Floody Throw Light Recommendation

Hey guys, I’m new here but was hoping to get some recommendations on a light. I’m looking for a light to use for my kayak when I hunt. I’m wanting something that can throw decent at least to 75 or 100 yards but have some flood or spill to be able to see peripherally (so a floody/wide thrower). I mostly go out on medium to small creeks but sometimes cross open sloughs or lakes, hence the need for a little bit of throw. I don’t really care about the low range but would like the medium to high range to step like 7-800 lumens, then 1000-1400 lumens, then up to 1800-2500 which I wouldn’t use all the time. I do want longer run times esp in the med to med/high outputs so I don’t have to charge all the time. Weight isn’t a huge factor though something around 1-lb or so with batteries or lighter would be ideal. A tripod screw would be a nice touch too

I’ve looked at so many lights that I’m just overwhelmed. I bought a Fenix BC30 bike light but I really don’t like it. It’s ok output wise that I’d like more lumens on high (500) and would like a little throw with the flood it has. Also, the manual doesn’t make it out to be as waterproof as the website says.

I’ve looked at the Fenix TK75, LD75C, and FD65.

OLight SR Mini II Intimidator, X7 Marauder

Thrunite TN36

Looked at the Manker MK34

Acebeam X45, K40m, K30, and D46 Dive Light.

BLF Q8

I’m sure there were others. I look forward to the recommendations…thanks!

I’ve been in the same boat. I really like the TK75 2018. It’s a good balance between flood and throw while having a weight and size that is great in the hand. It’s so far been my “go to.”

You can’t go wrong with something like an Acebeam K65 either. I think the Acebeam X45 will be too much flood for you but it’s a great light.

The TN36 and BLF Q8 probably will be too floody for you as well (and no where near the X45).

On the cheap, the last one you might try is a Convoy L6. It has much less flood but is a great value.

Sounds like a job for the Sofirn C8F. I don’t have the latest model yet but the previous one can be had for a reasonable price.

I also think C8F is a good option. The C8A is also great if you want more throw. If you want more power then a L6 modded with XHP70.2 or Astrolux MF02s, MF04s, or R70C. If you want the ultimate, then the R90C.

BLF Q8 or Sofirn Q8. The hotspot size of the BLF Q8 should better suit your needs, and the neutral white output too since you’ll be using it outdoors.

50k cd for the BLF Q8 is more than enough for 100 yards, even 200 yards. The Sofirn Q8 is more throwy @ 100k cd and slightly smaller hotspot at around the same lumens, if you prefer a more throwy light or brighter hotspot @ target.

These 2 lights are pocketable in the vest or pants, if that’s important. And cheap enough to toss around for use in the wilderness and not be worried about nicking it etc. Get 2 and pack another one in the backpack if you need redundancy. It’s very well made for a budgetlight and pretty waterproof, no worries on that, just dab on some extra lube for insurance and you’ll be fine. (don’t drop it into a fast flowing river though, that’s what the redundant extra light is for anyway :smiley: )

I don’t like to use extreme throwy flashlights with too small a hotspot since that’d be useless other than very extreme long distance use, and for those you’d need a binoculars to see anyway, so those are really for very niche useage most of the time. It’s fun for the hobby of course. I have a light that is 3 million plus cd, really just for fun and nothing else.

The Thrunite TN36 is nice too, but it’s comparatively very expensive. 31k cd, 11000 lumens, even floodier than the BLF Q8.

I have gotten my BLF Q8 at just usd 36, really can’t beat that. You can even get 3 for redundancy if you want to, 1 in the hand, 1 in the bag and another one in the truck/car during your hunting trip, all for ~ usd 100. Batteries capable of 10A sustained would be sufficient and get you at 5000 lumens + save you some $$, though extreme high drain batteries (Sony VTC5A) and spring bypasses are needed if you want to do > 6000 lumens comfortably, but i think that is not needed nor practical in your real-life usage.

Sofirn C8F/C8A is also nice, if you need a smaller size light (Smaller output too).

How about this, I have one myself: (notice that there’s the word “Test” printed in the head where usually the serial number is located? It’s a test unit from Fenix! )
A light that you can control the spill is important so as not to disrupt your object on longer distances when the weather gets not ideal.

http://www.fenixlight.com/ProductMore.aspx?id=2257&tid=33&cid=1#.W7sLu3szbIU

Edit: I just noticed it’s already in your list. Nevertheless, not a bad light for your needs.

Thanks for all the recommendations…I’m still confused hahaha….I’m looking at all of these. Here’s a good video of the Nitecore TM28 in a creek……this is about the width of creeks that I mostly kayak on. I’m thinking I’ll need a somewhat throw-y light for navigation but now I’m thinking I’d like a nice flooder in case I ever need to track a deer. Too many choices! lol

Thorfire S70S / Convoy L6 would be nice for the job.
Nearly 4000 Lumens, big fat hotspot from the XHP70 with a good amount of spill too.
Left : Thorfire S70
Right C8 XP-L HI FET driven

+1 on the convoy L6

+1 S70S (cheaper/trade off cooler)

+1 for the L6
+1 for the Q8

After all, they have been the past two winners of the coveted award
“BLF People’s Choice Award”
2016 L6
2017 Q8

Did you pull that out of Millenium Year Accounting System Software?

I wonder what 2018 BLF PCA will be?

