brightest compact flashlight

is there a way to sort flashlights by their output and size?
looking for the absolute brightest and smallest there is at the same time for general airsoft use, does not need a long running time at the brightness, and does not need triggers already built in or a gun mount available,

Those lights are indeed some of the brightest in their size range.

… but they aren’t throwers. They’re flooders and produce a wall of light for close and medium range.

If you want something that will illuminate at range, you aren’t actually looking for the “brightest” light. Instead you want one with the best throw.

I`d pick (in no particular order) D4V2, Lumintop FW21 pro, and EC03.

So what wins, smallest or brightest?

Brightest light for smallest size, though the Lumintop FW21 Pro is probably the overall winner in my list.

So you want under barrel tactical flashlight with remote switch, right?

lol, but if something is smaller and not quite so bright is it better or worse :stuck_out_tongue:

:smiley:

well then it would have to be worked out as a ratio, if it`s half the size and half the brightness then it`s just as good, I just can`t picture anything half the size of an FW21 pro putting out 5000lm. but if it`s twice the size and puts out 20,000lm that`s cool but it`s no longer little.

You`re just trying to confuse me aren`t you! :smiley:

Emisar D4v1 is just as bright as V2 and is smaller.
I like it especially with 18350 cell, really nice.

When I started the hobby I was really into maximizing output-to-weight (lm/g) and output-to-size(lm/mm³).
The lights mentioned here do fine in this regard.

But later I learned that output is not that important. What is important is the light output that actually hits the target. And to hit targets that are not trivially close you need good throw rather than good output.
Overall I find that higher output is more useful with throwier lights.
A pure flooder doesn’t have to be bright - the light scattering off objects will blind you and after certain output you won’t really see much more.
But a pencil-beam thrower with minuscule output which in theory allows you to see far is not my thing either. I’d rather have a large hot spot than to look through an eye of a needle.

EC01 with XHP50.2? It has a mix of throw and Lumens

This thread should help: The hottest hot rod?

Or if you’re after throw In search of the best pocket thrower flashlight (lots of research)