Highest quality C8 currently available?

What brand of C8 is considered the best currently? I just started looking for a XinTD C8 and found out they were discontinued at sometime. Bummer for me. So what brand stands out now that I should look at?

As far as the best C8—-Do you mean a factory built C8 or something that’s custom built :question:

If you’re looking for custom built , there are some very good C8 builders here on the BLF.

Just “Pick your poison” , so to speak. :+1:

I have the BLF x6 and a thorfire C8s

Now clearly the X6 is not a C8

it has completely different letters and numbers

so, my pick would be the thorfire

I was looking for factory built, mainly because of the cost savings. I’m looking for one for general outside use around the house when letting the dog out or taking him for a walk, so decent flood with decent spot, and slightly warmer tint. The XinTD with XM-L2 U3-3D seemed like it would have fit my needs.

Build quality , as a host :

Convoy C8 and Thorfire C8

As a complete light :

Clear Convoy C8

I tested every C8 available on the market :+1:

I’ve just started reading the thread on the Clear Convoy C8. Sounds interesting, though from reading the last couple of pages, seems like maybe there is some minor issue with the programming?

Not exactly a problem as many said on this thread . A good ~80kcd light , for less than 30$ if i remember correctly .

I agree. I have the Clear C8 in a Black version. For the price it can’t be beat! :+1:
$20 with the BLF discount.

If you buy a Convoy C8 go for the original with integrated head and XPL HI

You can buy a grey or black host with new driver and ar glass if you dont like the clear version, espevially as the brightest XPL HI V3-1A you have to buy seperately
http://www.kaidomain.com/p/S024241.Cree-XP-L-HI-V3-White-6500K-LED-Emitter-with-KDLIGHT-3535-20-20mm-x-1_5mm-DTP-Copper-MCPCB

I like it more neutral the V2-3A bin is very pleasant pure white light to my eyes no tint at all
http://intl-outdoor.com/noctigon-xp16-cree-xpl-high-intensity-v2-3a-p-901.html
7$ with DTP noctigon star

Buy a C8 grey or black host
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Convoy-C8-gray-flashlight-host/330416_32450778829.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.jjzzn0
15$

AR glass
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/42-2-0mm-ar-coated-glass-suitable-for-C8-flashlight/330416_32580265388.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.U3UAiq
1.5$

New driver
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/7135x3-7135x4-7135x6-7135x8-with-new-firmware/330416_32734523412.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.faCKMw
3.5$

Total with a nice LED on DTP for less than 25$
if you dont pay and ask as comment for BLF discount Simon gives you 15% on the order

OK , now you have an idea what your cost $ range is. All you have to do is look around and see what meets your needs. :wink:

If your wanting one with decent spill might want to get a convoy c8 with a orange peel reflector so it scatters the light out more. Still nice hotspot. If you get it from simon as others said you can get a discount.

The orange peel reflector only widens the hotspot with smoother transition to spill

Spill keeps the same as it is the light not hitting the reflector

Honestly, I would avoid the new driver for now unless you can solder or program the driver yourself.

My first clear c8 had really poor QC concerning machining and the lens. From what I understand that was just a few of the early lights and has been cleared up.

The replacement light’s driver just straight up bricked on me the fourth or fifth time I entered configuration mode. It’s stuck in moonlight mode until I bother to replace the driver.

Seems to be a rare occurrence though. I’ve only read a few other people having similar issues. If it happens to you I’m sure Simon will send you a free replacement driver so If you can solder you should be fine.

Anyway, performance is indeed quite good. I measured about 900lm and 68kcd while it was working.

Great detailed information. Thanks all. This is why I enjoy this site over others, as there’s always lots of friendly help available.

Convoy C8’s are my choice, I have several with different drivers & LED’s and am well pleased.

To me, the C8 is primarily a thrower, ie, it’s great for letting you look at what’s a hunnert yards down the path, but not so good for seeing what’s right in front of you (a tiny disc of light will be thoroughly washed out and what you can see from spill is not so much because you just ruined your night vision).

For generic looking down a path, from right in front of you to maybe a dozen yards down, go for a S2+ (or S5, or S2, or…), which is pretty floody, and comes stock with a nice warm emitter if you choose. You’ll also be able to dim the light for seeing close-in, and brighten it up for seeing farther out. Be warned, the generic UI for Convoys (mimicking the NANJG 105D drivers) just plain pisses me off, but doesn’t seem to bother other people terribly much. Ymmv.

I think I’ve been convinced to try Bistro, which is “difficult” enough to not be able to accidentally switch mode-groups, so at least appears hardwired to your choice of modes as a sort of set’n’forget UI. Look for and get that if you can.

My EDC is a ’502C, which has a nice hotspot that can reach across the yard nice and bright, and still has decent spill, so it’s sort of in-between a thrower and a flooder. Nice compromise (ie, it does both equally well, or equally badly :smiley: ).

If you really want flexibility, nothing beats an aspheric (zoomie) for a nice smooooooooth wide flood, a nice blanket of light, and yet it can be “zoomed” to a batsignal if you want throw (albeit at a half to a third of its wide-open lumens).

Me personally, I’d keep an aspheric or even a mule (lensless/reflectorless) for just walking (nice wide flood of directionless light in front of me and around me), and a separate bright thrower for if/when I’d need one for seeing farther out. (Eg, flood in hand, thrower in pocket or holster.)

Oh yeah, and the C8 with neutral tint in an XP-L HI is a thing of beauty.

I love my XP-E2 4300K for throw, but it’s not nearly as bright as the XP-L HI, which has one of the best beams I’ve seen in a long time.

I’m a Convoy fan too. OP reflector and whatever tint/ power you like without the XPL-Hi emitter (it’s for throw). You’ll get a beam pattern quite like that of a traditional incan flashlight, only brighter. I find that beam profile very useful in a general way; it works OK for everything but when I have a specific purpose in mind I’ll grab something else suited for that purpose. If I had only one light it would be a Convoy C8 like I described but with a SMO reflector as I like a bias more toward throw.

Your night vision isn’t degraded by a bright hotspot if you don’t look at it- the key is to aim elsewhere and slowly bring the spill onto what you’re looking at or for. You can also cover the lens with your fingers leaving only an edge open to reduce the amount of light in front of you. And you do have lower modes to help here as well. It’s human nature to look at the hotspot- that’s the real problem- but that can be overcome through learning and using the various techniques to counter that.

Phil

Big thanks to Richard and Lisa at Mountain Electronics. They found a couple of new XinTD C8s in inventory, XM-L2 U2-3C, emailed me, and now they are in the mail to me.