FireFlyLite X4 Stellar Flashlight Review

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar Flashlight Review

The FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight features four FFL351A emitters and USB-C charging. Mine is 4000K, has high CRI, and a great R9. Read on for testing!


Official Specs and Features

Here’s a referral link to the FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight product page.

Versions

There are a bunch of versions of the FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight! First, there are body colors: Black, grey, blue, red (seen here), and tan. Then there are emitter options:

SFT25R 6500K 4000lms CRI70
FFL351A 5000K 2800lms CRI95
FFL351A 4000K rosy 2600lms CRI95 (seen here)
FFL351A 3700K NW 2600lms CRI95
FFL351A 1800K WW 1800lms CRI95

Past those options, you can also get a 21700 cell and a lantern kit. Both those options can be seen in this post, too.

Price

The FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight base price is $67 for any emitter option. The lantern adds around $11 and the Vapcell T50 21700 adds $10.


What’s Included

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight what's included

  • FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight
  • Vapcell T50 5000mAh 21700 (optional)
  • Spare o-rings (5)
  • Spare TIR optics (2)
  • Lanyard
  • Pocket clip
  • Lantern kit (optional)
  • Manual

Package and Manual

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight box

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight box

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight manual

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight manual

Build Quality and Disassembly

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight

The FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight is much like the recently-reviewed X1L and E07x Canon. It’s the “new” style of FireflyLite, and it’s very good! The differences are subtle, but the new generation is better!

The bezel is coated in some way, and it is super clean. Note that the bezel has a sprial design. This is not just for looks! These are threads, and this is how you’ll attach the lantern! If you don’t get the lantern, I don’t believe you get a bezel without threads, though.

Both the head and tail (not shown) have nice beefy springs. Below, you can see the driver, which is a Lume1 X1 by LoneOceans – and this is another fantastic reason to buy the X4 Stellar!!

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight head off showing spring and threads

The cell tube is not reversible. In fact, the cell tube is not even what I’d call “removable” from the tailcap. It only comes apart as you can see below. The very tip end of the tailcap comes off and that’s where the magnet is captured. You can also access the lanyard ring and pocket clip this way. But no spring access.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight tailcap off showing magnet and clip

Size and Comps

Compact Size – 102.5mm x 32mm x 25.5mm
Weight – 95g (without batteries)

If the flashlight will headstand, I’ll show it here (usually the third photo). If the flashlight will tailstand, I’ll also show that (usually in the fourth photo).

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight in hand

Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+. The version below is a custom laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full post on an engraved orange host right here! Or just go straight to GadgetConnections.com to buy your Convoy S2+ now!

Also above is the light beside a TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light. I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats. I also reviewed that specific edition, the “Oveready BOSS FT Collector Vintage Brass” 35. I love it!

Retention and Carry

A number of options are included for carrying the FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight. First, there’s this pocket clip. It’s a very nice collar-style pocket clip, attached under the tailcap. No friction-fit clip here!

Also included is a lanyard. In this case, FireFlyLite has gone with a more standard lanyard. I’m very much ok with this.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight lanyard

The lanyard is really designed to attach on this included ring. The ring goes in place of the pocket clip. I am not sure you can use these at the same time (but I can say that if you did, the light will still work because the tailcap does not hold the spring against the cell nor does it hold the body against the head. It is not an electrical contact point.)

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight lanyard and lanyard ring

You can even run the light without any of the stuff below attached.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight pocket clip magnet lanyard etc

That magnet is sufficient to hold the light, too.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight tailcap magnet

Power and Runtime

FireflyLite included this Vapcell T50 5000mAh 21700 with the X4 Stellar. The product page includes this as a purchase option cell, so you should plan to buy this separately.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight with included 21700

The cell goes into the X4 Stellar in the usual way – positive end toward the head.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight with included 21700 installed

Below are runtimes on the highest three levels.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight runtimes with included 21700

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight runtimes with included 21700

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight runtimes with included 21700

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight runtimes with included 21700

The light did not shut off in every test, but by the time the cell voltage was down around 2.9V, the output was so dim that you’d necessarily take note.

