What EDC light? (Non-firearm) Thrower?

[Mr. Blue]

Currently I’ve got an Lumintop FW3A that I like a lot. Its very small, has a big flood and a turbo of 2,800 lumens. Very bright. Now, I’d like to get a thrower. I was thinking of the Noctigon KR4 W2, but with so many LED options, I haven’t got one yet. I’m still trying to learn a bit more.

What do you use for a small pocketable flashlight?

[tradecraft]

Try a Weltool W4 if you mean jacket pocket.

[Mr. Blue]

Originally Posted by tradecraft

Try a Weltool W4 if you mean jacket pocket.

Absolutely, I’m just looking to learn a bit more about quality lights. I’ll check that out.

[tradecraft]

Originally Posted by Mr. Blue

Absolutely, I’m just looking to learn a bit more about quality lights. I’ll check that out.

For something a little more pocketable, take a look at the TK30 (YMMV, Fenix doesn't put out junk but I just don't know much about it in particular).

Check out www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/ if you haven't already
edit: actually, if you have a FW3A, you're probably on there already

[Mr. Blue]

Those both look very nice. I should have specified a budget, I’d like to get one under $100.

[tradecraft]

Check out the Catapult V6 (neutral) - I have one of the green ones and it's a solid, if not boring, performer. There's probably a hotrod that out throws it.

[Hairball]

This is what I carry. I use the “moonlight” mode more than anything.

https://www.olightstore.com/baton-pro-bk-new.html

I know, more than what you want to spend but when I really need to throw light, I use this:
https://www.illumn.com/acebeam-w30-u...-included.html

I shine this up the street, across the road, and up the side of the hill several hundred yards away and this thing is great.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...6FORM%3DHDRSC4

[JohnnyMtn]

I’ve been using this EDC light for a couple years: https://lapolicegear.com/lapg-operat...laslhight.html

It goes everywhere with me and it’s always been solid. I might get a new one soon only because the light is looking more silver than black because I’ve worn off much of the paint from EDCing it everyday.

[JohnnyMtn]

Just realized you’re looking for a thrower. The above mentioned LAPG is not really a thrower.

[FeuerFrei]

I edc a Streamlight pt-1l so I can just see stuff and NOT blind anybody at 100yds.
Carries easy and has been as reliable as my Glock.

Here's a great site for removing the "duh factor" regarding hand lights.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php?

[Mr. Blue]

Originally Posted by FeuerFrei

I edc a Streamlight pt-1l so I can just see stuff and NOT blind anybody at 100yds.
Carries easy and has been as reliable as my Glock.

Here's a great site for removing the "duh factor" regarding hand lights.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php?

This is great, thanks!

[sonofeugene]

If you want a real thrower, get the:

https://www.fenixlighting.com/produc...-2018-upgrade/

It's not in your budget, nor is it pocket sized, but OMG, what a light. You can also get battery compartment extenders to double, triple, or even quadruple the run times.

[Mr. Blue]

Originally Posted by sonofeugene

If you want a real thrower, get the:

https://www.fenixlighting.com/produc...-2018-upgrade/

It's not in your budget, nor is it pocket sized, but OMG, what a light. You can also get battery compartment extenders to double, triple, or even quadruple the run times.

From the non-pocket versions I have seen, this one is a definite contender down the road. The price isn’t outrageous for what it seems to do. If I’m going to go this route, I’d want a light that will light up the woods.

[818gtiguy]

If you like the FW3A but want a thrower, try the FW1A or the FW1A Pro.

[Mr. Blue]

I looked at both of those. The FW1A PRO is a mixed bag. The color of the light is off. It has a green halo around the hotspot. The spill is also all over the place. The FW1A would work, but the throw isn’t as powerful as I’d like.

[socalninja]

I have the Noctigon KR4 and the lumintop FW3a. The Noctigon is brighter for sure and great quality for the price but not really a thrower. Also, it feels a little big in the pocket compared to the Lumintop so I usually stick with my lumintop.

Check out the below website which is pretty good for finding options.

https://1lumen.com/

[Mr. Blue]

Thanks Ninja. Get that post count up, there’s been scammers creeping these halls with low post counts.

[socalninja]

Noted. So much great info here.....I’ve spent most of my time just reading since I joined.

