hid flashlight vs led flshlight

as I am new here, please excuse the question if it has already been talked about,

but is there any obvious advantage of an hid torch over an led one ? I would have thought led would win hands down considering
light output, colour and power source vs cost ?

any good recommendations for hid torches / search lights ?

there are so many factors to consider in this... they both have their plusses and minuses, it really depends on the use.
LED is of course, more efficient but HID has the surface brightness (ATM anyways, LEDs are still improving).
LED is a larger point light source over HID making HID the better thrower, especially Xenon Short Arc (the currant throw king).
LED is simpler in operation, apply power, get light. whereas HIDs require more complicated electronics to operate, (i.e. HV igniter, electronic ballast to provide stable lamp power, etc)

LEDs are limited by the physical limitations and need for cooling so as your need for distance and total lumen output will lower LEDs effectiveness over HID systems in searchlights.

leds are still measured in thousands of lux for most
hids are , for some, measured in millions of lux
the gap has narrowed, but there is still a pretty big gap