High output Single 26650, 21700 or 3×18650 EDC

Yoordie · 2019-04-02T07:04:13.000Z

What are the pros and cons of multiple vs single led

Yoordie · 2019-04-02T07:11:41.000Z

Lightbringer:

C8F-21700.

Actually, never really measured the reflector. Might be ~40mm, not sure.

It’s to thic

Yoordie · 2019-04-02T07:17:36.000Z

mattadores:

BLF Q8 5000 lumen 4x18650 on sale for $45
Best bang for your buck

Flood?
Same as others: emisar D4 $35 or D4S $46 or Fireflies E07 $49 or hold out a bit for the Astrolux MF01 mini

Throw?
BLF GT mini $30 or convoy L6 for $46 or Astrolux FT03 $29

Really, you should buy all of the above! :smiling_imp:

BLF Q8, BLF GT MINI, Astrolux ft03 and Convoy l6 are to big for me. D4(s) and EO7 are looking pretty good.

A_M_K · 2019-04-02T07:31:33.000Z

Haikelite SC26 seems to meet all your requirements.

mattadores · 2019-04-02T14:49:15.000Z

Yoordie:

mattadores:

BLF Q8 5000 lumen 4x18650 on sale for $45
Best bang for your buck

Flood?
Same as others: emisar D4 $35 or D4S $46 or Fireflies E07 $49 or hold out a bit for the Astrolux MF01 mini

Throw?
BLF GT mini $30 or convoy L6 for $46 or Astrolux FT03 $29

Really, you should buy all of the above! :smiling_imp:

BLF Q8, BLF GT MINI, Astrolux ft03 and Convoy l6 are to big for me. D4(s) and EO7 are looking pretty good.

If you’re primary goal is sheer output with the smallest package then Emisar all the way. TBH you should really look at the new D18… it’s 3x18650 and the smallest multi 18650 light ever (basically)… not going to be an edc though.

single emitters use more power than multi emitter lights because the emitter draws more current rather than sharing the workload with other emitters. The cost is that you need expensive optics or shallower/narrower multiple reflectors rather than a single larger reflector. If you want throw then you want a single large as possible reflector or an aspheric optic (not much in the $50 price range for aspheric). it seems more like you just want great output which means the D4 / D4S should be great. You can order a more floody optic right from intl-outdoor when you buy an emisar product.

the biggest difference is that lower emitter count lights with high output tend to be one of the XHP variants which have max output and ugly tint. Most 3-4 minimum multi emitter lights are designed to give us flashaholics choices of great emitters such as the emisar or the fireflies which you can choose Nichias, SST-20s or XPLs

If you want the best price with insane output and smallest package buy the Emisar D4 with 5000k SST-20 at 4200 lumens $35 (your sacrifice is going to be runtime and heat production - it’s a mini flame thrower)
if you want the best price with insane output and some bells/whistles such as extended runtimes and auxillary leds buy the D4S with 5000k HP-L HD V6 3D at 5000 lumens $48 (less heat than D4 but still hot)

If you want to spend more money and gamble on quality go with the fireflies E07 with the 5000K XPL-HI V2 (discount code still available from Neals or BG)

out of those I already own the Fireflies and the only reason why I don’t own the Emisar is because I’m buying the D18 instead of collecting any more lights that are nearly identical (D4S or E07 or MF01 mini are direct competitors that are only ever so slightly different EXCEPT Emisar is leap years ahead in quality control - all are designed very well but fireflies has had a lot of problems and astrolux is quite reliable but not at Emisar levels)

Yoordie · 2019-04-02T15:00:34.000Z

mattadores:

Yoordie:

mattadores:

BLF Q8 5000 lumen 4x18650 on sale for $45
Best bang for your buck

Flood?
Same as others: emisar D4 $35 or D4S $46 or Fireflies E07 $49 or hold out a bit for the Astrolux MF01 mini

Throw?
BLF GT mini $30 or convoy L6 for $46 or Astrolux FT03 $29

Really, you should buy all of the above! :smiling_imp:

BLF Q8, BLF GT MINI, Astrolux ft03 and Convoy l6 are to big for me. D4(s) and EO7 are looking pretty good.

