I started getting into the “hobby” and ordered Sofirn SP33S (Flood) along with Sofirn HS40 (headlamp).
Now I want to buy a thrower with some spill (preferably with tail switch but not a must), any other alternatives or better options than Sofirn C8L? Up to 50$~.
Thanks!
Do you care about built in charging? If not a Convoy C8 or M21A with an SFT40 sounds about right. They are the same light aside from battery size. If you want bigger and even more throw the L21B with the same emitter.
L21B is way too big for me.
M21A/M21E/C8L size is great for me.
On paper the C8L should throw more than M21A or am I wrong?
And is the M21E (SFT40) slightly bigger than M21A? So better for more throw?
Charging is not required but it’s a nice bonus for charging “on the go”. I have Vapcell S4 Plus V2 for charging.
Forgot to quote. My comment is up there^
Here is a comparison of the M21 lights. The Sofirn C8L you originally mentioned is probably great too, Sofirn makes good stuff.
Awesome thanks.
The price difference between Sofirn C8L to Convoy M21A/M21E is just 2$ (Sofirn is cheaper).
Not sure what’d be the best option.
Hello and welcome.
I have a C8L and IMO it is feature-packed and performs exceptionally well for me. The beam is somewhat a “floody thrower” kind with bigger hotspot and wider bright spill than from a typical dedicated thrower. It’s suitable for medium range. However the best part is its efficient boost driver. In High brightness mode, the output won’t drop due to thermal stepdown (unless in hotter environment), until the battery voltage gets too low. How does 1000 lumens for 100 minutes straight sound? That’s with the stock Sofirn 5000 mAh cell.
Having said that, there are many options out there from other brands like Convoy, Astrolux, etc.
Say, you want to reach really far, have a look at Convoy L21B SFT40 rated at 1.2 km ANSI. Should be great for 500-600 meters range.
My 2 cents.
Cheers.
Edit: just read your post saying L21B is yoo big for you. Well then, Convoy M21 series are good options and you get to choose the emitters too.
Convoy M21B with SFT-40 and 8A driver will throw further than the Sofirn and is a lot smaller and lighter. Or Convoy S16 with SFT-40.
But the Sofirn is a very good option. The beam is less dedicated just to throw and more of a balanced beam that leans toward throw. So it’s good as a general purpose light as well as a thrower, but it won’t have quite the range of something with an SFT-40 or W2 (CSLPM1/CULPM1) LED.
I have the C8L, and while it’s great, my main issue with it is there’s nothing between the ~5 lumen eco mode and the ~100 lumen low mode. So I prefer the Convoy 12 group UI.
I think that Convoy M21A has bigger throw than sofirn C8L. M21E has bigger throw that M21A because it has 8Amps driver vs 6 amps in M21A.
I put on dark straight road on distance of 700 meters Convoy M21A, L21B and Sofirn C8G. Sofirn C8G had the shortest range of approximately 450 meters. Convoy M21A without problems 650 to 700 meters, which is the maximum distance that was available to me before the bend in the road begins, and Convoy L21B at that distance has a much stronger intensity and direction of light and, according to my estimation, has a greater range by at least 200 to 250 meters of light from the M21A. I think that of these 3 lamps, the Convoy M21A is the most usable in all situations because it is more compact in size than the L21B and provides more peripheral lighting, and the 6 amp driver also provides a slightly longer battery life.
Cree led in sofirn C8L isn’t classic thrower led but it have high power and solid throw and it is very usable universal light.
Thanks.
Isn’t the C8L support ramping so you can choose whatever brightness you desire?
Considering I ordered the Sofirn SP33S which is supposed to be flood, the C8L might not be the best choice because it’s balanced throw+flood (If I understood correctly).
So that would be smarter to go with M21A or M21E for throw in my case?
So then I have 1 flood (SP33S), 1 headlamp (HS40), and 1 throw (M21E)?
By the way, will thr M21A/E still be usable for short range (Say 10-15 meters)? Or is the beam too narrow?
And which color do you like the most? Thinking between 5000K or 6500K.
I currently use some Energizer AA Flashlight that use 6000-6500K temp if I am not wrong which is not too bad to my eyes.
But many people say 5000K is more comfortable so I am not sure.
No, it’s got tactical and general mode groups, both stepped.
You’re perhaps thinking of the older C8G and C8F, which do have a ramping mode.
Convoy M21E SFT40 Video Review vs Sofirn IF22A with Drone
And that’s with ~45 mm bezel of M21E.
M21C or M21D with ~55 mm bezel should throw even further (with same SFT40).
The size though… Head is just slightly smaller than L21B (~60 mm)
I would suggest a flashlight with an SFT40 emitter and without a TIR lens.
The SFT40 is the best budget throwy emitter, and a flashlight with a regular (and deep) reflector will provide more throw and more spill than a flashlight with a TIR lens, all other factors being the same.
The larger and deeper the reflector, the more throw you'll get.
I like Sofirn, Wurrkos, and Convoy for budget brands, but I don't think Wurrkos produces a suitable thrower. 
What do you think of the M21E that was suggested?
It looks good, but I haven't seriously considered it because it has a side switch.
(I only get tail switch flashlights for myself.)
A fellow tail switch brethren!
We may be in the minority, but you’ll never find us fumbling for a switch in the dark!
I do tolerate a few side switch lights (D4SV2, 4X18A, Catapult Pro, etc) but I absolutely prefer the reverse grip with my thumb on the tail switch. It just feels so natural and responsive.
M21B with SFT40 or W1 or W2, smooth reflector, 12 groups tips the scale by virtue of stunning MAO and handier size. IMO
M21A is very usable in ranges 10-15 meters and it has good amount of side light but if you use it on 100% on short distances you can be dazed from reflected light. I make difusor for it from old 12 wats led bulb and it is very usable even in small ranges inside house.
M21E SFT 40 is very good light, I don’t have it but my friend bought it and I try it a few times. It has stronger light and a little better throw than M21A but L21B is better in throw than M21E.
I don’t ever try M21B but I see that it have very good reviews. SFT 40 is very good thrower led with more lumens and better side light than Osram leds. I don’t see this led in any other colour than 6500 k and it is very good.