Thrower for under $100, 50-200 yards

Sintro

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Apr 12, 2012
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1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
:) I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :)

____Less than $25.
____Less than $50.
____Less than $100.
__:)__Less than $150.
____Less than $300.
____I have no limit.
____I'm flexible, tell me what you gotJ.
____Other, please specify ________


3) Format:

__:)__I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a dive light.
____I want a portable spotlight.


4) Flashlight-specific format/size:

____Keychain size.
____Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____Holster carry.
____Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.
__:)__I don't care.
____I don't know.
____N/A


5) Emitter/Light source:

__:)__LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
____I don't know.


6) Manufacturer:

__:)__I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.


7) What battery type do you want to use?

____I intend to use alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) (disclaimer, while it does not preclude all choices, these are not recommended for many of today's most powerful lights)
__:)__I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)
__:)__I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery. (Note: these choices may be very limited unless you are looking at spotlights)
I'm very forgetful, so I'm worried about rechargeable lithiums. And I have tons of aa's and aaa's, but I doubt i'll get a powerful flashlight with those. So probably cr123's or soemthing like that. I also have a few dozen of those energizer lithiums in aa.

8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).

____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
____I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
_:)___I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).


9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.

____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
__:)__50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
__:)__150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)
I'll be using mainly between 50-150 yards, but sometimes about 200 ish.

10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).

____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
__:)__90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).


11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.

____Not Important (A "night-stand" light).
___:)_Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't care.
____I don't know.


12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):

____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
___:)_I don't care.
____I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________________.


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
____I want a selector ring.
____I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
____I want SOS mode.
____I want a beacon mode.
____I don't care.
____I don't know.
Sure, multiple light levels, would be nice. I'm just looking for something with a High, med, and possibly low. Especially for those times it would just be a waste when you are shining the light 10 yards away.

14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
___:)_I don't care.
____I don't know.
____Other, please specify____________.


15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.

____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
____Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments


Thanks for any suggestions in advance!
 

roadkill1109

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
2,309
So easy! Crelant 7G5 V2. About 90 bucks shipped. Throws to 300 to 400 yards. One of the better throwers in its class.

You can order it from International Outdoor or from Crelant directly.
img3288l.jpg

img3286lk.jpg

img3251ai.jpg

img3232g.jpg

img3211gf.jpg


Here it is compared to the Quark Turbo X for reference:
img00030201203061355.jpg


Most of the Crelant 7G5 V2 owners here are quite satisfied with this no-frills thrower light. :)

Lux was measured to be in 48k to 50k range.
 

roadkill1109

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
2,309
If you want something that runs on AA's look no further than the Fenix TK41, it takes 8 NiMH cells.
 

Sintro

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
87
Thrower with spill

Repeat of part of post 1 removed.


What I basically want is a thrower with some spill. It's gotta be led. And under $100 bucks. I've seen a few, like the dereelight dbs-t and the fenix tk series, especially the tk35.
 
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127.0.0.1

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Jan 4, 2012
Messages
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Re: Thrower with spill

Thrunite TN11

throws really well, but doesn't have a huge head assembly, it looks rather 'normal'

it has 2 brightness settings

1) max power

2) twist the head 1/8 turn for second mode.
this mode is programmable from [firefly], to [low<any level>max] to [strobe]
once set, it will be your second-level until changed again
 
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Sintro

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Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
87
I'm liking all he suggestions, especially the Crelant 7G5 V2. Also, I'm liking the Dereelight DBS-T with xm-l t6 and a smooth reflector. It's 700 lumens.

Anyone ever had an experience with the Streamlight Stinger with rechargeable battery in it? This thread is really about replacing it with something more powerful. It's just so hard to tell from the pictures sometimes how powerful a beam is. I know the stinger is 180 lumens and the crelant 760 and the DBS-T 700, the beamshots just look all the same to me.
[h=1][/h]
 

jmpaul320

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Joined
Mar 31, 2012
Messages
3,805
Location
CT, USA
dereelight dbs-t... if you want a pure thrower, flashlight connection sells an aspheric model ready to go out of the box for like 97$... add an extender for $10-12 and youre looking at one of the best throwers out there (in my opinion)

once my credit card recovers from this month ill be ordering mine lol
 

TEEJ

Flashaholic
Joined
Jan 12, 2012
Messages
7,490
Location
NJ
So easy! Crelant 7G5 V2. About 90 bucks shipped. Throws to 300 to 400 yards. One of the better throwers in its class.

You can order it from International Outdoor or from Crelant directly.
img3288l.jpg

img3286lk.jpg

img3251ai.jpg

img3232g.jpg

img3211gf.jpg


Here it is compared to the Quark Turbo X for reference:
img00030201203061355.jpg


Most of the Crelant 7G5 V2 owners here are quite satisfied with this no-frills thrower light. :)

Lux was measured to be in 48k to 50k range.





There's now a better place to get the Crealant's from, Madecov on this forum is now the ONLY USA Distributor for Crelant, and he just got in a shipment of the Crelant 7G5 V2's...and he's selling them for $87 DELIVERED.

That beats waiting for a light from China to arrive, etc...plus we can support one of our own.

