Has anyone received a q8 from the latest batch yet? Just wondered if there were any new improvements or differences from the 2nd batch,Or is it’s the same as the batch 2 q8.? Thanks
I’m not sure what the ‘third batch’ would be… AFAIU there has been a first batch of 500 with a few issues that where corrected for the second batch beyond the first 500. The first two i got where from that second batch and i latter ordered a third one which was probably close to #2000 in the ‘preorder’ count on BG. I received it a couple weeks ago and it was exactly as the first two. Don’t know if that answers your question though.
What was to be improved? I have a second batch Q8 and there are no problems with it. I just received another (my second) Q8 this Friday and it’s about as perfect as you can get too and so far no issues.
My first Q8 had a AR lens, the new one a Clear lens, only thing I see different?
Springs!
A bypass yields 1000 more lumens!
Not mentioning the light can turn off when bumped on the tail…
The springs used in the D4 would have been great.
When it was clear during developement of the Q8 that the goal of 4000 lumen would easily be met even with steel springs without bypass, I pleaded not to aim for better conductive springs (like copper alloy ones) or for a factory-bypass, to keep the safety feature that a steel spring forms when inserting the battery the wrong way. I’m still strongly in favor to keep it that way.
We did put a lot of effort in getting Thorfire to use longer stiffer springs, resulting in that they used a somewhat better spring than was used in the latest prototype, but we never got the exact spring we wanted
The springs in the D4 (Be-Cu alloy) are of low mechanical quality and have very little travel, that is why the D4 can only accomodate a very specific battery length (the standard size that unprotected cells have). It is unsuitable for the Q8 that has the dimensions to accomodate a variety of battery sizes. Only if the battery tube is shortened these springs will work, but anything longer than a standard unprotected 18650 will not fit.
@djozz: Thanks for the explanations, it all makes sense. Someone recently posted a pict of he’s Q8 tail board after he inserted one cell the wrong way and this ‘safety feature’ did work.
@leftfordead: Would the Q8 be more than bright compared to a 2xAA…? Be prepared to be flown away! Lol :smiling_imp:
The D4 has two springs, the Q8 only one per cell. 2 springs are always better to prevent power interrupts caused by bumps. Easiest and cheapest improvement would still be an additional buffer cap.
Thorfire planded to release Q8 with NarsilM v1.2 (but nobody knows when this will happen)
And they said they will use uncoated lens only.
So I suggested to name this lamps batch 3.
Maybe the december 2017 lamps are batch 3?
so i think ill leave the springs alone then , my current torch is running 1 aa battery and 1 small led ,so i think the q8 will be a slight upgrade, so how do the steel springs help with saftey?
Springs act as fuse - more or less. Under high current and heat they sort of retract and the cell lose contact. They have to be replaced though.
Early prototypes had no branding.
Do you have those lights?
My D4 has one spring and the Q8 two for each cell.
I agree an extra capacity is the best cure for short power interruptions… Still a bit tricky when you’re not used to solder those tiny components. Don’t ask how i know. :person_facepalming: