Budget thrower advice

This C8 w/ Osram WF2 has all the throw I will ever conceivably need. 750m+ FL1, possibly higher. The same or very similar emitters are now available in the M21A (C8 w/21700 tube), M21/26C (larger than a C8, smaller than L2) and L21A (L2 w/21700 battery tube) depending on how large a light you’re comfortable carrying and what battery format you want. 21700>26650 IMHO since the capacity is about the same and none of these require anywhere north of 10A drain.

I would really prefer a warmer color temp in a thrower (or… any light really) but honestly even around warmer lights at night it’s not too bad and the throw performance is just so much better than basically anything else out there right now.

SST-20 3/4000K is actually really great for a warm + high CRI thrower too, but you sacrifice a lot of output. While the K1 has the XHP35 HI available that is another (pricier) option as well. I like the C8+ because it is so compact compared to the K1, FT03, etc.

Convoy L21A Kw CULPM1.TG 8A will amaze you more than enough. And well within budget.

The L21 is different than the Convoy L21A with KW CULPM1.TG, that tenohfive is looking at.

Simon doesn’t list candela in the specifications, but he does say 1190 meters range. I don’t know how reliable the numbers are from Simon or Hank, but my money would be on no visible difference, especially with the 600kcd CULPM1.TG in the K1, and maybe only a slight difference with the 650kcd CULNM1.TG. The L21A would be 397m usable throw by your formula.

Ah, I missed it was the L21A. Still, 1190m equates to about 350,000cd. That’s quite a difference from 650,000cd, and an extra 140m of usable throw is a massive difference.

I have a modded aspheric that puts out 950,000cd, and the difference between that and a 600,000 light is very noticeable

You’re assuming that numbers from both manufacturers are reliable and comparable, which generally isn’t a good assumption. For example, is the reflector n the Noctigon K1 really so huge that it gets 600kcd with the exact same emitter as the L21A? I doubt it. Or if it does, it’s only for a few seconds.

ETA: These are manufacturer numbers that are believable: The K1 is 72mm, the L21A is 64.5mm. Is that really enough to make the difference between 350kcd and 600kcd (assuming they’re both parabolic and the K1 is deeper)? The L21A claims to run at up to 8A (dunno how long), so even if the K1 is much higher current, that just couldn’t be sustainable for very long unless there’s some serious magic with the heat dissipation.

Not so much an assumption, but personal measurements of torches from both manufacturers. So I generally trust their stated numbers, much more than some others! The K1 also holds up pretty well to dissipating heat.

See - Noctigon K1 | Flashlight thrower review with 0.96 miles | 1Lumen.com

AFAIK the K1 reflector was designed with the WF1/2 in mind, whereas the L21A is using the same reflector geometry as the L2 did. That may affect just how much throw each gets in a way that doesn’t really scale in line with reflector diameter.

K1 drives the W1 at 5A max and the W2 at 7.5A max.

The non boost version of the white flat 1mm would burn out at 8A so that can’t be true

It’s a CULPM1.TG….

I suspected as much, which explains the big difference in throw numbers. The 1mm will always throw further than the 2mm, boost or otherwise

Hmmm. This is getting complicated.

I can buy into the suggestion that the K1 can reach out beyond what the L21A CULPM1.TG can, it’s a question for me of how much that extra reach is and whether it can justify literally twice the price tag. The L21A comes up at £36, the K1 is £74 delivered. Side note - that’s the W1 Osram CSLNM1.F1 flavour, is that the right one to be looking at?

I am tempted by the K1, I’ve wanted a properly throwy light for years and don’t want buyers regret. But it just shy of double the price of the next option. These things are never easy.

Another quick question, I don’t own any 21700 cells - just checking if I’ll need a new charger (obviously not if I get the K1.) I’ve got a handful of Lii-202 and Lii-100 chargers, plus an Xtar VC4 in a drawer somewhere. I’ve seen mixed comments on whether the Lii-202 will take 21700’s, it’ll take 26500’s but can anyone confirm?

I have the Xtar VC4, 21700 will fit but with difficulty. I have a Sofirn battery and I need to use a magnet to make contact because the top is flat. Be aware that some batteries don’t respect the size standard.

L21A with CULPM1, 8A, throws about 20 % further than the XHP 35 HI version. And that’s 9 usd cheaper.

I pointed out in#17 that the K1 is available with either of the osrams. But I still don’t see how that explains the difference between 350kcd in the L21A and 600kcd in the K1 with the exact same emitter.
The difference in reflector will make a difference, but that is a big difference.

True, the K1 may be almost twice the price of the L21A, but it’s cheaper than buying both. Because I guarantee that if you get the L21A, you will always wonder what the K1 can do!

Where in the UK are you based? Maybe someone close by could show you a few different throwers so you see what numbers actually equates to in real life.

With regards to 21700’s, I also have a VC4 and Samsung 30T, 40T, and Molicel P42A’s fit fine

L21A with Osram culpm from Simon

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001594138171.html

If you are interested, i have a L21a with CSLNM1 that does over 500 kCd, (approx 550) but probably shipping from China is financially more interesting.
Ah, i do have the XHP35 version as well

You’re probably right there. I’m sold, and I’m trying to persuade myself it’ll be the last time I let that argument win with something that’ll realistically only see a few hours use per year.
But it’s done now. Ordered the K1 W2.1 CULNM1.TG.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

This Convoy

I live in a rural area as well. I am normally looking out to the 100 or 200 yard mark. I like the Thrunite Catapult V6 in NW. It works great, the UI is great and it even has built in recharging.

I don’t need warm or high CRI light. I just need light. 150 yards is about the limit that I can see. It’s very difficult to see beyond that without some external help. For me anyway. The Thrunite is rock solid and dependable. Besides the Acebeam E10, it’s the best little thrower I have. Not to mention the run time is quite nice with the 26650.

Uh… Sofirn C8G?