Wurkkos FC11C Halloween Flashlight Review
The Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight is a new version of the FC11 This one has a neat skull finish on the orange body! This C version has a buck driver, too!
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a link to the Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight product page.
Versions
As already mentioned, there’s an older version – the FC11. This Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight is the new version and it’s available in this orange/skulls version as well as regular orange, black, and green. Each is available with 4000K or 5000K emitter CCT. Finally, you can get this light with or without a cell.
Price
The going price for this Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight is $22.99. Under $20 if you don’t need the 18650! The other colors are a dollar less, at $21.99. Honestly a ridiculously low price!
What’s Included
- Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight
- Wurkkos 3000mAh 18650
- Charge cable (USB to USB-C)
- Lanyard
- Pocket clip
- Spare o-rings (2)
- Manual etc
Package and Manual
Build Quality and Disassembly
I thought the “main point” of this post was to show off the orange body and engraved skulls. Turns out I haven’t tested the FC11C (the “C” version) either! So check out both the body (neat color!) and the testing!
The build is great – again this is a sub-$20 light. For under $20, you probably can’t do much better!
Externally, I think the Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight is identical to the Wurkkos FC11. There are driver differences, though.
Threads on the Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight are square-cut, moderately long, and lightly (if at all) lubed.
While the pocket clip can be installed in only one end, the cell tube is actually reversible – threading is the same on both ends.
Both head and tail have big beefy springs.
Size and Comps
116.23mm x 27mm, and 65g (without cell).
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).
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 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
Mainly the Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight will be carried using the included friction-fit pocket clip, which is installed on the tail end. This means bezel-down carry is the default.
But the cell tube is reversible, so if you wish to have a bezel up carry, then just flip the cell tube. The balance will be a little off, but it works. The location of the clip on the body with “bezel up” carry would make this a reasonable hatlight solution.
Another option for retaining the Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight is the included lanyard, which attaches through a hole in the tailcap. There are also places on the pocket clip to attach the lanyard, but as it’s a friction fit clip, I’d recommend sticking with the hole in the tailcap.
Finally, we have the tailcap magnet, which holds the FC11 quite securely on the right base.
Power and Runtime
The voltage range for the Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight is 2.7V-4.2V, which means it runs on a single lithium-ion cell. Included with the purchase of the Wurkkos FC11 is a 3000mAh 18650.
Since the FC11 has springs on the head and tail, there’s nothing preventing usage of any type 18650. Flat top, button top, protected, unprotected – they all should work fine.
Cell installation is normal – positive end toward the head. You can remove the tailcap or the head to install the cell.
Provided below are a few runtimes. The claim of 1300 lumens is not met. If you compare these tests to the original FC11, you’ll see what the difference in this buck driver is. Much more stable output!
When the light is turned on, the indicating switch will light momentarily to advise of cell voltage, as follows:
Green: Power >30%
Red: Power <30%
Red Flashing: Recharge the cell as soon as possible
Charging
A USB-C port is used for charging, and it’s on the head and opposite the switch.
A press-in cover protects the port. The cover is really quite nice.
Wurkkos provides a USB to USB-C cable, too.
Charging looks pretty good and has been upgraded, too, to around 2A. The time required is just over 2 hours, and termination voltage is a little low at around 4.12V.
Modes and Currents
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo | 1200 | 2.5h | 727 (0s) 697 (30s) |
4.36 |
| High | 600 | 2.7h | 409 (0s) 404 (30s) |
1.72 |
| Mid | 250 | 7.5h | 183 | 0.62 |
| Low | 50 | 39h | 30 | 0.15 |
| Eco | 1 | 500h | 0.6 | 0.01 |
Pulse Width Modulation
There’s no PWM to be seen here – in fact that’s a hallmark of the buck driver. The second mode in the row below doesn’t exhibit PWM. That’s SMS ripple or something other than PWM. Not noticeable visibly, anyway.
Here you can see a “baseline” – a chart with almost no light hitting the sensor.
Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has some of the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so bad that I used a post about it to explain PWM! Here are multiple timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make comparing this “worst” PWM light to the test light easier. That post also explains why I didn’t test the WF-602C at the usual 50us scale.
User Interface and Operation
A single switch is used to control the Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight. It’s an e-switch in the head of the light and has indicating emitters under the translucent black cover.
Texture is one way to differentiate the switch from the charge port cover, but also the charge port cover has more of a rounded (off the body) feel, while the switch feels flatter.
Below, the switch is indicating green.
There are two mode groups on the FC11. The default is stepped, which has five output levels, and no ramping. The second utilizes ramping.
Here’s a user interface table for Group 1!
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Hold | Eco |
| Off | Click | On (Mode Memory) |
| Off | Double Click | Turbo |
| On | Click | Off (Except in Turbo) |
| On | Hold | Mode Cycle (Eco>Low>Mid>High) |
| Turbo | Click | Previous Mode |
| Off | Hold 3s | Switch to Group 2 |
| Off | Click 4x | Lockout – main emitter will still respond by blinking quickly twice on click |
| Lockout | Click 4x | Unlock to previous mode. |
| Any | Click 3x | Strobe |
| Strobe | Click | Return to previous mode. |
Here’s a user interface table for Group 2!
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Hold | Eco |
| Off | Click | On (Mode Memory) |
| Off | Double Click | Turbo |
| On | Click | Off (Except in Turbo) |
| On | Hold | Ramp to highest output^ |
| Turbo | Click | Previous Mode |
| Off | Hold 3s | Switch to Group 1 |
| Off | Click 4x | Lockout – main emitter will still respond by blinking quickly twice on click |
| Lockout | Click 4x | Unlock to previous mode. |
| Any | Click 3x | Strobe |
| Strobe | Click | Return to previous mode. |
^ Ramp can sort of do multiple things, depending. The first ramp after the light is turned on will always be upward (unless you start in Turbo by double-clicking from off.) And ramp will most often be “up” unless you hold the switch again within around 2 seconds of ramping up, and then the ramp will be down.
LED and Beam
Wurkkos uses a Nichia 519a in the FC11C Halloween flashlight. This one is the 4000K version and uses an orange peel reflector.
LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)
This Nichia 519a in 4000K is one of the best that I’ve seen. The colors are rendered excellently (notice how the red and black circles match). CRI is also very high, at 97 or higher. This is just an incredible light source! CCT also matches the claim, at 3800-4000K.
Beamshots
These beamshots always have 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
The Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight is a very worthy upgrade to the FC11. It’s even cheaper than the original was, too! $22 is a ridiculously great price. This 4000K emitter is fantastic and offers high CRI. The user interface is great (and familiar) and this Halloween Skull version is fetching, too!
The Big Table
| Wurkkos FC11C Halloween flashlight | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | Nichia 519A (High CRI) |
| Price in USD at publication time: | $18.99 |
| Cell: | 1×18650 |
| 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 tailcap: two very low modes |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 1200 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 697 (58.1% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 7.3 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 144 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 171lux @ 5.808m = 5768cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 151.9 (105.5% of claim)^ |
| Claimed CCT | 4000 |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 3800-4000 Kelvin |
| Item provided for review by: | Wurkkos |
| All my Wurkkos 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
- This Nichia 519a emitter is incredible
- Also a high CRI emitter
- It’s a ridiculous deal!
- Ramping user interface option for those who like that
- USB-C charging update works well
- The Halloween skull edition is great
What I don’t like
- I’d love the 2700K to be available in this light just like the old FC11, too!
Notes
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