A serial domestic flashlight with high-quality light and the most convenient control? No matter how surprising it may seem with the total dominance of manufacturers registered in Shenzhen on the market, we also have something to grab onto.
Bright Ray has two hypostases. The first, known to many, fills the shelves of tool stores with artless, unpretentious flashlights, OEM, to be honest. And much less known to the masses is the YLP (Yarkiy Luch Professional) brand, under which flashlights of radically different quality are produced, the development of which is carried out with the participation of members of the forum from the flashlight. In particular, Inferion, known in the relevant circles, has developed a driver for Unicorn 1.0, the model of which will be discussed. Those. these are entirely their own developments, albeit with the localization of production in China (alas, there is no alternative to this either for YAL or for most other brands).
I already had a couple of models from YLP — Ballista and Panda 2.0, each of which was no worse than what some well-known foreign brands offer. And now, after a couple of years, two new items fell into my hands. Panda 3.0, which will be reviewed soon, and the hero of the review. Let’s see what this new domestic flashlight is capable of.
For those who are confused by the abbreviation EDC, I will decipher it. EDC «Every Day Carry», that is, for daily, everyday needs. An ordinary compact pocket flashlight (with it, a knife is at the level of frequency of use of this abbreviation — after all, what else can be required every day with such frequency as not a knife? -)).
And right there for educational program it is appropriate to give a link to instructions on how CHOOSE THE RIGHT FLASHLIGHT
promo pictures promise just an unprecedented, magical scattering of all sorts of amenities
I will say in advance that the overall tone of the review will be extremely positive. And in order not to suspect me of bias, I will mention those jambs that I personally or other users have identified.
Packaging and appearance.
Excellent in performancethick-walled clamshell box with a good professional design, which reveals the main characteristics of the model. From a gift point of view, everything is fine.
Equipment includes the flashlight itself, a simple lanyard, o-ring, and instructions. In principle, there is everything you need except for a cover. On the other hand, such a compact flashlight is quite capable of doing without it, and if it does, then it’s not difficult to buy a suitable one.
I liked that the manufacturer moved away from the usual black color in favor of something like khaki. Equally, the manufacturer paid attention to all the other main design elements, the totality of which makes up the appearance. Remarkable in a good way, in the case of Unicorn. Let’s talk about them in more detail.
IN tailcapon which the mythical beast is depicted, is located magnetstrong enough to hold a fully loaded flashlight horizontally with no problem. I note that here it would be reasonable to put a complete spacer instead of a magnet. Situations and preferences vary…
The unicorn here is not applied with paint, the top layer of anodizing is removed. And, there are suspicions that in the long term of constant magnetizations, the skin of the beast will be pretty shabby.
I confess, I have seen more compact flashlights with 18650 power. But setting a reduction in size as an end in itself, the manufacturer is inevitably forced to reduce the duration of work at maximum brightness, there is no escape from heating. Just a more compact Lumintop FW3A and an example of this.
In the case of Yunik, the size fits perfectly into that reasonable interval, where we can already talk about relatively long work at the maximum, and equally about the convenience of wearing a flashlight.
clip… The clip is devilishly tight. To break it (at least in my case) is possible only with the help of pliers. Yes, just turning it is not so easy. So if you want to turn the clip over and put it on your head, you have to try. I didn’t like it, but someone else would call it a plus. So I don’t presume to judge, I will note the fact itself.
Here it is appropriate to note that the rotation of the clip showed good anodizing — Paint was peeling off the lips of the clip, while there was not a trace left on the body. In fairness, there are reviews of small shoals with anodizing. And since the proximity in the pocket with the keys will not withstand any anodizing, then this can be safely scored.
There are two springs, both from the side of the tail and from the side of the head. And not every EDC flashlight can boast of a spring at the head, large brands often physically limit the use of flat-head batteries there. Hello Nightcore, hello Phoenix!
The knurling is exceptionally, exceptionally tenacious, it literally digs into the palm of your hand. The Y-neckline is a good design decision, I understand that this is a reference to the «Y» from «YLP». Visually, this actually positively highlights the flashlight. Offhand, I can only remember one more tenacious knurling, namely the teeth firefly E07.
There is, of course, also back side. Potentially, this knurling can rub the fabric of a pants pocket. Or maybe not to rub — the reviews here are different. As well as the attitude to such a tenacious knurling.
One more remark, and once again it is rather cosmetic — it would be logical to place Y along the axis of the flashlight, under the button. It would not carry the slightest functional effect, of course, it would be purely aesthetic.
The grip is quite secure and comfortable.
The head is relatively small, which is quite proportional to the overall dimensions. She’s glued on. Who really pripret — will be removed. And a curious simple user will go to GUM for the offal of a unicorn.
