Which BLF driver for Convoy C8?

I’m about to put together my first light. I was wondering which driver would be best for it? Would I go for the BLF X5/X6 driver or the BLF A6 driver?

I’m going for a XP-L HI V3. I’ve read in another thread that the BLF X5/X6 driver won’t work in a C8? Something about the C8s retaining ring is made out of aluminum.

Bistro driver would be best

TA triple channel is one of the best options

I am currently making some

Will your driver be a significant increase in output? Or is it strictly the firmware? If it’s just firmware I have a hard time justifying almost the double cost…

Its one of the best driver you can get atm, the firmware is almost the same
The X6 driver is good as well

the costs just comes from the fact, that its not mass produced, so i got higher purchasing price for materials, and I need some time to make and test them

The Output is basically defined by the LEDs forward voltage, FET, leads and bypassed springs

I can solder a 1$ cheaper FET which has 6mOhms more resistance

The 7135*1+6+FET has better efficiency in middle modes

I would chose the BLF X5/X6 driver because the Bistro firmware has more options. The driver Lexel is making has better components, is more efficient and the TA version of Bistro have even more mode groups options.

The max output on all three driver are about the same, so if price is the most important just go with the BLF A6 driver.

I have a spare BLF A6 driver I could mail to you, send me a PM if you are interested.

If he asks I make hin even a custom modegroup, just BLF service
a BLF A6 driver is cheap, the UI is OK

even the cheapest BLF driver is far better than 95% stock chineese rubbish

So you’re saying that the blf x5 driver would work in a c8? Can I easily change the temperature settings and modes? Or do I have to use a computer to change the firmware?

Lexel I’ll send you PM later today!

I haven’t build a Convoy C8 with a X6/X5 driver but I have build a Thorfire C8s with a MTN-20DDm also a FET+1 driver with Bistro works just fine. With Bistro you can change the settings available in the firmware just by clicking look here for more info :

http://toykeeper.net/torches/x6v2/manker/bistro.txt

Ok, thanks. The reason I asked is this that I’ve read in another thread here.

“You may want to be careful about using that driver with a Convoy C8 host. The BLF X5/X6 driver from the same manufacturer does not make electrical contact with the driver retaining ring of a V3 Convoy C8 and it can’t be soldered to it since the ring is made of aluminum.”

Sledgestone, did you build the X5/X6 driver already in the Convoy C8?
I have exact the same question, read that post as well

I did and it worked perfectly! Finished another one yesterday using a A6 driver this time. Measured at around 120kcd without fine tuning the focus.

Thanks for the info, so no problems at all?
Just unscrew the aluminium retainer ring, replace the driver, solder wires to the led, screw everything back in place?

Since i read that post that you qouted as well, and i was a bit worried :slight_smile:
Driver should be in NL according tracking info :sunglasses:

Nope, no issues at all! Yeah, that’s how you do it. The retaining ring is kinda wonky both to get in and out. The holes in it are so damn small. I found it quite hard to get a satisfying solder joint on the wires to the led. But hey, it works so I’m not too bothered by it.

Thanks again!
Opened my C8 several times, so no problem, even a steel nail will do :slight_smile: