Hi
Whats the best throw flashlight 50 bucks can buy theese days?
a Convoy C8 with XPL HI throws rather well, it has just th right weight/size ratio and aerodynamics to be thrown pretty far 
No joking, it s a nice thrower though and half of the price you mention.
in your budget think this one is more of a dedicated thrower:
http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_555780.html
and with shipping to France this one is exactly your price for me:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Jaxman-X1-CREE-XPL-HI-26650-18650-LED-flashlight-torch-Hunting/32601972095.html
I have the host, really beautiful light.
Jaxman X1 SMO XPL HI
Oh wauw, Jaxman has ade a longer 2 cell version with XHP50 in several tints and OP reflector. just $1.71 over budget but dang! looking good.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Jaxman-X1-flood-version-CREE-XML2-XHP50-26650-18650-LED-flashlight-torch-Hunting/32758356587.html
Jaxman X1 OP XML2(short) XHP50 (with extension tube)
Do you want something big or small … if you’re after something you can stick in your pocket a Manker T01 is a good option.
Straight stock throw, no mods required… Brinyte B158, make sure you get the XPL-HI version though. Its a de-focusable zoom optic so its also useful for short range use.
http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_390897.html?wid=21
If you are not afraid of a little DIY… Big reflector or big aspheric with an XP-L HI. If you want a bit more hard core DIY replace the XP-L with a de-domed XP-G2.
In that budget a UF-1504 or Convoy L2 paired up with a FET driver. The 1504 is a de-focusable zoom opticso its also good for short-range use. The L2 is a really well made, high quality host on par with the B158 in this regard. IMHO the 1504 is a little “sloppy” feeling by comparison…. not alarmingly so mind you, just a little bit. Both the 1504 and L2 are 26650 or 18650 via cell adapter.
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_106&product_id=793
Richard also has de-doming services so domed emitters like this XPL-HI V6 might also be an option for a little more $$$.
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_106&product_id=643
[EDIT] FT has an L2 version with an XPL-HI emitter standard, its a V2 flux bin and pale tint though, and I am not sure what the drive current is.
https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10002364/4694300-convoy-l2-led-flashlight
Cool thing about the B158 is GB sells bare pills seprately so you can DIY whatever LED and driver you want.
http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_269088.html?wid=21
+1 for L2 with XP-L HI and FET driver
Nitecore P30 with coupon araoumd 40$
Seems like this question is coming up on a daily basis now… see best budget 18650 thrower? for example.
Time for an FAQ? 
K.
Might be time for a FAQ/sticky of this subject with both stock and modded versions of these lights
That thread is about an 18650 thrower…
This thread is just about a “budget” thrower…
Completely different topics.
I’m talking about this thread, this question comes up once sometime twice a daily. Almost exactly the same best thrower for under 50ish dollars
I think a FAQ/sticky of all throwers from their bone stock to modded potential and cost of both and estimate lux/yards should be made. Would simplify things.
Convoy c8 xpl hi stock roughly 250+ yards. $20, modded, noctigon, spring bypasses, driver. $15 extra if you do it yourself. Throw 500+ yards. Total cost $35 if you do it yourself etc. And go down the list of throwers to around 50ish dollars since its always that dollar amount
Even though I was talking about this thread it can go for all similar ones. Just about any light can be a 18650 thrower. Not many lights smaller that are considered a thrower and anything larger can take a 18650 cell with a spacer. Whether included with the light or made with PVC or cardboard.
But yes it should be made in one thread in the first post easily seen. Maybe someone can make a chart up The different battery types. To me 18650/26650 the line the blurred since 18650 can work in both bit for the sake of new members separate lists is probably better
Then someone should make a more general topic.
Best 18650 thrower, best 26650 thrower, best 14500 thrower, best zoomie thrower, best thrower under $50, best under $25, etc etc etc
Pinning a thread like this one will only answer this specific question, not all the questions 
Just did sand down the stock gasket on my C8 XPL Hi half a mm
The spot is a bit smaller more sharp and the very faint ring around the corona is gone
Still a bit larger than on my Klarus XT12GT which has same reflector size but a larger LED
But still those Nitecore or Klarus reflectors are a lot nicer, dont know what it is but the hotspot is tight and small
Yeah I’m very impressed by the beam produced in the XT12GT, it is just so clean and the hotspot size is smaller smaller and more defined than a C8 with XPL HI.
Isn’t the point of using the XHP35 HI (over the XPL HI) to have a larger hotspot with the same throw?
For my distances I really like the xpl hi around 5 amps. But my best c8 thrower is the xpg2 s4 2b dedomed old style direct driven. Followed by dedomed xml2 u4 1c. But for 100-200 yards the xpl hi really lights things up
That is my theoretical understanding of it as well. In terms of spot brightness, wouldn’t it heavily depend on the flux BINs used? The XHP 35 HI is 4 de-domed XP-E2 dies correct? Does the brightest BIN XP-E2 have a brighter surface than the brightest flux XPL HI?
Yes the bin of the LED and how hard its driven would affect the performance.
The XHP35 HI is close to 2.5mm across, which makes each die 1.25mm across. I think the XPE2 die is 1mm across.