the passion has been hard to direct into a drive to actually get things done. Some states, thankfully not yet including the one I am presently located in, have actually attempted to outright criminalise my very existence. In the country that practically makes "freedom" a religion, there are areas it is unsafe for me to even drive through. We have journalists mapping which states are safe for us to visit, 59 years since the Green Book was no longer necessary, and I know for a fact that people have been surprised that the situation was as bad as it is when I have shown them Erin's map. There is always more that can be written, but the historical parallels are beyond terrifying, and preparations are being made to end our access to healthcare, that will cost lives.

At the same time, my own country by birth, the only place I have the right to live in if things get bad enough to need to leave the US, has also started to make moves to nationally end all healthcare for people like me. A few people have said "just go to Canada", but Canada is just as bad these days, so I have a lot of other things on my mind to deal with - I am still focused on moving, but currently have enough other concerns as well as health problems that it is unlikely to be any time imminently.

As to the future of this site in the longer term over the next 4 years (which is linked to the future of our hobby in general): I will still do what I can. I have a few review samples that I never got a chance to do due to everything that has happened since november. Those will still be completed when I am able to. As to future content past those, if necessary I will start reviewing existing lights from my collection. I have wanted to do a few long-term ownership reviews for a while, so expect to see some of those. So far, nobody I have asked has any definite idea how review samples will be affected, but it seems most likely reviewers will have to pay to receive them, so I would warn the community to expect fewer reviews going forward in general, at least from US-based reviewers. There are some other brands that I have not yet reviewed, which I may also start doing, using examples already in my collection.

One thing you can count on: When I am reviewing again, I will not back down from discussing the price of lights both in the US and in the rest of the world, and highlighting exactly why the light costs so much more in the US.

If you were wondering specifically about my general absence from Reddit and BLF, see below.

An Update

I'm sure everyone knows what happened by now so I won't waste words. Writing is difficult for me now anyway for obvious reasons.

Currently in-progress reviews will still be completed. I do not have any estimate for how long this will take. I am currently not taking any new review offers. At some point my equipment will need to be packed up because I am moving. I have already started packing my collection.

Acebeam P20 Review: The best large tactical light yet?

"Acebeam clearly want to show Convoy that girth isn't everything in the bonk light game"

"Some people on Reddit did not like me calling the E75 tactical. So fine, here's a tailswitch thrower to make up for it."

The Acebeam P20 is a large tactical SBT90 thrower, with a dual switch UI, and designed to use either a unique battery pack, or 2 standard 21700 cells.

Sofirn HS42 review - triple channel 18650 headlamp

"6 LEDs, 3 channels, and only one SST40? Sofirn really did well on this one."

The Sofirn HS42 is a triple channel 18650 headlamp, with flood, throw, and red emitters.

NLightD L2 review - pocket 14500 titanium LEP

"New NLightD Day?"

The NLightD L2 is a small pocket 14500 LEP, available in many materials and finishes.

Acebeam E75 review - high power tactical EDC light

"At what point does a tactical EDC light become large enough to be a strategic one instead?"

The Acebeam E75 is a large high-power tactical EDC light, powered by a 21700 battery and with an output of up to 4500 lm.

Lumintop EDC03 Review - High output twisty keychain light with multiple output modes

"You've heard of forward clickies... This is a forward twisty."

"For those who feel their light could do with a bit more wrist action."

The Lumintop EDC03 is a large keychain light or small EDC light with an Osram P9 and a dual chemistry driver. The EDC03 distinguishes itself by having four different brightness levels in a form factor that most commonly comprises single-mode lights.

Wurkkos HD01 Review - flat EDC with laser, floodlight, and RGB

"The Wurkkos HD01, with precision aimable strobe mode!"

"Arkfeld killer? Maybe."

The Wurkkos HD01 is a small EDC light with a built in battery, white/RGB side LED, and a class 3R green laser.

Sofirn IF24 Review - flood, throw, and RGB work light

"Sofirn made a rotary switch light too? I guess this was inevitable..."

"An exciting new way to turbo yourself in the face, this time with RGB!"

The Sofirn IF24 is a large 18650 EDC/work light, with a white/RGB side LED and a rotary switch. This review also features a discount code.

Sofirn SC13 Review

"Nice optic, less nice LED. I think there's a saying about that..."

The Sofirn SC13 is a small 18350 light rated at 1300lm, using an SST40 and a Fresnel optic.

Sofirn SC29 Review

"Beautiful optic. So, when's the SC29 Pro?"

The Sofirn SC29 is an EDC sized 21700 light rated at 3000 lm, with an XHP50.2 behind a unique TIR optic.

Ripsshine HF1 review

"Time for something more representative of my actual collection, an enthusiast hotrod."

The Ripsshine HF1 is a high lumen flooder with active cooling and a large 46950 battery, with a maximum output spec of 20,000 lm.

JetBeam RRT01 Raptor review

"OK, I really need to do do a few reviews of something else after this, this was not planned to be a theme..."

The Jetbeam RRT01 is a small tactical light with rotary control. After receiving the V11R featured in my previous review, I wanted a similar light for myself and got the RRT01 as the closest comparable light. Compared to the V11R, it is a larger and higher performance light that only uses li-ion batteries.

Sunwayman V11R Revolution review

"The KC1 and M8 arguably count as rotary control, and here I am doing another... Is this going to become a meme here?"

The Sunwayman V11R is a dual-chemistry light with rotary control that takes several different battery sizes; 16340 or CR123A, or using an extension tube for 14500 and AA. This is a discontinued light from the late 2010s being looked at from a 2023 viewpoint.

Weltool M8 review

"An efficient, durable tactical zoomie with a spec under 50,000lm? U WOT M8?"

"So for my second full review, I'm doing another twisty light? Well, kind of..."

The Weltool M8 is a rugged tactical zoomie using a round die LED and a twisty zoom mechanism.

Emisar KC1 (519A 5700k dedome) review

"...so, I guess I'm starting small?"

"Can a keychain light be a hotrod? Let's find out..."

The Emisar KC1 is a 10440/NiMH AAA keychain light with excellent performance for its size.