I am not really a huge user of throwers. I only keep a couple 3 or 2 of them, a few hot C8’s and a Haikelite. Emisar’s quality and support are, in my opinion, superior to Lumintop. That alone would make my decision.
Ive got the DS1 and two GT minis. I’ve got the short tube on one of the minis. It’s a close call the DS1 has possibly the smallest bit more throw, but virtually a tie. The GT has the optional small tube. I like the angular look of the DS1 but prefer the feel of the GT. The gray DS1 I have has the finish like a chalkboard. The GT mini is smooth and comfortable in the hand and seems to slide in and out of the pocket easier.
I have the GT mini and really like it, but don’t have any experience with the Emisars.
300kcd seems high for this size, I would have thought that they would be pretty equal in throw given the specs:
–50mm head
-FET+1 driver(?)
-XPL HI
Or do you mean the D1s can be modified to 300kcd?
You can get the D1s in a warm tint if you want, so maybe a point for Emisar there
I have both and agree with most folks on here. The Emissar D1S throws ever so so slightly better with just a touch more concentrated beam. The overall length of the D1S is shorter but really they are VERY close to the same in performance. I like my Emissars a LOT!!!
Any reason not to use that for comparison? It will best a GT Mini easily. No mods needed.
I mean if looks are more important or water resistance; we haven’t seen the new D1S or it’s stats yet; give it a week or so to be released. Either way I’m looking at outdoor throw; not diving or beauty contests
GT mini has backlit button and NarsilM software makes it possible to blink out all the information like battery voltage and temperature through the button. You don’t get that with RampingOS, nor Emisars have backlit button. I really like this feature of GT mini, much more elegant then using main emiter for that.
You also have the option of using 18350 tube what I also personally like. I also prefer GT mini anodization to my D1 (I don’t own D1S though).
On the other hand Emisars will have better after sale support and I think they’re just a little bit more reliable (GT mini had issues with the switch in the first batches). Also reportedly reflector is finished to higher standard.
I also prefer much stiffer action of my D1 button to the mushy soft GT mini switch.
The obvious answer is to just bite the bullet and get both. Trust me, you hang around here long enough and you’ll see.
You’ll get A. After a while, you’ll be wondering about B, and finally go and get B to have both. Or you’ll get B, blah blah blah, then get A.
Then you’ll wonder “wotnahell do I need both for?”, but come across a great price for A and/or B, and get another A and/or B, just because it’s at a great price.
Save yourself the pain. Just like ripping off a Band-Aid™, just do it all at once and get it over with.
And if you want to muddy the mix, you can play around with any C8 variant (C8+, C8T, C8F), a P30, lots of nice throwers that are bigger/throwier or smaller/more_pocketable.
Clear out some shelf space, tell your kids college isn’t everything, and start buying.