Best bang for the buck 2x 18650 lights today?

Hi all,

First a short introduction, since I'm new to this forum (and also new to the flashlight scene). A few months ago I wanted to purchase an LED flashlight for a vacation and I didn't know anything about brands/lumens/throw/spill/LED types/batteries etc.. I went with the Olight M20S s2 and was impressed by the amount of light that came out of such a 'device'. That is where my flashlight hobby began :).

Now I've did my research on budgetlights and created a list for myself with interesting flashlights I'd consider buying:

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Trustfire

  • Trustfire TR-3T6 (3x XML with extension for 3x18650) - Manafont
  • Trustfire TR-1200 (5x Q5) - DE
  • Trustfire X8 (single XML) - CNQG
  • Trustfire TR-1600 (6x Q5?) - Kai (when you look this up at Manafont is says 6xQ4 and another one says 1x T6?)
Shadow
OnTheRoad / Loongsun
  • OnTheRoad X5 (single XML) - CNQG
  • OnTheRoad X6 (SST50) - CNQG / Same as Loongsun LX-9012 DE
Yezl
  • Yezl Y7 (single XML) - CNQG (Looks the same as the Trustfire X8?)
  • Yezl Y8 (3x XML) - CNQG (Looks the same as the Trustfire TR-3T6?)
Keygos
  • Keygos KE-7 6X Q5 (6x Q5) - Ebay
Jetbeam
TK35 Clone
  • Fenix TK35 Clone (Single XML) - CNQG
XinTD
DRY
  • DRY (3x XML) - CNQG / Intl Outdoor (Personally I wouldn't go for the turbo version then, since it's rather unusable durationwise)

Update 31 oct
Added Trustfire TR-1600, Jetbeam BC-40, TK35 Clone, XinTD L2
Update 31 oct
Added Keygos KE7
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Ofcourse I don't have the funds to simply buy em all and try em ;) so I'm trying to narrow down the list for a nice collection. Some of these lights are probably in the same 'league' so which one would be the best choice according to you?
Any input on these lights (in terms of buildquality/brightness/throw/etc.) is welcome! Which can you recommend or not recommend? Do you have one of these and if so, what is your opinion? Perhaps you have a few on this list so you can compare them? Am I missing a nice budgetlight in this list?

Thanks in advance!

P.s. I've already purchased the TR-1200 (my first budgetlight :)), hoping to recieve it soon. (How is it compared to the X8 quality/brightness/throw?)

And a small off-topic question: the Shadow is available with OP or Mill reflector, can someone explain the difference to me? Thanks!

Welcome to BLF, Aeonis!

I would have recommended the TR-3T6 but the body is the same as the TR-1200 you just bought. Not sure you want the same look but I don't think there is a more versatile light available at this time.

Thanks JohnnyMac! Actually, the TR-3T6 was my first choice, but since the TR-1200 was a little cheaper and I've never seen or used a budgetlight I went with that first ;). Also bought a charger and some 18650's (protected trustfire flames, hopefully they're any good).

I think they are both quite different lights, so I don't mind them having the same look.

Welcome from me as well, Aenois! :)

First of all, kudos for taking the time to do research.

Second of all, is there anything in particular you're looking for in a flashlight? For instance, I just ordered a X8 a few days ago. It's no longer the new hotness and there are probably other lights at, or at least very close, to the X8's price point that perform at least as well in terms of OTF lumens.

The reason I decided to get the X8 is heatsinking because I know the flashlight will most likely be used on high for as long as there's juice and no amount of preaching on my part is going to change that.

You probably have your own unique requirements...

[quote=Aeonis]

Am I missing a nice budgetlight in this list?

Thanks in advance!

[/quote]

On the face of it the cloned Fenix TK35 at cnqg could be a worthy addition. http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1312


$39 for a triple XM-L sounds like a pretty good bang for the buck . . .

after "thanksgiving" coupon code just $41.19

review here https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/2903

Thanks for your reply! My requirements (or preferations) would be buildquality/reliability to begin with. It should not give up on me after several runs on high for quite a while (so good heatsinking is important for me as well). I prefer them to have an additional switch or turning the head to change modes, but I know that is hard to find on budget lights. Also no disco modes (or hidden) and a memory function are a plus. Should it not have memory I prefer it to start on high output. I find good battery life a huge plus as well and I prefer grey lights over black lights, think they look more expensive.