Charging

One amazing improvement here on this FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight is the charging port cover. This is a USB-C port (no surprise) but the cover – the cover is special! It’s a little magnet held on a rubber leash of sorts, and flips off and snaps on so easily. I love it!

Charging looks good. Both C to C and A to C are surprisingly fast at around 2.25A, requiring only around 2.5 hours to complete charging.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight charging graph

Some people have reported issues with charging (specifically overcharging) with this light. I didn’t experience that. I also don’t have the newest revision – I believe whatever you order from the product page will be “fixed” – you can ask the store if that matters to you.

Powerbank

The FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight can be used for powerbank or “reverse charging” too. Here’s what FireFlyLite says about that feature:

To enable ‘OTG’ power-bank mode, enter Momentary Mode (refer to the Anduril User Guide linked above). Note that not all phones or devices may charge using a USB-C to C cable. This may be mitigated by using some USB-C charging-only cables, or adapters that convert USB-C to USB-A, and then from A to mini / micro / or C. The maximum supported output is 5V at 1.2A. The flashlight may be operated at low to moderate levels in Momentary Mode when sourcing power, but at the expense of runtime.

I’ll try to add some test data about the powerbank at a later time!

Modes and Currents

Mode Mode Claimed Output (lm) Claimed Runtime Measured Lumens Tailcap Amps
Turbo (Double click) 2083 (0s)
1910 (30s)
11.80
High (Highest Stepped) 1160 (0s)
1115 (30s)
4.53
5 536 1.68
4 196 0.56
3 46 0.12
2 4.3 [low]
1 0.01 [low]

Pulse Width Modulation

None of the modes use PWM! This is a product of the light using the Lume1 X1 40W Boost Driver, I believe.

For reference, here’s a baseline shot, with all the room lights off and almost nothing hitting the sensor. Also, here’s the light with the worst PWM I could find. I’m adding multiple timescales, comparing them to the test light will be easier. Unfortunately, the PWM on this light is so bad that it doesn’t even work with my normal scale, which is 50 microseconds (50us). 10ms. 5ms. 2ms. 1ms. 0.5ms. 0.2ms. In a display faster than 0.2ms or so, the on/off cycle is more than one screen, so it’d just (very incorrectly) look like a flat line. I wrote more about this Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight and briefly explained PWM.

User Interface and Operation

A single e-switch controls the FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight. It’s a nice metal switch with an indicating feature right in the middle. I believe there have been some enhancements to the switch and you’ll get that on the newest version. I’ll say though, that this version is absolutely fantastic. I am not even sure what they could improve.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight e-switch detail

Just like some other recent FireflyLite lights, there’s a metal bezel around the switch too, which makes the whole experience of clicking the switch quite pleasant. And again, this version (or this “generation”) just seems better.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight e-switch profile

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight e-switch actuation

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight e-switch lit in blue

Despite having a different driver (in this case, Lume X1 by LoneOceans), the light uses Andúril2.

Here’s more info about the Lume X1 driver, apparently called “Lume1-ff-6af” https://github.com/loneoceans/lume1-ff-6af

One thing I love about the Lume1 X1 driver: no PWM!

As with other FireflyLite flashlights, it seems to be a modified version of Andúril2. All of the features seem present, but the stepped modes are limited to 5, and not the usual 9. You’ll see many series photos below with 6 or 7 photos – Turbo is not part of the “stepped” group, as it’s accessed only by double clicking. This is fine for my use case. I’m copying the table from a standard Andúril2 light, but there may be some other wrinkles in the E07X Canon, too.

