Thrower LEDs? GT-FC40, SFT40, SBT70, SBT90, CSLPM1.TG, CSLNM1.F1, CULNM1.TG, CULPM1.TG, XHP90 (70, 50, 35), LEP...

Cree 90+ CRI is everywhere in their datasheet. But in reality, do they exist or it’s a myth?

I don’t have the taste for a high cri thrower yet. Does seem like the holy grail, but probably always will be with LED tech.

I think mid range is the market for high cri. You need a telescope for 1500m. But at 600m, 60m wide, if that could look like daylight it would be awesome.

Hi CRI?

Couldn’t agree more! It’s just the flip-chip versions that don’t look great. XHP 35 HI is probably my fav overall LED, just so well balanced. Wish it wasn’t only 12V!

Yes, there are stock lights sold with them too, notably Zebralight.

I could not agree more… The MTG02 for all of it’s goodness in a mid range flooder has been outdone by the FC40. Not that I am going to clean house of my MTG02 lights. I do not see the FC40 as a long range led at all, but in the S11 and M21B it sure is nice.

Yeah, I don’t really care too much about high cri throwers to be honest. Would like to have one of course, but that’s the usual flashlight spiel. But what color can you really see at 200+m downrage anyway? :smiley:

The XHP50.3 HI looks like it could be interesting, but it doesn’t appear to be available anywhere yet (except preorder)

I would love to see a chart that shows all the “high thrower” LED’s in a grid that indicates their die size, required voltage, minimum usable power cells, range of temperatures (tint), driver compatibility (buck-boost, FET, etc.) and typical beam characteristics presuming a standard reflector or a certain depth. Of course, how an LED is housed can make a world of difference. Optics & reflectors can notably alter characteristics. It would be so useful for the “enthusiast” like myself, who isn’t adept at all the latest LED nomenclature, BBL and duv statistics, etc., to have this information for guidance on what to look for in a flashlight purchase.

For example, I had no idea that XHP35 must be driven by 12v. So that immediately eliminates it from being run by a single lithium cell, thus not even a midsize EDC form factor (presuming maximum of 2 cells), unless some sort of buck-boost driver can compensate?

Except their are plenty of single cell xhp35 single cell flashlights on the market already, like Nitecore EC23 CREE XHP35 HD E2 LED Flashlight –1800 Lumens, Using one IMR 18650

I don’t think a chart like what your asking can exist because it would need to be three dimensional.
My best advice for comparing LED’s is to see how the different size emitters all fair in one host size. Something with a good size reflector like a Convoy. From their you’ll be able to see amperage draw, output and beam pattern out of a single host. Each emitter size could benefit from a different reflector, but that’s the part where usually the manufacturer makes the decision for us unless your modding it yourself

When angels deserve to DIE!!

I’ve loved the MTG2, it’s one of my favorites but it was never a thrower. The GTFC40 would be very different in this aspect correct?

Large format LEDs such as GT-FC40 and XHP70.2 are not really thrower LEDs, but stick any LED (within reason) in a large enough and deep reflector will create a throwy beam profile.

Most of my large throwers Acebeam K70, Astrolux MF02, and Mateminco MT35 Plus use XHP35 HI. What I want to know is the difference between the medium to smaller lights, like Convoy L21A & Convoy L21B and Convoy C8. Here are a lot of emitters I see but there is never information on them KW CSLNM1.TG white light (6A current), KW CSLPM1.TG white light (6A current) KW CULPM1.TG white light (8A current), and SFT40. Also see a new one XHP70.3 HI. So anyone know which have the best THROW?

Agreed with posts above:

GT-FC40 has the highest CRI (Ra and R9) and the most beautiful beam color among throwers Convoy M21B, M21E, M21F w/ GT-FC40 4500k: 3 CRI-95 324m throwers w/ Nichia-like tint -->3 home runs. Rec w/out reservation :-)., but it’s a medium throw LED (300 m or so with Convoy M21E and F).

For the absolute king of throw, meaning throw (950 m) + brightness (~4000 lm) + large useful beam, SBT90.2 stands alone IMHO. And the least expensive is this great Wurkkos, on sale for $66 Wurkkos TS30S USB C Rechargeable 21700 Flashlight Powerful SBT90.2 LED 6000lm Anduril Version. This flashlight would light up streets and football fields like an automobile head light.

W1 is pretty amazing in my Noctigon K1 and Acebeam L19. The most versatile IMO is probably the XHP70.2 (XHP70.3 throws farther but less lumen and flood), love it in my MK38 and will love it once they ship the X75. I have the SFT40 in MK38 and throws far, but prefer the XHP70.2 5000k. The most wow for me is probably the SBT90.2 in my K1, Lumintop GT94vn and Mateminco MT90vn plus Spec C.

Typically in the same host

Throw: KW CSLPM1.TG (w1) > KW CULPM1.TG (w2) > SFT40

Lumen: KW CSLPM1.TG (w1) < KW CULPM1.TG (w2) < SFT40

Yeah, that SBT90.2 is truly amazing for throw, independent of tint appeal. Wurkkos rates it as 952 m distance. Of course, the real question is, what’s the hotspot diameter once reaching out to over 600 m. It’s one thing to throw, but another to illuminate.

Big hot spot, big spill, big lumen. :+1: :slight_smile: Everything about SBT90.2 is big. It is the ultimate limit for single LED small thrower IMHO. Check another owner’s comparison above against his other good LED’s Thrower LEDs? GT-FC40, SFT40, SBT70, SBT90, CSLPM1.TG, CSLNM1.F1, CULNM1.TG, CULPM1.TG, XHP90 (70, 50, 35), LEP... - #24 by RamBull.

I don’t like thrower with narrow beam (like Sofirn IF22a) and stopped looking once I have SBT90.2. It’s the one FUN light in my (small) collection where I sometimes turn it on just to see the magic.

Some comparison against a couple of other lights I have. Shot at same exposure to show different in brightness. In order to expo the other lights adequately look how totally over-exposed SBT90.2 is. Scares the hell out of the bug for sure lol (that’s the white streak in the beam).



Just ordered the new FF5-GT which is supposed to a lot more powerful than the already bad a$$ FF5. 4300K baby

Thanks a lot for the comparison photos. Very helpful. :+1:

The TS30S seems to be priced (when discounted) at about double the IF22A and it certainly delivers more than double the lumens and throw. I really like the IF22A design, almost like an elongated Catapult Mini. But that TS30S reflector leaps beyond it.