This is my new go-to flashlight for outdoor use. It's definitely the best tactical light I've used in this price range, and it's far better than another brand's model that gets highly recommended on a well-known review site. I bought that other light first and have stopped using it entirely since discovering Wurkkos lights.In terms of features, this Wurkkos FC12C is super bright, has a Buck driver so the light level remains constant, and the UI and ergonomics are flexible and easy to use. It has a tail switch, which can toggle or be held down to turn on the light, and the brightness can be smoothly ramped up or down by holding the side switch. It also has a "firefly" mode that gets very dim, which is great when you need only a tiny bit of light. There is an alternate UI mode which one can engage if you prefer discrete steps of brightness over smoothly ramping the brightness.Compared to Wurkos FC11C lights I already own, this new FC12C is a bit larger, way brighter, and the beam is narrower. In the picture with my black FC11C light, which has a 5000K color temperature, both are at full brightness and you can how much brighter the FC12C is. In another picture, I show the FC12C next to two of my FC11Cs lights (the black one is 5000K, the green is 4000K), with all of them set to minimum brightness. Here you can see this new FC12C light also gets way dimmer than the FC11C lights do. The FC12C has a cooler color temp (6000-6500K) than either of my FC11C lights.In short, it's a great light and I can't recommend something better in this price range. If Wurkkos starts making the FC12C in other color temps and body colors, I'd probably buy some more.

First impressions:This is a great thrower light. Uses would be taking walks, tactical and self-defense, outdoors, even indoors usage.This light would work if you're looking for a single general flashlight. It has its upsides and drawbacks compared to other Wurkkos models like the FC11 (which I also own) and I would probably recommend that model if your usage is going to be mainly indoor, things like close inspection, craft work, or extended emergency lighting.But for outdoors use this throws a beam of light noticeably further than the FC11, it also has a sharp brightness (more so than the FC11 noticeably) which could be useful for those who want a little protection say walking or working out at night as on full power it definitely has the ability to temporarily blind if shined directly in someone's face especially in the dark.It generates a bearable amount of heat on full power after a few minutes as long as you keep your hands away from the front where the bulb is towards the back which is NORMAL for quality LED flashlights that can operate at full power. With the on/off button in the rear and gripping it as a tactical light this is pretty easily accomplished and I doubt anyone would have any issues using this through a full charge.The battery charges in a reasonable amount of time, you won't be stuck waiting forever and it holds a decent charge. Their specifications say at max power it should last 1.8 hours on a charge (though it's really best you not leave it on that long at max, turn it down just a little if you're using for a long time) and that's been my experience. On medium which is still more than enough light to see in the dark indoors or outside it should last over 4 hours. It also has an indicator light (under the button on the barrel itself not the one on the end) which turns red when its in need of a charge. I do like the waterproof cover for the usb-c charging port, same as other Wurkkos I have.The grip is quite good, the aluminum is textured so holding onto it shouldn't be an issue.It has several emergency modes including a beacon, sos, and a strobe which are activated with multiple clicks of the side button which could be quite useful if you ever get lost in the wilderness so it's a good light for that.I've had great experiences with my other Wurkkos flashlight (owned over a year now, still going strong) and expect this one will also continue to impress me, if not I'll update my review.It may seem a bit much to spend but it's cheaper than the competition in the quality flashlight space and the last thing you want is a flashlight that quits because it's cheap junk as it's often something you reach for in an emergency.I guess I'll mention it does come with a USB A to USB C charge cable as well as a wrist lanyard that fits through a hole in the back. The lanyard itself is of no interest to me but another free USB C cable is nice.

The Wurkkos FC12C is a well-constructed and reasonably accessible tactical flashlight that introduces constant current circuitry to a throwy, 18650-powered model in the Wurkkos lineup. If you're a fan of tactical-style lights, this is a strong contender. It fits well in the hand, and with a bit of practice, the control scheme becomes easy to use—though it isn’t perfectly intuitive at first.The flashlight is impressively bright, featuring a ramping mode that lets you dial in your preferred brightness level. Its beam pattern is relatively tight and highly throwy, with a small, focused hotspot (around 12°). The 6000K color temperature leans cool for my taste, and the LED prioritizes brightness and efficiency over color rendering—an advantage or disadvantage depending on your use case.One standout feature of the FC12C is its constant current buck converter, which sets it apart from the standard FC12. This circuitry steps down the battery's voltage (typically 3.0–4.2V, depending on charge level) to the LED’s operating voltage (~3V) while maintaining a steady current. The result? Consistent brightness that doesn’t fade with battery discharge—at least until voltage drops too low. It’s also a more efficient system, converting more battery energy into light and less into heat.A relevant comparison is Wurkkos’ own FC11C, another 18650-powered model with a buck driver. These two flashlights share enough overlap that most buyers should consider both. The FC12C is slightly longer, thanks to its deeper, smooth reflector and tail switch. This deeper reflector gives it a much throwier beam than the FC11C’s orange peel reflector (see attached photos). The FC12C is also noticeably brighter than my 4000K FC11C. However, the FC11C features the Nichia 519a LED, renowned for excellent color rendering, and its floodier beam can be better suited for tasks like automotive work.Control schemes differ significantly: the FC12C uses a tail switch to power on and a side switch for brightness adjustments. The FC11C, by contrast, uses a single button and has a magnetic tail cap—something I find more intuitive and versatile. Ultimately, I consider the FC11C the better choice for general-purpose or everyday carry, while the FC12C excels in scenarios demanding more brightness and throw.In sum, the FC12C is a high-quality flashlight that expands Wurkkos’ lineup of constant-current models, offering reliable, efficient, and bright illumination—especially for those needing long-range performance.