Here’s a UI table!  This table is directly from ToyKeeper’s Andúril2 manual, which you can view here:

http://toykeeper.net/torches/fsm/anduril2/anduril-manual.txt

I am putting this in a table here with ToyKeeper’s permission.  Thanks, TK!  This is so much better than me writing it because it’s more reliable, and I completely trust its accuracy (at least, if I can paste it accurately).  I’m breaking it up a little differently than ToyKeeper did, though I certainly understand why it was done her way originally.

First, the table for Either User Interface.  These actions work whether you’re in Simple or Advanced UI.

State Action Result
Off 1C On (ramp mode, memorized level)
Off 1H On (ramp mode, floor level)
Off 2C On (ramp mode, ceiling level)
Off 3C Battcheck mode
Off 4C Lockout mode
Off 13H Factory reset (on some lights)
Off 15+C Version check
Ramp 1C Off
Ramp 1H Ramp (up, with reversing)
Ramp 2H Ramp (down)
Ramp 3H Tint ramping (on some lights)
Ramp 3H Momentary turbo (on lights without tint ramping)
Ramp 4C Lockout mode
Lockout 1C/1H Momentary moon (lowest floor)
Lockout 2C/2H Momentary moon (highest floor, or manual mem level)
Lockout 4C On (ramp mode, memorized level)
Lockout 4H On (ramp mode, floor level)
Lockout 5C On (ramp mode, ceiling level)
Batt check 1C Off

A table for only Simple User Interface:

State Action Result
Off 2H On (momentary ceiling level)
Off 10H Disable Simple UI
Ramp 2C Go to/from ceiling

A table for only Advanced (aka “Full”) User Interface:

State Action Result
Off 2H On (momentary turbo)
Off 3H Strobe mode (whichever was used last)
Off 5C Momentary mode
Off 7C Aux LEDs: Next pattern
Switch LEDs: Next option
Off 7H Aux LEDs: Next color
Off 10C Enable Simple UI
Off 10H Simple UI ramp config menu (1: floor, 2: ceiling, [3: steps])
Ramp 2C Go to/from ceiling (or turbo if at ceil already)
Ramp 3C Change ramp style (smooth / stepped)
Ramp 5C Momentary mode
Ramp 5H Sunset timer on, and add 5 minutes
Ramp 7H Ramp config menu (1: floor, 2: ceiling, [3: steps])
Ramp 10C Turn on manual memory and save current brightness
Ramp 10H Manual memory config menu (1: off, 2: set timeout)
Lockout 7C Aux LEDs: Next pattern
Lockout 7H Aux LEDs: Next color
Lockout 10H Auto-lock config menu (1: set timeout)
Strobe (any) 1C Off
Strobe (any) 2C Next strobe mode
Strobe (any) 3H Tint ramping (on some lights)
Strobe (any) 5C Momentary mode (using current strobe)
Candle 1H/2H Brighter / dimmer
Candle 5H Sunset timer on, add 5 minutes
Party strobe 1H/2H Faster / slower
Tactical strobe 1H/2H Faster / slower
Biking 1H/2H Brighter / dimmer
Lightning 1H Interrupt current flash or start new one
Batt check 2C Next blinky mode (Temp check, Beacon, SOS)
Batt check 7H Voltage config menu
Temp check 1C Off
Temp check 2C Next blinky mode (Beacon, SOS, Batt check)
Temp check 7H Thermal config menu
Beacon 1C Off
Beacon 1H Configure beacon timing
Beacon 2C Next blinky mode (SOS, Batt check, Temp check)
SOS 1C Off
SOS 2C Next blinky mode (Batt check, Temp check, Beacon)
Momentary Any On (until button is released)
Momentary Disconnect power Exit Momentary mode
Config menus Hold Skip current item with no changes
Config menus Release Configure current item
Number entry Click Add 1 to value for current item

To be completely honest, I’m not entirely sure yet what’s the best way to tell if you’re in Simple UI or Advanced UI.  Based on what I see here and with the light in hand, I think the fewest-clicks way will be 3 clicks from on (technically “Ramp” in the table, but I think “On” is accurate.)  This action – 3C from Ramp – in Advanced UI will iterate smooth or stepped.  In Simple UI, this action will do nothing.  There are other ways, though.  For example, double-clicking from the top of the ramp will either do nothing or go to Turbo.  If it does nothing, then you’re in Simple.  If it goes to 11, then you’re in Advanced.  One more reliable way to check between Simple and Advanced is to enter Batt Check (3C from off) and then see what 2C does.  In Simple, the light will just turn off.  In Advanced, the light will go to the temperature check.

