Which thrower?

[cccpull]

I'm trying to decide between these 4 small and economical (cheap) throwers, Solarforce Skyline 1, MTE M-2 (CREE Q5, 18650 battery), Ultrafire WF-008 recoil, and Uniquefire HS-802. Want as much throw as possible for building to building, to pier/dock lighting.

Thanks.

 

[darrenerrad2]

I have Skyline 1 and HS-802. When both running 18650s, 802 has smaller hotspot + brighter than Skyline 1. Both have some useful flood. Skyline 1 has excellent build quality. Best to get one of these rather than aspherics/focusable optics, for practicality.

 

[cccpull]

How does the Skyline compare when using 2xcr123's?

 

[vasp1]

How does the Skyline compare when using 2xcr123's?

Check out the following thread for opinions:-

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=283444

 

[Zatoichi]

The Skylines are brighter with CR123's, but with reduced runtime. A quick summary would be very well built, nice looking, but not impressively powerful throwers. I got both 1 and 2 versions and for less than $30 each shipped I'm happy with them, but my "WF-600 3W Cree Q2 LED Flashlight (18650)" from DX throws better.

 

[rekd0514]

I am not sure if having a wider reflector like the lights listed provides more throw, but my Ultrafire WF-504B from DX with an R2 has really good throw. I am not sure how it compares to these though.

 

[randomlugia]

Have you looked at the Kai RQ? http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=214126
It's a really high quality light for the price ($33), and you can see from the beamshots it has usable flood with a nice tight spot. IMO the best 18650 budget thrower out there.

 

[Orca_kkl]

I have a Kai RQ and a Solarforce Skyline 1. The Skyline 1 has much tighter spot and better throw than the RQ, but the RQ looks and balances better.

Got the Sklyline 1 and the RQ for about $30 each, not bad at all for such well made lights.

 

[randomlugia]

Where did you get the Skyline for $30? I see 60 everywhere.

 

[Orca_kkl]

I got my Skyline 1 from eBay ITC a few weeks ago when it was on sale for $27, along with a Skyline 2 for $28. Skyline 1 was probably sold out during the sale and the price on Skyline 2 has increased quite a bit after the sale.

Skyline 1 is quite useful to check out the fence line around our plant at night from a distance in a pickup truck (rattlesnake infested hillside is not a good place to walk the fence, especially at night.)

 

[randomlugia]

Wow, that was a great sale. I just looked and they're all $80...