New Convoy C8 – Clearly better

Still lovin my clear C8. One minor issue that I am wondering if anyone else is seeing. Does anyone loose the mode configuration they chose? I personally prefer mode 2. Every once in a while (I think this is the 3rd or 4th time) the mode selection goes back to default.

Not a huge deal but I have to dig out the programming instructions and it may take a few tries to hit the mode I want. Might I be doing something to cause the driver to revert back to default? It has stayed where I want it for a long time this last time but I use the light less during the summer. Pocket space;-)

Thanks,

Wade

No. It hasn’t happened yet, for me.

Granted, I have not used it all that much in general.

I have two Biscotti Convoys (not the clear C8, but same driver as it) as my go-to EDC’s since May, and never had my chosen mode reset on me. Although one thing I noted on both is that if I do 3 or 4 full clicks (far less than the usual 10 rapid half-clicks), it goes into the click-buzz of config mode. Not an issue for me, though, as I only did that twice for testing purposes.

Jack? Did that dude get knocked out when he hit the floor? Looks like it!

Yes, happend to me several times… with biscotti programmed nanjg105 drivers.

okay so i got yesterday my second c8, silver XP-L HI and i also have the gray version with XML2, so i asume i dont need anymore c8s for the moment ? is there a new version of the c8 coming up with a more powerful emitter then 1000lumens anyone knows?

There is a C8 that uses a Cree XHP-50.2 (2600 Lumens) , it was released 3 months ago by KaiDomain
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/New-KDLITKER-C8-2-Cree-XHP50-2-White-Neutral-White-Warm-White-2600-Lumens-5-Mode/708513_32817…….

Nope, he was fine after some 10 seconds. His Raptors suit still had some air and took the brunt of the impact. Now his ego is another matter :smiley:

Good to know, thanks. I’ve fallen on an oak floor before and I know it hurts big time! Nobody saw me though, so I can only imagine the scenario in front of a large audience… :wink:

I bought two of the new C8’s this summer, and haven’t experienced that issue.

As a wild guess, I’d say it sounds like faulty or worn-out eprom memory?

Where can I purchase the new style c8 ? In the states

Mtn Elec sells something close.
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=80&product_id=826

It shows an xml-2 instead of xpl, though. You should ask them for details on the firmware also. Biscotti might come stock or it might be an option.

I just got one Convoy C8 and another Convoy C8 is en route; I am also thinking of taking 3rd Convoy C8. :slight_smile:

About the same time I ordered, I realized I could’ve bought from Simon too, however Russian site and the myriad of options turned me down - I just wanted things simple as I am very new to all this and am still learning.
Only yesterday I found out Simon’s Skype which would make things a tad easier. I read that Simon’s customer service is great and he’s willing to make a custom order or tweak some things upon request.

As I was reading about Convoy C8 in general and experience from other people who ordered from the places I did, few questions popped into my head:
1.) Are people still receiving fake Convoy flashlights, namely C8? Last time I read about such cases was 2 years ago, so I guess things got in order. (?)
2.) How does one even check if he got a fake or not? I was looking at some pictures and usually the springs are a dead giveaway, but surely a good counterfeit won’t be so easy to notice, so what should I check to be 100% sure that I got the genuine product?
3.) And what to check in general? I’ve noticed that C8 went through couple of iterations and can come in different flavors, so what kind of innards one can expect to find?
I believe that Simon has a larger offer (such as all kinds of drivers which might or might not be displayed on his Russian-written Alibaba site) than online stores who buy from him, but so far I learned of only these:

- normal and AR-coated lens

  • SMO and OR reflector

I also know there are the drivers, but it seems there are many of those (from factory/stock, 3rd parties and custom-made) and people around here, who know their stuff, use all kinds of those to enhance or tune to their taste the flashlight. For example, I heard about Biscotti, AK-47, 7135x8…but I really don’t know if it’s the best/newest model out there, how to figure out the differences…and if I am already in the market for a lamp, I want to get the most for my money.

How can a newbie like me figure out which one is the right for me, especially if I focus only on this specific model?

Sorry for all the questions, but I couldn’t find answers around, let alone on one place. I am really a newbie in all this and I just started out, so any help is appreciated…

Thank you!

Finaly got mine. Amazing beam, works like a charm. Did not expect that much from it. Just great

Just sharing regarding the Convoy C8. I suppose I’m even a more newbie than you, since you knew about Convoy flashlights at least 2 years ago. I first saw a Cree LED flashlight earlier this year (or actually, ‘fake Cree’ as I later find out. My “real Cree” LED flashlight is only a few months ago.)

But anyway, I’ve read about the Convoy C8 from here and purchased them when I saw them on sale in Banggood and GearBest.
So I got my Convoy C8 Clear with the new Biscotti firmware from Banggood. It uses XP-L Hi, SMO reflector and has AR lens. It appears to be exactly the same as it would have been in Simon’s AliExpress store (was $1 cheaper from BG during the flash sale, if I factor in discount request from Simon — I’ve bought from Simon directly twice, previously for the Convoy S2+ Desert Sand he gave a 15% discount for BLFers if you request; recently I ordered a different flashlight from him and he gave 7% discount for it, I suppose price increased or depends on model).

