I've had a Small Sun ZY-T08 for a while but haven't really liked it that much. Then I received my SS ZY-T13 from the recent WB sale and I am finding myself really liking this one. I like the form factor and the way it balances in my hand, not to mention the nice beam. So I'm stoked to get another light in the same form factor, and very likely one of the following:
I would like to read what everyone likes or dislikes about these lights. I'm interested in everyone's opinion, but I also hope to get some input from some who have purchased any of the above lights in the last few months.
I'm leaning towards the LM Sky Ray STL-V2 because it claims to have the two mode groups and, this is silly I know, part of this is about playing catch-up and collecting some older lights that were popular in their time. I know there are many newer lights with more throw, and I hope to own some eventually, but I want to do it in progression, buying lights with successively more throw. I may be wrong (and I welcome corrections) but I think the next step after the T13 is the STL-V2/V6. I would also like to know what others think is the next progression after the STL-V2 level.
I guess I should also mention that I have an HD2010 already. It throws too, but because of its bright spill/flood I don't include it, or lights like it, in this group of throwers I hope to collect.
Do you think that the HD2010 has too much spill/flood?
If so, at least from little I know, it sounds like you want something like a dedicated thrower….
I don’t have one, but a lot of folks who like throwers like the Jacob A60. From what I’ve read, that has very little spill/flood and throws pretty well.
Edit: Also, take a look at One Stop Throw Shop (http://www.onestopthrowshop.com/). They take lights and optimize them for throw…
Where did you purchase yours from, and how long ago? The one from DX claims to be driven at 2.8A. Have you measured the tail cap current on either of them?
Good advice at all times, but I really want the mode group feature.
I like my HD2010, but the spill hides the effect of its throw. I have looked at the A60 and may get one later, but right now its the STL-V2 style that I'm looking at. Yup, OSTS has some killers, but if I got one of those it would ruin the fun of getting lesser lights. That's why I want to collect them in order of their output. Thanks for the suggestions though.
That's a wicked looking light for sure, but not really what I'm after right now. Thanks for the link. I've added it to my list.
Go with the FastTech STL-V6. It has the two mode groups and is a very good thrower. Only complaint is some protected 18650s won't fit as they are too long.
stl-v6 is indeed a good light, I hate the forward clicky though. I would add the convoy l2 to the list if I were you too, but with one caveat, get a 20mm noctigon mounted xp-g2 from ios at the same time, you may thank me later for the results, my nw alu mounted version kills every other thrower I own, has a nicer tint, useful but not too bright spill and is just plain awesome.
I’d stay away from Uniquefire, outside looks exactly like SkyRay but internals are different, build quality is lower and throws less. Fandyfire from Fasttech looks like exact copy of original Skyray (3 or 5 modes, GITD oring), while Skyray from Lightmalls looks like a knock-off (chinese copying chinese). Don’t know much about the Convoy but it’s big, heavy 2x26650 light. Throwy but I don’t think it would beat good old STL-V2.
XP-G2 in both L2 or STL-V2 would throw like crazy but I don’t think it’s safe for longer use. And I don’t think OP is ready or wants to mod his light.
PS. I see you have ZY-T13, it’s a decent thrower but slightly underdriven. I don’t think any of lights mentioned here would outthrow it significantly.
So we have in stock form, both driven the same, u2 in the l2, bigger reflector, decent heat sinking in both, ar lense in the l2.
Sorry but off the shelf, my monies on the l2, with an xp-g2 in my l2 annihilates my stl-v6 in throw and the spill barely loses out either. Plus my l2 has a nw emitter, I didn’t even get a high bin cw white one :bigsmile:
That's good to know in advance. I have some shorter cells I think will work.
I'm of two minds about forward clickies. It's nice to be able to select the mode in advance, but it's a PITA having to turn it off when I want to change modes. I've wanted an l2 for a while now and your comparison beam shot pretty much sealed the deal. It will very likely be my next buy after this one. Thanks for the pointer to the xp-g2 at IOS - noted for future use.
Thanks for the negatives on some of these. Knowing what not to buy eliminates contenders and makes a decision easier. There may indeed be very little difference between the T08, T13 and STL-V2/V6. I suspect there isn't, from what I've read about these lights. But I already had the T08, got the T13 on an Instant Kill and have read so much about the V2/V6 that I just have to own one. So I'll get to find out for myself.
I am modding two of my C8s right now and am researching potential mods to the T08 and T13. I want to order a light after this post and then I'm going to order the Convoy l2 and noctigon/xp-g2 in a couple of weeks. When I have all four in my hands I want to do some comparison white wall beam shots. Then I hope to mod some of them and then take more comparison beam shots so that I can do a before and after comparison of all four lights.
Everyone, thanks for all of your comments - they have been very helpful! I was leaning towards the LM Skyray and now I've decided to get the FF STL-V6 from FT. You like it, OSTS chose to work with it and it's the cheapest of the bunch. I'll update this thread as I receive the lights and make comparisons. Thanks again!
I really want to do a large reflectored light with an XP-G2 on copper pushed hard (4A?). Thinking to do this with the ZY-T13 I won from DayLighter's giveaway.
I am concerned with the specs though. DX says its 60cm but a review below it says 54cm. Can someone from here confirm which is correct? Otherwise (sorry OP for the thread hijack), is there a 1 x 18650 thrower light with >/= 60cm in head diameter?
Edit: checked the Convoy L2 out and it can do 1 x 18650. It’s on the list! Hopefully it is still for sale by the time my trip may be over by December this year.
. So I'm stoked to get another light in the same form factor, and very likely one of the following:
.
That's why I want to collect them in order of their output. Thanks for the suggestions though.
. Thanks for the pointer to the xp-g2 at IOS - noted for future use.