If you’re primary goal is sheer output with the smallest package then Emisar all the way. TBH you should really look at the new D18… it’s 3x18650 and the smallest multi 18650 light ever (basically)… not going to be an edc though.

single emitters use more power than multi emitter lights because the emitter draws more current rather than sharing the workload with other emitters. The cost is that you need expensive optics or shallower/narrower multiple reflectors rather than a single larger reflector. If you want throw then you want a single large as possible reflector or an aspheric optic (not much in the $50 price range for aspheric). it seems more like you just want great output which means the D4 / D4S should be great. You can order a more floody optic right from intl-outdoor when you buy an emisar product.

the biggest difference is that lower emitter count lights with high output tend to be one of the XHP variants which have max output and ugly tint. Most 3-4 minimum multi emitter lights are designed to give us flashaholics choices of great emitters such as the emisar or the fireflies which you can choose Nichias, SST-20s or XPLs

If you want the best price with insane output and smallest package buy the Emisar D4 with 5000k SST-20 at 4200 lumens $35 (your sacrifice is going to be runtime and heat production - it’s a mini flame thrower)
if you want the best price with insane output and some bells/whistles such as extended runtimes and auxillary leds buy the D4S with 5000k HP-L HD V6 3D at 5000 lumens $48 (less heat than D4 but still hot)

If you want to spend more money and gamble on quality go with the fireflies E07 with the 5000K XPL-HI V2 (discount code still available from Neals or BG)

out of those I already own the Fireflies and the only reason why I don’t own the Emisar is because I’m buying the D18 instead of collecting any more lights that are nearly identical (D4S or E07 or MF01 mini are direct competitors that are only ever so slightly different EXCEPT Emisar is leap years ahead in quality control - all are designed very well but fireflies has had a lot of problems and astrolux is quite reliable but not at Emisar levels)

Thank you for your explanation. What if I want both a good flooder and a good thrower should I get a single emitter, multiple emitters or a zoomie?

mattadores · 2019-04-02T16:00:39.000Z

Yoordie:

mattadores:

Yoordie:

mattadores:

BLF Q8 5000 lumen 4x18650 on sale for $45
Best bang for your buck

Flood?
Same as others: emisar D4 $35 or D4S $46 or Fireflies E07 $49 or hold out a bit for the Astrolux MF01 mini

Throw?
BLF GT mini $30 or convoy L6 for $46 or Astrolux FT03 $29

Really, you should buy all of the above! :smiling_imp:

BLF Q8, BLF GT MINI, Astrolux ft03 and Convoy l6 are to big for me. D4(s) and EO7 are looking pretty good.

If you’re primary goal is sheer output with the smallest package then Emisar all the way. TBH you should really look at the new D18… it’s 3x18650 and the smallest multi 18650 light ever (basically)… not going to be an edc though.

single emitters use more power than multi emitter lights because the emitter draws more current rather than sharing the workload with other emitters. The cost is that you need expensive optics or shallower/narrower multiple reflectors rather than a single larger reflector. If you want throw then you want a single large as possible reflector or an aspheric optic (not much in the $50 price range for aspheric). it seems more like you just want great output which means the D4 / D4S should be great. You can order a more floody optic right from intl-outdoor when you buy an emisar product.

the biggest difference is that lower emitter count lights with high output tend to be one of the XHP variants which have max output and ugly tint. Most 3-4 minimum multi emitter lights are designed to give us flashaholics choices of great emitters such as the emisar or the fireflies which you can choose Nichias, SST-20s or XPLs

If you want the best price with insane output and smallest package buy the Emisar D4 with 5000k SST-20 at 4200 lumens $35 (your sacrifice is going to be runtime and heat production - it’s a mini flame thrower)
if you want the best price with insane output and some bells/whistles such as extended runtimes and auxillary leds buy the D4S with 5000k HP-L HD V6 3D at 5000 lumens $48 (less heat than D4 but still hot)

If you want to spend more money and gamble on quality go with the fireflies E07 with the 5000K XPL-HI V2 (discount code still available from Neals or BG)

out of those I already own the Fireflies and the only reason why I don’t own the Emisar is because I’m buying the D18 instead of collecting any more lights that are nearly identical (D4S or E07 or MF01 mini are direct competitors that are only ever so slightly different EXCEPT Emisar is leap years ahead in quality control - all are designed very well but fireflies has had a lot of problems and astrolux is quite reliable but not at Emisar levels)

Thank you for your explanation. What if I want both a good flooder and a good thrower should I get a single emitter, multiple emitters or a zoomie?