On one side there is a small protrusion, in which, in turn, there is a button in a small recess. This arrangement clearly reduces the likelihood of accidental pressing. But finding the button by touch becomes just the same easier. Well, you can’t discount the green backlight of the button, which is extremely convenient when looking for a flashlight, changing to red as it discharges. Of course, the latter draws a little current, but in order to fully discharge the battery with 80 μA (0.08mA) leakage current, you actually need to forget it for a long time.
The button travel is shallow, with a tangible and audible click.
The switchable two-color backlight is very beautiful, and there is even such a trifle that in the lower mode it is dimmer than in the others.
And, by the way, here the tightness of the clip will be a plus, it firmly stands in the opposite position from the button and the finger automatically lies on it.
All the remaining space on the head is occupied by cooling fins, which are as large as possible for a flashlight of such dimensions.
The bezel can be twisted with some effort even with your fingers.
The manufacturer did not install a reflector, opting for TIR optics. There is no protective glass on it. But, firstly, the lens can be polished with an auto-polish, if it is fixed. Secondly, for a penny you can buy a new lens on aliexpress, thirdly, it is relatively deep and the chances of scratching acrylic are quite low. He mentions the latter, in particular, himself Inferionwhose opinion I am quite ready to trust and not bathe about this.
What is worth mentioning here.
1) changing a lens to another is practical only within 10-30 degrees, i.e. there will be some change in light distribution. Lenses greater than 30 degrees, for some reason, differ in landing size and it is not a fact that they will normally fit into a flashlight.
2) In my case, there was a fingerprint on the back of the lens. Considering that the tone of my review is extremely positive, I think it would be right to mention such moments so that I would not be accused of bias. The imprint, of course, is not difficult to erase.
Samsung LH351D 4000K 90CRI is responsible for the light here.
Well, that’s all about the appearance. The flashlight has its own uniquely recognizable pleasant design. Both on the eye and in the hand it is pleasant.
My main complaint in terms of functionality is that the clip is too tight. Claim in appearance — it would be more logical to place the Y cutout directly under the button. Well, there are complaints about the fact that someone comes across flashlights with minor anodizing defects.
The first is purely a matter of taste. As for the second, taking into account the price of a flashlight, and what anodizing turns into in a couple of months of carrying around in your pocket with change and keys, this is a remark from the category of “well, I must say that too.”
In general, the workmanship is uneven, but all these flaws in no way affect the functionality and are either fixable (imprints on the lens) or lost over time (minor anodizing defects). And, most importantly, with such functionality and for such a price, you can definitely close your eyes to all this. It would be very nice to grab a version in copper or titanium, but the price tag was already there cardinally another.
In short, the design is 4+ (I have seen it more beautiful), the execution of the case is 4-. Flaws, though insignificant, especially at this price, but there).
Control
This is a huge, exceptional trump card of this flashlight. In terms of control flexibility, this model is not a unicorn, but an unambiguous yogi.
And there is in fact All. If you go into management in detail, then it will be a footcloth comparable to the review (and I’m not sure that I’ll even understand all the tricks), so I’ll just voice the main points and give screenshots.
The most important thing that you should take away from this part: in fact, an ordinary person can handle a flashlight, for this there are 4 options out of the box (simple and a little more difficult). As well as some gourmet from lamp building will find something to amuse the soul.
1) There are 4 types of control, with preset modes and stepless brightness adjustment, each in simple and advanced. Once again, the controls are comfortable out of the box. It is much closer to Olight than to the clumsy primitiveness of the same Phoenix, when compared with big brands.
2) customizable control. If you have a desire, you can configure the maximum of everything possible, making control convenient for you. The engineering menu (yes, this flashlight also has it) is fraught with a lot of different interesting things.
Once again, in control there is All.
Below are screenshots with different nuances.
And general controls. links to full pdfs in the overview header
usual
extended
How Bright Beam Unicorn 1.0 shines
As I mentioned above, the quality of the light is more important for the target audience of a flashlight than its quantity. As a rule, now for the latter, ordinary EDC flashlights now put brighter XPL-HD with cold light.
It would make more sense to compare the Unicorn with its direct competitors, namely the Zebras. But what is not, is not. Those who wish can see the comparison on the flashlight. As an opponent, I will choose the most common flashlight, the light of which almost everyone can imagine — Convoy S2 + xml2 4 × 7135
Despite the small size of the lens, the light distribution clearly shows a fairly well-defined relatively wide hotspot. I would not say that the side fill is very bright, but it is quite smooth and quite comfortable for close work. Further you will see that with comparable brightness Unicorn turns out to be more long-range (and this is without losing the convenience of working close).
Installed in Unicorn Samsung LH351D 4000K 90CRI with a maximum of 850 lumens, it falls short of the standard 1000 lumens for EDC at the moment, but in reality the difference is definitely more in numbers than in live light. But Unicorn has a significant advantage in the form of neutral 4000K light with a high color rendering index. Although, 4000K, in fairness, for an amateur — I would prefer 5000K.
