I think, a Solarforce is a must-be. I like my Solarforce Lego (favorite combination at the moment: L2p blue head and tail, grey L2 body, SS permium flat bezel). If you do not like the design of Solarforce, take the Skyary SR-R5 body (Lumens Factory Seraph P6 clone)
The Uniquefire 2100 is nice (because it's smaller), but it getting really warm/hot on high after 8-9 minutes.
They get mentioned a lot not because they are two of the best 18650 lights but because they are the best 18650 lights for their price. The 504B is another one for a cheaper alternative to SF P60.
The UF-2100 is a pocket rocket edc. C8 is a decent thrower all around light. How about a headlamp for the third one, say the UF-H3? Although it's tint could be better and needs a waterproofing mod.
There seem to be a few versions of the 2100; any concensus as to whether one of them is better thought of than the others? Or is one of them maybe best avoided?
1)Solarforce, I'd pick the P1, but any Lxx is fine
2) XIN TD C8, hands down the best C8 style thrower
3) S-mini for a small, reliable, longest-running 18650. Get the XM-L if you want more flood and a warmer tint, the XP-G if you want more of a thrower and a cooler tint.
Hey look, three lights and not a single blinky mode to be found!
I have a Fandyfire HD2011. I like it but would like one smaller for general carry. I also want a thrower since the Fandyfire is more flood.
Ideally, i would like a forward clicky with pocket clip and only two modes. High and low. In as small a package as possible. This would be my ideal pocket thrower.
I've got a 2 cell Trustfire similar to the C8 but with a head that's 56+mm that I'd get again over the C8 (which my son has).
Otherwise, I these recommendations are pretty good starting points . . a P60, a larger reflector, and a straight tube . . not going to pay much less but you could pay a lot more and not get much more for your money until you jump up to more LEDs in the head and more batteries to drive them.
Might argue for a thrower, but really the XMLs seem to be pretty decent already.
The whole 18650 list as far as I'm concerned could consist of just the Ultrafire T-50. Other than specialty lights like a dive light or an aspheric thrower the T-50 covers it for me.
I wasn’t limiting myself to just three. I just wanted to see what the good ones were by how often they are included in your votes. What was hot 1-2 years ago may have been replaced by something much better now. My knowledge of 18650 is limited.