- Skilhunt H03 for general camping/hiking/work. (paid $25). XM-L2 - Wish this was a Nichia but oh well.
Sofirn SF14 ($15) - just a cheapo around the house xp-g2 light
To balance things out, I’m thinking my next light should either be a thrower. I realize most here will probably recommend the Emisar D1 or D1S, but since this will mostly just be a toy to mess around with I can’t justify $40+ on it.
What cheap good throwers do you like for < $20 or so? I’m guessing this will mean an XP-L Hi of some sort or possibly an XHP 35.2 / 50.2?
Don’t really love the look of the Convoy C8 but probably a decent pick. Any other good options? Sofirn C8 looks quite similar.
Convoy c8 with xpl hi goes for around 20$ silver host is a killer deal if u ask me, or just the black i think the design is alright for the price feels very well made… for the price very good thrower easy 300m or more with that emitter. I dont know any other in that price range, since u dont want an emisar d1s which is also a good choice on low budget…
The claimed lumen output figures aren't peak values and actually somewhat lower of what you can actually get with a quality high drain cell (30Q/HG2, 25R/HE2/HE4, NSX/VTC5/VTC5A…).
The c8 is the obvious choice for a $20 thrower, but if you don’t like the shape and size, maybe try a BLF x5. You can’t really tell by the pictures, but this is a much smaller light. I don’t have one but it seems to kick a lot of but for it’s size.
Gonna mod it? As-is, the Ultrafire F13 is nice and throwy, I like the design and feel, but the come-with UI just pisses me off. I swapped in 1-mode 22mm drivers for nice dedicated throwers.
The Sofirn lights are really well made (I was surprised at how good it was), and has a slim profile, dual buttons and is very bright for it’s size. The clip is nice and sturdy, with little flex. The knurling and anodized finish are satisfying. Definitively a very, very good deal, as long as you don’t mind waiting. You’ll want to get a High drain cell, and it can be flat-top because of the dual springs.
Now, you want throw. This thing will throw 300+ feet (100M). The beam widens, and isn’t as narrow as a C8, etc, but still travels far.
Eagle eye x6 you’ll love it. It became my edc I use for work daily. 3.5 am turbo for 3 mins. For a decent 20 buck light doesn’t get much better then that. I have like 5 x6 and 5 c8 or something now. I make brothers of each kind. Fet driven xplhi v3 well have to build x6 the same way. Need a couple more host. Time to make a couple with the new sst40 led
Edit for around 20 you can put your own light together. You’ll feel great the first one you do. Convoy host $10, led 3 to 6, driver 4 to 10 dollars.
The new s2 has a smooth reflector but a tube light only throws so much. The convoy m1 is the best all around light I’ve found. Mine has xpl2 w2 2b emitter making 1800 lumens. And it throws plenty and lights up the area. My second pick would be the eagle eye x6 with the same emitter Fet driven. Amazing light output. And with a little mass takes awhile to really heat up.
Richard at MTn has some lights ready to go.
If you buy the parts and pay shipping I’ll put a light together for you.
Since the Eagle Eye X6 was mentioned, would the Astrolux S2 (aka BLF X6v2) be considered a better version of the Eagle Eye X6 or is there still some pros of the EE X6 over the Astrolux S2 (BLF X6v2)? The Astrolux S2 is around $23.95 during “promo” sale periods (which seems to happen relatively frequently).
I like my Astrolux S2 when I need more throwy situations while being a relatively compact portable light — being FET-driven (Bistro firmware), it seems to be at least as throwy as the Convoy C8 XP-L Hi (which I also got) and they have also nearly the same weight (the Astrolux S2’s head is quite heavy), but Astrolux S2 is slightly smaller.
I know you said you didn’t like the look of the C8, but it really is the best budget choice. The silver Convoy C8 is a good choice (don’t get the other colors of Convoys, because their UI isn’t very good). For a few dollars more, there’s the Astrolux C8 which has higher output and throw. I reviewed it and compared it with the Convoy here:
Id say that, and theres good deals going down on them here on the forum
$28.99. I would go with the 5000k tint. Its probably my favorite tint I have right now in all of my flashlights
The UI is good on it, but I would love to have the same UI as the GT on this light
Everything’s a variation of a theme, nothing terribly different if swapping for a 3D, 5A, etc.
Only the driver was a little tricky, that the wires had to be “unlooped” to not bang on the shelf above it. Plus, I used one of those PET insulating discs to further insulate it from the shelf, just in case.
Other than that, it’s a straightforward mod, nice’n’easy.
The 3D is (to me) a bit on the cool side, rally should’ve tried the 5A/5D first. Well, that’ll learn me…
