I am looking for a light under $150 US that takes 3 or 4 18650 batteries and more on the flood throw side combo not a thrower. The main thing is I want good output using protected cells like the NCR18650GA. I was looking at the thrunite tn30 mini but not sure if its dated. Thanks
BLF Q8 or sofirn Q8 seem like good candidates for a balanced beam. The sofirn uses XPL HIs so has more throw and a bit narrower beam. I would estimate at least 4000 lumens with the GA cells. Others could give you better estimates.
I have 4x18650 and 3x18650 lights. I prefer the 3x18650 from a “holdability” standpoint. The Q8 (a 4x) isn’t bad because the tube feels just a little smaller/grippable than Mini TN30 (4x also).
Others can weigh-in on features and tints and runtimes and such, but my 2 cents on ergonomics. Those with large paws may feel differently.
Don’t know about the 3 cell ones. But I have a coupla 4 cell. with plenty of single and double cell ones with them.
Personally. (I have a mid sized hand) I find the 4 cell units not comfortable to hold
long term.
dual 26650’s the most comfortable (Balance in hand).
Followed by the single 26650 and dual 18650’s.
Can’t much see the point with the 21000 series (they still too skinny )
A modern single\dual cell Flooder 18650\26650, with coupla spare battery’s
in pocket are /would be. Much more comfortable to carry and use longer term
lighter. more maneuverable. With pretty much the same output level, range.
I use the protected NCR18650GA's in my Q8 and it is my work light. It is a little beast of a light and a true work horse. You're budget is $150. If you wait for a deal and pay around $47 more when on sale, the Acebeam X80 blows everything else away and has high quality protected cells. It comes with protected 18650's as well as part of the package.
Sofirn sp36 for 3x or q8 for 4x
Both on Amazon now, for USA folks
Klarus G35 3 cell nice light 
I’ll second this. :student: :+1:
Haikelite Q30 for a 3-fer?
Sure! Why not? :money_mouth_face:
Wellp, that half-price sale (probably still on) was mighty tempting, but I already got a few Q8s, L2s, even that MT09R, that I really can’t justify Yet Another Überbright Light.
Yeah. Why buy a light that you don’t need?
Money not spent is money saved
Can this use protected cells
Unno, ain’t got any. I got enough Q8s to last me through the Zombie Apocalypse. Was just throwing it out there if anyone’d want a 3-fer for a smaller tube.
Just curious mainly looking for my brother in law he refuses to use unprotected cells, I have the q8, mt03, mf01. But no sure if any of them will work with protected cells.
Astrolux MF02S with Lexel driver
How about the AceBeam X45 XHP70.2 version? It’s $200 and comes with protected Sony VTC6 batteries. To buy those batteries separately is around $50 for four, so the light itself is more like $150. The candela/lumen is ~6cd/lm, which I find to be a good balance between flood and throw with large spill as it has a wide, shallow reflector. Otherwise, if you prefer a ‘balanced’ beam with a little more throw, the AceBeam K65 and Astrolux MF02S are very similar to each other with a single XHP70.2 and big reflector giving ~40cd/lm.
Edit: Also have to mention the BLF Q8 (~10cd/lm) and Sofirn Q8 (~20cd/lm) which are great budget options and fall in between the above lights for flood/throw balance.
Yeah, Q8 is a biggie. Obviously the extra cell is there for more runtime/amps. but I’m wondering is there a compromise, in the form of 3x21700?
pure flood the astrolux mf01 is a great choice under 100$…
Can it use protected batteries without tripping their protection?