Sofirn C8T premier review/test - Like!

CR123A (or 2x 16340) does not seem to be supported in any of the Sofirn C8x variations.

I was also thinking about the intensity figure in the specs. 9600 CD would be too low, it’s probably 96000 CD (almost similar to the Astrolux C8), the specs mention up to 4.5A for the C8T.

Using a DMM to measure tailcap current, I got 4.56A with a freshly charged VTC6 on highest mode. Using UT210E ammeter and a piece of copper wire on freshly charged VTC6, the reading is up to 6.37A — I believe the Astrolux C8 (BLF A6 driver) would just be similar amp readings…

The specs on Sofirn C8T website previously mentioned 250m (I think the manual also indicates that), but checking the website now, the throw distance figure now reads 500m (max).

(I’m wondering, does the Astrolux C8, rated at 640m throw distance, really throw further than this Sofirn C8T? or are they just very similar? given the ampere readings…)

A lot of these AR coated lenses cause a slight tint shift as well. I think it’s more of a marketing tool than useful in reality, IMO.

Up to 96Kcd sounds right, I got above 100Kcd (using a smartphone so beware).

CR123A? I do not think you'll get the desired performance with such power source, the torch is designed for high drain li-ion cells. There is a new YODELI OEM 18350 cell being rewrapped by some companies (Vapcell, KeepPower), now good luck finding some short tube you can lego with.

Cheers :-)

looking at a short tube option just to make it more compact on occassions… My primary flashlight is the BLF A6 so this is to be a partner with that. SO as long as it has the out put am not too bothered about runtimes.

I ordered this C8s host (the 20.8mm driver version) from Sofirn last Jan— and although it wasn’t shown in the listing (at AliExpress), it came WITH a nice MCPCB that fits the XHP and larger leds out there (and for my project this afternoon… the SST-40) :heart_eyes:

After reading this test post a while back, I thought a good single shaved SST-40 led might just be the ticket for a nice C8 sized thrower (with a little flood) using this Sofirn host. I realized a good driver was a must and as Lexel hooked me up with my 17mm NarsilD drivers (for my C8F triple led lights), I asked him what would work for this host— he suggested this driver:

20.8mm Bistro HD 2.7V LVP.

No, I really don’t know the specs on this driver except that I asked for a driver that would LIGHT this (or an XPL HI) UP using a single 18650 config! And tonight I took it out after building it this afternoon and I am a happy camper. :beer:

I bought the led from KD Litker (Kai Domain), got it in this week and finally got a day to play with my soldering station and these parts. I flowed it onto the Sofirn MCPCB using a lighter- it took about a minute AFTER I prepped the MCPCB with a light dash of resin and just a touch of solder. I also built a bypass into the tail switch (using 18g wire all around).

When I turned it on, I was happy enough UNTIL I realized I was starting out on the “muggle” mode (at about 50% output). So, after thoroughly getting lost in the Bistro HD programming paradox (still figuring that all out), I did find turbo and WOW!!!

I was going to slice this SS-40 for more throw, but taking it out with a fresh 30Q tonight… it was getting out there REAL nice “as-is”. I don’t think I’ll be shaving this led as this light has a natural throw built into it (as it’s working with this Sofirn C8s host’s reflector anyway). Compared to my KD Litker C8.2 with a XHP50.2 (at 3 amps on that factory driver), tonight— this C8s/SST-40 build has significantly more throw, but less flood (but still usable side lighting for a lot of applications).

I’ll know how it compares to the Sofirn C8T (the light reviewed here) when I get mine in (bought last week). Everything takes 4-6 weeks to get (as we all know), and so all these “plans” hit the back-burner a while. Anyway, when I get that light in, I’ll try my first pictures here and compare these C8s to my C8Fs too.

