What is the brightest budget light?

I think it's also good to recommend the XinTD C8. I'm very happy with mine. There's already a version 3 with a deeper reflector, I think this would have more throw than the previous model.

I'm new to budget lights, so I was curious to know if this is how it works. A reputable Chinese company, such as Nitecore, is copied by another Chinese company with lesser quality control, such as SkyRay, which in turn is copied by another Chinese company of even lesser quality, such as FandyFire, with the price decreasing with each knock off version.

Is that how it works?

Yep, pretty much how it goes.

Not hijacking, but could somebody define “budget light”???

The reason I ask, is because I see some lights listed here as the brightest budgetlight, costing almost $100…

In my book, dat ain’t no budget light!! However, I know senility is sinking in on my side, so that is why I like to have a definition of a “budget light”…

Thanks much in advance, :wink:

If that budget-brand light (LED) is going to give off 5000 lumens OTF and costs 160 bucks shipped, then hell yes am i going to buy it! :smiley: Eg 12 XM-L with 2 drivers.

Like the above-mentioned TF X100 @ $82, there are like only 2 branded lights at that high a lumens level and they cost 399 and 549.

Budget light = < $40.00

At least it used to be here before the great CPF exodus .

40 bucks, how to get 2 million cd or 3000 lumens…….

3000 lumens at $40? Pfft, that’s easy, even $4 will do - just grab two 100W incan bulbs from walmart! :stuck_out_tongue:

Come to think of it, the Thor 130W incan can’t do 3000 lumens OTF as well….even if it’s 40 bucks. (think cheapest is about 60 + shipping)

Okay, then I am one off base. I was thinking budget lights are just what it said budget lights. Such as, $5 to maybe $45.

I got 12 lights, the highest price one cost me $37.75, and it is CLAIMED AT 4000 LUM too!! :wink:

However, I see your point… :wink:

I don’t think you’re off base . . I would say that a high end light can be a good or great Value Light, but that doesn’t make it a Budget Light. I would propose that Budget Lights are lights the masses include in their budgets.

Might be some reasonable discussion about how much, but I’d say the amount is probably limited by what we see for pricing on the wal-mart shelf . . . last time I looked, that was probably close to whatever the LED 2 or 3 D maglites are going for. By that standard, $45 is more than I’d probably spend, but $30-something seems reasonable.

That above is exactly what I figured was “budget lights”. I have aquired about 13 lights. The highest price one is the one I mentioned for $37.75… However, it is not the brightest!! :wink:

You have reaffirmed my belief, that I do follow the “budgeteer’s code”… :wink:

This is CPF mentality. A $30 AAA light is what they suggest when you mention budget lights. A “budget” anything is just a lower cost version of that product, right?

No, a lower cost item can easily be bad value and bad for a budget. When I buy something expensive for a specific purpose, it must be good value and not just cheap or it’s not really suited to my purpose.

Cheap is lower cost . . but cheaper while still delivering most of the value is budget. You could sell a $5 minimag incan clone that works only 40% of the time, but who would want that to save the 35? And even at 35 off, if the price is beyond the budget of most buyers, then it’s pretty obvious there isn’t enough value to be a good buy for most people. The exception doesn’t make the rule.

The CPF mentality I see is that one must have the best as defined by latest, highest unobtainium and most expensive or they are not worthy. Others may see it differently but that is why I’m not spending much time there. Well, that and the forum format which drives me away the most. There are helpful people there, so it’s really more a matter of personal preference.

You are not off base, just that lights are like narcotics to some of us. Too much of the same thing, we have 10 x 16340, 10 x 18650, 10 x dual 18650 throwers, 10 of 26650.

Seriously i have quite a few triple XM-L, eight of them (after selling 2 of them) and a 5X XM-L. heh……

That’s the “problem” with budgetlights for some of us….it adds up. $30 doesn’t seem like much, till you realise that you have 40 of them.

Difficult to duct tape them together and declare it a 100,000 lumen monster.

Try the DRY or Trustfire J12 or J18. Rather reliable, good, under 100 bucks…. did I mention POWERFUL!

Hmmmmm...buding seems a little spammy today!!!

Nothing against the Keygos but for nearly 7 bucks less (also with free shipping) you can get the XM-L C8 (that should be really closely bright to the Keygos) from buyincoins. I bought 5-6 of them already to use as occasional gifts etc. and can only recommend this model from this store.

Welcome to the family, YNC!