Help me find a thrower

EarwaxUK

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
6
Hi everyone

I'm looking too supplement my EDC (an Eagletac P20C2) with something a bit larger, a bit brighter, and with more throw. Examples of what I'm looking at are the Eagletac M25C2, Nitecore MH40GT and PD30, and the Olight MDX-UT.
I'd like a simple interface (the Eagletac is OK, but I get lost in the different modes and twists) and rechargeable would be nice, but it depends on budget (max around £100).

Any suggestions what I could be looking at?



1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).

2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :)
Up to $100 (although £ as UK based)

3) Format:
I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).

4) Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches)

5) Emitter/Light source:
LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)

6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).

7) What power source do you want to use?
I'm less fussy. I don't have AA and AAA rechargeable cells, but happy to buy 18650s or similar, and also happy to use CR123A.

7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I don't care

8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).

9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.
Turbohead: I want a far-distance projector with a sharply focused spot of light and minimal or zero side-spill. Good for extreme distance and impressing your friends.

9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)

10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)

11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).

12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
Any size switch will do.
I don't care.

13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
I want a selector ring.

14)Material/Finish/Coating
Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's higher end flashlights).

15) Water resistance
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)

16) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)

17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
None
 

1996alnl2

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 25, 2020
Messages
42
I recommend the Malkoff E2XT 3.4-6 Volts Extra Throw head that you can put on your favourite E-Series SureFire body (my all time favourite) and you have an ultra reliable/durable light that throws a beam several hundred meters and is very EDC friendly. Best part is it works great on a 16350 rechargeable battery.. and get a good 45min runtime.
 

Olumin

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 20, 2020
Messages
1,337
Location
"...that famous Texas part of Hamburg"
If you ever find a Surefire p2x Tactical or defender for a good price I would pick that up. They pop up from time to time on eBay. I got that light just about a week ago and the throw is insane for the 500lm it puts out. It can light up en entire field with no problems. It keeps 70% of its max. brightness for an entire hour (80% over 50min), with total runtime of 1,5 hours. Runs also on a 16650 rechargeable and I have not noticed a significant difference in brightness, although it will fall out of regulation quicker and it will educe your runtime to maybe about 1h. Durable and simple as can be. The 3px is of cause also an option, but its not rechargeable. These lights can be had second-hand for under 100£. Sorry I cant be more helpful, throwers are usually not my repertoire.

I would normally second the Malkoff recommendation, but considering you are based in the UK, if you add shipping and import charges, that might significantly overshoot your budged.
 

Chicken Drumstick

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 9, 2011
Messages
1,651
Location
UK
Hi everyone

I'm looking too supplement my EDC (an Eagletac P20C2) with something a bit larger, a bit brighter, and with more throw. Examples of what I'm looking at are the Eagletac M25C2, Nitecore MH40GT and PD30, and the Olight MDX-UT.
I'd like a simple interface (the Eagletac is OK, but I get lost in the different modes and twists) and rechargeable would be nice, but it depends on budget (max around £100).

Any suggestions what I could be looking at?

Searching from a helicopter sounds rather specialised. What kind of work are you involved in? Even at low level you'll need something fairly beefy to cover the distance I'd have thought.

You also mention about having throw and little spill, but then mention about being able to read a map up close. Sadly I think these are polar opposites and difficult to get in one light.


I'm also guessing, that when you say EDC. You aren't meaning a typical trouser pocket style of light. The lights you site all would be coat pocket or bigger.



For me, the thrower I'd like to get and recommend would be the Noctigon K1 from International Outdoor. When equipped with the Osram LED's it really will throw a beam super far. I'd personally go for the W2 variant, which will give you 1200 lumens and 600,000.

But a light like this won't be much good for map reading. The hot spot will be too intense close up, even on low outputs.

This should be about bang on your budget at approx $99 and shipping is normally pretty good.


