IS THE XRE REALLY DEAD??? XPE XPG???

[trigger01712]

hey guys i have a few questions for the master builders! i've been building headlights for a while, and now i have decided AGAIN to build my "last" one!?!? my design is built around a 3aa battery holder. its a .075 inch thick aluminum shell with about 0.2 inches below the battery holder for the circuit. i use 4 reed switches for the 4 output modes and a set of resistors. a magnet slides on a rail on the front of the light to engage the reed swithes. best thing a can compare this to is the sten light just more functional for my use since the batteries are integral to the light therefore no wire or external battery to deal with. this setup has worked great for me and has been extensively field tested, caving diving you name it its done it!!! so heres my question.... the led reflector combination i have been using is a cree xre q4 5c tint (thanks cutter). with a fraen frc 7degree(i think) reflector. it gives good throw with a decent spill and good tint. overall very functional! but now we have these new or newer guys on the block.. xpe/xpg/mce will one of these leds and with what optic around 20mm diameter beat the xre in giving a more functional beam??? i know this restriction on optic size creates a problem with the larger light emitting area on the newer leds. but this is a headlamp and who wants to strap a brick to their head... what im looking for is a combination that will out throw my current combination and still give a usefull spill... not a laser beam and not a flood light... ANY ANY recomendations will be VERY much appreciated!!! thanks to this forum and its members!!! the biggest group of light knowledgable guys and gals in the world