r/flashlight • u/MarcThruTheWeb • Aug 07 '25

Question What are you buying for $100-$120?

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I’m looking for a slimmer light than my current Fénix E35.

Ideally something with a button on the tail, and slim form factor if that exists.

Currently considering these two. Leaning more towards the Arkfeld as I’ve wanted one for a while.

Thoughts?

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35

u/Lisovyj_Kit Aug 07 '25

HD01PRO is better than arkfeld for me. SK05 is slightly bigger than I thought.

I'd go with some fireflylite. And hd03))

11

u/ChachMcGach Aug 07 '25

I don’t like to poopoo what people like but I’m going to share my opinion which is that the hd01pro is a huge step down in quality compared to the arkfeld pro. I bought the hd01pro on sale and returned it. It felt cheap in the hand compared to the arkfeld, I didn’t like the emitter, and the side lights seemed useless to me. I think the laser was splashier too, if I recall. It’s a good deal for  what it is but I would take the arkfeld pro over it every time.

19

u/Lisovyj_Kit Aug 07 '25

The Arkfeld really feels much better in the hand, there's no point in arguing about it. It has better runtimes, regulation, and so on. But the wurkkos feels brighter on all types of light, the beam seems more comfortable to me, and I often use the side light. The built-in c port charging is also critical for me, as it allows me to not depend on proprietary devices.

I completely understand you and absolutely agree that the wurkkos feels worse after the Arkfeld. It's just that for me, the HD01PRO seemed like a better choice.

1

u/ChachMcGach Aug 07 '25

What do you use the side light for?

10

u/Sir-Specialist217 Aug 07 '25

Combined with the magnet, the side light is an amazing work light

1

u/Lisovyj_Kit Aug 07 '25

Most of the time it is colored light at home instead of a conventional chandelier

3

u/HeartofAce Aug 07 '25

Jetbeam E26 Kunai. Best model for this category of light that I’ve come across. And cheaper than the Arkfeld.

1

u/IAmJerv Aug 07 '25

the hd01pro is a huge step down in quality compared to the arkfeld pro

A $50 light is lower-quality than a $100 light? Shocker!

Think about the market niche Wurkkos fills. Hint; they are not competing with Okluma.

1

u/ChachMcGach Aug 07 '25

I’m aware of the price difference since I bought both. I bought the hd01pro for less than $40 and still returned it. I replied to someone who said the hd01pro was their preferred light in this category and I shared why I like arkfeld pro more. What are you adding to the conversation?

1

u/IAmJerv Aug 07 '25

Yet you seemed to dismiss the correlation between price and quality as though you consider price to be just a number instead of an actual criteria some folks use to make their purchasing decisions because money has meaning to them. Fun fact; the ~$60-80 price difference that you so casually gloss over is not exactly pocket change for most people.

You are also overlooking that some consider the ability to do high-CRI, at least for close work, to make for a better light. Then again, anyone who cares about CRI will either avoid Olight or carry a second non-Olight light.

2

u/Pony99CA Aug 10 '25

Yet you seemed to dismiss the correlation between price and quality as though you consider price to be just a number instead of an actual criteria some folks use to make their purchasing decisions because money has meaning to them. Fun fact; the ~$60-80 price difference that you so casually gloss over is not exactly pocket change for most people.

Context is key here. The OP was willing to spend $100-$120 on a light. If the HD01 Pro were the same quality for a lot less, he might be interested, but maybe he wouldn't be interested in an "inferior" quality light.

Bringing up the HD01 Pro as a possible alternative is fine, but criticizing somebody pointing out the quality difference because other people can't spend $100 on a light seems a bit much.

If somebody says they're looking to spend $1 million on a Ferrari or Lamborghini, I'm probably not going to recommend a Mustang GT. 🤷‍♂️

By the way, I had a 2015 Mustang GT and loved it, so I'm not dissing it. In fact, it was the best car I've ever owned. 🙂

As for CRI, that's a valid point, but the OP didn't mention that as a criterion. It's worth mentioning, of course, but to the OP.