best 1x18650 xml light?

I am wanting to break onto the 18650 scene, (I raced rc cars for years and am very familiar with rechargeables) and I want to purchase one of the new single 18650 configuration XML lights.

Right now I have a Fenix tk45, ld40, ld20, and a SL strion led. My question Is...



Should I wait untill the selection is greater a few months from now?



Is there an awesome light currently available or being released soon?



Or, should I be looking at some sort of drop-in set-up? (I like the idea of 500 lumens in a pocket sized package:huh



I would like something about the size of the Jet III M but with an XML and around 400+ lumens if possible, with a healthy mix of flood and throw. Cost is not an issue really because this will be my new #1 and it will get alot of use and abuse, and I want something high quality. I spend alot of time in the woods at night, and I may be going up to Alaska to live on a remote island for 7 months soon. It is not for EDC necessarily , but I want it to fit in my pocket.



Thanks:tinfoil:

I would like something about the size of the Jet III M but with an XML and around 400+ lumens if possible



i see it has been a while since your post, and i only search to try to keep up with whats new in the light world, but im seeing that jetbeam IS going to upgrade the Jet III M R5 to the XML led!!!!! How often do you get what you wish for???

Zebralight SC600. Very nice light for a very compact size. Check out the Zebralight SC600 thread. It puts out 750 lumen for the first 3 or 5 mins before stepping down to 500 lumen for the rest of the duration for heat management and I presume current draw management for the battery as well.

Lumintop TD-15X is shipping now, in both cool and neutral. 720 lumens sustained.

The SC600 is a little smaller, but note only cool tint for now and peak output of 750 is temporary, then drops to 500.

+1 on the Zebralight sc600, very compact 18650 light.
The Eagletac T20c2 XML is no slouch, and as technology advances you can replace the module.
Fenix Tk21 looks sharp and I like how the mode selector is on the side of the body

CarpentryHero said:

The Eagletac T20c2 XML is no slouch, and as technology advances you can replace the module.

Click to expand...

It is available *now* with the XM-L T6 High Output (720 Lumen) module. No need to upgrade any time soon...

Nap.

z_brandocommando said:

I would like something about the size of the Jet III M but with an XML and around 400+ lumens if possible, with a healthy mix of flood and throw.

Click to expand...

Jet III M is available with XM-L now.

Others:

Zebralight SC600 (soon)
Spark ST6 (NW/CW)
Lumintop TD-15X
Klarus XT10
EagleTac T20C2 MKII XM-L
Skilhunt Defier series
Jetbeam PC25
Solarforce L2P + XM-L drop-in
Surefire C2 + XM-L drop-in
Dereelight DBS XM-L
Dereelight CL1H V4 XM-L
Fenix TK21
Download's Pocket Rocket XM-L
Malkoff MD2 + M91 (needs lens kit)
Elektrolumens EDC-XML
Maelstrom X7
Turbo X (with 18650 body)

Depends if you want flood or throw. My favorite:

Zebralight SC600 - coming out any day. simplay amazing run times. looks to be on the floody side. Great UI

Do watch out because some of the XML lights can't reach full brightness on a single 18650. The Lumintop TD-15x and Malkoff M91 fall into that category.

Also, to add to your list, there is the Elektrolumens EDC-XML which runs on one 18650 in direct drive at 4a.

flashflood said:

Lumintop TD-15X is shipping now, in both cool and neutral. 720 lumens sustained.

The SC600 is a little smaller, but note only cool tint for now and peak output of 750 is temporary, then drops to 500.

Click to expand...

The Lumintop TD-15X only sustains 720 lumens with two 18650's.



Specifications:

• Bulb: CREE XM-L T6 LED
• Max Output / Runtime: 580 lumens (1X18650) / 720 lumens (2X18650) / 1 hour
• Middle output / Runtime: 200 lumens / 4 hours
• Low output / Runtime: 20 lumens / 35 hours
• Length: 5.83 inches (148mm)
• Bezel Diameter: 1.50 inches (38mm)
• Body Diameter: 1 inches (25.4mm)
• Weight: 5.3 ounces (150g)
• Light Mode: Low-Middle-High-Strobe
• Waterproof: IPX-8
• Battery Type: 2x CR123A , 2x RCR123A/16340, 1x Li-ion 18650 or 1x 17670 battery
• Battery Type with 1 x Extension Tube: 3x CR123A , 3x RCR123A/16340 batteries
• Battery Type with 2 x Extension Tube: 4x CR123A , 2x Li-ion 18650 or 2x 17670 bat

Eagletac has a very nice UI. I have a couple of their lights in the "MkII" version. The UI allows many modes, but simple operation. Strobe can be disabled. Other modes easily accessed.

If UI is important to you, then I would strongly consider Eagletac.

Add

Maelstrom X7.
Turbo X (with 18650 body).

Zeruel said:

Jet III M is available with XM-L now.

Others:
Zebralight SC600 (soon)
Spark ST6 (NW/CW)
Lumintop TD-15X
Klarus XT10
EagleTac T20C2 MKII XM-L
Skilhunt Defier series
Jetbeam PC25
Solarforce L2P/L2M + XM-L drop-in
Dereelight DBS XM-L
Dereelight CL1H V4 XM-L
Fenix TK21
Download's Pocket Rocket XM-L
I might miss out a couple.

Click to expand...

The Spark SL6-800CW is a nice bright light.

5 modes
Super:800lm/0.7 hours
Max: 500lm/1.4 hours
Med2：220lm/3.5 hours
Med1: 70lm/10 hours
Low: 20lm/36 hours

Super mode automatically steps down to Max mode after 5 minutes for protection.
To activate the Super mode you need a very good battery otherwise the protection circuit of the battery will be activated.

This really depends on what you mean by 'best'?

Just a host of options unless you narrow it down. Runtime, beam type, output etc

As mentioned, I have on order a stainless steel Elektrolumens EDC-XML, which in terms of single 18650 XML, I imagine is one of the brightest around.

LightWalker said:

The Lumintop TD-15X only sustains 720 lumens with two 18650's.

Click to expand...

Maybe it's battery-dependent, but I get 720 on a single AW IMR 18650.

KLarus xt10 470 ansi ,very nice ui,i have one and think its very good.

The 720 lumens for the Lumintop is for 2 x 18650 cells. The post was asking for a 1 x 18650 recommendation

flashflood said:

Lumintop TD-15X is shipping now, in both cool and neutral. 720 lumens sustained.

The SC600 is a little smaller, but note only cool tint for now and peak output of 750 is temporary, then drops to 500.

Click to expand...