The new D1S will outthrow the GT Mini with over 300kcd…That’s a lot, if throw is one of the criteria with these two hrowers. 
GT Mini every time over those Emisars.
I still reckon that model shape is one of the ugliest torches around.
The Mini is just a lovely baby L2/L6.
GT Mini is rated IP68 water resistant (2m for 30 min IIRC) , D1S is IP67 (1m for 30 min).
Id get the GT just for that reason personally.
Ive got the DS1 and two GT minis. I’ve got the short tube on one of the minis. It’s a close call the DS1 has possibly the smallest bit more throw, but virtually a tie. The GT has the optional small tube. I like the angular look of the DS1 but prefer the feel of the GT. The gray DS1 I have has the finish like a chalkboard. The GT mini is smooth and comfortable in the hand and seems to slide in and out of the pocket easier.
I have the GT mini and really like it, but don’t have any experience with the Emisars.
300kcd seems high for this size, I would have thought that they would be pretty equal in throw given the specs:
–50mm head
-FET+1 driver(?)
-XPL HI
Or do you mean the D1s can be modified to 300kcd?
You can get the D1s in a warm tint if you want, so maybe a point for Emisar there
mrmatt:
That’s with white flat, not XP-L HI:
I have both and agree with most folks on here. The Emissar D1S throws ever so so slightly better with just a touch more concentrated beam. The overall length of the D1S is shorter but really they are VERY close to the same in performance. I like my Emissars a LOT!!!
Yes. Thanks for the link.
Any reason not to use that for comparison? It will best a GT Mini easily. No mods needed.
I mean if looks are more important or water resistance; we haven’t seen the new D1S or it’s stats yet; give it a week or so to be released. Either way I’m looking at outdoor throw; not diving or beauty contests
GT mini has backlit button and NarsilM software makes it possible to blink out all the information like battery voltage and temperature through the button. You don’t get that with RampingOS, nor Emisars have backlit button. I really like this feature of GT mini, much more elegant then using main emiter for that.
You also have the option of using 18350 tube what I also personally like. I also prefer GT mini anodization to my D1 (I don’t own D1S though).
On the other hand Emisars will have better after sale support and I think they’re just a little bit more reliable (GT mini had issues with the switch in the first batches). Also reportedly reflector is finished to higher standard.
I also prefer much stiffer action of my D1 button to the mushy soft GT mini switch.
I’d say but one that you like more visually.
The obvious answer is to just bite the bullet and get both. Trust me, you hang around here long enough and you’ll see.
You’ll get A. After a while, you’ll be wondering about B, and finally go and get B to have both. Or you’ll get B, blah blah blah, then get A.
Then you’ll wonder “wotnahell do I need both for?”, but come across a great price for A and/or B, and get another A and/or B, just because it’s at a great price.
Save yourself the pain. Just like ripping off a Band-Aid™, just do it all at once and get it over with.
For practical use a beam with cd/lumen that high will be VERY narrow, thats not always what people are looking for even with a dedicated thrower.
Just look at the interest in the GT70 and XHP70 versions of the Astrolux throwers.
And if you want to muddy the mix, you can play around with any C8 variant (C8+, C8T, C8F), a P30, lots of nice throwers that are bigger/throwier or smaller/more_pocketable.
Clear out some shelf space, tell your kids college isn’t everything, and start buying.
D1s for better built quality and qc.
I like the eagle eye x6 xpl hi as a compact thrower
I like the GT mini for feel. The Emisar just has an odd shape to me. Emisar may out throw the Lumintop but I cant imagine it is a lot. I vote GT Mini.
Tiny “pencil” beams are not the best choice for anything really.
Practicality wise. Apart from the 8% of us that like such.
Those C8’s are perfect examples why.
Nothing. With a tiny blob miles away. Or
a not so bright, not so far. not so tiny blob,
BUT, you can see to walk there.
Personal choice.
My Imalent DN 35 or 70. Every day of the week.
Or a modern late model Sofurn C8.
Depends on where you live… I’ve been on property out in the Dakotas and Iowa where you could see miles in almost any direction. I would definitely want a very throwy light available all the time out there, especially with how many coyotes they can get in some areas.
If you’re illuminating something 100+ meters away that “pencil” beam becomes a large, usable hotspot pretty quickly.
I do like the beam profile of the C8-sized light with a larger and domed emitter most of the time here though. I’d sacrifice some throw for a wider beam. Some removable DC Fix/window film on the lens can do something similar and be removable when you need the range though too which is always nice.
And unless you want an überbright beam’s spill washing out the immediate area in front of you (and killing your ability to see what’s so far away in the beam’s hotspot), the lack of spill from a zoomie can come in quite handy.
Both are wonderful lights, built extremely well with killer smooth ramping UIs. To the end user I would say these are about an even match, I would get whichever one suits your need the best. I went with the BLF GT Mini, due to I liked the button backlight and liking that I can check battery voltage. Also with the great deals on the GT Mini it is usually cheaper also.
This is the exact reason I’ve actually been looking into building a zoomie or waiting till LEP light prices drop significantly. There’s something to be said for sending light ONLY where you need it.