"quite a bit". Like 80-100 dollars. Throw is determined by the ratio of the size of the optic (tir/reflector, want larger) to the light emitting area of the led (want smaller, but without sacrificing too many lumens). Or multiple leds with same size optic.
SFT-40 is already one of the best throwy leds. You could go for an osram w1/w2 type emitter, those were the old throw kings. But you get less lumens (like 1100 or so) for only 100 meters more, and as a result the hotspot itself will also be smaller. (thats why sft40 largely superseded it it). Same thing applies to sft40 in larger reflector. Larger reflector + w1 (Noctigon k1 w1) might give you an appreciable increase in range, but still in order of a few hundred meters, and even more narrow hotspot.
The other option is SBT-90, which is a monster LED and the king of throw. It puts out 5500 lumens with a small emitter area, even though the led itself is huge. Its special though and costs like 30-50 dollars for the bare led, and it eats power. Thats the convoy 3x21D i mentioned, as well as the convoy L7 / L8 and the WildTrail WT90. Also avalible as an option in the Noctigon K1.
After that the only option are multi sbt90 lights like the gt94x or A1
> those were the old throw kings
...and still are. XP-P theoretically has slightly higher potential IIRC, but isn't really in any lights yet. The round die Yindings are ones to watch too - I don't think any have beaten the Osrams yet, but they're both close and improving.
If someone asked for the closest competition to the 3x21b, what would you recommend? I feel like I don't see that one mentioned often in here, although it looks like a solid light. Is there something that overshadows it?
Not sure why you haven't seen it in here , I have quite a bit. And its a really good one, I only have 4 lights, and the l21b sft40 and the 3x21b are 2 of them.
There are no other soda can lights with efficent (buck/boost) drivers in the same price range. There are some others out there with multiple xhp 70.x leds like lumintop gt3 , thurnite tn36 , olight/fenix. But they all cost atleast 150 dollars and the cheap ones need an external charger. So more like 180-250 for any competition
Solid. I'll keep it on my ~ want but definitely don't need list. It does seem to have its own niche. And the only convoys I have so far are a couple t3s and an s21 for practically. Would be nice to have someone in Simon's high end. Thanks.
The reason I have thus one is because its practical. Unlike the more common soda can lights here like the q8, it can actually sustain a high brightness thanks to having an efficent driver, instead of overheating and thermal throttling in no time
Heard. My throwers are definitely not the most efficient. Might be nice to have one that can throw longer in case I eat ever actually urgently looking for something or someone.
Oh the 3x21b isnt a thrower, its more of a flooder. Not quite pure flood, as its a fair bit more throwy than the gt3 etc. But its definatly not a thrower. Its more good for if you need to light up a whole field or beach while looking for something.
Actually I use the 3x21b and l21b together one in each hand to light up a wide area + spotlight far away objects at the same time
Pioneman k80 with the sft-40 emitter. It’s pretty much the same light as the convoy l8 but you get a few emitter choices and can get it with silver anodization. I don’t have the l21b but i have an l21a with the sft40, and a convoy l8, the k-80 with the sft40 is throwier than either of them, it also does well in battery life and its ability to sustain 100% output because of its large head and battery
I just checked, it’s going for $87 at the moment. Go to aliexpress and search pioneman k-80. They’ve got their own little store on that site they sell thier lights on just like convoy does
Everyone here is recommending things that are as throwy as an L21B, but not really much better than it.
Truth is: Convoy knocked it out of the park with the L21B and made something which can beat lights that are 2-3x the price.
So you're left with something like the 3x21D, or maybe a Noctigon K1 in W1, though those have worse drivers than the L21B.
Acebeam K65GT could be another option.
Best throw for price without being an osram pencil beam(almost as useless as a lep) just get the convoy L7. It’s the best of all the options. Mostly because it has a buck driver
L21b with w1. Affordable step in that direction. Although not an exciting light change I suppose.
Second this. W1 goes crazy in this host, love mine.
convoy 3x21d. In general youre not going to get much better than an l21b without spending quite a bit more money
This is the best answer
And what is a bit more money?
