What are the top 3 must have 18650 budget lights?

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!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

single cell

Kdc8 xml

Tf x9

2100

SF L2T with 3 mode manafont drop in

Uf H3

Don't limit yourself to 3

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

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.

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.

that should have shut down 99% of the comments right there

You already have a small 18650 light with the hd2011/about the same as the uf 2100.

You won't get any light to give you more throw in this form factor or smaller unless you change emitters..the only answer I'm guessing is an xpg S-mini . i think trooplewis has one ,you might want to ask him .i thought ric from cqg had a host the same size or a S mini clone ...?? If you want two mode You may need to make it yourself

Are there any differences between the HD2011 and the 2100? I've seen the 2100 at least from FandyFire, UniqueFire, Ultrafire...

IMO..and all my lights have to have a short form factor as they are all for bicycle applications.

Keygos Ke-5 for under $20 shipped

Keygos M10 for under $23 shipped.

JM05 CLONE FROM DX for $25 shipped. http://www.dealextreme.com/p/new-260-cree-xm-l-t6-5-mode-1000lm-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-1-x-18650-1-x-26650-121481

And don't forget the Yezl Z1.

That's also a clone? Great, so all perform the same or one stick out of the lot?

For 18650 I also like the TR801, the Roche F12 and this one.

As you are looking for budget offerings, I'll go like the others and say:

  1. P60 host of your choice with MF 3-mode XML dropin
  2. XM-L C8
  3. UF 2100 (I don't own this one, but would like to)

Kicking things up a notch from the budget territory:

  1. STL-V2 or similiar
  2. Trustfire TR-3T6 or J12
  3. P60 host of your choice with MF 3-mode XML dropin

I don't have the first two from this list; they are on my short list of lights I want though...