Working my way up - Mid-range thrower

spudley112 · 2019-11-04T01:05:32.000Z

ValuseekeR:

Congrats on all the new lights. Would love to here your thoughts on the C8+, GT Mini, and FT03. I’ve been close to pulling the trigger on all of them.

Usually don’t “need” a lot of throw, but I still get the itch from time to time. Right now the SS BLF Kronos X6 is my throwiest light. It’s pretty sweet, but also a bit outdated and heavy as hell lol.

The Convoy C8+ is a great little light. For a light you could put in a jacket pocket…or tucked into your back pocket, it has a lot of power. Keep in mind that up to this point I have not had a lot of experience with these types of lights. Many of my lights are super small (AAA, AA etc) lights mainly good for ease of carry. The lights I have owned in the past do not hold a candle (haha) to the lights we have available now. Just let me say, I don’t feel like I am missing out on anything by owning the C8.

When I get my FT03 and BLF GT, I may feel differently, but like may here would probably tell you, there are few lights out there that can do absolutely everything. I am very happy that I bought the C8…it was definitely a welcome surprise.

Lightbringer · 2019-11-04T01:10:28.000Z

As long as you keep in mind that an Überthrower is nigh useless close-in, they’re still nice to have around.

Close-in, the spill would be quite dim relative to the concentrated hotspot, that the hotspot would wash out any semblance of night-vision to see what’s in the spill, whether bright or dim. It’s almost like shining a laser in your path.

That said, keep a flooder for close-in viewing (dark trail, etc.), while the second light, a thrower, will be able to light up what’s off in the distance that your flooder couldn’t even hope to reach.

Eg, over the summer I brought an assortment of lights to show the gf, and my GTmini seemed anæmic shining on the ground, such a teenytiny hotspot on black asphalt. Yet it lit up the trees in the distance very nicely.

My DC7, throwier than my BLF (vs Sofirn) Q8s, going full tilt, almost blinded both of us up close, but couldn’t reach those trees to save its life.

People often make that same mistake, thinking that one light will be able to do it all.

spudley112 · 2019-11-04T01:19:08.000Z

Great point. I usually have my Thrunite T1 in pocket. It is a great portable floody light. I just bought a Sofirn SP31 from a member here and I have to say it is pretty close to being my “jack of all tades” at the moment. It has some great throw and works out really well on evening walks.

I think a lot of my desire for a super thrower is the same as when I owned a sport bike. Do I really NEED to go 200mph? No, but the possibility is there.

Besides, I might need to light up the next town over if they lose power.

Lightbringer · 2019-11-04T01:19:05.000Z

Throwing in here once more… I pocket both my Nitecore MH20 and my Xeno E03. It’s WW and has diffusion film on it, so it’s a nice wiiiiiiiiiide even flood. For most of what I use a light for in a pinch, the E03 seems handier, as most quick dashes for a light happen up close. So it may seem redundant to carry 2 lights (3rd, an SP32Av2 on my bag) is probably overkill, I don’t want to be caught without a beefier light like the ’20 for more “reach”, and much longer brightness and runtime… and onboard charging.

In fact, being that the regular MH20 is semi-floody, I could get the best of both worlds with the MH20GT (throw+flood) instead, but I’m happy with the MH20.

Lightbringer · 2019-11-04T01:27:42.000Z

Yeah, one more… :person_facepalming:

A lotta people bitch’n’moan about Nitecores being horribly CW, but even comparing it side-by-side with my WK30 (with its wonderful ’351 under the hood), the MH20 is actually a bit warmer than the WK30!

Again, dunno if it came with a NW option, or if I just won the CT/tint lottery, but I’m really really happy with it.

Oh, and moonlight is phenomenal on it. It ain’t firefly mode (I wish people’d make that distinction, and not want 0.00015lm “moonlight” mode), but it’s quite low and still quite useful.

spudley112 · 2019-11-04T01:30:21.000Z

I appreciate all the input I can get. I am in the learning phase and every bit of insight is appreciated.

Lightbringer · 2019-11-04T01:45:26.000Z

Skip all the advice above and do this.

Buy one.

Buy another.

Rinse, repeat.

You’ll eventually find one you’ll really like… ’til a “better” one comes along.

ValuseekeR · 2019-11-04T02:19:11.000Z

spudley112:

The Convoy C8+ is a great little light. For a light you could put in a jacket pocket…or tucked into your back pocket, it has a lot of power…

Haha, yeah, I know. I’m a little stoopid. Have 3 S2+ and no C8s. :partying_face:

Lightbringer · 2019-11-04T02:35:59.000Z

Only 3? Piker…

I could practically open up Convoy America here with all the S2+es I got.