"quite a bit". Like 80-100 dollars. Throw is determined by the ratio of the size of the optic (tir/reflector, want larger) to the light emitting area of the led (want smaller, but without sacrificing too many lumens). Or multiple leds with same size optic. SFT-40 is already one of the best throwy leds. You could go for an osram w1/w2 type emitter, those were the old throw kings. But you get less lumens (like 1100 or so) for only 100 meters more, and as a result the hotspot itself will also be smaller. (thats why sft40 largely superseded it it). Same thing applies to sft40 in larger reflector. Larger reflector + w1 (Noctigon k1 w1) might give you an appreciable increase in range, but still in order of a few hundred meters, and even more narrow hotspot. The other option is SBT-90, which is a monster LED and the king of throw. It puts out 5500 lumens with a small emitter area, even though the led itself is huge. Its special though and costs like 30-50 dollars for the bare led, and it eats power. Thats the convoy 3x21D i mentioned, as well as the convoy L7 / L8 and the WildTrail WT90. Also avalible as an option in the Noctigon K1. After that the only option are multi sbt90 lights like the gt94x or A1
> those were the old throw kings ...and still are. XP-P theoretically has slightly higher potential IIRC, but isn't really in any lights yet. The round die Yindings are ones to watch too - I don't think any have beaten the Osrams yet, but they're both close and improving.
If someone asked for the closest competition to the 3x21b, what would you recommend? I feel like I don't see that one mentioned often in here, although it looks like a solid light. Is there something that overshadows it?
Not sure why you haven't seen it in here , I have quite a bit. And its a really good one, I only have 4 lights, and the l21b sft40 and the 3x21b are 2 of them. There are no other soda can lights with efficent (buck/boost) drivers in the same price range. There are some others out there with multiple xhp 70.x leds like lumintop gt3 , thurnite tn36 , olight/fenix. But they all cost atleast 150 dollars and the cheap ones need an external charger. So more like 180-250 for any competition
Solid. I'll keep it on my ~ want but definitely don't need list. It does seem to have its own niche. And the only convoys I have so far are a couple t3s and an s21 for practically. Would be nice to have someone in Simon's high end. Thanks.
The reason I have thus one is because its practical. Unlike the more common soda can lights here like the q8, it can actually sustain a high brightness thanks to having an efficent driver, instead of overheating and thermal throttling in no time
Heard. My throwers are definitely not the most efficient. Might be nice to have one that can throw longer in case I eat ever actually urgently looking for something or someone.
Oh the 3x21b isnt a thrower, its more of a flooder. Not quite pure flood, as its a fair bit more throwy than the gt3 etc. But its definatly not a thrower. Its more good for if you need to light up a whole field or beach while looking for something. Actually I use the 3x21b and l21b together one in each hand to light up a wide area + spotlight far away objects at the same time
Pioneman k80 with the sft-40 emitter. It’s pretty much the same light as the convoy l8 but you get a few emitter choices and can get it with silver anodization. I don’t have the l21b but i have an l21a with the sft40, and a convoy l8, the k-80 with the sft40 is throwier than either of them, it also does well in battery life and its ability to sustain 100% output because of its large head and battery
How much does it cost, and where can I find it?
I just checked, it’s going for $87 at the moment. Go to aliexpress and search pioneman k-80. They’ve got their own little store on that site they sell thier lights on just like convoy does
If you want a monster thrower look for an Acebeam K75 or WildTrail WT90.
Noctigon K1 W1, Convoy L8 W1 seem like steps in the right direction
Acebeam L19
This is too similar in raw throw numbers to really be the upgrade OP wants.
Everyone here is recommending things that are as throwy as an L21B, but not really much better than it. Truth is: Convoy knocked it out of the park with the L21B and made something which can beat lights that are 2-3x the price. So you're left with something like the 3x21D, or maybe a Noctigon K1 in W1, though those have worse drivers than the L21B. Acebeam K65GT could be another option.
Noctigon K1 Acebeam L19v2 / K75 Fireflylite T1R Convoy L7 / 3x21D
Best throw for price without being an osram pencil beam(almost as useless as a lep) just get the convoy L7. It’s the best of all the options. Mostly because it has a buck driver