Seeking advice on most efficient moderate lumen optics, driver, led (FT03 or some C8/M21?)

There is a tradeoff between large emitters with high efficiency and low throw (XHP70.2) and small emitters with lower lumens but higher throw (CULPM1). LEDs run happier a low power per area. The XHP35 HI would be in the middle, but the large 3.7V->12V often lowers the efficiency for boost drivers in turbo mode. If you need maximum throw maybe consider the M21C with CULPM1.TG 8A or the equivalent L21A, that 8A driver is a buck, bigger head means more throw. The mode spacing is not so good for the low modes, at the 10% level you would get about 240lm which may be ok for your needs. Mocarny got 132 minutes @ 680lm with a 3000mAh Samsung 30T , another review. Of course efficiency won’t be as good as the XHP70.2 but maybe the throw can compensate.

Edit: C8F 700lm @ 0.39a = 700lm / 1.7W = 400 lm/W is nonsense. Note that the 700lm is claimed by manufacturer, not measured by 1lumen.