I ordered the R28, one of the newer Niteye/Jerbeam models with XP-L HI, according to the specs they should offer decent throw for the size. There is a groupbuy going on right now which drops the price a lot.
UF lights too heavy.
Want it really for this winter - the sooner the better - so the BLF X5 bookmarked for future ref, but not ideal right now.
Eagletac looks a little expensive, and whilst I’m game to give simple mods a go I’ve no experience of torch modding.
R28 looks in the right ball park although a touch heavier than I’d like.
Be curious to hear more about the Olight R20 though.
Look at the manker t01
Cheap Sipik SK68 and run a 14500.
Sure. I posted a review on reddit a few days ago, so its all in there, but here’s some highlights:
I think the size is really nice, smaller than most 2-button “tube” lights but not tiny. Its got a very “traditional flashlight” look to it:
As I already mentioned, its got very good throw, XP-L HI emitter, simple reverse clicky UI with no disco modes. No memory either - always high first, which is probably good for your intended purposes. It does have onboard USB charging, if you care, and the port is hidden under a collar not a rubber flap.
Two biggest negatives to me:
1. Proprietary 18650 cell. It’ll run on any battery but can only charge its special cell. This may not matter to you though.
2. Fast regulation down from turbo. My runtime graph looks like this:
So you can see that its at half its initial maximum in about 3 minutes. It doesn’t even get very hot, so it didn’t need to be regulated it so quickly.
The rest of my thoughts and observations are in that review I linked at the top, but if you’ve got any questions I’m happy to help.
Here’s a few:
The gold one got up to about 2 amps I think? Gets a bit hot but I think it would work for occasional use. Pretty bright even on lower mode if heat’s a problem. Projects the LED.
The black zoomie next to the gold one has impressed me lately, even though it only has a Q5. Throws a tight beam. I got it for under $5, but might have a hard time getting without Lattice Bright LED’s. Might be true of the others, as well.
The long skinny one might be ok for throwing. A C8 would do it if you don’t mindthe size.
This seems to fit your specifications:
91grams (without battery)
33,700cd beam intensity
367m estimated throw
140mm x 25.4mm (length x diameter)
Might be worth a shot, especially if it really has an XP-E. Looks like it’s the same as the light next to the gold light.
Not sure how well this or the others I listed would hold up to being jostled in a pocket, while running, though.
Glad you started this thread, I’ve been looking closer at the small sun light, and it’s better than I thought. Seems to out-throw a C8, and has an XP-E or something, not a Q5.
I know I can’t really run with a phone in my pocket, so I don’t think youll be able to run with a flashlight in your pocket. Just too much impact imo.
Zoomed out, this one is about 117mm. The auction says 75g.
I suggest the Manker T01.
The Manker T01 has a nice reflector, same reflector that the X5 will be using and so I know it’s capable of a nice tight spot and some decent throw, but not anything like a Jacobs A60. To get that kind of pencil beam you just have to have a larger diameter head, not something that would be easily pocketable and allow comfortable jogging.
The T01 is quite small though, can be had for ~$50, and is very versatile, able to use AA, NiMH, or Li-ion cells. I have one en-route, couldn’t resist it’s small size and largish head and I already know how well the reflector works. So, it might be feasible to de-dome an XP-G2 for this light and improve it’s downrange throw for your type of usage, but changing the emitter might be problematic in this light as it already has a potted pill/driver.
There is a nice review (or two) on the T01 here in the forum, with one of them showing complete breakdown of the parts. I think when you see that, you’ll also have one en-route… 
if you can mod at all you might want to run small light with a tight tir optic strictly for throw .
or you might consider the lens offered to us all on BLF from illumination supply which can be added easily to a p-60 light
Boaz, if you know of a TIR that can out-throw a reflector, please share that information. Especially in a small light.
Remember, when the TIR claims a 10º beam they’re talking half-angle, the effective angle is 20º and no longer impressive at all. For a good tight beam, you’d need an XP-E2 with an Optic claiming around 3-5º to get the effective angle of 6-10º. I’ve searched all of Ledil and Carclo’s inventory, as well as Khatod, looking for such an animal. I’ve tried many in multiple types of lights, and they just don’t seem to get the job done.
Maybe there’s something I’ve been missing…
Tempted to give that a go as a side project and see how it stacks up against whatever I end up with.
Thanks for that. The negatives of the R20 don’t look like too much of an issue to me, and for a quick turn on and look type thrower 3 minutes sounds plenty.
That looks interesting, and on paper out-throws both the T01 and the R20 Javelot.
The T01 - for my use - looks very, very good. The form factor is ideal - small and light enough to hold whilst running and not really notice it was there (I used my MT10C last time - not a thrower, but size, weight and instant turbo access worked well. But no more throw than my HT.)
I really see what you mean - that review really does sell it.
Right now, my thought process is that the Manker T01 best suits from a size and weight perspective - it’ll fit into the palm of the hand when running, or tucked into a hip belt pocket whilst night hiking and just be forgotten about. Whilst neither the P12GT or R20Javelot are large, they’re both 30-40g heavier and run off 18650’s rather than 14500’s - so total weight is likely to be double the T01 and are physically much longer too and less likely to be forgettable in the palm of the hand. In fact both look about the same size and weight as my BLF A6 which gives me a handy frame of reference.
But…I like the idea of 350m+ throw offered by the P12GT over the T01’s quoted 200m.
Nothing much in it price wise, although if anyone knows a way of getting the prices down I’d be all ears - currently seeing around £40/$60 dollars between BG and AliExpress for all three options.
Of the three the T01 tempts me most - it looks like an excellent little light.
I may be alone in this, but I’m really suspect of Nitecore’s numbers for their new GT line. ~350m from a tube light seems too good to be true, even with XP-L HI. I personally am holding off on that line until I see some independent verification of those numbers.
I agree that Nitecore’s numbers are likely inflated or Manker’s numbers are under reality. These lights have similar emitters and are driven similarly, but the Manker has a bigger reflector, so it should throw further.
Well I’ll be keeping an eye out for the P12GT when some reviews come out (I can’t find any) to see if it does live up to claims, but I’ve ordered the T01. It seems to be the closest thing to what I’m looking for and has some decent reviews. And I don’t own any Manker lights which is a good enough reason alone to order one.
Quick update:
The T01 arrived today along with a pair of Keeppower protected 840mah 14500’s - the only 14500’s I currently have. And the T01 won’t switch on with either of them. (The cells are fine, tested in an SK68.) They fit, the tailcap closes but it won’t switch on. Which is a disappointment. On the upside with a normal Eneloop AA it turns on fine and - even before I try and get it into pro-mode - has an impressive output. In fact everything I’ve seen so far suggests it’ll be ideal.
Am I going to need to look for unprotected 14500’s though? I’ve got some Xtar 800mah protected cells on order that were intended for a handful of SK68’s, but if the KP ones won’t work what are the chances of the Xtar cells working?
ETA:
Worth ordering a pair of Nitecore 650mah IMR’s to try?