2x18650 THROWER under $75

@dobermann100

Thanks for the suggestion and I responded to it in my previous post. I'm actually familiar with that site since that's where I purchased all of my other Solarforce gear :) Definitely the best company to get Solarforce from.

I forgot to list these as possibilities I've been considering:

JetBeam BC40 - $60 with discount http://www.bugoutgearusa.com/bc40.html (hyde already suggested this one earlier in the thread)

Trustfire X8 - $52 http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/trustfire-x8-xmlt6-led-1000lumen-5mode-memory-led-flashlight-1218650-p-5969?rp=091774

Skyray STL-V2 - $55 http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/sky-ray-stlv2-cree-t6-adjustable-or-modes-led-flashlight-2186503163403cr123a-p-7191

Anybody have opinions on those and how they stack up to the competition relative to price?

and the Sky Ray STL-V2 here: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/2858

ive got the X8 and Stlv2. id like to have the bc40 but after getting the stlv2 i just dont think the bc40 can top it.

@Tas62

Funny, I was already reading that thread and then edited my post to include that light, just as you made that post

Now I'm wondering about spill between those three. A little spill would be welcomed since it's gonna be primarily a critter light used from the house. But I'm liking the Skyray. Just when I thought the X8 would be a good get I see the STL-V2 seemly blow it away. I just wonder about the spill though.

@jamesearljonesisascab

I really appreciate your review and comparison of the STL-V2 and X8. So what do you think of the spill from the STL-V2? Does it primarily excel at throw and just that or will I get some flood out of it? I would mostly be shining out into a grassy field from the second story of my house with the spot usually striking about 75 to 125 yards. I would like to be able to see in the general vicinity around that spot and up to the house since that's what I get from my HID light.

if you saw that youtube video of the m3x on the first reply post thats pretty much the same light with decent spill

Ok, so at this point it's between the JetBeam BC40 and Skyray STL-V2

So are there any worthwhile mods to squeeze any more out of the lights mentioned in this thread (i.e. driver swap)? I'm kind of in the mood to mod and personalize as well :)

There's a neutral version of the Jetbeam BC40 out now at BOG.

Yummy neutral. You might miss some degree of colour rendition with a cool white led, given that your comming from a hid

While true it's listed on that site, it's not actually shipping yet; although you can order it now...as of last night I was told they will ship out in about a week.

OK

which is your best recommendation between these

IMO id say xml preferably , modes is good , less flashy one

SF , m8 = $80 , JETBeam BC40 $70, or Masterpiece Pro-1 << any solid contenders to these guys ?????

i have bee eying those damn SF lights . myself looking for a Solid light and over $80 for one light is ...

Oh snap, I really hope they don't do neutral runs of all the lights I own and like. Bankruptcy would ensue.

btw, here's another USA store to purchase the BC40 under $70:

http://www.aimkon.com/catalog/product/jetbeam-bc40-cree-xm-l/

and their ebay store sells it $3 cheaper (only two left for now):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170674312406&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_705wt_1037

I gotta say.. I'm torn between the STL-V2 and the BC40. I think someone is gonna have to make up my mind for me, haha.

Well if your located in the USA you can get the BC40 for $59.00 delivered in only 2 days flat, and the quality of the light is better than SkyRay. If your outside of the USA, well then I guess it might be harder to choose; of-course you could always just get both :) and then it wouldn't matter.

Since you are going to be using the light pretty often, better get the BC40. It is about 30k lux @ 1m, pretty ok performance.

But for us Budget Light hobbyists, we need to save up as most of the guys' buying pattern is in volume. And we crave for performance, most of us are not after bling or the last bit of detailing. (we sometimes do indulge in the occasional branded light though). There are a couple here who have more than a hundred lights. I have like 60, and over 20 HID bulbs, 4 extra ballasts and 30 batts. Something like a collection... (and 6 lasers, 405/445/532/650nm)

We have no issue here with long shipping times. The motto here most of the time is - buying enough items, so that you receive at least 2 items per week. Who cares about 3-4 weeks before you receive the darn thing. LOL!

That STL-V2 is probably doing ~ 45k, maybe close to 50k on cold nights in your country.

I think $59.00 for a BC40 qualifies it as budget.

Numbers of lights, I've long lost count :) and only highlight the latest ones I acquire.

Lasers are also another hobby of mine too, about 40 of them, mostly name brand like CNI & Optotronics RPL's. I'm glad you share that hobby too, it's very enjoyable; my last aquisition was very costly, nearly 4K but I wanted it badly, so I pulled the trigger on it. You can always save-up for a better light or what-have-you, when you desire something above your budget.

Still though, budget lights and such are fun too :)

Yes I know what you mean about a couple of deliveries per week :) I think at times I keep my local mailman working instead of being laid off. It's always a treat to see what shows up next.

I guess even a TK70 may quality as budget, if weiser701 has a farm that churns out 80 tons of apples a month and needs a light at night to get around the property. Or arm his guys with flashlights for patrols at night for his lifestock protection 24/7...etc etc. It depends, so you guys gotta scale the $$$ scale yourself.

Don't need to be big time $$$ too, i just purchased 3.40 magnets yesterday from DX. And today another 10-pack of white gunk type of heatsink compound to try. It could be IR thermometer next to measure how your emitters are doing at 5A, etc etc....not even exactly related to flashlights. LOL!

Totally agree, budget is a subjective word.