The next Convoy C8 I got was from GearBest recent flash sale (I could only get the ‘flash sale’ price, but not the ‘discount voucher’ prices which are slightly lower since the discount codes unfortunately didn’t work for my country.) — anyway, I just received it — it has XM-L2, SMO reflector, and non-AR lens, and the old (5/3-mode group) firmware.

I’m not familiar with fake Convoy C8s since I ordered only from Banggood, GearBest and also Simon’s AliExpress store (I got Convoy S2+ Desert Sand with Biscotti firmware from Simon directly).

The 7135x8 refers to how much amperes max current (it affects how much total light output), but from what I’ve learned (I think the available models are 7135x3, x4, x6, x8). Each is 0.35A, so:
7135x3: 1.05A
7135x4: 1.40A
7135x6: 2.10A
7135x8: 2.80A

That’s for the max light output. But of course, the flashlight can be set to lower modes, which will then use less than max current. Less current = more runtime.
Since you’re looking for a C8 most likely for a ‘thrower’ type of flashlight, I would think you’ll be looking at the higher amps versions (2.1A or 2.8A) for max throw — you can set to lower modes anyway.

For the “old” firmware (5/3-mode groups), I remember these are set to (percentage of max current):
Low = 5% Med = 40% High = 100%
(old firmware only allows changing between the group with (5-modes group) and without blinkies (3-modes group) )

For the “new” Biscotti firmware, the default 5-modes are:
0.1, 1, 10, 35, 100%
(Biscotti allows to be programmed to have the blinkies modes in the default cycling or others — check ‘Biscotti’ firmware elsewhere in the forum for more info, eg. battery check mode)

You can also select the tint from the official AliExpress store (BG and GB also has tint selection usually). I’ve grown to like a more neutral-white tint (3A or 3D), but the cool-white tint (1A) is slightly brighter.

Ok, sorry but I don’t think I answered your question: which flashlight is right for you…

a) XP-L Hi or XM-L2?
XP-L Hi + SMO reflector + AR lens = more focused hotspot (ie. light throws a bit further)
XM-L2 + OP reflector (no AR lens) = less focused hotspot (maybe slightly wider spill), but since it uses the same C8-sized reflector, it is still throwy (just slightly less than the one above)

b) new or old firmware?
The new versions of C8 (typically the “Clear” or also called “Silver Anodized”) already use the XP-L Hi + SMO + AR by default, and if ordered from Simon directly, it should be using Biscotti already (but verify to be sure).
If ordering from elsewhere (BG, GB, etc.), then you’ll need to check if it still uses the old firmware or not.

I would recommend the new firmware since it’s much more configurable (unless you don’t like too many modes — but those can be programmed in Biscotti),

c) tint
I think this is more personal and subjective… cool-white or neutral-white. There’s even a warmer white/yellow tint available (and seems slightly more expensive)

d) how much amps
7135x8 = max output (hotter), less runtime when used at max mode; but with Biscotti, you could program such that the “highest” mode is just 50% of max current
7135x6 = slightly less max output, if you don’t need
(not sure if there’s a 7135x3 and x4 for the C8 — these options are for the Convoy S2+ since some may not need max output for an EDC light, which the S2+ is. BTW, the Convoy S2+ also has the “new” and “old” versions, much like the C8. The “new” version will typically have XP-L Hi + SMO + AR and Biscotti — which combined makes for a smaller thrower; whereas the older one uses XM-L2 + OP + no-AR (typically available in “old” firmware only, unless you buy from Simon directly and ask him to use Biscotti on it), which is more of a flooder type)

~

And somewhat aside: there appear to be many other “C8”-type flashlights (ie. throwers) recently, which you may also want to check out, eg. the Emisar D1 or D1S — these are about twice the price of the C8 but has a better UI (judging from what I read here, as I don’t currently own one). (Emisar D1/D1S as of current pricing is around $40; Convoy C8 “new-type” around $20; Convoy C8 “old-type” around $14 with flash sale/discount codes)

You sure can if you message Simon. He’ll tailor any Convoy you want the way you want to the best of his abilities, even as far as switch boot color is concerned :nerd_face:

I received Convoy C8 from Aliexpress store and when I disassembled it because I wanted to replace the driver with FET version I found out that they used wood screws to “secure” the led :person_facepalming: I inspected holes in the flashlights head and they were threaded for metal screws as usual.
Before this I received one with one cracked AMC chip, almost split in half!

Lack of quality check :expressionless:

Somewhat related, Banggood recently released a Astrolux C8 light with a FET + 1 driver. I review the light here:

From what I can tell, it appears identical in external construction to the Convoy C8, but it uses a FET driver for 60% more output (and throw). So, it doesn’t appear that mods are necessary to get a FET driver in a C8 host, anymore.

What mods were necessary before? I can only think of making sure the emitter is on a DTP copper mcpcb in order to handle the heat.

Well, I saw lots of people buying Convoy C8’s and replacing the 8x7135 driver with a FET driver. This one comes with the FET driver, so you get the extra brightness. But, you have to be more careful of heat, of course.