My first expensive light was downloads pocket rocket 6th run 10 years ago. Back then 600 lumens from a single 18650 with a SST-50 was considered rocket science. Set me back USD 130:-

5 years later a splashed out around USD 200:- for a Noctigon M43 Meteor. Superb quality, but I never got to grips with the UI.

Otherwise I’ve mostly stayed below USD 50:, with a few splashes around USD 100:.