As I am using the C8 form factor for my night-time pig rifle, I could use this light TODAY for hunting out of blinds (for further shots typically over feeders- 200 yards or so) where I’m sippin’ wiskey and waiting (and can use more throw). As mentioned, I am working on several Sofirn C8Fs (triple leds): one with XPL HIs and another with some shaved XP-L2s. Going to see how they ALL throw compared to each other. I know both my C8Fs will have a LOT of flood and throw— so they WILL be used for my primary gun lights (the plan right now anyway) for “run and gun” hunting; where we hit the pigs closer in (and they run every direction- FAST)! So GOOD side light is GREAT to have for that close range— with fast moving pigs (while using a red-dot “two eyed” site Vs. a longer range scope).

The Vf is said to be really optimal when used in higher current draw designs with the SST-40 led, but the XHP50.2 (I compared to this eve) is also being run at a lower current: 3 amps Vs. (EDIT: confirmed up to 8 amps for the SST-40). So I’ll have to run a comparison with them both to see what the run time difference may be. But for my use (100% TURBO ON- for a few seconds- just long enough to acquire the pig in the scope and make the shot), run time isn’t an issue- brightness is… and this driver rocks! :smiling_imp: I ALSO went with this Bistro driver… as I can program it to ONE mode: OFF/TURBO! (for use on that gun ALSO using Lexel’s tail FET switch; which is super cool too— with no current loss using a pressure switch).

It’s a good time to be playing with C8’s on my gun. :smiley: Great hosts and finished lights (especially from Sofirn lately), cool drivers and tweaks like my FET tail switch (from Lexel and a few others here who KNOW their stuff) and BLF solutions that are cost effective AND provide WORLD CLASS performance (surpassing 99% of all the high priced “tactical” stuff out there) for a fraction of the cost. Life is good :beer:

More to come after I get the C8F done with XPL-HIs, another C8F with shaved XP-L2s, this C8s host and the C8T on the way from China (as of the big sale last week in AE— where I bought WAY too many lights). :person_facepalming:

Good reporting. Worthy of it’s own thread . Keep it coming.

Thanks for pointing out the MCPCB thing, curious.

Speaking about the driver shelf, how deep is it? Since I love regulated drivers a lot, I am still wondering wether an LD-29 would fit (9mm height).

Cheers ^:)

I measured it with my micrometer.

Total head length (without bezel screwed on, measured from the edge of both open ends of the head = 57mm

33.5mm depth to the heat sink milling (from bezel thread’s edge on front of light)
13mm from tube entry to the face of my driver (screwed in)

Thus 57mm less 46.5mm leaves 10.5mm from the SPRING side of my driver, the the FRONT face of the pillbox (back of the MCPCB).

Given the heat sink behind the MCPCB is approximately 4mm (a close guess), that would leave you about 6mm to work with for the 1/2 of your driver that would need the space in between the driver mount area and back of the pills heat sink (back of the head)- PLUS wires. My driver is about 5mm thick and there was a LITTLE play to work with the 18g wires… close to maybe 3-4 mm of play.

I have another C8s host coming in a few weeks and I can measure it more precisely then. But there are ALSO no threads left to back the driver out either… I got a good 3-4 turns on it— but the retaining ring is still not quite flush with the start of the head’s driver threads.

So the driver’s board thickness could not be much thicker… and conversely… could not go in any more shallow that my driver does sit.

So sadly, my best guess is “maybe”… sorry :weary:

So… I’d try it and if it’s a no-go, then just grab another driver (thankfully there are some good ones that fit!!!). I bi-passed the tail and tweaked the Bistro HD and this light really is a great little bright light (and medium thrower), with just enough spill to be usable for all-around use. I’ll build another (#2) Sofirn C8s host with the same SST-40 (de-domed next time) and another one of Lexels Bistro HD TA driver- that he confirmed will draw up to 8 amps off a good 18650- and that puts this LED at HIGHER output (2500 lumens) than the xpl HI at the same current domed or de-domed :smiling_imp:

Could one of you kindly help with another measurement? What is the diameter of the opening underneath the driver? That is… how small of a driver will fit without falling through?