Okay, I didn’t quite mention my C8 Army™, but…

tatasal · 2019-11-04T03:12:26.000Z

How about this small beast: the Nightwatch NI0L with Osram white flat:

Shoot-out: Mateminco MT35mini (FT03), Mateminco TO2 (FT02) and the small Nightwatch NI01L IRAlite Osram White Flat —- comparative shoot-out shots between throwers

ValuseekeR · 2019-11-04T03:00:59.000Z

Lightbringer:

Only 3? Piker…

Guilty as charged. :person_facepalming:

Pavlo · 2019-11-04T03:24:44.000Z

Lightbringer:

The GTmini is quite nice (got a couple myself) but also look into the P30.

Different UIs, depends what you’ll be using them for.

I’ve always been tempted by the Nitecore P30.
What makes you like it so much?

Lightbringer · 2019-11-04T04:10:32.000Z

Pavlo:

I’ve always been tempted by the Nitecore P30.

What makes you like it so much?

Crisp clean beam with a nice tight hotspot, so it throws like Hell, and it’s a forward-clicky with a fully exposed button (no silly U-shaped cutouts), with a sideswitch to change modes, so is great for flash’n’dash.

And I think (just goggled it, and yep) it can also take a pair of ’123s as well as a single 18650.

Pavlo · 2019-11-04T04:13:10.000Z

Lightbringer:

Pavlo:

I’ve always been tempted by the Nitecore P30.

What makes you like it so much?

Crisp clean beam with a nice tight hotspot, so it throws like Hell, and it’s a forward-clicky with a fully exposed button (no silly U-shaped cutouts), with a sideswitch to change modes, so is great for flash’n’dash.

And I think (just goggled it, and yep) it can also take a pair of ’123s as well as a single 18650.

Seems to throw very well given its “lower” output compared to XHP35 lights.
Looks like a nice host for Osram White Flat too.

Thanks for your feedback!

Lightbringer · 2019-11-04T04:16:10.000Z

At first I was wondering, “Okay, what’m I gonna do with Yet Another Compact Thrower?”, given my C8 Army™, but I got one, then got another. They’re really nice.

And while I’m using my GTmini in rotation (as far as throwers), the P30 is definitely the one I keep going back for.

Sillen · 2019-11-04T06:42:27.000Z

I shocked my sons team mates with the throw of the GT Micro!

spudley112 · 2019-11-04T10:01:05.000Z

Sillen:

I shocked my sons team mates with the throw of the GT Micro!

I have to admit, that is something I love to do. I love that look when you pull out a light and fire it up and they were not expecting it to be so powerful! I was visiting my parents, who had retired out to the middle of nowhere, and thought it would be a great opportunity to test some lights. I ended up in the back field with them watching as I tried different lights. They were shocked at the area some of them could light up.

spudley112 · 2019-11-04T14:01:37.000Z

Lightbringer:

Only 3? Piker…

I could practically open up Convoy America here with all the S2+es I got.

Okay, I didn’t quite mention my C8 Army™, but…

I would love to see some of the lights we talk about in more stores. I mean, these retailers import millions of those zoom lights that are flooding the market, and some of the prices are far and away more than most of the budget lights we are all buying up.

I shocks me to go into a major sporting goods store and see some of the garbage lights that are being sold for over $60. Or going there to see massive plug in spotlights that have worse throw than my C8+. SMH

Lightbringer · 2019-11-04T16:34:21.000Z

Last year or so, I went to a Home Despot to get a pipe-cap to make a “quick” (har…) charger for my Q8, and wanted to make sure anything I’d buy would fit, so I brought the donk with me.

Oldster who knew his shtuff guided me to the different sizes, etc., but asked what I wanted it for (kinda odd asking for a pipe-cap but no pipe or nuttin’), and I showed him. “That’s a flashlight??” “Yeh.”

Quick 2click to turbo, and he was all like, “Holy Shiite, that’s bright!”. I just smirked.

I love doing that.

Speaking of which, anyone know how to thread the inside of a cap to fit onto a Q8’s battery-tube? Hand-tools only, no lathe or other fancies…

spudley112 · 2019-11-04T17:34:53.000Z

Woohoo! My FT03 just arrived in the mail. I am getting batteries charged up for it and the C8+ so I can compare them tonight.