Well I had originally settled for the Skyray King but upon further research, noticed it was a flooder. I am looking for a nice thrower on a budget. After reading many threads, the STL-V2 and HD2010 are fairly popular for the price.
It seems like the STL-V2 will out throw the HD2010, but by how much? I like the HD2010 for its size but the STL-V2 is a beast from seeing all the beam shots.
Anyone have any feedback on pros/cons comparing those 2? the throw difference between the 2?
i only own the hd2010… i paid $30 from tmart shipped from usa warehouse and it got here in 2 days with free shipping. for the price its a great light imo, and you have the ability to easily change the driver and emitter if you desire… any it takes 18650 AND 26650 for longer runtime… just be careful if you are running a 26650 as high mode on the stock driver is direct drive and some people have fried emitters using 26650 on high.
I would not use 26650 imr.
I dont own the stl-v2 myself so I cant comment on that one first hand. I prefer smaller lights which is why I got a hd2010.
I am in the process in getting the hd2010 modded to a smaller emitter (xpg2 or xpe2) for greater throw
I am a firm believer that that your first flashlight should be a C8. They are cheap, come in a 1000 flavors, and like an ass hole, everyone has one. The best, little C8 for the money is a Citipower. Go to ebay search, and search C8, 18650. Here a Citipower C8 link:
Or a Citipower 502b
Both of these are keepers, you will always like them…
I dont have a c8… what are you trying to say!?
jk jk :party:
Welcome Sergio!
I have a C8 XML T6 and it is my stand by every day light I love it!
For throw look at the Small Sun ZY-T08 or ZY-T13 also (I have the ZY-T13 $25 on e bay or Tmart)
The DH2010/STL-V2 will out throw the zy-t13 & zy-t08 (some one correct me if im wrong) but both are a few $ more.
Get the HD2010 and THEN the STL-V2. As someone who has had multiple of both, I can attest that both throw immensely well and will be traded out for use and re-use. I just ordered the black HD2010 from Lightmalls, the more costly one. It’s more expensive, but I’ve had two defective HD2010s. I am hoping for a better one this time.
For C8s, I wouldn’t be too enthused since they aren’t throwers. A KD C8 or XDTin from Intloutdoors would be the only ways to go (or perhaps Lightmalls’ ones). But they won’t satisfy throw tastes and the ebay models you tend to take a chance on.
But in terms of overall throw, the V2 is your champ. It’s just that at the greater distances, it is harder to judge. But it is the champ all the way. Thing is, when you START with the top, your expectations get harder to fulfill and you have to climb that latter in price to keep yourself happy. Not good in my book.
As far as the STL-V2, it’s THE only light I have that will put a smile on my face no matter how wanton I get for something new. That scorching bright point of white light on my wall (or wherever I want to shine it) will make whoever wants to beat it to have to spend a lot more money to do it! No kidding.
or you could just skip all of them together and get Thrunite TN31 from KumaBear.(currently selling at $115/shipped)
although it’s not really consider a budget light… it will satisfy your longing for Thrower for a looong… time
i doubt there’s any light on the market with comparable price will out throw TN31 for awhile 
so… maybe save up or just get over with 1 awesome light.
i was in the beginning trying to avoid any light that cost more than $50 and kept on buying cheap and supposedly better thrower than the other…by the time i got to my 5th light… i could have bought TN31 and the batteries for it. 
There ya go. Can’t argue with that!
thats a great price on the tn31
This is a very vice C8 For $12
This is a great thrower it takes two 18650’s side by side and not stacked. SG-T08 $23.52.
So for $35.52 you would get two amazing lights.
Ok, I agree with the above. There a two schools of thought, after one has become familiar with all the torch options.
One school of thought is as Rusty stated. Why mess around, just buy a good light in the first place. And he is right. Here in the Forum, we have a member KumaBear who sells Thrunite and guarantees that they are spec and checked out. So, as they stated, for 115 you can get a torch that anyone here would be proud of…and now that being said…
There is the second school of thought. Just like starting out abc, 123. That would mean starting your collection, with A flashlight. Now, not all Ebayers are the same, I have had not trouble with any reseller for Citipower. Amazingly bright for 10 to 12 dollars. Now, knowing what I know, now, if you want to start with a hot rod, start with any 3T6 like a Fandyfire or Trustfire or Sky Ray. Now I have also bought from lifebike on Ebay for many years, and he is reliable. Here is your Fandyfire/Trustfire/Sky Ray — 3t6:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3X-CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-3800Lm-Flashlight-Torch-3800Lm-Super-Bright-Torch-/180819917789?
Hell, yes, the 3T6s are the best bang for the buck, absolutely…
Thanks for all the replies.
I actually just had a C8 delivered to me for my dad which I bought for his Birthday. It is a nice light but I already have something with a similar beam to it. I forgot where I got it but I think it uses cree 7090 XP-E and it uses (6) AA batteries 
I am looking for something much brighter/stronger with a better throw. >)
funny you should post a multi xml - my first light was a tr-j12 (5x t6) and 3x king kongs… i still love that thing after 9 months… and it now has a KD driver in it too
a 3x t6 light should be in everyones collection imo
6 AAs in a c8??? Uh, it ain’t no C8 then.
Stick with the advice above. More often than not, single-emitter/large reflector is the way to go for throw.
Lol, no my unknown brand flashlight with the XP-E uses (6) AA’s. The C8 I purchased for my dad uses the 18650 battery however it is not much brighter than my XP-E flashlight.
I agree with Rusty, I think we have a real NOOB, sorry. Hey, kid, buy this:
Your link is dead. Page not found.
Ah, gotcha about the XP-E.
The link works now. It didn’t the first time. But that light - like most multi-emitter lights, will be a flooder, not a thrower.
It depends, how apt are you at soldering? Do you just want to buy and forget? Do you just want one light or will you be buying again next month? How familiar are you with lithium safety.
If your unaware of lithium’s, read up, see if its something you want to get into, if you don’t, none of these options are suitable.
If your unsure, the hd2010 is a good start, single cell so simple. But, don’t clean contacts and fit king Kong cells, unless you can swap emitters and drivers.
If you can solder and your new to li ion, get a zy-t08, find the thread and links, buy light, fit resistor (for preference variable and dial in the tail cap current) to about 3.5a, instant good thrower.
If all this is foreign, read up first and see where your happy.
If you don’t want lithium, you need to be looking at the fenix primary powered throwers and the cost that involves.
Or, you need to get familiar and happy, get good cells from a reputable dealer, a good recommended charger, a good multimeter, and learn how it all works.
A thrower puts the highest demands in cells, they generally draw the most current, so you have to look after them, think race horse rather than mule.
If your happy with all that and want to just buy one light the tn31 is a good option, but qc seems to be hit and miss.
Other options are the shadow jm26 - single cell, current regulated, cheap throws well, its very under rated. The shadow sl3 provides more flood (3 emitters) with impressive throw, again single cell, current regulated.
As you can see, I’m trying to steer clear of serial battery lights, as I don’t know your experience, I don’t want to recommend something potentially dangerous.
I also can’t say enough, you need decent cells and charger to suit. Panasonic’s, keeppower’s, Samsung’s, sanyo’s etc.