Best Single 18650 and 2x 18650 flashlights

[RCLumens]

Greetings - Thread is open to all who'd like to chime in with your experience on the best available lights out there. Customs welcome...

What would you consider the highest quality, brightest, regulated run-time, great UI, form & function light in either single or 2x 18650 format? Pics and stories would be great to hear!!

 

[archimedes]

I've been looking for a Delghi Iris 18650 for a while ....

EDIT - And for a production light, it would be tough to top an HDS/Ra Twisty with an 18650 (19670) tube ....

 

[adamtyoung]

Zebralight SC600 hands down. Solid, bright, and great UI. Get the warm version—so mellow.

 

[GeoBruin]

You're going to get about as many different responses as there are users on this forum but I suppose that's what you're looking for. I'll bite: Malkoff MD2 with and M61w and high/low ring.

I just can't think of how you would make the light any better. Simple, bright, efficient. The body/head are no nonsense. They're designed to give you something to hold on to and protect the drop in. That's it. It comes stock with a McClicky switch so there's no need to upgrade. And then there's the drop in. Machined of solid brass, it is its own heat sink. And the reflector, also a McGizmo creation, is designed to make the XP-G project the most perfectly usable beam imaginable. With the high low switch you get a nice low that will run forever and a high output that will light up everything around you. It comes pre-bored to accept either a single 18650 or two primaries.

I guess I'm saying it's not just my favorite 18650 light, but my all time favorite light.

Cheers!

 

[roadkill1109]

Greetings - Thread is open to all who'd like to chime in with your experience on the best available lights out there. Customs welcome...

What would you consider the highest quality, brightest, regulated run-time, great UI, form & function light in either single or 2x 18650 format? Pics and stories would be great to hear!!

For Single 18650:

Best thrower (out of the box)
1. Xeno G42 U2

Best all around light
1. ZL SC600

Best UI
1. ZL SC600

Brightest
1.XtinD C8 Custom XML U2 (910 lumens)

Best tactical
1. XT11

For the two 18650 Format:

Best thrower (out of the box)
1. Olight M3X

Best all around light
1. Fenix TK35

Best UI
1. SWM T40CS


Brightest
1. TK35 ver. 2 860 lumens

Best tactical
1. XT20

Those are my two cents. :)

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

Do the commas indicate that one light must meet all those criteria, or, indicate one light per category?

 

[MT7]

For Single 18650:

Best thrower (out of the box)
1. Xeno G42 U2

Best all around light
1. ZL SC600

Best UI
1. ZL SC600

Brightest
1.XtinD C8 Custom XML U2 (910 lumens)

Best tactical
1. XT11

For the two 18650 Format:

Best thrower (out of the box)
1. Olight M3X

Best all around light
1. Fenix TK35

Best UI
1. SWM T40CS


Brightest
1. TK35 ver. 2 860 lumens

Best tactical
1. XT20

Those are my two cents. :)

Why is the OLIGHT M3X better thrower than the Sunwayman T40CS?
the sunwayman has more than 500 meter ANSI standarts beam distance,and the M3X has only 475 meters.
why is the Sunwayman T40CS is the best UI? can you explain please?
because I am want to buy my first thrower flashlight,and I can not decide which to buy-the M3X or the T40CS...
and what about the XT20? is it a good thrower compared to the T40CS and the M3X?
thanks advance...

 

[Bwolcott]

Why is the OLIGHT M3X better thrower than the Sunwayman T40CS?
the sunwayman has more than 500 meter ANSI standarts beam distance,and the M3X has only 475 meters.
why is the Sunwayman T40CS is the best UI? can you explain please?
because I am want to buy my first thrower flashlight,and I can not decide which to buy-the M3X or the T40CS...
and what about the XT20? is it a good thrower compared to the T40CS and the M3X?
thanks advance...

In my experience the sunwayman and olight m3x throw very similar but the sunwayman seems to have more spill and the xt20 is a flood light it doesnt throw anywhere near the other 2

 

[RCLumens]

To GeoBruin: Yes - All are welcome to chime in - I think it's great to hear and learn from experiences of others - Guessing we'll have a few posts on this one - and I'm looking forward to reading all of them. I've already heard of two lights that I'm looking into for potential purchase.

