What are the top 3 must have 18650 budget lights?

[bose301s]

I am a huge fan of my UltraFire UF-T50 and Shadow JM07 Pro. Both of those are a little more expensive than a lot of the lights in this thread though.

[edc]

single cell

Kdc8 xml

Tf x9

2100

SF L2T with 3 mode manafont drop in

Uf H3

Don't limit yourself to 3

[fishinfool]

Anything Solarforce in a 18650 would be my choice. My fave is the L2P.

[Speedsix]

I wasn’t limiting myself to just three. I just wanted to see what the good ones were by how often they are included in your votes. What was hot 1-2 years ago may have been replaced by something much better now. My knowledge of 18650 is limited.

[CheapThrills]

@oldbobk

Speedsix,

Honestly, one of these, any one of them, may be all you'll ever need. Any other light will be disappointing. You can get brighter lights, but you'll have to spend a lot more. And P60 lights? Forget them! Oh, they have their uses as weapon lights, but if you have a C8 and a P60 on the shelf, increasingly the P60 will get left behind. The P60 is a relic, a more economical Surefire, if you will. Now there is no reason to put up with the intentionally poor heatsinking (the Surefires started out as incans) and impaired light output due to the reflector size.

Funny, when I still had some C8's, they were left on the shelf more often.

I guess the reason was larger size, too throwy for general use and my P60's just seemed to always have the best driver + LED -combo soldered in. :)

I still agree: for long runs in high power P60 is not the best choice, it loses some power because of heat.

Reflector is also small, not throwy and light can be still made smaller if needed.

[Boaz]

@Speedsix

I have a Fandyfire HD2011. I like it but would like one smaller for general carry. I also want a thrower since the Fandyfire is more flood. Ideally, i would like a forward clicky with pocket clip and only two modes. High and low. In as small a package as possible. This would be my ideal pocket thrower.

that should have shut down 99% of the comments right there

You already have a small 18650 light with the hd2011/about the same as the uf 2100.

You won't get any light to give you more throw in this form factor or smaller unless you change emitters..the only answer I'm guessing is an xpg S-mini . i think trooplewis has one ,you might want to ask him .i thought ric from cqg had a host the same size or a S mini clone ...?? If you want two mode You may need to make it yourself

[taz]

Are there any differences between the HD2011 and the 2100? I've seen the 2100 at least from FandyFire, UniqueFire, Ultrafire...

[cehowardGS]

IMO..and all my lights have to have a short form factor as they are all for bicycle applications.

Keygos Ke-5 for under $20 shipped

Keygos M10 for under $23 shipped.

JM05 CLONE FROM DX for $25 shipped. http://www.dealextreme.com/p/new-260-cree-xm-l-t6-5-mode-1000lm-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-1-x-18650-1-x-26650-121481

[BetweenRides]

@taz

Are there any differences between the HD2011 and the 2100? I've seen the 2100 at least from FandyFire, UniqueFire, Ultrafire...

And don't forget the Yezl Z1.

[taz]

@BetweenRides

@taz

Are there any differences between the HD2011 and the 2100? I've seen the 2100 at least from FandyFire, UniqueFire, Ultrafire...

And don't forget the Yezl Z1.

That's also a clone? Great, so all perform the same or one stick out of the lot?

For 18650 I also like the TR801, the Roche F12 and this one.

[keltex78]

As you are looking for budget offerings, I'll go like the others and say:

1. P60 host of your choice with MF 3-mode XML dropin
2. XM-L C8
3. UF 2100 (I don't own this one, but would like to)

Kicking things up a notch from the budget territory:

1. STL-V2 or similiar
2. Trustfire TR-3T6 or J12
3. P60 host of your choice with MF 3-mode XML dropin

I don't have the first two from this list; they are on my short list of lights I want though...