Since I’ve done anything flashlight related other than charge batteries. Alot has changed in 5 years. What the hot new Cree led. Do people still build aspheric throwers anymore? I want to put something together to wow the kids but am pretty far out of the loop.
Welcome back, Gtamazing!
The Q8 would wow the kids and the BLF GT would wow everyone. Neither zoomies though.
Brynite B158 was popular and still available.
Welcome back.
XP-L for single 18650, but XP-L2 exists and is brighter
Other than that larger lights usually make use of multiple XHP50s or XHP70s. XHP35s for throw.
BLF Q8 is an amazing value and really puts out at the price point. For a single 18650 the Emisar D4 will really wow people. The 219C version really heats up though.
Ha not in the habit of directing people to the BLF special lights I am involved in ( think they ought to speak for themselves 
) but with your username you should check out the GT for it promises to be amazing
Haikelight is a new brand, they have a below $20 zoomie that seems pretty decent.
BLFers J-Dub74 and Toykeeper have helped Simon from Convoy to make a clear C8 with XPL hi, really nice and good looking.
5 years? Well 5 years ago was when we (or I ) think 2000 lumens was crazy. Now we are talking about 5000+ and up to 25,000 or even more lumens… with the size of soda can or smaller…
Emisar D4 Is the real pocket rocket in my book. But too bad it can only stay at turbo for a short time. This thing can do 4000lm with the size that fits it jean pocket…
HaikeLite MT03 and Astrolux MF 01- about the size of soda can that I actually don’t mind to EDC it in my jacket/ coat pocket in the winter. They’re 9000-12,000lm that really gave me “wow”
Something more than wow would be “wtf” which is the Acebeam X80… I don’t have this myself, but the video and reviews I saw was enough to gave me the thought of “I need this s**t!!”
Is the blf gt available yet?
Not quite ready yet but getting closer.
Which one? The HT35 is way more expensive. 
The UniqueFire UF-1405 is said to be @#$%, doesn't it? The driver plate is only ∅17mm, can this be extended to at least ≈20mm? Non-sensical to have a 26650 with such small driver size, imho.
With regards to the world of throwers, I believe something pretty interesting could be achieved through a given combination of aspheric lens plus special shape reflector. I am not talking about a zoomie but a pure thrower. Usual reflectors made for throw redirect side emitter light mostly towards the front in an as close angle as possible, leaving some of the “light in the middle angle” for spill. Now, if we were to design a custom tailored reflector (non-parabolic) for a given aspheric lens, we could attain maximum throughput harvesting: the pure close angle direct emitter output plus the reflector redirected one (most of it). Reflector design is key to ensure right angle incidence on the lens. 
Cheers ^:)
I think he meant the HT08, $15.99 at Gearbest with coupon “HT08”
What is the cree xpl all about
On no, xpl is old tech now. You want leading edge tech like the new luminous led
You can be our Guinea pig 
:zipper_mouth_face:
4 years ago I built a host joining 2 skyray kings together. It hold 8 18650 and has a 4 or 5 inch head. Would be killer if I could find aspheric big enough to fit head.
Bought this bizarre lens from AliExpress seller Yajiamei Optics Co.,Ltd. a year ago. I'm not a lens expert, yet I can say the stuff is of excellent perceived quality. :THUMBS-UP:
They do take a lot of care with packaging (I received a massive box), shipping may thus be expensive but it's worth it.
FastTech had a few 100+mm aspherics long ago, seems this is no longer the case.
Cheers 