To LEDAd1ct: Question can be applied in either format. A light that meets ALL criteria would be great, or as roadkill1109 answered in preference to each specifically.

To MT7: Not speaking for roadkill1109, but I've also read in a few locations that the M3X out-throws the T40CS by a tiny bit. As for lights, I too am looking at both of these for a purchase, but am leaning towards the T40CS for the UI. In my opinion, The T40CS is a true one-handed operated light with the side switch and has 3 brightness settings plus strobe. The lowest setting can run for a stated 60hr run time which for me can be useful in situations where I need to conserve battery power. The M3X requires to twist the head between high, low and strobe - and although I like the option of reducing it's size with the 3X CR123 option, I'm still leaning toward the T40CS for my needs. I'm also keeping my eyes open for the Klarus XT30(?) which has not been released yet, but is stated to be their thrower version of the XT 20. It will have one larger head as opposed to two smaller heads. Guessing overall lumens will be less, but throw should be better. I love the Klarus UI set up with both buttons in the tail cap, but don't own any Klarus lights as of yet.

Cheers,
RC

 

[CamoNinja]

Prometheus Alpha.

 

[BLUE LED]

I have far too many throwers and I believe from your requirements. I think the Sunwayman T40CS is your best choice.

 

[Smokescreen]

I really enjoy my bored Surefire 6p with a Malkoff M60. :)

 

[Edi]

Single 18650 : ZL SC600

Double 18650 : OLIGHT SR51 great throw, simple function, very bright, best feeling torch in the hand that I own! And it's sexy!

 

[arnstein]

Thank you for your post roadkill1109! I have been looking for a flashlight that offers very good regulation when powered by a single 18650 cell. You have indicated two such lights Xeno G42 and Zebralight SC600. All the other flashlights I have looked at are obviously optimized for use with 2xCR123 or even worse, 2xRCR123.

These two lights are more expensive than what I am used to. Are you aware of any cheaper lights?

 

[phantom23]

Eagletac G25C2 has very good regulation with 1x18650 as well.

 

[iowatollah]

for half the cost of the sc600 +1 vote for Eagletac G25C2 mini (twisty). Shorter than clicky, easier UI, and no reverse clicky, four brightness levels. Needs stronger clip as it will distort if one wishes to pocket carry. My new EDC.

 

[Johnnyt]

I love my eagletac d25lc2 clicky. Check out the review in the reviews section by Selfbuilt. One of the highest otf outputs out there for a single 18650. Fantastic form factor that for me is still easy to edc. You have option with head loose to have turn on in low med high sequence, or with head tight turns on straight to high with strobe. Overall quality seems very high at a very reasonable price. Hits a lot of 'optimal' points for me as a single light that can serve multiple purposes, which is really what an edc is all about. Would love to have an sc600 to compare to see if the extra $ is worth it.

 

[pblanch]

+1 to the SC600

For me I don't even think I will bother with the Q50 (at first I would have bought 1 without blinking an eye) when it eventually comes out. I think ZL have miscalculated on the allround greatness of this light to the point if every one has one they wont bother with the Q50.

 

[Up All Night]

I love my eagletac d25lc2 clicky. Check out the review in the reviews section by Selfbuilt. One of the highest otf outputs out there for a single 18650. Fantastic form factor that for me is still easy to edc. You have option with head loose to have turn on in low med high sequence, or with head tight turns on straight to high with strobe. Overall quality seems very high at a very reasonable price. Hits a lot of 'optimal' points for me as a single light that can serve multiple purposes, which is really what an edc is all about. Would love to have an sc600 to compare to see if the extra $ is worth it.

+1 on the D25LC2! This thing just keeps amazing me! I own the ZL SC600 as well but I find myself reaching for the Eagletac more often.
The ZL feels more robust & is heavier with a creamy white tint.
The ETac is lighter, slimmer and less than a half inch longer with a much whiter tint. The build seems solid but lacks that "chunk" feel of the ZL.
The output may be a dead heat, I just prefer the Eagletac tint.
If moonlight output is a requirement you won't find it in the D25LC2 but if your 18650 runs out you can always pop in 123's. That shouldn't happen though cuz we all carry b/u cells and lights.........right?
Keep in mind neither of these are throwers but they get out there pretty good on "grunt"!