Another great way to tell, thanks to a reader is to see what the lowest level of ramping is.  Advanced UI has a quite low low.  Simple UI has a much higher “lowest level.”

LED and Beam

My copy of the FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight shipped with 4000K FFL351A emitters. The light has 4 emitters and uses a TIR optic. Three optics are included!

Optics – 30-deg Beaded TIR (default), 10-deg Milled & 15-deg Beaded also included

My preference is for throw, so I’ll probably use the 10-degree optic most. I tested with the default optic, though.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight emitter and dimpled tir

Don’t forget about those secondary RGB emitters, too!

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight rgb emitters on and dimpled tir

Here’s the lantern attachment. It’s very well-considered and quite functional.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight lantern cover

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight lantern cover

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight lantern cover

Here you can see the threads on the opaque attachment.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight lantern cover threads

The connection is very secure!

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight lantern cover installed

The hood is just a flexible silicone piece, so you could use the lantern part without the hood. The top of the lantern is metal, so light does not escape that direction. In fact, there’s a little mirror up there to redirect light outward.

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight lantern cover in use

FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight emitters on

LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)

This may be the first time I’ve tested FFL351A emitters. They’re very good! I love the 4000K – it’s warmer than 4000K across the board (3600-3800K-ish). CRI is high (above 90) and the R9 (aka “the reds”) are great! Duv is negative across the board, so if you don’t like rosy lights, you should probably pick a different emitter.

Beamshots

These beamshots are always with the following settings:  f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.

Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b version) (affiliate link)

I keep the test flashlight on the left, and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the right. These photos are taken around 18 inches from the door.

I compare everything to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!

Summary and Conclusion

My normal around-the-house light is a warm Nichia 219b (SW30) Emisar D4V2. I love that light! From a function standpoint, this FireFlyLite X4 Stellar flashlight is likely to replace the D4V2, though. It’s so good. Output is good, CRI is good, user interface is good, reds are good, CCT is good – everything is good. I really love it. And it fits into that “D4V2” arena even in size (despite using a bigger cell). I wholeheartedly recommend this light and specifically this emitter combo!

The Big Table

Fireflylite Stellar X4 Flashlight
Emitter: FFL351A (High CRI)
Price in USD at publication time: $67.00
Cell: 1×21700
Runtime Graphs
LVP? Yes
Switch Type: E-Switch
Quiescent Current (mA): ?
On-Board Charging? Yes
Charge Port Type: USB-C
Charge Graph
Power off Charge Port With cell: all modes
Without cell and/or tube: fast blinking only
Claimed Lumens (lm) 2600
Measured Lumens (at 30s) At startup: 2083 (80.1% of claim)^
At 30 seconds: 1910 (73.5% of claim)^
Candela per Lumen 5.24
Claimed Throw (m)
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) At startup: 540lux @ 4.841m = 12655cd
At 30 seconds: 396lux @ 5.413m = 11603cd
Throw (Calculated) (m) At startup: 225
At 30 seconds: 215.4
Claimed CCT 4000
Measured CCT Range (K) 3600-3900 Kelvin
Item provided for review by: Fireflylite
All my Fireflylite reviews!

^ Measurement disclaimer:  Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.

What I like

  • High CRI output
  • High output output
  • Great user interface
  • Lume1 X1 driver (no PWM!)
  • Charging works very well
  • The red body looks great
  • Fun RGB secondary emitters
  • Includes different optics

What I don’t like

  • Stepdown on Turbo is dramatic
  • Overcharging on the old model

Notes

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