Honestly, I think my Convoy S2+ with XP-L HI throws pretty well and is still pocketable. Sure, it’s not a proper thrower, but with 15k cd, it’s very usable, IMO.
I really like the T01 for it’s pocket-ability. I share your sentiments for light size. I like to be able to clip the light into the inside of my pant pocket and forget about it until I need it.
In my opinion the T01 is on the verge of being too large with a head diameter of 29mm and length of 85mm, but it has the largest reflector of any light of it’s size that I’m aware of. So for me, any light larger than 30x100mm is a no go for this purpose, but obviously this is subjective. That does’t mean that I don’t have use for larger lights but I prefer the pocket sized lights.
The T01 is ~$50 so it is a bit pricey. I was able to pick up another one during black Friday for 34 but that doesn’t really help you now.
A modded SK68 would give you more throw, has a smaller diameter, and would be under 30 all in with a new driver and white flat LED. The down side is the quality of these lights aren’t on par with the Manker and it’s a zoom / lens light which may not be preferred.
Screw the price limit. If you’re getting a light to carry every day (hence EDC), might as well make it something you’ll use and like.
So my vote’s with the MH20GT as well. It’s about the same exact size as my i332, which is an 16340 light!, but takes an 18650, and just kicks ass for its size.
I haven’t seen (not for lack of asking, though) any coupons for the ’GT, but I got a few regular MH20s, and everyone who sees it is wowed by it. I’ve seen it for as low as 50bux, but the ’GT even at 70-80 is well worth it.
Really nice UI, and the backlit dual-stage switch makes it incredibly intuitive to use, too.
It doesn’t compare to some of the suggestions presented above nor it is the throwiest flashlight, but the Sofirn SF14 (v1) had a nice throw (or at least reached a nice distance) with XPG2.
Well in keeping with the OP’s $30 price cap (the main gist of the thread’s purpose basically) he obviously ain’t interested in out doing Jeff Bezos’ EDC, man.
If price was irrelevant I too could prolly have manufactured a ring-fingered EDC that puts out 2,000 lumps. :laughing:
I searched the coupon offer on MH20GT and found the price of $ 65.
It’s a lot, but less than a LEP lamp.
The MH20GT has been in the collection for two years, but the size vs. the throw vs. UI so far no other lamp in my collection that has more than one hundred items has not overcome.
The MH20GT allows you to charge the battery.
From the price for the lamp it is possible to deduct the amount for the cell charger 18650.
According to specs, the Tool AA has a beam intensity of 2.2k cd while Tool AA 2.0 is at 3.4k cd. Not much of a thrower, IMO, but it’s all relative I suppose.
Thanks Pete, You made me do a side-by-side comparison between my original Tool and TG06S (I don't own the Tool 2.0). The TG06S has a smaller, better-defined, and brighter spot; so it is a better thrower IMHO. The TG06S manual list a 12k cd (max) intensity rating.
1) Convoy S2+ (with XPL-Hi) or Sofirn SP31 v2.0 (with XPL-Hi):
(not really much of a thrower due to the small-sized head; but using the throwy XPL-Hi LED makes them more throwy than similar sized flashlights that use XP-L or XP-L2)
2) Astrolux MH10 (Imalent DN11 clone) = this uses an XPL-Hi, its head is similar size as the BLF X5 / Astrolux S3 so it can throw pretty close to the BLF X5 / Astrolux S3 = when using the 18350 tube, it’s quite small but with a slightly disproportionate head
(I think this product may have been discontinued though)
3) BLF X5 / Astrolux S3 = XPL-Hi, FET driver
it actually has similar head size as the Astrolux MH10/Imalent DN11, but uses FET driver
this out-throws the Convoy S2+ or Sofirn SP31 v2.0 XPL-Hi.
downside is it uses low-capacity 14500s (and hard to find high-drain capable 14500s)
hoping the upcoming GT Micro may surpass this in terms of throw (GT Micro will also use 14500)
4) Emisar D1 = the bigger head makes it out-throw the Astrolux S3 / BLF X5 ; when used with the 18350 tube, it is a small flashlight
5) Astrolux S2 / BLF X6v2 = when mated with the Mateminco X6S short 18350 tube to make it a smaller flashlight; the bigger head makes it out-throw the Emisar D1 slightly
6) GT Mini with 18350 tube = power of the GT Mini in a short format. The head is disproportionately big though…