I'm looking for something that is quite a step up from my current Fenix TK35. Something that takes 18650's (up to 2 max) that has very good throw and a nice smooth beam. I've narrowed my selection down to a few, if anyone could provide any additional input that would be great.
Compact:
Eagletac M3C4 Single XML vs Olight SR51
- On paper it seems the SR51 throws slightly better and is a tad brighter...however beam shots vary and in some the SR51 looks better and in others it looks worse. How does the SR51 really stack up against the M3C4 Single XML considering it has more lumens yet comes with an OP reflector?
Has anyone compared or owned both? What's your impression?
Larger:
Sunwayman T40CS, Crelant 7G5, Catapult V3, Olight M3X
- Same as above beam shots are varying. Looking for thoughts, opinions, impressions, etc.
If I am leaving out some notable or worthy mentions please feel free to suggest them.
Thanks,
Hey, welcome...
If you're looking for "step up" meaning brightness, it really isn't to be had. And if you know and are familiar with XM-L performance, you should know that brightness variability won't look much different across the board. The eye doesn't detect it well.
Throw, well, that's another matter. The Crelant is what I'd have my eye on. With XM-Ls, you'd have to go for throw to get any to stand out because of the higher lux, which would mean larger reflector. I'm fond of the HD2010 and STL-V2 for my budget throwers.
Are you considering budget lights or only those?
Welcome to BLF, Stol3n!!
Some very nice lights you are looking at there. Of the ones you have listed I too would lean toward the Crelant 7G5. If you weren't limiting the selection to 2 cells max I would recommend you run, don't walk, and get yourself either a DRY triple or a Skyray King.
By "step up" I mean in performance. I was happy with the TK35 in terms of it's brightness, I guess I just wanted it to reach out a little further...wanted more of the WOW factor.
I'm not against budget lights, as long as the build quality is nice and it's not going to explode in my hand. Once again I'm open to any and all suggestions, no brand loyalty here.
Only reason I'm looking to keep it to 2 cells right now is because I just got 4 new Eagletac protected 3100's in the mail, if I went for 3+ cells then I'd have to make another order to keep a set on standby. Not really a bad thing but I'm trying to limit my spending at the moment.
- Also a holster included would be a big plus.
Thanks for the welcome, guys.
Nice thing about the TR-3T6 is the battery tube is basically LEGO'd and runs with 3, 2 or even 1 cell. A single cell works with no extension tubes and a 20mm spacer to fill the battery compartment, 2-cells with the short extension attached, and 3-cells with both extensions attached.
The side by side lights really appeal to me like the SR51 & M3C4 Single XML. Which of those would be brighter, throw better, and is an all around better light? On paper the SR51 edges it out but in some pictures the M3C4 seems better.
You will be hard pressed to find a better thrower than the Olight SR51 or Olight M3X. I have both. The better quality light is the SR51. The better thrower by a little is the M3X. Other good thowers are the Sunwayman T40CS, Fenix TK41, Crelant 7G5, and ThruNite Catapult V3. I have all of these throwers and all are very nice. The Fenix TK41 is probably still my favorite out of all these. But I love the SR51 about as much.
The best thrower by a little out of all those is the 7G5 and the M3X. Those 2 are so damn close it ain't funny.
And rikr on here has both. You can ask him.
I think the SR51 would probably win myself.
Go watch Marshall's from www.goinggear.com youtube videos he has posted. He compares a lot of flashlights.
What about the older SR50? It "looks" brighter than the SR51.
I'm currently leaning towards the SR51 at the moment.
I've watched nearly all of Marshall's videos, he does a great job and is very fair in all of his reviews. It's just hard to judge from some of the videos due to the conditions varying from night to night. Although, it has helped narrow it down quite a bit.
*paging rikr*
I can show you some beamshots of the lights I have if you like. Or you can search for my post on here.
The SR51 is a great light. Quality is superb. The only gripe that I have is the tube could have been machined thicker for durability. But they built it for weight. But that's the only gripe other than there is no medium mode. It's a super nice light. Another super light for overall quality is the Catapult V3. Out of all the thrower lights I have I would give the quality edge to the Catapult V3. It's built like a tank, and it thows good. But not as good as the other throwers I have. It won't out throw the Crelant 7G5, Sunwayman T40CS, Olight SR51 or the Fenix TK41.
Here's a pretty good deal.
Email the guy(who is on here I believe) and he may include the CR123 battery holder for that price.
It's good to have you here, Stol3n.
Thanks, glad to be here!
Well, I think I have slightly narrowed it down. I'm down to these 3 lights.
Sunwayman V60C
Olight SR51
Sunwayman T40CS
How would the V60C & SR51 compare?
The SR51 I believe will beat the V60C. But it ain't by a whole lot.
I love all these lights.
The V60C is a super nice light. The finish and quality is probably one of the best of any light I own.
Thought I had almost settled on the T40CS until I was told it was very ringy and I wouldn't be happy with it.
Is this really a problem on the T40CS, and if so how come I cannot find anything on it?