My nomination is the:
XP-11 CREE XM-L T6 700LM 5-Mode Magnetic Tail Cool White LED Flashlight-Black(1x18650)
Paid a budget friendly $8.80. Currently sell for about $12.
Includes decent heat sinking, tail magnet, clip & side switch… Odd 5 mode layout [needs lower low of course] My only regret is not buying a couple more at the sale price!
Top 3 keepers of 2013, figuring in value vs cost.
BTU Shocker
Fandyfire Warrior
Roche F6
Only $20.50 at time of sale.
OK, scratch the T08, it’s new to me but been around a while. Good quality econo thrower!
Mini CREE-XPE 20LM 3-Mode Cool White LED Flashlight with Clip-Black(1xAA)
Flood-to throw
I’ve recently run into sort of a wall here. I simply don’t need any more torches. I use a couple on a pretty frequent basis, but everything else is used mostly for special purposes.
The two I use most often, and the only two which really count for “best of 2013” are:
- L3 L10-219 (awesome EDC)
- DQG Tiny AAA IV (on my key chain)
That’s my answer to the original question. Just two, not three.
However, I have a lot of others I really really like, even if it’s mostly just for specific purposes. I’m particularly fond of these:
- CNQG “brass beauty” (gorgeous… and a nice EDC, but I rarely need something so bright)
- Zebralight H52w (headlamp-ish purposes) (soon to be Fw instead of plain w, if it ever ships)
- XinTD C8 V4 (great mini-thrower, best stock C8)
- Convoy S7 (nice beam for biking, attractive chrome finish)
- ZL SC52 (gets used mostly as a night light, due to crazy-long sub-lumen runtimes)
- Skyray King (mostly for impressing muggles)
With any luck, next year’s list will only contain items I modded myself.
I should have put the XP-11 on my short list. It's my current favorite - Dr Jones driver, 3.5A of XM-L2 awesomeness, nice pocket size, magnet tail.
Moe, Larry, and Curly!
I think the Defiant Super Thrower was a good one, from the first of the year.
you have that backwards 
My Top Three:
Most Used: ArmyTek Wizard Pro (EDC and headlamp)
Favorite Mod: ZY-T08 MT-G2 (2500 Lumens in a jacket pocket)
Massive Output: LusteFire 3XU2-U3 Modded with 3xMT-G2 (5000 Lumens OTF)
Honourable Mention: Sunwayman D40A (favorite 4xAA light)
After 50 or so lights purchased/used/modded in 2013, IMO, these lights deserve their place at the top.
I bought my NW ET D25C last year, along with two rechargeable 16340s (also ET), and it has made me very happy. After a couple of years of rotating through several edc lights, this one has hit the sweet spot of intensity, color, size and the right modes for my needs. We moved this year and the D25C was probably the single most useful tool for the whole process.
If I had to list another one it would be my XinTDv4, which has relegated my TK41 to permanent hall closet duty.
Those are the two outstanding ones, but if I had to name a third, for sheer budget fun, I finally got a Sipik SK68 clone (Ultrafire) 3-mode that I run on an equally budgety trust fire 14500. After reading about these for a few years I just wanted to see one in person, and it’s a kick. So much fun for so little money.
1 - FF4
2 - k40vn
3 - Shocker (mod by Tom E.)
Can’t make up my mind about the order but these three.
FF4
TM26
Modded FF4
1. Nitecore tiny monster TM11
2. Zebralight SC 600 (WARNING !!! i mean mark 1 because on MK II they changed the bezel from removable threaded to press fitted :_( and that way they made it even harder to swich emitter…) so i actually paid a little more money to buy new but older model from EBAY… :Sp )
3. Convoy M2 (3C tint)
Best purchases 2013
- Zebralight SC52
- Nitecore SRT3
- Sunwayman D40A
Have to ask myself which I reach for and which is just WOW
Anyway, here they are
1. Sunwayman D40A, impeccable quality and every mode you ever need, best of all it uses AA’s
2. That little $2 Zoomer from Wallbuy’s sale, once I did the head reduction mod it has the best flood of a small house light. Use it constantly.
3.Convoy L4 from Wallbuy’s lucky money sale, less than $20, Fantastic quality, AR lens, Cigar grip and hidden strobe. No need to mod it, it is perfect.
Thanks, great thread!
Keith
Supbeam K40 (group buy)
Int’l Outdoor XinTD C8v4
HD 2010
Other candidate for my purchase in 2013 is CNQG brass 18650 and unpopular Bronte RA10 (although have rather strange UI, mid - high - low strobe, mine can start from high if fully tighten the head).
I think I only bought 3 torches in 2013. In descending order of favour:
Int’l Outdoor XinTD C8v4 - great build, excellent tint, fantastic mix of flood and throw.
Roche F12 - my EDC for the last few months. Really good dark sand coloured finish. My only niggle is it has strobe modes that I never use.
Thrunite Ti - a bit disappointing really. This might sound a bit picky but the low mode of (supposedly) 0.04 lumen seems too bright!
I’m sure 2014 will bring in lots of interesting new torches.
1. Firefox 4 FF4 HID
Amazed by the natural colours. Amazed by the throw!
2. UniqueFire C8
Cause I gave one to dad and he’s happy.
3. Convoy S3
Small enough and bright enough for daily chores.
BTU Super Shocker – Tom E. mod
All I can say about this light is “Woah !!!”
TK75vn Killer Throw de-dome – Vinh Nguyen mod
Extremely serious focused throw with wide flood
TK75vn 5000k dome on – Vinh Nguyen mod
The large hotspot, warmer tint and massive lumens is simply eye candy.
Honorable mention.
EagleTac MX25L3 Kit – Future mod candidate.