Which Emitter would you recommend?
Which is why I wonder what would you guys recommend for 2014 
I would like something that’s compact and very versatile. Something that looks sleek too!
Thanks in advance
Unfortunately, in budget light country (china) new lights are not necessarily better than the old ones, it is just random what comes on the market. Every now and then they come up with something that performs really well, and in xml zoomies the last light that performed really well came out ages ago: the Uniquefire UF-T20. And (although not my cup of tea) I read about several people mounting it on their rifle (and because the zooming part is not sliding but turning, it handles recoil well).
My personal favorite xml zoomie at the moment is a cheap and well build 'tube-style' Cofly light, I did a thread about it:
It will never throw as well as the uf-t20 because of the much smaller lens, but it fits the pocket a bit better.
T20 is really good with large glass lens and above average build quality. TomE beefed up mine to dedomed xpg2 driven at 4.3A. The throw is 128kcd at 1meter.
Where’s the best place for uf-t20? I want
Not much happening as of late with budget zoomies, accept if anything, they've gone downhill in quality. I've mod'ed several though, but usually more work involved, and you lose so much in lumens, and still can't compete well with reflector lights for throw. Done a couple of T20's and have a couple of them - nice with a de-domed XP-G2.
The SS ZY-C10-S is still a good one too, though the quality isn't there. Mod'ed out one featured here: onestopthrowshop - ZY-C10-S, and they talk about the extra work involved. Again, a nice light to use a de-domed XP-E2 in, and relatively compact. Basically though, the smaller diameter the lens, the less throw - classic trade-off.
I mod'ed this one: fasttech zb-006, and it did really well for it's size, after modding of course- it's very compact and light.
This one looks damn nice, but no experience with it: http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1548
WallBuys and Manafont. If you use the 10% WB code, then they probably got the best price, but haven't checked lately.
Hi and welcome studie. Interesting user name with an interesting question.
Thanks will check it out
Why thank you
Hmm Tom E thanks for the heads-up.
What kind of mods do we need to do to these lights?
And is it easy to acquire the parts to do so?
I have my eye on this one…
That MarsFire looks interesting... 5 modes is a PIA, but it does say mode memory, if it works that is.
For modding, well, there's lots of info here on BLF, but I'd change the emitter to XM-L2 or XP-G2 on a copper MCPCB, change out the driver to a Nanjg or QLite, and see how the star is mounted - that may need work, depending on the light. This is for starters - upgrade the LED wiring to heavier gauge, higher quality, copper braid the springs to lessen resistance, etc...
Uf-t20 for sure. Awesome light, uses C8 pills so you can buy a few for dirt cheap from fasttech and mod them and you have different drop ins (screw ins).
I have about 8 of these lights kicking around with anything from de-domed xp-e2’s to XM-l2’s and I’m about to find out how an mt-g2 at 4.4a does in it.
A lot of members mentioned about the T20, however for me I have bad luck with this light. I ordered a T20 from Manafont in last year with the intention of modding it. In full-focus the die image was so poorly zoomed, the lens is sitting too near with the LED. The brass pill does not accept 20mm stars as they are, some works needed to grind down the star diameter. Have tried to use this pill from FT but the focusing issue still persist.
On the other hand, I bought a Romisen RC-C8 in the year of 2012, gave it to my father and it is still working strong until now. Good focusing (plastic lens though) with twisting zoom, lens diameter is larger than the C30’s , and well built in everywhere. But I have not attempted to mod it until now and not planning to do so. From its design and mechanism I think it is good to be modded.
When I receive my pills from FT I use my dremel to grind off material on the top lip of the pill allowing it to screw in deeper. As of right now it’s a bit of trial and error to get the focus but once I figure out the perfect amount for each LED type I will take them to my friend to quickly machine down (if only I were still a machinist 
)
wow, that marsfire is prolly the nicest zoomie ive seen. looks pretty well built and cool design features.
yea the two zoomies that i have modded, both have imperfect zoomed in hotspots. ive heard its a pita to get the focus on modding zoomies perfect.
I found out that DX is wrong! The Marsfire Z8 is not rotational zoom!
It is just like the regular one where you pull in and out…
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/MarsFire-Z8-Zoom-Adjustable-LED-Flashlight-5-Mode-1000-Lumens-CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-26650/1548043878.html
I like my SK73 or some others of the same style for a small one and my Raysoon 398 if I get a 7135 * 8 driver with copper pill working in it. The Raysoon SK98 clone has more cooling potential. I have a larger one than that but don’t see much use for it. At the upper end of your range, maybe you can get better build than these.
I don’t see much info on the CANSO BO6. Is it good? Cheap?
The main question is how big do you want the head, but there are not a lot of zoomy throwers.
i still think its a rotational zoom. on the head i see the arrows showing left and right