The MPP 1 is going to out throw a lot of big hit lights, it's just not going to light up the target as well.
The XinTD L2 is slightly brighter than my M8 but the M8 out throws it noticeably.
Honestly; when you consider throw, demonstrated reliability, ruggedness and price, you could do a lot worse than an M8. A lot of people here own one and it is a respected flashlight. For the demand criteria listed, this is not the time to experiment with an unproven design.
Of course there are other proven designs that would do the job . . . .
This is exactly why I ask recommendations, you guys always seems to know what parameters can be questioned to get the most for the least amount of $$$.
I think MPP1 can be one option, even if it does not have XM-L.
Good throw, fair price, good quality and good selection of spareparts make it worth thinking of.
Does it make a difference in brightness when driven only with 1 x 18650?
What would the euntime be like when used with 2 x 18650?
The MPP 1 works up to 16 volts so, it will actually run up to 4 18650s. It is pretty well regulated with only a small brightness increase with more batteries. I'll have to go find my old MPP 1 review - can't remember how many amps it pulled but if it's like most Solarforce lights, it's probably a little under-driven. Run time therefore with say, three 18650s will be quite a long time. It does make for a long flashlight, however and of course, 'tain't the brightest thrower there is.
One thing I will say; some of my flashlights have serious wow factor when it comes to sheer lumens but nothing in my humble collection throws as far as the MPP 1. It has phenomenal reach.
At work now so just shortly:
had some talk with my friend. XR-E might do it but we will think about it.
One chance is, that I’m maybe ordering Xin-td to myself, he could test it to see, if it has enough guts.
Yes. It comes with two tailcaps. The tactical switch is high mode only, on/off and is the brightest setting. If you are in a hurry, Lighthound will ship it out immediately and you can expect delivery in 2, maybe 3 days. With discount, it is only about $5 more. SF Sales ships pretty quick too though, 6-10 days.
Really nice quality light. I love mine. Versatile too, can run on 1 battery or 2. 1 battery mode is slightly less bright, but hardly noticible. Foy's review on the light is excellent - biggest reason I bought it. Well, that and it is a damn good looking light.
Edit: You know, it's really nice to talk about flashlights for a change, ain't it?
If I remember right, the M8 was slightly less bright with the AI switch. I never use it. For me, these bigger lights need modes even less than a small torch.
Because I've never liked blinkys, I'm sure fate will someday land me in the middle of the desert at night with a single mode M8 and no ability to SOS a passing plane . . . . or induce an epileptic event in a nocturnal gila monster.
But I bought it from DX, as last week there was a group buy offer from DX, cost $29 only. I don't know if this SmallSun version has a nice driver, but for its price I would just give it a try. If it's not satisfied I would consider swapping its driver.
Well, I bought it from DX, and the modes description in DX is High-mid-strobe, I doubt if they use different driver. The modes arrangement is irritating and without a low mode, but I will see when it arrive.
a guy told, who has this light, it's not a simple high-strobe-sos, if you switch on the light and hold the button longer, the light will switch to low mode, and if you hold the button even longer the brightness will change stepless.