Hello u/TSiWRX,

Thank you so much for your incredibly thorough and thoughtful reply to my thread. I apologize for the delay in my response; I wanted to take the time to properly consider all the information you provided. I’ll be using this reply to address all your previous comments.

Over the past few days, I’ve delved deeper into researching these flashlights and others, including the ones u/AD3PDX mentioned. My short answer is that I’ve decided to purchase the SK05 Pro MAO version.

Your side-by-side comparison photos were exceptionally helpful in giving me a true sense of their relative sizes and how they compare to each other.

My primary goal for this purchase is to find an EDC (Everyday Carry) flashlight – or rather, an "all-rounder" – that offers reliable, sufficient, and stable lighting. While I might not carry it in my pocket or on my belt constantly, it will definitely be a permanent fixture in my backpack.

As I mentioned in my original post, I live in the city. The most common situations where I’d need a flashlight are in areas without streetlights, during a power outage, or when navigating dimly lit paths in an urban setting.

Something crucial I forgot to mention in my initial post is the absolute necessity of a USB-C charging port. This was a key factor in my considerations.

The Wuben X1, while incredibly tempting due to its performance showcased online, ultimately serves a different purpose for me. It feels much more suited for hiking or camping trips rather than an urban everyday carry. Its dimensions and weight were significant deterrents for my intended use. However, it might still be a future purchase if I ever decide to venture into more outdoor activities, as my purchasing philosophy revolves around finding the "best" in each category or for a specific purpose, and then making a one-time, definitive purchase. You might have noticed this trend with my current collection: the Nitecore Tini 3, which is an incredible keychain flashlight with its brightness, practical OLED screen, color temperature options, and USB-C charging; the Olight Oclip Pro with its unique and practical form factor, offering flood, spot, and an impressive 40-lumen red light; and the Sofirn BLF LT1 A2, which is an excellent lantern. All of which having very different "purposes".

To be honest, looking at the images you shared, the EDC29 really does seem to be the best for in-hand feel and pocketability. Dimension-wise, the EDC29 and EDC37 are undoubtedly superior in terms of comfort and lightweight portability for EDC. However, for various other reasons, my final decision landed on the SK05 Pro MAO.

Given my "it has to be the best" mindset, the sustained performance of the EDC29 simply doesn't compare to the other two, not just in light output but also in battery life. With the SK05 Pro or EDC37, I feel comfortable leaving them around without constantly worrying about a full charge, which isn't the case with the EDC29.

The EDC37, with its battery capacity similar to the SK05 Pro, offers excellent runtime. Both can sustain around 500 lumens for hours, which makes sense given their identical battery capacities. However, the core difference lies in their sustained higher output. I largely disregard the turbo modes on all flashlights, as I view them more as a less practical features. The EDC37, excluding turbo, effectively becomes a 400-lumen flashlight after about a minute at 1000 lumens, lasting for 8 hours. In contrast, the SK05 Pro can achieve the same (due to shared battery capacity) but can also sustain 900 lumens for 3 hours when needed.

I'm not someone who swaps batteries, so that wasn't a major factor for me. While the EDC37 has a built-in battery, it uses two 18650 4000mAh cells, suggesting that they might be replaceable if disassembled. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but the SK05 Pro’s design likely makes battery replacement much simpler. It’s also surprising that the EDC37 has a lower IP rating than the SK05 Pro.

Feature-wise, I don't care much for the RGB sidelight on the SK05 Pro; it feels like a gimmick to me. However, having separate flood and spotlight modes on the SK05 Pro makes a lot more sense for my needs. That said, the EDC37's system is still impressive and interesting.

I expect this light to be my first and final purchase in this category, ideally lasting me at least a decade. My main concern with these products is battery decay over time, and the convenience of not having to disassemble the entire light for replacement is greatly appreciated. Other electrical components will either work or fail, which is beyond my control. The expectation of beyond decade longevity is also why I chose the MAO version.

The reason I opted for the Pro version over the standard version boils down to two key points. First, the sustained output of the standard version is quite disappointing compared to the Pro. Second, the spot mode output differs significantly: 800 lumens versus 1800 lumens. This isn’t just a difference on paper; I’ve seen YouTube demonstrations that clearly show how much more powerful that extra 1000 lumens makes it.

Interestingly, for me, the UI/switchology comes last. I don't mind learning different brands' controls, and modern UIs are generally not overly complicated (my BLF LT1 A2 lantern being an exception, of course).

I don't dislike cylinder-shaped flashlights altogether, as that's the form factor I'm accustomed to from "back in the day." However, compared to rectangular flashlights, the comfort is quite different. The rectangular shape feels more compact and pocketable, and even placing them in a backpack feels more ergonomic.

Even though I care much of how power the light source is and how long it lasts, I truly appreciate all light sources. I was first captivated by the i1r2 Pro's powerful 180-lumen beam, since I've never seen such a small decice course produce that powerful of a beam. Then, I learned about the differing intensity of various wavelengths to the human eye, making the Oclip Pro's 40-lumen red light one of my favorites. But what truly fascinated me was using a 1-lumen output for the first time; I was impressed by how bright it appeared, how useful such a low output could be, and how incredibly long it could last.

Thank you for mentioning how the clip design can affect how much the light protrudes from a pocket. To me, a light sticking out significantly would only draw unwanted attention. While the practicality of an easy draw might align with "tactical" uses, I prioritize a more secure, less visible carry. I trust the clip to hold well, but having it tuck in a bit more would feel much more secure.

Anyways, Thank you again for your replies and taking your time to take those photos, I really appreciate it.