As an alternative to this. The Astrolux FT03 is a cracking light and can be had for around £30'ish delivered. The FT03 looks very similar, but you can't get the Osram LED in them (at least yet). They offer an SST-40 version and an XHP50.2 version. Both pump out lots of lumens and will light up a lot with moderately good throw. But due to having a large reflector, even the big XHP50.2 isn't very good close up. As you will still have quite an intense hotspot.

Really I'd suggest getting a 2nd light for looking at a map. Maybe even a head torch. But if you want a small light, the Astrolux A02 would be ideal for map use.
 

bigburly912

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 12, 2015
Messages
3,361
Location
Virginia
I reviewed the OP and this looked like what he wanted. Please stop following me around the bulletin board and questioning what I post. Just worry about you, ok? Sorry if we have a difference in opinion, but you need to work that out on your end. If you keep harassing me, I will report your posts. Thanks.

Go ahead and report me sir/ma'am. I've commented on a few posts you've made yes, one was saying the 5050r would "light up a football field" and that everyone else was suggesting subpar lights (one of the recommendations was a Malkoff and when I mentioned that you took offense to it) then you have this gem saying the 5050r with its 800 Lumens and 10000cd would make a helicopter searchlight. Yes I commented because they were bad recommendations and you spam posted this forum with a link to a 5050r on every recommend me a light post.

Now to the OP, there are lights that may fit the bill using secondary LEDs that could be used for the map reading part of your light and also have a throw LED. This one is going to be tough to recommend something that hits all parameters.

One light that may work for you is the noctigon K1vn since you are open to custom maker lights. The K1vn is an excellent spotlight and uses an anduril ui so it ramps up or down depending on how much light you need at the time. It even has a moonlight mode so that you could possibly get some map reading in without blinding yourself. You can contact vinh at skylumen.com and he can help tailor a light to fit your needs with a customized package and LED to do what you need it to do. The K1vn can use a 21700 and 18650 battery in a pinch.
 
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thermal guy

Flashaholic
Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Messages
9,981
Location
ny
You're looking for high LUX so the Malkoff is a real good choice. The only thing is it's way over your 100 pound budget.
 

scout24

Flashaholic
Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
8,869
Location
Penn's Woods
Yes, I read the "reported posts" emails...

Desertrunner- If you're going to post a link, maybe some verbiage from you to back up why you think it's such a good choice? Otherwise it might mistaken for shilling.

Nobody is following you around the board, there are certain topics that draw the same names into the conversation. Again, unless you explain why you think something is the best thing since peanut butter, someone may think you're just shilling. And, it's flashlights. Let's all relax. :)
 

bykfixer

Flashaholic
Joined
Aug 9, 2015
Messages
20,352
Location
Dust in the Wind
If spotting from a helicopter with a hand held flashlight a wrist strap is highly reccomended. Otherwise a droppsees could mean losing the light forever or worse end up harming something or somebody. (Well if it's a cattle rustler then bombs away lol.)

Candella of at least 50,000 to 100,000 would be a good place to start looking.
 
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hsa

Enlightened
Joined
Nov 21, 2015
Messages
995
Location
Terre Du Lac, MO.
My nitecore P30 with 100k cd does really good on the ground but probably not enough for helicopter use. The last light I saw from a cop helicopter looked like a "Close Encounters" thing.
 

thermal guy

Flashaholic
Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Messages
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ny
As long as we're all relaxed now scout, surely it should be the best thing sense sliced bread😁
 

orbital

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 8, 2007
Messages
4,257
Location
WI
Hi everyone

I'm looking too supplement my EDC (an Eagletac P20C2) with something a bit larger, a bit brighter, and with more throw. Examples of what I'm looking at are the Eagletac ..

+

Any duty size light with a XHP35 HI emitter is a very good choice.
 
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nbp

Flashaholic
Joined
Dec 16, 2007
Messages
10,970
Location
Wisconsin
I'm no thrower expert, but At the recommendation of a friend here who is, I recently got an Acebeam T27. 2500 lumens and almost 1200 meters of throw. This thing rockets out the light. I have been playing with it lately as there is a large hunting grounds and some farms around my house. I lit up a silo about 1/2 mi away with it. Fun light for $140! Charges the included 21700 by USBC.
 
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