What are some efficient throwy emitters? Seems generally dedomed emitters are throwy? There are so many brands to choose from nowadays, it’s a bit overwhelming. I would also assume that newer emitters are more efficient just from advancements in tech, but between those, are there some that are just more efficient than others? Feel free to speak to me like a child. Haha
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In the 4mm^2 class: really just one option: the SFT40.
In the 2mm^2 class: SFT25R. Its closest competitor is the Osram CULPM (W2) and YinDing round die 5050, both of which it beats easily.
All of this is for low CRI. Is CRI/CCT a priority for you? If so, list your preferences so that we can get into the specifics.
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What tells if a LED will be a thrower or floodier is the relation LED size/reflector size.
For example:
Wurkkos TS22 xhp 70.2: pure flood
Sofirn SP 70 xhp 70.2: thrower
Of course there are leds which are traditionally used for throwing, like the SFT40, SFT70, SBT90.2, the new hype SFT25R, and maybe you are interested?
IMHO, there is no actual “better” led or flashlight, but there are general and specific scenarios which one light will fit better. For example, for the same size reflectors:
SFT40 x SFT25r: the first will have more lumens, more hotspot and sidespill, but the second will throw farther. Both can be used in pocket size lights.
SBT90.2 vs XHP70.3: the first will throw farther, but with a smaller hotspot and less battery runtime. But both need a large reflector.
Here is my short list:
SBT90.2: Most used in large throwers. About 5000 lumens at 25 amps. Ex. 1300m in a Convoy L7.
XHP70.2: most efficient lumens/watt led. About 5000 lumens at 10 amps. Ex. 740m in Sofirn SP70.
SFT40: Most efficient for pocket lights. About 1800 lumens at 8 amps. Ex. 750m in Convoy C8
SFT25R: Longest throwing for pocket lights. About 1500 lumens at 8 amps. Ex. 1000m in a Convoy C8.
Osram KW CSLPM1.TG: Also very throwy for pocket size lights. About 900 lumens at 3 amps. Ex. 450m in Wuben E6.
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Hi CRI isn’t a priority, as long as it’s not that harsh green tint. I don’t mind more blue.
Thanks! Super helpful info.
I guess I’m looking for a long runtime pocket thrower. I love the form factor of my Convoy S21E because it’s easy to pocket and not bulky. I have a XHP50.3 in both the C8 and S21E and definitely see the difference in throw in the C8, but was wondering if a different emitter in the size of a S21E-like light could produce the same kind of throw.
Good analysis, wanted to add a couple of things:
Not quite. In lm/mm^2 (which is proportional to intensity through a secondary optic), this LED is beaten by SFT40, SFT25R, and all of the Osram offerings. Bigger lights use this LED because it provides a lot more lumens, in exchange for only a slight sacrifice in throw.
There is no reason to use this emitter nowadays, since the SFT25R is available. The Osram loses on sheer output/throw, and previously was favored for having a lower CCT, but now even this advantage is gone as SFT25R is now available in 5000K. Aside from more output/throw, the SFT25R also has a circular die (nicer beam) and more common footprint and robust construction (which means fewer centering and focus issues, and less damage from being dropped).
The Osram W1 (CSLNM) is still in the game, due to the 1mm^2 die being able to sustain throw for a longer time than all of the other emitters.
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It looks like SFT25R is the right emitter for you. It should do around 400m in a S21E, which is not as far as the C8 with XHP50.3 HI, but better than all alternative emitters you could put into S21E.
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By the way, the SFT70 is a somewhat throwy emitter that is very efficient.
I think all the other emitters mentioned in this thread are more throwy, but since the SFT70 is my favorite emitter, I thought that I would mention it.
If the SFT40 throws further than you need, and you want more flood, then the SFT70 is a good choice. 
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Regarding the SBT90.2 you are correct, considering the same reflector size. But IMHO, for real scenario use, I would not use a SFT or Osram in large reflectors, because it would have a useless LEP like beam…
I will edit my original post. Thanks!
Regarding the KW, the Wuben E6 runtime is impressive for AA, and I’m curious to see a AA SFT25R graph to compare…
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Why is it that a smaller emitter results in more throw when compared to a larger emitter in the same reflector?
Edit: Nevermind. Found a thread with this question somewhat answered:
This makes complete sense–large lights require large emitters to be practical. Another advantage of the SBT90.2 in larger lights is that the larger light-emitting surface cares less about imperfections in the reflector (which tend to increase with reflector size), so it might actually throw further despite lower surface intensity.
The E6 is a perplexing light to me. If they plan to only drive it to 900 lumens, a CSLNM (1mm^2) seems a more sensible choice: it barely loses output but almost doubles the intensity. The upcoming Convoy T6, available with SFT25R, is similar to the E6. It is quite a bit more slim but should achieve same/better output/throw.
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That’s a very nice recommendation. In terms of performance, it’s essentially the average of SFT40 and SBT90.2, but less than 1/3 the average price of the two. Though the annoying thing is that it’s 6V and thus requires a different driver from the other LEDs in this discussion.
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Very interesting info.
Here’s an illustration of the effect, credit to djozz. A larger die would have filled the entire reflector without leaving dark patches.
- Because higher number of incident angles would cover the dark patches better?
- This is OP reflector? I would imagine this advantage of a larger LED would be null with a smooth reflector? TIA
- Yes! The dark patches are slightly dis-oriented, i.e., have a focal point that is a bit away from where the emitter is. Thus, a larger emitter covers more of these off-center focal points.
- Smooth reflectors, as is with all objects we make, are imperfect, which essentially makes them very mild OP reflectors.
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I looked at the link… that is among the weirdest leds I’ve seen. It has a (relatively) huge block of clear-something over the emitter. I’m not at all surprised that has a weird beam.
No love for the good 'ol XP-L HI?
iirc the Yinding’s forward voltage are worst than
XP-L HI ; even the w5050sq has higher efficiency number that resemblance the SST40 compare ro those of yinding’s not to mention option of better tint selection of the XP-L HI’s. And what about the XP-P line up.
Cheers 
And yes, REFLECTOR’s design plays the higher role when it comes to the terms 'throw.
Very good suggestion! The XPL-HI should see more popularity than it does now, especially since the new flip-chip generation outperforms the previous. If someone wants the performance of SFT40 in a 3535 footprint, the XPL-HI is perfect for it. It’s less intense than SFT25R, but has more output.