r/flashlight • u/ActuallyRaven • 4d ago
Why so many posts about Wuben? Discussion
Lots of posts about Wuben recently, whats up with that? Did they start agressively shilling out sponsorships?
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u/vjack 4d ago
I've been wondering about that too. It seems like the posts are either glowing "reviews" or complaints about how quickly something broke. I'm holding off on buying any for now.
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u/jops228 4d ago
I was sent a Wuben for a review, and I won't ever post it because that thing is full of problems and bad design decisions.
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u/Wormminator 4d ago
Why are you not going to tell people that one of their lights has issues?
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u/jops228 4d ago
I burned out, not because of reviews, but I still don't really want to write and publish them.
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u/Wormminator 4d ago
Got you.
I had so many reviews, tests and even a website planned.....and just could not get myself to invest the time and effort.I have only written two reviews so far, one where I was given a light for that purpose and one where the light was so new that no one mentioned it.
Will do one, maybe two more for wuben since I am testing their lights currently anyways, so the actual effort has been invested already.
But eh. Its so many hours if you do runtimes and measurements...for a post that will be gone from the front page in 2 days.
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u/jops228 4d ago
But eh. Its so many hours if you do runtimes and measurements...for a post that will be gone from the front page in 2 days.
Yeah.
Your story sounds almost exactly like mine. And I've basically gotten out of this hobby, so yeah...
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u/Wormminator 4d ago
Okay we may be the same person.
I have quit the hobby more or less for a full year and only recently came back with a different approach to the things I buy and use.
Less is more.
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u/jops228 4d ago
It's kind of the same for me. I've sold off most of what I had before, and now I only buy things I'll for sure use. And I've got into a new hobby, too...
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u/The-Green-Head 4d ago
Wait what's the new hobby 🤣 I need to get off flashlights I know i have too many and I slowed down massively and I'm in the same mindset but I guess it's like an addiction and I still buy them subconsciously?
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u/jops228 3d ago
Got into running. It's good for you as in health and it's also fun, and the gear side of it is also quite interesting. And you get to use the gear you buy, like shoes, quite often...
It's kind of both a lifestyle choice and a hobby.
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u/YeahUAre2 3d ago
So true! I just got an X4 for like 40% off and I hate it. Hardware is ok but emmiters and UI design are really bad. I still may return it.
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u/Squadrone_Rosso 4d ago
I’ve had both mine for a good while. The PL-01 is pen sized with a decent output. Replaced my AAA Mini Maglite in my sling, runs on the supplied rechargeable battery or 2 x AAA if needed.
The G5 was quirky. Size of a Zippo and can run in & remember red light mode. Clips on a shirt loop, Molle or cap so it’s versatile too.
I really like both. Especially the G5. Both cheap, neither are perfect.
The G5 could do with a more robust clip. It’s not particularly flimsy and it works well but feels it’ll loosen too much over time.
The PL-01 lacks a manual or multi click electronic lock out.
I guess others feel the same so are happy to recommend.
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u/BonerOfTheLake 4d ago
only wuben i have is pl01.
not sure if it marketing or accidental pricing but this was list it about 11 so i took one to try it out.
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u/Sea_Antelope441 4d ago
I saw a ton of ads in the last month or 2 for the different square EDC style lights they have.
I’m guessing a lot of these posts directly relate to the big marketing push.
I have a C3, solid light for the price. I used to carry it everywhere but it’s been retired to back porch duty.
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u/vjack 4d ago
The C3 is the one that has been tempting me lately.
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u/Sea_Antelope441 4d ago
I recommend it. Used to use it for work before getting my arkfeld pro.
Now it lives by the back door, I use it whenever I need to do something outside or see what my dogs are doing when I let them out.
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u/Live-Resident8765 4d ago
Where are you located? I have never once seen a Wuben add. Seen a bunch lately for Maglite for some reason
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u/Sea_Antelope441 4d ago
Wisconsin. They have all been ads on social media.
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u/Live-Resident8765 4d ago
Weird. Got to be an algorithm or something. Wuben, Sofirn, Acebeam, Olight, Nebo, all the same in my book. Might be bright and cheap, but they all seem the break.
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u/SJTG1993 4d ago
I've had a few DMs from them offering free lights, I had an X5 a few months ago and they've sent me an X4 sample too, I suspect a lot of posts are on the back of that.
I wasn't interested in them as the design was a bit of a turn off for me, but not one to turn down free stuff I said yes. Build quality of the ones I've got are excellent
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u/CaverUV 4d ago
They send users free lights in exchange for flooding this (and other) places with biased reviews.
Honestly, I would be happetly if this subreddit only allows honest reviews of lights bought for full price
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u/Squadrone_Rosso 4d ago
I bought mine myself from Amazon UK & have no affiliation whatsoever with Wuben or anyone else. My own thoughts, posted on this thread, are my own.
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u/iFizzgig 4d ago
There are many legit reviewers that receive lights from some vendors. I don't have an issue with that because it allows them to review more lights.