:D
 

AlPal

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Joined
Mar 18, 2011
Messages
128
Location
Canada
I'm liking all he suggestions, especially the Crelant 7G5 V2. Also, I'm liking the Dereelight DBS-T with xm-l t6 and a smooth reflector. It's 700 lumens.

I have the Dereelight DBS XM-L with smooth reflector, and I would recommend this light. It is not as dedicated a thrower as some lights, but does provide the 50- 200 yards of throw that you require as well as a lot of spill light. A good all purpose light.
 

Sintro

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
87
Lol, I actually looked at the tk35 pretty early on. It just didn't look like it had the throw I wanted. And, it was just slightly too expensive.
 

roadkill1109

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
2,309
Lol, I actually looked at the tk35 pretty early on. It just didn't look like it had the throw I wanted. And, it was just slightly too expensive.

I see, looks like you're down to the Crelant 7G5 V2 then. :) Madecov's sellin' 'em for 87 bucks shipped. You may contact him directly if you are interested. He's a US-based distributor of Crelant products.

In the price range / configuration class of these lights, the Crelant is the best buy. This light is in the same league (but only missing a bit in performance based on lux) as the Olight M3X (lowest price in Ebay, 110 dollars) the Thrunite Catapult V3 (best price is about 130 dollars) and the Sunwayman T40CS (about 150 dollars)

I own both the TK35 and this Crelant 7G5 V2, both throw pretty well and can hit the same targets at about 300 yards, except that the one from the Crelant has a much more tighter beam, making the light look brighter and throw further. I have tested in perfect (dark) conditions, the Crelant can reach beyond the longest end to end of a track and field oval stadium and still hit the wall of a building a further 100-200 yards away I was able to illuminate the top floor and see what is going on up the 20+ story building. The TK35's beam will reach both ends, but the hotspot will be to wide, it already looks weak at that distance. The Dereelight Aspheric will do a better job with double the lux of the Crelant, but hey, its job is to really outthrow almost any reflector-based light. If you shined it into a room of the building with someone looking out the window, you could blind him a bit with the solid beam of thin light. Think of it as a thick laser pointer. That's the dereelight aspheric. How much? just a few dollars more than the Crelant. :)
 

davyro

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Sep 23, 2011
Messages
549
Location
Durham,England
Go for the Dereelight DBS T with an XR E & a smooth reflector,you'd be getting a very hard to beat thrower that doesn't have to have a huge head or long body & it's a great price,you can get an apheric head to put on it as well if you want to.
 

lancemark

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Joined
Apr 17, 2012
Messages
13
dereelight dbs t with aspherical lens or olight m3x..both have a very nice throw.
 

zenbeam

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Apr 3, 2012
Messages
281
Location
Houston, Texas
I've come super close to buying the link removed. see red banner at top of forum page with 830lm and a 344m distance. Will run 4x CR123A's or 2x 18650's. And at around $68 a pop - a real bargain too. Very simplistic - only two modes 830lm or 100lm. I will run out of excuses not to buy this light soon enough and pick one up - of that I am sure.

At the time I almost bought it, I opted for the link removed. see red banner at top of page instead. Which actually might fit your needs with 468lm and a distance of 214m. I call it my "light cannon". Runs 2x CR123A's or 1x 18650. This one has more features than the BC40, a great UI and the TK stands for "tank" series - and it feels super solid and durable. But it does cost a bit more at around $95. But I love mine! :)
 
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seven11

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Mar 29, 2011
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113
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Ohio
I own a Jetbeam BC40. Hands down its the best value for your money. It'll throw about 200 yards or more and you'll still have money left over for another light. :)
 

roadkill1109

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
2,309
Re: Thrower with spill

Repeat of part of post 1 removed.


What I basically want is a thrower with some spill. It's gotta be led. And under $100 bucks. I've seen a few, like the dereelight dbs-t and the fenix tk series, especially the tk35.

The DBS-T is a good thrower with spill (XML version) The TK35 is a smallish thrower, both are excellent choices too.
 

roadkill1109

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
2,309
Lol, I actually looked at the tk35 pretty early on. It just didn't look like it had the throw I wanted. And, it was just slightly too expensive.

Well its a pretty old light, many throwers have bested this light, but with the same form and format, it's on its own. I still enjoy using it from time to time.
 

roadkill1109

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
2,309
I've come super close to buying the link removed. see red banner at top of forum page with 830lm and a 344m distance. Will run 4x CR123A's or 2x 18650's. And at around $68 a pop - a real bargain too. Very simplistic - only two modes 830lm or 100lm. I will run out of excuses not to buy this light soon enough and pick one up - of that I am sure.

At the time I almost bought it, I opted for the link removed. see red banner at top of page instead. Which actually might fit your needs with 468lm and a distance of 214m. I call it my "light cannon". Runs 2x CR123A's or 1x 18650. This one has more features than the BC40, a great UI and the TK stands for "tank" series - and it feels super solid and durable. But it does cost a bit more at around $95. But I love mine! :)

I agree with you, these two lights you mentioned are on my "must buy eventually" list. :)
 

roadkill1109

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
2,309
I own a Jetbeam BC40. Hands down its the best value for your money. It'll throw about 200 yards or more and you'll still have money left over for another light. :)

hard to argue with that one, the BC40's probably the only light under 70 bucks to throw 200 yards.
 
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