[Update] Thinking of the Olight M20-X XML Warrior - TK41 now delivered!

[Dr Forinor]

I want a fairly compact (not EDC-able but not the size of your typical thrower) torch, as bright as possible, would prefer 2 or 3 different light settings (this one has 3; 10 lumens, 100 lumens and 500 lumens - which is a nice spread (oo-er) ), and a decent amount of runtime (which it does). It's also not too expensive for what it does.

Can anyone recommend anything better (within those parameters - keeping the cost as low as possible) or think of a reason to persuade me away from this one?

[Torchy]

I have an M21 sst50 and my wife has another Olight. Both suffer from really weedy screw threads and replacing batteries without cross-threading is pretty fraught particularly as the design has the cap under spring pressure before the threads engage.

I would look elsewhere, Fenix, Jetbeam, Thrunite etc.

[Dr Forinor]

Any opinion on the Klarus XT11 then as an alternative?

Or the Jetbeam BC25?

[johnknights]

there was a pass around of the M21 a while ago, but I'm sure there will be some uber jamies along soon, If I get involved I will only suggest a Solarforce L2 with 3 level XML as I'm a cheapskate, the M21 was definately better but the L2T is only just over £20!

[Dr Forinor]

Woah, thats a lot of output, why is it so cheap? Or rather, how can it be so cheap?

[Marcus]

Have you considered the Jetbeam PA40 ? Runs on 4 x AA (Eneloops / NiMh / Duracells etc) with a maximum output of 468 lumens. 4 different modes/power levels .. slightly longer than some of the torches mentioned elsewhere but worth every penny ..

Bought one recently and haven't regretted it one bit. A few others on the forum also have one (inc Martyn I believe) ..

Cheers

Mark

[Dr Forinor]

Marcus, I take it by your reply, you wouldn't recommend the Olight?

[Marcus]

Never had the chance to play with the OLight ... I was on the passaround list but the M21 Warrior got lost en-route to me (long story, not sure if it got resolved with Royal Mail in the end) ... I prefer the Jetbeam simply because it runs on common AA batteries. I've got a nice collection of Eneloops and a decent charger (MaHa MH-C9000) that looks after the batteries.

As others have said many times - AA batteries are common, pretty much world wide. No need to bother with special batteries or chargers with the Jetbeam ..

Cheers

Mark

[Dr Forinor]

Fair enough, thanks for your input Marcus.

[johnknights]

Woah, thats a lot of output, why is it so cheap? Or rather, how can it be so cheap?

I take it you mean the Solarforce, solarforce make one of the best value hosts (bodies in non jamie speak) around, many of the L2P parts are directly swappable with surefire 6p parts. The LED module is a standard "drop in" available as a seperate part -also fits surefire. I think the hi output figure is the absolute max the manufacturer quotes, I can't find an actual figure but a search on youtube or CPF will turn up some comparisons to give a better idea what it really produces, I know mine are bright enough to keep me smiling

[BladeScout]

there was a pass around of the M21 a while ago, but I'm sure there will be some uber jamies along soon, If I get involved I will only suggest a Solarforce L2 with 3 level XML as I'm a cheapskate, the M21 was definately better but the L2T is only just over £20!

I have several (too many) Surefires and a couple of Jetbeams (the M1X Military serchlight being one of them), but I also have some SolarForce torches (four or five). I must agree, the Solarforce hosts are simply astounding value for money. I have both one stage, three stage and five stage SolarForce torches and they all work as intended.
The TurboHead is also very good quality for money - talk about reaching out and touch someone.
I have not bought my last Solarforce, thats for sure. I doubt many other makers can match the quality for that that silly low price.

[cbr6fs]

What batteries do you want to use?
Also you mention a thrower but is that just a size comparison or do you want a thrower?

The Fenix TK35 is worth a mention.



2 x 18650 and 820 Lumens, i've got a fair few torches to choose from and this is one of the best size, weight output, beam compromises i have.

Size comparison.




If the thrower mention was just as a size comparison the Zebralight SC600 is well worth looking at.



750 Lumens and a great usable beam, no where near a thrower though.




If it's a reasonably sized thrower you want then the Dereelight DBS with the EZ900 pill and Aspherical lens really takes some beating.
You can order in pretty much any configuration you want but the XM-L with EZ900 pill puts out around 700 Lumens in a laser like beam, think light saber and your not far off the mark.



This thing throws like a light wand, i'd estimate that it lights up objects 700m away



If you go for the EZ900 pill you'll also want the extension tube to enable 2 x 18650 cells, otherwise you won't be getting the full potential out of it.

With the single tube though it looks this size.




A bit bigger and heavier and a fair dollop more money is the Nitecore TM11, this takes 4 x 18650 and puts out around 2000 Lumens.





Again this is more flood than thrower though and although it's has near on 3 times the lumen output the Dereelight still out throws the TM11 by a fair margin.

[Dr Forinor]

Wow, thank you very much, indeed, for your reply.

Ok, maybe clarification is needed, I didn't want anything the size of the Dereelight with the extra tube that you have, and if I won't get the full potential without the 2x 18650, then really there is no point in my going for that.

The Nitecore, way out of my price range for the timebeing, so will not even entertain that (but thanks for the pictures )

The Zebralight I might consider, I do like a floody light. The Fenix TK35, I did consider (and I know I said I don't want it EDC-able) but I doubt it will fit in my pocket whereas I can fit something the size of the Olight in my pocket (just about) if need be.

Would you say the Olight isn't all that great then? I'm asking since no one seems to have said "yes good choice" ?

[Leupold90]

I got a Klarus XT 2C recently. Excellent torch. Has 3 settings, decent runtime and almost has the 500 lumens you seek.

[johnknights]

IIRC Olights are quite popular on CPF, just because nobody has experience to say yes or no doesn't mean they're bad, I certainly liked the Olight that I had on the pass around. I think what people are saying is there is a lot in that price range, and without answering some important questions about your needs and requirements you may be buying the "wrong" torch rather than a bad torch. I am a dedicated soalrforce fan because going back many years I have had many Maglite, streamlight and Peli lights, although they all gave sterling service as soon as LED's became common they were all "obsolete" and effectively worthless. By using solarforce hosts I can just upgrade LED's modules when some super new super effecient LED appears rather than have another draw full of obsolete torches. I'm not saying I will never by another "top brand" torch, just it will have to be the right price or very impressive I have a Sunwayman M40A, and a Thrunite catapult V3 is on the list, but only when the price is right, I have just bought a fandyfire 3x XML real crowd pleaser but I won't loose much if I get bored of it.
hth
John