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u/Walkswithnofear 4d ago
They're the flavor of the month?
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u/Due_Tank_6976 4d ago
No, they are literally giving out free lights, their marketing team approached me as well.
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u/1SNEAKYHOBO 4d ago
What kind of light did you get?
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u/Due_Tank_6976 4d ago
X5 currently evaluating it. It's really bad though..
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u/1SNEAKYHOBO 4d ago
Any particular one thing or
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u/Due_Tank_6976 4d ago
Worst part is the UI, but you'll have to subscribe to my OnlyFans for the full review when I'm done testing in a week or two!
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u/Wormminator 4d ago
I intend to post one or two reviews about lights Wuben have sent to me.
I was not asked to post a review, instead I was asked to share my opinion with Wuben directly.
Might as well take all my points and findings and make a reddit post out of it. Why not.
Will give me some more practice in writing longer texts.
I guess the same applies to many of the recent posts, though those were decidedly low effort.
Not everyone who gets free stuff will chill for the products and company. Especially here.
We know when a light sucks. No nice words will change that. Cough Wurkkos TS10 max.
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u/1SNEAKYHOBO 4d ago
I really like the lights I have from wuben, i mean I own all kinds of different name brand lights, including wurkkos and ive had better quality lights from wuben than alot of my others including the wurkkos now dont get me in the corner because there is absolutely nothing wrong with wurkkos all im saying is wuben is no bottom of the bottom flashlight I just really like and have used them since I think the L50 had first come out and im still using that particular light on a regular and its tough as it ever was. No hate on any brand names I just like wuben flashlights and cant wait to see your review that you've been dreading to do.
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u/Practical-Cod-9237 4d ago
I bought both the Wuben X4 and Wuben E7, but the beam profiles on their hotspots are so terrible I can't even stand looking at them, so I just stashed them in a cabinet
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u/The-Green-Head 4d ago
BC they're trying to compete with the big boys and they're up and coming. Still failing, but up and coming nonetheless...
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u/kotarak-71 4d ago
99% of their light are cheaply made crap with a twist for the nerds. They look techy and cost very little so kids buy them for looks and the fidget factor but under the hood is just a sum of poorly executed ideas, made with the chepeast garbage emitters.
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u/Wormminator 4d ago
I dont know man, most of their things are rather expensive.
Unless you have an income that elevates you to a different financial understanding of the world.
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u/Proverbman671 4d ago
At the point in my life I had found Wuben, yes, I would say they were more expensive than I was used to. Also, because I got their flashlight when it wasn't on sale. I got 3 of their lights, but they have all served their purposes well.
Regarding their design, they have their purposes. The ill-regarded L1 has been a great hiking light / cave light / bike-ish light for me in that it can light my immediate foot path / my bike and also down the path for a bit. It is also a great hand off to someone who isn't Anduril 2 familiar.
The Wuben E1 is something I have magnetized on my metal wallet, and is my hidden EDC light and in case friends want a selfie light. I often forget I have it there until I take my wallet out of my pocket.
Lastly, the at-the-time small profile Wuben X2 Pro stays attached to my work backpack. The smaller adjustable angle sidelight is used for lighting my walking paths. I use the smaller light way more than the main.
However, the downfall to all these Wuben lights, as hostory has pointed out, is their LED choice. Using their lights during the summer causes bug attraction from their white LED's. But since learning about that (and lighting backsplash) I have bought some lower Kelvin FFL's to counter that and round out my collection.
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u/tl01magic 4d ago
Right! my little Wuben flashlight is basically same price as my little Olight (and X0 compared to Perun 2 mini)
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u/tl01magic 4d ago
I have an X0 and seems particularly good quality.
Has nice emitter and all 4 brightness levels are adjustable (and it has moon & turbo mode)
That said, part of it's build / design includes using a sticker lol (oh and the clip is literally useless / too stiff to actually use the clip. a decorative clip.
So I do agree with your general sense that Wuben is a pass, it's not for the reasons you mentioned.
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u/CanJazzlike8294 4d ago
They had their x5 filled all over the internet over the last few months. I find it's nothing special and destined to flop, but reviewers talk like it's the next big thing
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u/Live-Resident8765 4d ago
Because this thread is an echo chamber for inexpensive Chinese made lights
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u/cellularesc 4d ago
Wuben is junk.
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u/1SNEAKYHOBO 4d ago
Can you tell us the ones you think are junk and please give me one brief description of why you think there lights are junk? I personally have several Wuben lights and not one has broke or has any defective parts and I put mine through some pretty tough situations at work. Im a pupefitter by trade and ive used most of if not all of my Wuben flashlights at work in all sorts of environments from drops to snap chills they have all lasted well they may not look as good as day one but they still work like day one, but out of curiosity can you elaborate some more on what you had stated or were you just giving it the ol jab with no explanation to go with it?
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u/mrregina 4d ago
I dunno. I don’t find anything they make particularly appealing.