[Mr. Blue]

Originally Posted by socalninja

Noted. So much great info here.....I’ve spent most of my time just reading since I joined.

That is the tell of a wise man. Listening more than speaking.

[Mr. Blue]

The Astrolux FT03 (i think thats what its called) caught my eye. It can be found for around $40 and has a great throw.

[socalninja]

I have the Astrolux as well. It’s a crazy thrower for the price. It’s a big light for edc but a perfect first thrower. You can usually find it on sale and probably won’t find a better value in the throwers

[Mr. Blue]

Originally Posted by socalninja

I have the Astrolux as well. It’s a crazy thrower for the price. It’s a big light for edc but a perfect first thrower. You can usually find it on sale and probably won’t find a better value in the throwers

The astrolux FT03? What astrolux? I almost bought one but the website Banggood seemed like a Chinese mess. 35 days to ship... all sorts of discount codes and pop ups for different LED’s and different things I just don’t know enough about. Also, I think I do want a thrower that could be a bit larger. I’m more interested in the throw than the size of the light.

[pratchett]

Fenix has some great lights, with variable output, and many of them are rechargeable as well. I'd take a look at their PD and TK lines.

[oktavist]

Best throw out of the 20 or so flashlights I own is probably my Convoy C8+
Probably made on the same machine in the same chinese sweat shop as the astrolux.

Remember, for throwers: lumens doesn't matter. Candela matters.

You can put a dim LED in a good lens and see farther than a brighter LED that just shines out in all directions. Reflector/lens size matters. Lumens is a flood type measurement. Candela is a spot type measurement.

My C8+ shines farther than flood style lights that have over double the lumen number as it does.

Edit: My streamlight TLR-1 HPL and some others, have better throw than my Convoy C8+, but I don't really think of them as EDC type lights...

[socalninja]

Originally Posted by Mr. Blue

The astrolux FT03? What astrolux? I almost bought one but the website Banggood seemed like a Chinese mess. 35 days to ship... all sorts of discount codes and pop ups for different LED’s and different things I just don’t know enough about. Also, I think I do want a thrower that could be a bit larger. I’m more interested in the throw than the size of the light.

Yes. I have the FT03. It’s great. I got it from Banggood. They usually have an express shipping option that takes 10-15 days.

[Mr. Blue]

Originally Posted by oktavist

Best throw out of the 20 or so flashlights I own is probably my Convoy C8+
Probably made on the same machine in the same chinese sweat shop as the astrolux.

Remember, for throwers: lumens doesn't matter. Candela matters.

You can put a dim LED in a good lens and see farther than a brighter LED that just shines out in all directions. Reflector/lens size matters. Lumens is a flood type measurement. Candela is a spot type measurement.

My C8+ shines farther than flood style lights that have over double the lumen number as it does.

Edit: My streamlight TLR-1 HPL and some others, have better throw than my Convoy C8+, but I don't really think of them as EDC type lights...

I knew that Lumens didn’t really matter when it came to throw. I thought it was all about the shape of the lens. One LED compared to 3 or 4. So Candela is the way to measure a thrower?

[Mr. Blue]

Originally Posted by socalninja

Yes. I have the FT03. It’s great. I got it from Banggood. They usually have an express shipping option that takes 10-15 days.

I ordered the FT03 SST... 6500k in Green with a rechargeable light for $50. I’m hoping I didn’t order the wrong light somehow. I know there are many variables.

[oktavist]

Originally Posted by Mr. Blue

So Candela is the way to measure a thrower?

A purpose built spotlight will usually advertise how far it reaches.

Meters/yards is probably the best way to measure throw. If a company doesn't list that spec, candela is next best.

Think of candela as a measure of how much light is in the brightest spot.
Think of lumens is a measure of total brightness in all directions.

That's technically oversimplified as flux and brightness are not exactly the same thing. But for shopping purposes, it's a good way to think about it.

[Mr. Blue]

I’m confident I got a decent thrower at 875Meters. The light I chose, the Astrolux FT03 had two different LED’s? Lenses? I’m not sure but two options. XHP or SST. I’m sure I’m butchering this. But the SST had less lumens at 2400, compared to the XHP at 4300lumens. However the SST had a much longer more precise throw. So I went with that one. I think I should get a back up battery for it.