Which Thrower Beyond A 1 x 18650?

I already have some single 18650 lights. I want to move up to a good thrower, should I go with a 2 x 18650 (one battery behind the other), 3 or 4 18650 (pop/soda can), single 21700 or single 26650 LED light? What specifications should I look at to compare throwers?

Budget would be interesting to know. Also, do you want a lot of lumens and throw for shorter periods or multi hour runtimes with lots of throw?

Multiple batteries will make the light bigger, thicker, heavier and less likely to be with you without planning to use it before you leave home.

I would like to stay under $150. Typically, I need throw for shorter periods of time.

As far as planning to use it before I leave home, I typically do plan to take certain light with me, but I get your point.

I picked up a Nitecore EC4GT a while back and would certainly buy it again if faced the question of this thread. Nitecore now has the EC4GTS which is rated at 396m of throw vs 475m of the EC4GT. A quick search revealed that you can still buy the EC4GT if desired.

For me I really like the form factor and design of this light and it will throw some photons down range!

Cheers,
Tim

JAS said:

I already have some single 18650 lights. I want to move up to a good thrower, should I go with a 2 x 18650 (one battery behind the other), 3 or 4 18650 (pop/soda can), single 21700 or single 26650 LED light? What specifications should I look at to compare throwers?

Click to expand...

What do you want to see and how far do you want to see it? Detail resolution?

With a big reflector, a 21700/26650 light would be fine with the right LED, at least out to 700m.

Chris

In my experience

- 2x18650, 3x185650, and 4x18650 require matched cells, and I prefer protected cells if they are in series with each other; pop-can is my favorite multi-cell format, and can get you a ton more lumens or a ton more throw (Emisar D18 vs BLF GT)

- 1x21700 gets you quite a bit more runtime over 18650, and I seem to remember better energy density over 26650 (both in terms of volume and weight, when you compare the best cells from each size); but, make sure your chargers can handle them (length and dia.).

Lux numbers are what you need to look at for how far a light will throw. You may be suprised at what gets you where you want to be. How far do you want to be able to see? How big an area at that distance? Pants pocket, coat pocket, or messenger bag carry?

Comfort is also a factor if you are carrying the light in your hand for an extended period, such as a long walk. My hands are on the smaller side so I prefer the long thin lights to the short fat lights.

I do like my lights in the field to have throw but a good 400 yards is plenty.Even If the light reached more then that my eyes couldn't distinguish a rabbit from an elephant 😁

If you want real distance Acebeam W30 if u can still get hold of one.

Noctigon (Emisar) K1 single Osram White Flat W1 emitter, using the 21700.

1500+ meters according to testing and 650kCd.

$79.99.

Chris