looking for a sub $50 thrower. id like it to run 18650 batts as i have a edc headlamp that uses 18650s, and this thrower would be used occasionally… if im mid way through a long weekend and run out of batteries in my headlamp, i could use the handheld batts to get me through…
throw is all i care about. my headlamp does the flood quite well, and the handheld will be mostly for looking at stuff far away… spotting deer from quads, etc.
i asked the same question on reddit, but wanted to hear more opinions. the convoy c8 and the L2 were both discussed. the L2 is ideal, but apparently cant fit button tops? which is a shame. and idk if im ok with going with 2x 18650s. i dont want to have to marry batteries cause that defeats the purpose of having the thrower as a backup for the headlamp. and i dont see myself being too careful with checking battery voltages. bummer, but it is what it is.
so… any other options?
a couple folks said that i should just run the L2 and dont worry about being picky with the 2 batteries. that since they will be protected, it wont matter. but idk if i can believe that.
is there a common sub-forum that they would post in? im not really around here all that much. my interest in lights is casual compared to most around here.
so… no problems as in, no worries about mixing a battery that may have been used harder with another like battery that may have been used less? what if i use one in my headlamp for a bit, decide i need my handheld, and toss an unused one in with one that has seen a few hours use?
no problems as in, it wont blow up? but will these practices just diminish the battery’s life, or will it not even do that?
The P30 looks excellent. Nitecore makes nice lights, especially if you get a good deal on one.
As for lights I own & use, I’d say the Convoy C8 with XP-L HI if you want medium range with a bit of spill. If you want even longer range with almost no spill, take a look at an aspheric like the Brinyte B158 (also with XP-L HI).
You need to invest in a couple extra batteries. A 2 pack case even a 4 pack case takes up 0 room in a pack or pocket. I carry s 4 pack in a pocket when out at the park with my daughters. A 2 pack carrying case can be thrown in anything comfortably.
Eagle eye x6 or c8 xpl hi will meet throw needs
Both will fit protected cells. I believe protected gives people a false sense of security but that’s another subject. Unprotected much better for resistance and higher currents and if you store batteries for awhile unprotected won’t drain down. Like the PCB on protected cells. If you wanna be able to swap cells between both lights you need to stick with single cell lights. Stay a way from series. Why not take a charger with you? Or purchase back up sets of batteries. Can never have to many batteries
I am in the same boat, floody headlamp for general use and a thrower for stuff way out there. Kind of in no-mans land. Budget, throw, 18650… not too many choices if your goal is spot-Lux throw and range spotting.
I put together a UF-1504 aspheric zoomer using an XPL-HI and a FET driver. It works equally well with 26650 or 18650 + adapter tube. Its nice and definitely gets the job done. Its also a nice moon-beam light when zoomed out for more flood and increased lumens, so it actually fills dual roles very nicely. I could get it to throw farther if I used a de-domed XP-G2. But for now I am happy with it using the XPL-HI.
I am tempted to try out a UF-1508. Being an 18650 light thats going to be easier to pack carry. I am hesitant though because I always get tired of using spot throwers. And thats kind of all the 1508 is good for since it doesnt zoom way out the way the 1504 does. I’ve been eye-ing the convoy L2 as well in single cell format.
[EDIT] I bet an HD2010 would throw really nicely with an XPL-HI or de-domed XP-G2. Your options open up a bit if you are willing to use a 26650 light with 18650 adapter.
I’ve build B158’s (18650) and UF-1504 (26650) with matching FET drivers and XP-L HI emitters. Despite the UF-1504 having a larger aspheric, the beam was almost identically tight. I much prefer the B158 for it’s smaller size and overall much better quality (at least compared to the 5 or so UF-1504’s that I’ve had).
Edit: they’re not great, but you can see some beamshots here
Cool thanks for the pics. I wonder how the B158 compares with the UF-1508? Yeah my 1504 is a little “sloppy” compared to the better brands. Threads and things are just a little bit loose feeling. IMHO its not severe enough to be a major complaint, but it is a difference.
The beam size in a lens light is determined by the focal length of the lens (with equal emitter size). The 1504 lens has a fairly short focal length for its size, which makes the beam a bit larger. Because of its larger lens, the throw of the 1504 is greater than the B158. The fact that the beam sizes are the same indicates the 1504 light collection efficiency is better (because of the greater lens diameter to focal length ratio).