I like zoomies, others do and don’t but there simply aren’t many and more important: there’s virtually none in an EDC format. they’re typically 6-8” and about 1.5” wide head

single vs multi emitter isn’t what you should focus on. The variables you need to consider are:
tint - both the kelvin temperature (cool, warm, very warm) and the color (1A or 3D or 5A see figure 1 and figure 2)
if you determine you don’t care about tint and want max output, cool white is always brightest and also washes all colors out and appears quite blue on the edges. If you’re fine with that then XHP50.2 or 70.2 emitters provide the most output and should be your choice (single or multi doesn’t matter with quad diode leds)
if you determine you do care about tint, you dislike cool white and want to represent colors as much as possible then you’re going to automatically end up with multi emitter high cri or better cri lights that use things like XPL-HI, SST-20 or Nichia
throw - how far do you want to throw? For an EDC 200 meters is a lot more than you’ll typically ever need and most of the options above reach that far not by design but by sheer force of their output (3000+ lumens). If you decide you need to see things 350+ meters away then the Emisar D1 or D1S or BLF GT mini or GT micro will be your best options but you’re not going to light up much in front or around you

IMO an EDC is 99% of the time used for flood lighting. Dark place you want to ceiling/wall bounce, looking underneath or behind objects or lighting up to 20 meters in front of you in the dark. If that’s what you’re looking for then you’ll never use 5000 lumens except for showing off. I can walk my dogs at night and light up 35 meters in front of me easily with 500 lumens and when I feel like making it almost daylight I use 1000-1500 lumens but even at those outputs I aim the light significantly down so I’m not pouring light into peoples windows. If that sounds like what you want then highest lumens doesn’t matter and you should focus on a good tint with highest CRI available and you’ll love your choice! There’s a lot more variables such as hot spot, diffused hot spot, light coverage, the list goes on forever but to me the above is the most important.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Yoordie · 2019-04-02T16:02:35.000Z

Is there a thread about the output and different specs of all emitters. I have a hard time figuring the pros and cons of each individual emitter.

Pete7874 · 2019-04-02T16:11:02.000Z

What are you going to be using this flashlight for? If you state your intended purpose, then this may help others recommend suitable products.

Yoordie · 2019-04-02T16:39:07.000Z

Pete7874:

What are you going to be using this flashlight for? If you state your intended purpose, then this may help others recommend suitable products.

EDC (indoor, outdoor(forest, parks)) but I would like to have at least 200 meter of throw. Output is more important than tint and cri for me personally.
The Sofirn SP33 XHP50.2 and Lumintop odf30c seem to be suitable.

mattadores · 2019-04-02T16:41:27.000Z

Pete7874:

What are you going to be using this flashlight for? If you state your intended purpose, then this may help others recommend suitable products.

+1

I’ve looked for a single comparison thread and not found one yet. It’s also much easier and less confusing to identify a handful of lights that you’d consider buying and then research only the emitters available for those lights. If you review a massive list you’ll likely find exactly the emitter you want but then never be able to find a light that uses that emitter and has the specs you want

the closest thing available is Bluzies phenomenal 1000+ individual beamshot comparison taken at the same location for each one.

Bluzies beamshots

Yoordie · 2019-04-02T16:47:26.000Z

mattadores:

+1

I’ve looked for a single comparison thread and not found one yet. It’s also much easier and less confusing to identify a handful of lights that you’d consider buying and then research only those emitters rather than a massive list so big you’ll find exactly the one you want but never find a light using them with the specs you want

the closest thing available is Bluzies phenomenal 1000+ individual beamshot comparison taken at the same location for each one.

Bluzies beamshots

It’s just difficult to garther some knowledge about emitters. I did look at every 26650 flashlight form the review guide and it’s huge. 21700 hasn’t got its own list so it’s even more difficult.

mattadores · 2019-04-02T16:53:31.000Z

Yoordie:

Pete7874:

What are you going to be using this flashlight for? If you state your intended purpose, then this may help others recommend suitable products.

EDC (indoor, outdoor(forest, parks)) but I would like to have at least 200 meter of throw. Output is more important than tint and cri for me personally.
The Sofirn SP33 XHP50.2 and Lumintop odf30c seem to be suitable.

lol now you’ve got us confused. You said previously that the BLF Q8 was way to big. the Sofirn SP33 is basically a Q8.

