Hi all, I have a Brinyte B158B (XP-L HI led zoomer, single 18650) flashlight. This flashlight is a very good zoom thrower (50.000cd) but it has a big head, and it is too heavy and big for some scenarios. Would you reccomend me any single 18650 flashlight, with zoom, but with a more compact size and weight (11-12 cm lenght, a cilyndrical shape, or a minimal head protrusion from body). Under 15-20$ price from china? Is there any new LED on the market that would give some more brightness? A little more total light than XP-L HI would be appreciated.
I have some no brand 3$ zoomable flashlight (attached photo 11cm lenght), they report on side XML-T6 (sure are fake LEDs), the form factor of these are perfect, but overall brightness is no near my Brynite. Is it possibile to have such a small body with a brightness of my B158B loosing some throwing perfomance?
I hope you enjoy your stay, dennix!
I have a nice 18650 zoomie.
It’s an older model, and it’s not super compact.
It’s the ThorFire TA13, but I think it’s been discontinued.
ohhh… what a warm welcome! many thanks for welcome photo and technical advice.
Just for curiosity, do you have different welcome photos for male and female members? Or we are all men here so the problem does not exist at all ?
Right now, all the welcome photos are of women.
Eventually, I’m going to create new welcome photos of different entertainers, and, unfortunately, most of those photos will be of men.
Many many thanks! this is very close to my requirements!, a little bit heavier and bigger than my cheap zoom XML-T6, but definitively lighter and more compact than my Brinyte.
I see that zoom flashlights are very rare, especially with trusted brands in expensive range, but I don’t understand why. Is there any technical reason not to use a moving lens instead of fixed reflector in a flashlight? A little bit more weight but definitively a useful feature. Do using a moving lens limit the output power or have any disvantage? maybe this deisgn could not dissipate heat well as a fixed reflector with a thin glass and alloy single wall case? Why there are so many compact flashlights but none with zoom feature like cheap XML-T6 flashlight above?
maybe when zoom is focused most of light remain trapped in the bulky flashlight head leading to overheating?
I was searching their website and just happened to find it out… !
Probably…
The zoomable feature is a week point on the construction of the flashlight, plus is impossible to make it water resistant/proof… !?
And probably from the company’s prospective is way better to have well build bobys, with good waterproof characteristics, and dedicated flood or throw or semi flood/throw flashlights… !?
Demounting the B158B zoom head is clear that in focused mode a lots of light is lost in heat, whe fully focused between lens and emitter there is a 2-3cm of space, the walls are alloy metal black painted… So is not the best for a thrower, plus it adds weight and not so perfect waterproof enclosure. But remains a nice feature, my B158B could be used as a flooding light or as a laser beam pointer…with all intermediate steps.
Also outside your price range, and technically the wrong battery, but I thought of this thread when a video popped up this morning reviewing a new Klarus light;
I know nothing about it, zoomies aren’t my thing(they have always been one light output level, and if I need change its in brightness not “focus” or “distance”. And the terrigle light tint/ring halo they all have is annoying-- One reason they aren’t more popular with a lot of people I think).
but yeah, its a 21700 light. Could run 18650 fine I’m sure, just need a spacer, if overall light size isn’t too big.
Thanks! Z821 perfectly respond to all requirements except for price unfortunately, Aliexpress charges VAT when shipping to europe and final price is near 40$.
I wish “on the road” made a version without battery and charger to contain the cost…
Also usb charging feature could be dropped to reach 20$ dollar target.
Are there any other flashlights like this on 20$ budget?
I tried to get Simon(Convoy) to design a 18650 Zoomie, originally he agreed but later changed his mind.
Zoomies aren’t desired by many in the flashlight enthusiast world.
I understand zoomers are a compromise on throwing, but in flood mode are nearly identical on fixed reflector flashlights. So basically you have a flood flashlight with a decent throwing capacity, a little bit more weight, and not totally waterproof when submerged. Anyway it can handle heavy rain or a short drop in water. When I walk at night in dark areas, maybe in woods, I found really useful to focus the beam on distant objects, animals, cars, people… it’s not only matter of concentrating light in a spot, it has the important function to permit my eye not to be blinded by a flood surrounding light, and catch all the tiny spot light much well than before.
This is the only one I found to match all I want, from a trusted brand with an original LED and not a fake one, plus it has a rechargeable USB port and a lateral switch, that I prefer. With blackfriday offers I could get it for about 10$.
This is the perfect all rounder cheap and compact flashlight. The one you choose or lend to familiars without worry about is value or overheating issues.
I own it and like it but it is not really a zoom like you are used to.
The beam shape does not narrow down much at all.
Hard to describe till you get it and use it.
The sides of the head just come forward and kind of narrow by little bit.
It’s a great muggle light.
I’d still buy it at $10 nothing to lose.
I see on videos that the focus mode is not so focused, but it’s not so important, I have the B158B when I need a tiny spot of light at 200meters. I did not found any other zoom flashlight under 15-20$, only cheap “no brand” ones with no specification or fantasy ones: “8000 lumens, 12000 lumens, 120.000 lumens, 10.000.000 lumens…”, nice photoshopped photos of lights that seems more powerful than some helicopter searching spots… I need to make a thread regarding the most fantasy specs and photos of cheap chinese flashlights.
This one is my favourite, 800watt also, you could use this flashlight to heat your bedroom for only 3 dollars…