Look again… I just received more SRK’s from wallbuys today. They pull 6.4 – 6.5A from the cells, so they appear to all be properly equipped with the high output 3 terroid driver (not the crappy low output ones we’ve seen in many other SRK’s). Finish, reflectors and machining look as good as my original SkyRay Kings. Lets hope this continues.
The SK-68 is an obvious good budget choice, with a distinctive shape to help define the banner.
The Skyray King is the only worthwhile “photon grenade” at budget prices, and is quite photogenic.
The XinTD C8 is a great budget compact hybrid thrower.
However, I’d probably include the Zebralight H51. It’s not exactly a budget light, but I find it more useful than all my other lights combined so it seems worth its price. Sometimes it’s worth getting one really great light instead of a bunch of just-good lights.
Other nice options are the HD2010, any of a variety of 1xAAA keychain lights, and a cigar-sized 1x18650 tube light like HD2011 or Convoy S2/S3 or similar.
But my personal favorites are ZL H51, XinTD C8, SRK, and SK-68.
I’m almost afraid to see what will be created in the next year or two though; I may have to buy more lights to keep up with the latest best-of-class items!
Very well stated ToyKeeper! 
The C8 category (HD2010, XinTD,X5) is ubiquitous!
SK68
King
C8
Purely based on popularity.
1. Black SRK
2. BLF A8
3.a) Solarforce L2T (seems to be the most popular P60 host)
b) HD2010
c) An actual P60 drop-in. (preferably a beautiful Vinz one)
d) Nitecore Smilodon?
I think we need to merge the c8s
Uh….
Not exactly budget… My bad… But as my little girl used tosay… I YIKE EM!!! lol
Hd2010
Skyray king
Sk68
Hi
Just a funny idea but why not puttting them all there.
Just some rules how to photograph them (e.g. in front of white wall with cola can for size reference)
so someone can cut them out and size them correct then cut and stitch.
Mo
Once the winners are chosen , it will probably be easy to find a member who can put all three in a single whitebox photo ...
Because there will be several many that own all three .
I agree (almost )with dale ..
* sk68 distinctive shape
* Jacob A60 difinitive budget thrower /distinct shape
*Xeno e03 for the unique eye catching shape
Sorry, I added the XinTD before I realized you could scroll down.
(now there are two)
Yeah sorry, sometimes the brainstorm widget doesn’t seem to resize the scrollable contents correctly to the bottom of the frame. I fixed it for you and transferred your vote, ChiggerPepi.
Mr. Admin, please delete mine as well for the ZY-T13 as it was a double post. Thanks.
You bet.
Voted for Sk68, SF and C8… in my opinion are the three kings of the budget lights in the last two year…
Maybe also HD2010 but i only have 3 votes!