I ordered on the of the Sofirn C8 hosts (the one with the 17mm driver opening) and love it. Well, that is until I found out that I can’t fit a typical nanjg105c driver in it without extensive modifications. The 7135’s interfere with the driver retaining ring (much like on an S2/S2+). A single sided driver works great, but I’m wondering if I can fit a 17mm driver will hold tightly in the 20.8mm version without it falling through.

Side note… what LED gaskets/insulators does this one come with?

My calipers can’t reach in but eyeballing it very close I’m getting .732”/18.6mm ID. Not much “lip” there unfortunately (on my spare host anyway). So the 20.8 host won’t work.

But…

I grinded my C8F retain rings to almost 1mm thick (at about a 35 - 40 degree angle all around) on the driver contact side of the ring when I installed Lexel’s NarsilD TA 17mm drivers- and your problem sounds JUST like mine did. Lexel suggested the ring grind and also said “careful” light sanding on the chip’s edge (just a touch) is ok— But just to relieve pressure. I decided to just grind the ring as far as I could and it worked out nicely. 1st driver, hand file and 30 minutes; 2nd driver dremel and 2 minutes :+1:

Might try that trick if you can seat the driver. Good luck! :beer:

Thanks, Zappaman! You don’t happen to have a spare 17mm driver or board sitting around that you could try seating in there, do ya?

In the 20.8mm host??? It would fall right through— as my measurements showed (by at least a mm).

Yeah, kinda figured as much. Just thought it’d be worth a shot. Either way - I appreciate the help!

If you haven’t done the ring grind trick… Why don’t you measure the width of the chips edge on that driver and send it to me and I CAN compare to my 17mm Narsil TA driver (I seated in the 17mm C8F host)?

Can do (later this evening) :+1:

I pulled my 17mm driver out of my (work in process) C8F and the distance from the furthest edge of two opposing chips (measured on their corners) is 15.58(ish) mm. I did sand the corners of my SIX chips on this driver- just a tad and after the retaining ring “grind boogy”- it all snugs down perfectly (with more like .8mm left ON THE DRIVER side of the ring).

Looking at it, I could have gone deeper (to about .5mm left) on the driver contact point of the ring. But as it is, my chips are not touching the ring with any pressure as when I tighten it I can tell the pressure doesn’t start UNTIL it’s seated within 1/4 turn.

So, you may be able to use the host you have in the hand :wink: Cross my finger for ya! :beer:

You can get a washer with the right-sized hole that the driver would just barely fit onto (not into), and if not bought as such, shave down the outer diameter to fit the hole in the light’s head.

Eg, to fit a 17mm washer into a 22mm hole, I got M16×22×1.5 washers. 16mm inner hole lets the 17mm driver rest on a ½-mm ledge, and that drops into the 22mm hole in the light.

If you have some step-bits, you can use it to ever-so-lightly bore out the ledge to keep the driver from sliding around. Solder the driver in the washer. Then you pretty much have a faux “22mm” driver.

Why isn’t the “T” version available on Amazon
I do not have the patience for Ali.

I have had some long waits from Sofirn, but IF you see the listing with the circled text here:

— then it’s usually faster from AE.

My last Sofirn light order for several lights had a few models “handled by AE” (during the AE anniversary sale on March 29th), they got here Monday. So that was just 12 days which is blazing speed for anything from China. So I went and checked and several older orders “fulfilled by AE)” have also come faster- twice as fast on average than if shipped by the seller.

Of course there are no guarantees and I’m not sure if the C8T is sold through this AE shipping network (the one I bought during that same sale was not; still waiting for it). But there were several places they list the SAME light sometimes— and I now think that might be because one is local to the seller, while the other may be “handled by AE”.

Anyway… a tip for anyone buying anything from AE (FWIW).

Not flashlights, but I also bought some stuff on 3/28 for the anniversary sale from multiple sellers and the orders have been rolling in this week - even with the slow (non ePacket) shipping. That’s like 8 business days (10 if you include Saturdays)… some of the fastest shipments I’ve ever had from China (outside of DHL stuff).