one reason for the 4x 18650 is so you don’t get that ugly plunger look, by having the larger grip it gives the light a more balanced look.
By making it longer with 2 cells long, it also helps balance the light from both a weight and visual perspective.
Plus from Dales testing the XHP35 basically matches the XP-L HI in maximum throw with almost twice the lumens and a large hotspot. With this in mind I am 100% in favor of a XHP35 based light. There also has to be a reason all the other monster throwers are using the XHP35, it costs twice as much as the XP-L afterall.
An XPL-HI pencil beam ultimate thrower is really neat and all, but its usefulness is almost zero. Apart from showing off your lightsaber what can you do with that tight of a beam? It would be similar to the Jacob A60, just proportionally larger.
XHP-35 HI gives you long throw with a larger hotspot and more output which is far more useful in my experience.
I’m in for at least 1 no matter the format. I think the standard flashlight shape is the way to go. It seems more natural way to hold a light when spotting distant objects. But really if the throw is there I wouldn’t care so much about the format. For the LED I would like to see highest cd/mm2 irregardless of total lumen output. But if it comes out to be very little difference between a 400L led and a 2400L led I might reconsider and go with a little less cd. The TN42 is the benchmark so it’s gotta beat that in cd.
Might wanna make a note on this. Whatever lens we use/decide on, if you could please make it 2.25 mm thick, I can swap in a UCLp without messing around .
For me, UCLp is the clear choice. Might be difficult and/or pricey to get UCLp's for the entire run - from USA to China for example... I've just submitted a question to Chris at flashlightlens.com if UCLp's can be made in the 120-150 mm size. I know they have to be 2.25 mm thick though - all UCLp's are. He's made custom sizes for me (and others) before up to BOSS1 size, ~90 mm.
Also for the LED, I'd be happy with an XHP-35 HI that can beat a TN42, but I'd prefer an XPL HI so I can immediately swap it for a dedomed XPL W2 which will clearly beat the XHP35 HI in throw, and still have a somewhat decent beam width.
.