Light weight single 18650 light floody XP-G or XL-M

I'm not familiar with all of the models of all of the manufacturers so some feedback would be appreciated.

Is there a relatively light weight (1) 18650 XP-G or XL-M with a diffused output? I'm thinking of something like a P60 with a smaller head. I'm not looking for throw so I don't need a large head. I'm just interested in 1-300 lumens so a fully driven XP-G or an under driven XM-L are fine.

What I would really prefer in additional to the above would be a ring control for on/off and as an infinite adjustment for brightness. That seems like the most natural user interface. I guess a side button that did the same thing would be something to consider as well.

What comes closest with the usual manufacturers (not higher priced custom dealers).

I guess the question is are there any ring or side button user interfaces that are close to what I'm looking for and if not at least perhaps someone can direct me toward a single 18650 light that doesn't have a big head.

I have a P60 style single 18650 body with a 3 mode XP-G that I've added a diffusion filter over the lens. As far as light output and beam quality this is fine.

I'd like for it to be lighter weight. The battery isn't where the weight is. It's the machined aluminum but much of that weight is in the head. With a diffusion filter however there is no point in a larger head for throw so the head could be much closer to the battery tube diameter.

I'm kind of tired of tail clickies as that means I have to use the light in an unnatural way (IMO) and there is no need to click through all the options to get to a certain light level. If the button were on the side even if I had to use multiple clicks it would feel more natural. If it had a ring it would be more direct and even better.

That extra weight just seems unnecessary. Even a reasonably small light like a P60 host is still heavy compared to yesterdays inferior lights that were in many cases made of plastic. Or even some of the aluminum ones didn't seem as heavy although I sure they were since they were larger but the weight was distributed a little differently.

Any suggestions?

Firstly, you have supermarket brands of flashlights like Energizer and Duracell etc.
Then you have Maglites for the elite commoner.
When you go pro, you have Surefires, then Eagletacs with their small-midsize range of lights, then finally 4Sevens with their compact range of lights.
Going to Germany, you have LedLenser - very exxy and Maglite-like in styling with adjustable lens/reflector assembly for more flooding.
Then go to China, and you have the likes of Olight, Thrunite, and budget Fenix, with upmarket Jetbeam/Nitecore and Sunwayman for style.

You certainly have your battery classes sorted out - u want a single 18650 rechargeable.
You also have the size chosen - as single 18650 with compact parallel sides.
There's not much choice here.
Only the Nitecore Infilux IFE2 R5; has infinite control ring with standby mode.
Or the Thrunite Neutron 2C XM-L, with tail end clicky, and head twist.
There may be others esp Eagletac..

Please understand that because both these lights are very narrow, it is difficult to design a side switch.
The bigger lights easily accomodate a side switch.
Thus the Nitecore has an easier to use ring, with standby mode, so when you are in the more comfortable underhand handshake grip, you can easily rotate the ring.
The Thrunite has a head twist adjustment, so when holding by the handshake grip, it may be a little harder to twist the head using the forefinger and thumb.

Their lumen out puts are roughly similar.
Their floods and throw will vary, but not greatly, coz they are both limited by narrow 25.4 mm head, with narrow reflectors which cannot control the sideways spill of light, so that they are both rather floody, and not very throwy...

Actually, there is also another brand of US flashlights worthy of mention.
HDS Lights, formerly RA Lights.
They are an US brand of upmarket lights aroung $200 etc, so not sure if it fits what you are asking?
They specialise in upmarket, single CR123 size compact pocket lights only; I don't think they do your 18650 size.

HDS is famous for using a very ergonomic tail end twist control combined with the tail end switch.
So I'm not sure if it suits your handshake grip; have you tried the overhand grip at all?
The overhand grip is very comfortable with pocket CR123 size lights.

Another special feature of HDS is the huge number of features and adjustments available.
You can set the auto-off timer, set this, set that, etc etc.
The lumen output is a little restricted at some 200 lumens compared to some of the other lights...

Forgot Zebralights.
This may be purfect for you.
The SC60.
It is 18650, 25.4mm diameter, with a side switch for the relaxing handshake grip!
However, no control ring & no infinite adjustment; life is never perfect - we can't have it all...

I'll look at Nitecore and the Zebralight SC60.

I'm not interested in Energizer, Maglite etc on the one end of the spectrum or HDS at the other end.

Yes, I've tried the overhand grip. I have a 6P, 6P clones and other larger thrower lights most with tail clickies.

I have a Proton Pro (single AA) that is narrow and has a side button (and infinite brightness adjustment).

Thanks for the feedback.

One more to look at if you don't mind a wait in shipping and buying a Chinese made light. I bought one of these and is crazy bright, small and compact. The LED is a very cool white. Good luck on your search.

FMN

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/sh...zl-Z1X-CREE-XM-L-T6-1x18650-Compact-EDC-Light

Edit to add. This light has a fantastic flood as you are seeking. Yet is so bright you can light up broad areas at a distance. The tube is just large enough to house the battery making this a very slim light. Also the absence of a large head makes it a great pocket carry.

I did own the S-Mini 18650, and this light far out performs at about the same size.

You won't get much lighter or smaller than the Zebralight SC60. Only has 6 easily accesable levels but they are well spaced and cover everything you need in real use.

The SC60 is naturally floodier than most but I think there is a diffuser lens option and if not you can add your own by buying some "DC Fix" on the CPFMP.

Hands down!!!!! Zebralight SC600 with XML putting out 750 lumens for the 1st 5 minutes then 500 lumens on high, .2 lumens the the low with several light levels in between. On top of it all it has the perfect side switch UI.

Good idea that Zebralight SC600 XM-L 750 lumens with a flaring 30 mm head diameter.

Alternatively a Zebralight SC60 XP-G with only 270 lumens, but parallel sided with a more compact 25.4 mm head diameter...

Actually, if u r able to accept an 18650 with a "bigger head", eg 33 mm diameter, then it opens the door to many many other models like: Eagletacs, 4Sevens Maelstroms, Olight M20's, Jetbeam RRT-2's etc.

4Sevens has an 18650 Quark 1232 Turbo X with an even bigger 38mm head putting out some 450 lumens.