For what is shown in the video, 50k cd is really all you’d need in a dark hunting environment. If you think you’d prefer a more intense hotspot, go for 100k. You don’t really need to overkill it. 100k cd is going to be great at 200 metres with your dark adapted eyes, and very bright at 100 metres. The rest of the light can go into creating a larger hotspot.

However, you also do not need too large a hotspot, like what a Olight X7 or X7R does with a triple XHP-70 in a 60mm or so diameter head, as 9000-12000 lumens does you no good if the hotspot is going to be hitting the ground close to you and spoiling your night vision. That wastes power, creates more heat than is necessarily useful and could be used, cuts runtime etc. Actually, even 1500 lumens does you no good, your eyes’ pupils are very good at such adaptation.

The Convoy L6 and Sofirn Q8 are both 100k cd lights, with the Sofirn Q8 going to be having a slightly bigger hotspot diameter.

All these lights are actually more similar than different in terms of performance. All it boils down is price, UI, form factor (length etc) and whether or not it is going to take a beating in your exact usage? (which we wouldn’t know in detail, even though you mentioned kayaking and hunting).

And also user preference, some folks really will not accept budgetlight brands esp for stuff like hunting/kayaking.

I’d actually stick to a known cd and known hotspot size, and then get something with a ramping mode unless you are sure that the fixed levels can cut it in your usage. The lower end output needs serious fine tuning so that it’s also useful for very short, short and medium distances. That’s in addition to the lumens + cd ratings.

The zoomable Fenix listed above is worthy to look into, if it fits into your budget.

Oh btw, the Convoy L6 and C8s all are great lights of course, but i am not sure if the absence of a lit power button is going to negatively affect OP’s usage in the wilderness and while kayaking where he might be leaving the light around in the bushes/grass and really don’t have time nor the hands to be trying to feel around to find his light.

This could be crucial to him, while for the rest of us flashaholics who don’t do wilderness might not get into such situations.

The Q8s has a lit button.

Actually quite a number of other lights mentioned also do not have a lit power button. Though one could argue that that is not an issue in reality during usage if the light has a firefly mode (so you need not turn the light off).

Is it bad that I want all of these lights mentioned? LOL

I do want something durable and definitely waterproof. That said, I wont be beating it up too bad but I might drop it here and there.

Currently I’m looking at these:
Astrolux MF01
Fenix FD65
Haikelite MT03
Convoy L6 4000k
Acebeam K30
BLF Q8 (due to color temp)

All but the Convoy has a tripod mount which isn’t a huge deal. I think it will fit in a clamp mount. Price isn’t a huge factor here as all of these are affordable….I actually thought of purchasing 2-3 (not counting the Fenix or Acebeam)

That’s not a huge deal as it will be mounted on my kayak mostly.

Yes all of my great ideas are stored there for safe keeping

I think the Haikelite MT03’s hotspot diameter might be a little too big for your usage. Not talking about the absolute throw distance but rather it hitting the ground/water, esp since you are gonna be kayaking.

Maybe get both the Convoy L6 and the BLF Q8? Actually if you don’t mind hearing me out, may I suggest the BLF Q8 and Sofirn Q8?
The soda can form factor really makes practical usage sense, cutting the flashlight length dramatically but still maintaining hand-holdable diameter. I have over 50 flashlights, very big to very small, very long to very short, and those in between.

In fact these soda cans are still pocketable in case you are gonna take it out from the Kayak mount, just a bit on the heavy side so when you walk you’d feel the mass moving around. Also they use 18650s, so the batts are interchangeable. The Convoy L6 uses 26650s. The L6 and Sofirn Q8 would come in handy should you need 200+ metres illumination, which could be rare in your case but not impossible i guess?

When the lights are that good, you’d not only mount it on the kayak mostly……as you progress farther along the path of a flashaholic other than just for hunting and kayaking use. And in those cases, you’d want to pocket the light in one way or another (jacket, jeans, vest, coat etc). :smiley:
Trust me, most of us have been there done that. :smiley: I have been in the hobby for like 17 years now, though i took a short break and “came back” recently.

The Sofirn Q8 is a 100k cd cool white version of the BLF Q8. Hotspot area of the Sofirn Q8 is going to be around half of the BLF Q8. Both are very good price, the Sofirn can probably be had for just a few dollars over usd 39.95.

If you think having 2 different variants of Q8s is crazy, then the L6 would do also.

Welcome Checkerfred. Excellent enquiry.

I have similar outdoor uses in the wilds of Alaska and here are my picks to add to the good responses you have received.

BLF Q8 : Waterproof. Has four batteries – you won’t need to carry spares. Good throw and just the right amount of spill to light the periphery. Very bright (up to 5,000 lumen). Weight: About 1-1/3 pounds with batteries. Has ramping UI. Lit button. Has a tripod screw hole.

Sofirm C8F with 21700 battery: The latest version. Waterproof. It is smaller and a bit floodier than the Q8 but has plenty of throw and brightness (up to 3,500 lumen). Weight: About 1/2 pound with battery. Has ramping UI – although not as default. Lit button. For run times equaling the Q8, you will want to carry a spare 21700 battery or two.

The MT03 is a very nice FLOOD ONLY light, with very little throw. I think what you want is the MT09R with the XHP70.2. That is a monster of a light that both throws and flood. It is about three times the brightness of the lights in your list, making about 15k “real” lumens.