Both of those lights you suggested are also a lot over your initial budget of $50…

If you’re cool with the Sofirn SP33 size and you want absolutely killer output… trust me, look at the brand new (released March 1st 2019) Emisar D18… 14 000 lumens, Emisar quality, 3x18650 and it’s the smallest 3x18650 flash light ever… I’m pretty confident if you want something amazing with over 10 000 lumens there’s nothing better available under $200 (the D18 is only $99)

Yoordie · 2019-04-02T17:05:24.000Z

mattadores:

Yoordie:

Pete7874:

What are you going to be using this flashlight for? If you state your intended purpose, then this may help others recommend suitable products.

EDC (indoor, outdoor(forest, parks)) but I would like to have at least 200 meter of throw. Output is more important than tint and cri for me personally.
The Sofirn SP33 XHP50.2 and Lumintop odf30c seem to be suitable.

lol now you’ve got us confused. You said previously that the BLF Q8 was way to big. the Sofirn SP33 is basically a Q8.

Both of those lights you suggested are also a lot over your initial budget of $50…

If you’re cool with the Sofirn SP33 size and you want absolutely killer output… trust me, look at the brand new (released March 1st 2019) Emisar D18… 14 000 lumens, Emisar quality, 3x18650 and it’s the smallest 3x18650 flash light ever… I’m pretty confident if you want something amazing with over 10 000 lumens there’s nothing better available under $200 (the D18 is only $99)

BLF Q8 has a 59 mm head, Sofirn SP33 has a 36 mm head. 23mm difference. Sofirn SP33 is about $25.

teacher · 2019-04-02T17:15:40.000Z

The Sofirn SP33 is a very good one IMO. I love mine.

I don’t have one yet, but the Convoy S11 looks interesting also.

Yoordie · 2019-04-02T17:21:35.000Z

teacher:

The Sofirn SP33 is a very good one IMO. I love mine.

I don’t have one yet, but the Convoy S11 looks interesting also.

I’m waiting for a review before I pull the trigger but Simon’s flashlights have never disappointed me. I’m also hyped for the 21700 tubelight coming in the near future.

Pete7874 · 2019-04-02T17:25:45.000Z

mattadores:

lol now you’ve got us confused. You said previously that the BLF Q8 was way to big. the Sofirn SP33 is basically a Q8.

Huh? SP33 is a single 26650 light. Q8 is a 4x18650 light.

Yoordie · 2019-04-02T17:28:04.000Z

Pete7874:

mattadores:

lol now you’ve got us confused. You said previously that the BLF Q8 was way to big. the Sofirn SP33 is basically a Q8.

Huh? SP33 is a single 26650 light. Q8 is a 4x18650 light.

I almost thought I had a huge brainfart.

mattadores · 2019-04-02T18:15:22.000Z

Yoordie:

mattadores:

Yoordie:

Pete7874:

What are you going to be using this flashlight for? If you state your intended purpose, then this may help others recommend suitable products.

EDC (indoor, outdoor(forest, parks)) but I would like to have at least 200 meter of throw. Output is more important than tint and cri for me personally.
The Sofirn SP33 XHP50.2 and Lumintop odf30c seem to be suitable.

lol now you’ve got us confused. You said previously that the BLF Q8 was way to big. the Sofirn SP33 is basically a Q8.

Both of those lights you suggested are also a lot over your initial budget of $50…

If you’re cool with the Sofirn SP33 size and you want absolutely killer output… trust me, look at the brand new (released March 1st 2019) Emisar D18… 14 000 lumens, Emisar quality, 3x18650 and it’s the smallest 3x18650 flash light ever… I’m pretty confident if you want something amazing with over 10 000 lumens there’s nothing better available under $200 (the D18 is only $99)

BLF Q8 has a 59 mm head, Sofirn SP33 has a 36 mm head. 23mm difference. Sofirn SP33 is about $25.

Tell me where! :money_mouth_face:

I checked BG and the SP33 came up at $107 CAD!

mattadores · 2019-04-02T18:19:15.000Z

Pete7874:

mattadores:

lol now you’ve got us confused. You said previously that the BLF Q8 was way to big. the Sofirn SP33 is basically a Q8.

Huh? SP33 is a single 26650 light. Q8 is a 4x18650 light.

LOL it all makes so much sense now! lol I googled it rather than using the BG search bar and sure enough it took me to the SP36…. I see the light now!

I like both of those choices also and would also recommend them… but if it were my money I’d get the D4S