Thats about it I guess, ah yesss, and ofcourse it has to be awesome in terms of brightness/throw/spill ;)

Surely looks like a nice light. There is a new topic about this light (search tk35 clone), I'm waiting for some reviews/beamshots :)

Trustfire TR-3T6 (3x XML with extension for 3x18650): http://www.lights-box.com/trustfire-tr-3t6-cree-xm-l-3800-lumen-5-mode-led-flashlight-2-18650-3-18650-including-the-tube.html

Welcome Aeonis -

You began your flashlight adventure with an Olight Warrior - a pretty classy start, my friend. The Warrior is one seriously nice flashlight.

havefunFoy

Welkom Aeonis op dit forum... zo te zien hebben nu meer en meer Nederlanders de weg naar dit forum gevonden.. Heb er de laatste paar weken al een paar nieuwe binnen zien komen..

veel leesplezier!

groetjes uit Tokyo.

Tr 1600 6 Q5. Amazing output. Kd would sell heaps of these if they would fix the title.

TrustFire TR-1600 CREE Q5 5-Mode LED Flashlight (2*18650) SKU: S010021

pic shows 6 leds but description doesn't.

http://kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=11285

TF X9 only single cell but is better than triple xml imo

I definitely recommend the Shadow TC6.

First of all a original design that is not shared and branded under different names.

Mine came with a AR coated lens. Built quality is fantastic, I have flashlights that I've paid more than for the Shadow with less output and quality. The knurling is great, anodizing is superb, a beautiful grey that looks expensive. It's got strong square threads and double o-rings on both battery tube ends. The threads are anodized so the aluminum isn't going to grind with use. For better current conductivity it's also got some brass rings on each battery tube end. The flashlight doesn't get hot only after 25 minutes of continuous use on high. There's a lot of aluminum to transfer the heat.

Output is great and regulated with 800 lumens on max. It throws very well with a very nice wide spill, though this is not a dedicated thrower. But still I'd recommend this flashlight for distance illumination not for 10 meters distances. Modes are nicely spaced: 800 lumens 400 lumens and 40 lumens. For $2.99 more you can have it NW, T6 3C. So this NW has the same efficiency as the CW. (NW-Neutral White, CW-Cool White).

I haven't actually tested yet, but the runtime on high should be about 2 hours with good batteries, and it most probably is. There's a low voltage battery warning feature on this flashlight, but I haven't let the batteries near depletion yet so I didn't see a warning so far.

Speaking of which you can buy here, http://www.intl-outdoor.com/panasonic-ncr18650a-3100mah-liion-battery-p-213.html

And they are free shipped if you would buy the Shadow TC6 from the same store, or if you buy just 3 batteries alone.

If you are into collection flashlights, I definitely recommend this one. Great price, great quality.

i have to say i love my Trustfire TR-1200 and my Trustfire TR-3T6 and the Trustfire Flame batteries are not bad either.

but to me you left out a realy nice good quality torch thats awsome the Jetbeam BC40

The tc6 i’ve got is NW 4C tint though but that’s an earlier batch. I prefer the 4 and 5 series tints than 3. I also got a foc smo reflector, measured a 16% diff in lux.

Thanks for all the replies so far :)

I've updated the list by adding the TR-1600, Jetbeam BC40 and another light i've found -> XinTD L2, looks promising and it's available in 3mode. Anyone owns this light?

thanks i think the Jetbeam BC40 is worth a mention as its one of my top three 2 x 18650 lights with the TR-1200 (3 x 18650) but you can run 2 x 18650 as most know by now and the TR-3T6 (3 x 18650) but you can run 2 x 18650 as most know by now.

they are the 3 i would recomend

Thanks Benckie! The Jetbeam BC40 seems like a high quality light, the only downsides I think are the price and the looks (not very sexy imho ;))

Also added the TK-35 clone to the list by the way, hopefully there will be some reviews in the other topic soon