Best thrower for less than $50?

Hello all,

I got some really good advice related to a zooming flashlight.

Now I am looking for the best thrower (narrowest beam, highest power output - 18650 cell) for less than $50

What would you all recommend?

I already have an Astrolux S1: is that good? Or would you recommend a better (longer throw, narrower beam) light?

Which one?

Thank you for any suggestions!

IDK where you live but check out

good host, good builder, nice thrower possible, made for you, so how special is that!

Thank you for the suggestion. The C8 is a zooming light, right? I would assume (based on the many opinions here) that a fixed focus unit is better, no?

I will check it out - maybe I am mistaken.

I am in Canada (Toronto area)

C8 is relative small 18650 reflector light
with the right LED it throws nicely

The C8 with XPL HI led has a very narrow beam, and it throws very far.
And it is not expensive: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Convoy-C8-with-XPL-HI-LED/32651190452.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.cjPakB

The C8 is NOT a zooming light. It has a fixed focus. you could checkout the one I have, which is a budget version

Thorfire C8s

Nitecore P30

1000 lumens

618m throw

95000 candela

50mm head 144mm long

Premium quality -Under $50 if u look around .

I agree with O-M. I just bought a Nitecore P30. It’s under 50.00 and it has a nice beam and lots of reach.

Oops. My mistake. Is it better than the Astrolux S1 (for throw and brightness)?

I will second that.

I built the dedomed XP-G2 version and I have been very happy with it.

Bob

Yes Gadgetguy, Nitecore’s p30 will out throw the S1 :nerd_face:

Oh cr@p yeah you can order a really nice clear C8 with Biscotti driver at Simon.
Much cheaper then $50 and very nice looking even during the day :wink:

You get throw when the LED is relatively small compared to the reflector.
So an XM-L2 in a Astrolux S1 or a Convoy S2 or any other cigar shaped 18650 light will not be a thrower.

To make an LED optically smaller you can de-dome it or get an LED without dome like the HI versions Cree has.
This will improve throw significantly.

Top thrower on the market is Thrunite TN42.
It has a XHP35 HI in a (almost) 10cm diameter smooth reflector.

Utorch UT02 <<--CLICK currently a bargain.

Don’t start that again.

The C8 is a fixed focus reflector light which is very popular round here. The head is just over 1.5” and it’s about 5.5” long. Actually it’s a pattern of light and there are loads of versions from generic tat to good quality ones.

The one I have is the updated Convoy version mentioned earlier

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Convoy-C8-with-XPL-HI-LED/32651190452.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.cjPakB

Very nicely made, especially for the money. Plenty enough throw, perhaps even a bit too much throw. How tight a beam do you need?

It also suited my pocket. As you may have gathered I’m seriously keen on the budget - but not rubbish - flashlight idea.

I do covet this

You might have a look at the reviews on ebay. Some of them are “box openings” which don’t convey much but there are some thoughtful ones with beam shots.

Utorch UT02 for sure. Better then C8.
Convoy C8 can not give constant 1000 lumens. They are 1000 only when battery is full.
Convoy L2 2 x 26650 is good also.
WW and NW is recommended too.

Is it a better thrower than Nitecore P30?

Currently I can not answer that. Perhaps someone else can.

I'm going by numbers stated, and researching lights individually if there is not a "this vs that" beam comparison.

Thank you all for the very helpful comments.

I got some really good suggestions and I am also learning about flashlights in general.

And thank you for your patience too!

Now its time to save up some money so I can actually get a few new lights…

For a huge, heavy but 4000-lumen output for $43:
(There’s often a discount and a credit.)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ThorFire-S70S-Waterproof-XHP70-LED-Flashlight-3960-lm-6-modes-Long-Distance-Searchlight-for-Camping-S70/32791830137.html

[EDIT]
Somebody just posted that it went out of stock with his order.