What are the top 3 must have 18650 budget lights?

[raccoon]

The Ultrafire UF-H3 is a very nice headlamp.

However most/all protected 18650 cells don't fit.

[Tecmo]

Skyray STL-V2
Trustfire R5 A3
some multi-xml

[Leelou]

@Speedsix

I am just getting into 18650s after being shy about starting a new battery type but now I got a 18650 light, I want more. In a nutshell, what are the top three lights to get? I hear Ultrafire UF-2100 and Ultrafire C-8 thrown around a lot. Would they be on the short list?

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.

[gloomywarfreak]

Like what the others have already said, Solarforce is a definite must have. I have an L2.

Ultrafire UF-H3D is not that durable in my opinion. One fall from your pocket and it's all busted.

[Lensman]

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?

[Leelou]

@gloomywarfreak

Like what the others have already said, Solarforce is a definite must have. I have an L2.

Ultrafire UF-H3D is not that durable in my opinion. One fall from your pocket and it's all busted.

My UF-H3 has fallen several times from 3 feet high on tiled floor(because the the magnet is too weak). Still works perfectly. Just saying.

[trooplewis]

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!

[Match]

Trooplewis has made some fine suggestions and Bob K has great advice. They've both saved me the trouble of typing that all out.

[ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS]

Ok here's the best 3 budget lights for the money.

I'll rank them in the order I think.

1. Keygos KE-5-for $20 to $25 shipped off ebay-no other light I have will touch it for the money.

2. CITIPOWER X7 for around $18 shipped off ebay

3. CITIPOWER X5-$15 shipped off ebay

[Speedsix]

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.

[ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS]

And I'll tell you one more good one to have. I still love this light. One of my first 18650 light I believe.

Trustfire TR-1200 Q5 for about $35 shipped

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/trustfire-tr-1200-cree-q5-wc-5-mode-1200-lumen-white-5-led-flashlight-2x18650-3x18650-4x16340-57380?item=54

[GottaZoom]

@CheapThrills

@BetweenRides

A Solarforce Lxx should be on your list. I'm a relative noobie on them, but I absolutely love my L2P.

One Solarforce for sure, just in case you want to easily test & update for new leds/drivers with P60.

C8 is a very basic light, gets often referred, other lights compared to it´s size and feats. Very cheap also, I would probably get one or if more $ available, the Xin-TD C8.

2100 could be the one, if small size and cheap pricetag are preferred.

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.

[gcbryan]

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.

[JohnnyMac]

Speaking from what i have and used:

• HD2011 (I like it better than my UF2100)
• C8 XM-L
• Solarforce L2T

Also for consideration:

• UF-H3
• Skyray King

[benjamin_ng]

My current Top 3 18650 Flashlights are

1. UF 2010

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170828080120

2. TK35 clone

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/w777-t6-4mode-led-flashlight-black-218650-p-10030

3. Skyray

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270963923949

I will get this one soon.

http://www.intl-outdoor.com/double-usb-mobile-device-charger-318650-xml-t6-flashlight-p-365.html

[bose301s]

I am a huge fan of my UltraFire UF-T50 and Shadow JM07 Pro. Both of those are a little more expensive than a lot of the lights in this thread though.

[edc]

single cell

Kdc8 xml

Tf x9

2100

SF L2T with 3 mode manafont drop in

Uf H3

Don't limit yourself to 3

[fishinfool]

Anything Solarforce in a 18650 would be my choice. My fave is the L2P.

[Speedsix]

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.

[CheapThrills]

@oldbobk

Speedsix,

Honestly, one of these, any one of them, may be all you'll ever need. Any other light will be disappointing. You can get brighter lights, but you'll have to spend a lot more. And P60 lights? Forget them! Oh, they have their uses as weapon lights, but if you have a C8 and a P60 on the shelf, increasingly the P60 will get left behind. The P60 is a relic, a more economical Surefire, if you will. Now there is no reason to put up with the intentionally poor heatsinking (the Surefires started out as incans) and impaired light output due to the reflector size.

Funny, when I still had some C8's, they were left on the shelf more often.

I guess the reason was larger size, too throwy for general use and my P60's just seemed to always have the best driver + LED -combo soldered in. :)

I still agree: for long runs in high power P60 is not the best choice, it loses some power because of heat.

Reflector is also small, not throwy and light can be still made smaller if needed.