HiCRI (high color rendering index), this characteristic, implicit for many, is actually visible in comparison with conventional flashlights. And how useful a flashlight with such light can be for photos and videos …
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For stability, thermal and runtime tests, I used the LG MG1. The duration of work even at High is quite enough for a long evening walk. The duration of the turbo, even without cooling, is more than enough to look around.
7 and a half hours MID is very good. 170 lumens may not be impressive in the form of numbers, but in the photo below you will see that in reality this is quite a bright background light, which gives good detail in a radius of 5-7 meters in the open air. And for the mass of rooms, this will generally be the most convenient mode, with which you will also not be strained at all by quickly discharging the battery.
remind modes — 340170450850 lumens.
For the gifs below, I’ll name them LowMid LowMidHighTurbo
leakage current 20 μA (0.02mA)., with the button backlight on 80 μA (0.08mA). Even with the backlit button, the flashlight will be discharged for many months.
The only obvious thing that deserves improvement in terms of light is a full-fledged moonlight. A familiar firefly of the 0.5 lum type would be appropriate here. But it did not work out purely for technical, driver-related design reasons.
Well, the world itself. Numerical brightness LOWdefinitely seems decorative. However, this is a misleading impression. Such a mode, especially when there is instant access to it, is not only exceptionally convenient for working near and in small rooms, but it is also justified when your eyes are already accustomed to the dark: it will not only not blind you, but it will also seem radically brighter. Although, again, there are situations when something even less bright would be more appropriate.
The flashlight is quite capable of a distance of about fifty meters, here it looks stronger than the S2 +.
But, of course, it will show itself best of all in the usual situations for flashlights.
As for the rest, see for yourself, the main modes are quite enough for the footlight and other other usage situations familiar to EDC flashlights. The Turbo isn’t as bright, but it’s quite on par with this type of flashlight and, thanks to its fair duration, you’ll actually have plenty of time to see everything around at a relatively long distance.
Of course, the review of the flashlight in its video version contains much more visual material.
General impressions.
flashlight me Very liked it. I find minor flaws in the case symbolic and clearly not worth mentioning, when you understand that for 2.5tr you get neutral light that is excellent from the point of view of everyday use of HiCRI and the most flexible and convenient control, to which there were no complaints even from critics of this model as a whole. Even on sales, for this amount you can buy extremely limited number of models from well-known brands. And any model comparable in functionality (of which Gulkin’s nose) will cost dramatically more.
Those shortcomings that I found in him in any case do not affect the operation of the flashlight as such. In the week that I used it in the process of writing a review, I did not have none complaints about light or convenience.
It is doubly pleasant that this is an exclusively domestic development. A couple of times I came across flashlights supposedly made in Russia. By a strange coincidence, they were also sold for a third of the price on Ali without a logo and the inscription «made in the Russian Federation.»
The Unicorn has a couple of critics on the flashlight. In fact, all their comments boil down to those manufacturing and assembly flaws that I mentioned. But there are many, many more positive responses. And, as far as I understand, due to its consumer qualities, the model is extremely popular on sale. The combination of the latter: light, control, price and appearance make this model for me personally a domestic analogue of Zebralight. And if in some details of design and build quality the Unicorn loses to the zebra, then in control it looks much more interesting, and in terms of light it is quite comparable. So think about which of these characteristics is preferable for you ….
I would very much like to see the 21700 version. But I understand that the low prevalence of such nutrition makes it all an extremely distant prospect.
+ appearance
+ Hi-CRI light
+ comfortable light distribution for everyday purposes
+ decent maximum brightness
+ flexible (without congestion) control
+ magnet at the end
+ domestic flashlight: accessibility to a wide audience and ease of warranty service
+ button indicator light
+ the ability to effortlessly change standard size TIR optics
+ good stabilization
+ good anodizing
+ price tag cardinally below comparable models
+ — the knurling is very aggressive, but at the same time extremely tenacious
+ — exceptionally tight clip
— frankly budget lanyard
– some flashlights have fingerprints on the lens
— some flashlights have minor anodizing defects, in short, uneven build quality
— Y slots in the knurling are not symmetrical to the axis of the flashlight
I hope that this review of the Bright Beam Unicorn 1.0 flashlight was useful for you, I repeat, many simply do not know that this manufacturer makes not only some simple models, but something radically better, quite at the world level. This flashlight will be a great gift for yourself or someone else. In the end, 2.5tr is quite a lifting amount to buy a useful thing that you will use for years. The closest functional analogue, Zebralight, so revered among flashlighters, cost exactly 2 times more. Yes, and acebeam, in general, too.
It will be fair to say that around 40 bucks you can look for some models on narsil / anduril. They will be comparable in terms of light quality and control flexibility. But this is the choice of those who are ready to poke around in the settings and, in general, are quite sophisticated in terms of flashlight building. Unique here has the advantage of availability, warranty and the ability to use it out of the box without any problems. Narsil/Anduril can confuse a simple user.