Looking for new hi-power light. Can't decide between...

[Face]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been very active on these forums for the last couple of years, for various reasons - and now things seems seemed to have really moved on.

I still love lights, but I've managed to curb my over-enthusiastic spending habits (talked myself out of an SR90 a couple of years ago) and have decided to only buy one new light every couple of years (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know!!!) to keep up with the latest technology.

I don't need good lights (I'm not LEO or anything like that) but I like good lights.

My current (forgive the pun) brightest light is a P3D Q5 (remember them?) and now I'm after something a lot, lot brighter.

My main criteria, in no particular order, are overall brightness, great throw with good spill and rechargeable cells (i hate the cost of primaries). I have Eneloops coming out of my ears and various AW Li-ion (4 x 16340, 2 x 14500), so if possible I'd like to stick with these cells - although I would consider 18650 cells (I have an Ultrafire WF39, which I believe charges 18650 cells).

The lights I am interested in are Thrunite Scorpion V2 with Turbo head (pretty much the max of my budget after getting a couple of AW 18650 3100mah cells), the Thrunite TN11 and Klarus XT11. However, this list is certainly not exhuastive so if there are other, better options that meet my needs, I'm listening. Even if the next big thing is due in a couple of months, I can even wait until then (I appreciate that there will always be something better coming) but as I'm limiting myself to 1 purchase every couple of years, I'm happy to wait if need be.

Any advice and guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Face

 

[Face]

By the way, if i had to get a couple of 18650 - which of these would be the best bang for the buck?; the AW 18650 3100mah flat-tops or the Eagletac 18650 3100mah button-tops. They are £10 cheaper a pair for the Eagletac.

 

[Adrenaline_6]

I can't say anything good or bad about the Thrunites, but I do own the XT11. It has good spill and throws well also. The beam is nice and white and the UI is simple as it gets. You can see my yard beamshots of it on an older thread here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?335749-XT11-Beamshots-(18650-vs-RCR123-s) . They are brighter in person. Either my camera sucks or I suck at setting it up...or both, but it was just to show the difference between two types of batteries. There are a lot of other, better shots of the XT11 if you search.

People who own the Thrunites will have to chime in for info on them. Good luck with your decision. I was in the same predicament not too long ago. I was looking at the Fenix TK21 U2 first until I found the XT11. I'm sure anything you pick will be just fine. Just see what kind of beam profile you are most happy with and which UI you like the best. Good luck on your purchase!

 

[madecov]

By the way, if i had to get a couple of 18650 - which of these would be the best bang for the buck?; the AW 18650 3100mah flat-tops or the Eagletac 18650 3100mah button-tops. They are £10 cheaper a pair for the Eagletac.

EagleTac batteries are pretty good. We all know the AW are also good batteries.
I have used both in real life and can not tell the difference. Button tops are required for certain lights that have a flat (not spring loaded) positive contact.

I figure with a button top battery I can use it with any light. You can't necessarily say that about flat top batteries

 

[davyro]

If you buy an DBS T with an XML you'll have a fantastic well made light that has a fantastic throw & spill,it's a great price & best of all its upgradeable so you'll just have to buy a drop in not a whole new light when you want the latest configuration.It also runs on 16340 or 18650 cells.I've had a Thrunite TN11 & in my opinion there's no comparison to the Dereelight DBS T

 

[LGT]

I did a quick search on batteries. Seems like quite a few brand names, including AW and Eagletac are just wrapped panasonics. I've been using both of these for a bit with no problems.

 

[enomosiki]

All three lights have strengths and weaknesses.

Scorpion V2
Pros
- UI allows for rapid mode changing with single hand
- Head is replaceable with a larger head for increased throw
- Head can be removed to allow for area lighting
- Moonlight mode
Cons
- UI takes time to get used to
- Mode selection ring at the tailcap is constructed out of plastic, which presents a liability during rough use (I broke the tailcap of my first Scorpion V2)
- Parasitic drain
- Heavy

TN11
Pros
- Brightest medium-sized, single-emitter 2xCR123A, production tactical light currently available
- Simpler, programmable UI that alternates between a max mode when head is tightened and programmed mode when loosened
- Availability of battery extension tubes and generous voltage range allows for extended runtimes (2x18650 will get you 2+ hours of maximum output without any step-down)
- Moonlight mode
Cons
- Short runtime
- Not very well-regulated on 2xCR123A configuration
- Direct drive on 1x18650
- Needs two hands to change modes
- Heavy

XT11
Pros
- Smaller and lighter than Scorpion V2 and TN11
- Better runtime than Scorpion V2 and TN11 when in same battery configuration
- UI allows for rapid mode changing with single hand
Cons
- Cigar grip is prone to cracking (There is a thread about this issue, here on CPF)
- Not as powerful or throwy as Scorpion V2 or TN11

 

[BLUE LED]

I think the best light for you is the Thrunite Scorpion V2 with Turbo head. Buy 2x Eagletac 18650 3100mAh and it should bring a big smile to your face.

 

[stewdogg]

I think if you want throw with the lights you listed then it's down to the Scorpion or the TN11. They are essentially the same light with different UI's (maybe a tie breaker goes to TN11 on brightness). Oh and I do suppose you can get the TN11 a little cheaper than the Scorp... especially with having to buy a different head to get it to throw like the TN11.
I reckon I'm a little biased because I own a TN11 but that was what all of my research lead me to. I like the UI...
It sucks because now I want to go to the next level and add the Dereelight DBS T to my toy collection. I just fear doing this only furthers my addiction and doesn't solve anything:)

 

[Face]

Thanks for all taking the time to reply.

Think I'll go for the TN11 as is more in my budget and all comes with various free extension tubes to allow 2 x 18650.

One question - if I need 2 x 18650 for max brightness, could I also use 2 x 16340 and have a much shorter length (and runtime obviously)?

Thanks again,

Face

 

[BLUE LED]

Yes you can use AW 16340 to achieve fill power for a reduced runtime.

 

[Face]

Hi again, everyone.

Thanks for all taking the time to reply.

Just before I pull any triggers, I'm now wondering about a Catapult v2 or v3 - as they seem to have substantially more throw than the TN11.

What are you opinions? I can get the Catapult v2 for about $50 less than the v3 version - which in turn makes the Catapult v2 about $8 more than the TN11. Is all I am missing out on the multi-levels of the v3 interface if I were to get a v2 catapult?

Thanks again,

Face

 

[madecov]

If you are looking at the catapult form factor, also consider the Cdelant 7G5v2. It has incredible throw for the price.

 

[WmArnold1]

I thought the TN11 was a pretty-good contender in the single-18650 league until I noticed the *Discontinued* placard on ThruNite's website - WTF?!?