Ain’t THAT the truth! No easy modding with this light, can’t just pop off the MCPCB.
I have six C8F hosts with two built so far. They take time and are not an easy build like my C8(s) host (also from Sofirn) which was a breeze to build in comparison.
The C8F builds are THICK and heavy in the head when compared to other C8s. So I’d like to also see more internal milling in the head area to lighten it up (and make room for the LED wires to get through to the MCPCB side without my having to re-drill them from the driver side myself). Then a larger battery tube for a 21700 or 26650 sounds like a GREAT IDEA. :+1: Maybe even go to a 20-21mm driver while they are at it? (like they DID as an option for the C8(s) host they make).
I am finding shaved leds (or XLP HIs) are the best fit for my C8Fs and I wonder why there are not standard in the factory made C8F. With standard XP-L2s (V5s), this light is VERY bright but doesn’t throw as good as it can (I’m using Lexel’s TA NarsilD driver, BTW). My C8A (factory build by Sorfirn) using the same XP-L2 led out-throws my first C8F build (with three of these same leds in it). So the triple reflector being cool and all, still can’t get much throw without using an LED made for the job.
Shaving my XP-L2s helped on my second build and now the throw is better… BUT I am looking forward to finalizing my XPL-HI build in a few weeks— THEN I’ll know. So I might have to go back to my first build and shave the stock XP-L2s down now— again painful (so I may just gift it instead).
Anyway, the C8F IS a great light… ONCE it’s built And there is some potential for a larger battery version with tweaks too.
I just sent a message to Sofirn about this conversation
Highlighted the most important things. If 26650 chosen fit Liitokalas. I sent the size of my black liitokala 26650-s. More fins on head, 17 or 20mm driver diameter because those are common.
Stay with switch on separate pcb.
Start sale with complete light and also as a host.
It’s kind of funny how a bunch of folks can go through the exact same process and come out with completely different opinions in the end. I’ve built three or four of these lights using various emitters and I find them to be the most pleasant host I’ve ever worked with. The part that makes them so pleasant is that the MCPCB screws right to the the reflector and then into the host, making it nearly impossible to bung up the emitters or finger print the reflector while trying to get the lens and bezel on. Regardless, love the 18650 version but at the amp draws we can realize with these hosts a larger capacity cell certainly has advantages. I think it could look a bit nicer with a larger tube as well.
I guess we all have that certain angle that works on their bench with certain projects— but IF you have to adjust the driver at all, the internal LED holes (on my first two kits anyway) were a MOTHER to get wires to run back and forth through. My THIRD C8F host I got into yesterday HAS smooth edges in there (there were not razor sharp burs like my first two kits).
So I’m sure a “batch” got made up and the tech on the lathe missed the inside clean-up on a few kits (mentioned here on BLF this last 4-6 weeks anyway). I got some of both and I’m guessing KYFishGuy’s kits were done completely. After I reamed my head on my first kits- they were much easier to work on indeed. :+1:
I talked with Tracy Wan last night and asked if Sofirn had tried an XPL-HI in the C8F and he said they had not. He asked for the results when I get them. I didn’t go into larger batteries though but I am sure Sofirn is watching here (“Hi Tracy”)
After thinking about this a bit more I dont think simply changing the battery tube is enough to sell me personally unless they make at least some other change.
I would want the driver area bored out to at least 20mm and potentially a change to the way it is assembled would be nice.
I am hopeful shaved XPLs (I bought from Arrow) will get the throw just a bit further out there than my current set of (also shaved) XP-L2s. I also bought a set of XPL-HIs from KD which I should have in about a week to also check out. The shaved XP-L2s are impressive as they are but from all I’ve read re. XPL Vs. XP-L2s (when over driven), these older XPL leds will be hitting their “sweet spots” with what I can get through this host current wise.
Lexel’s TA NarsilDs run about $15 each (I have four) and so with emitter cost at $3 each (XPL or XP-L2), and host for $12 (plus a few springs, wire, etc.)— this is a heck of a custom light for about $37 bucks!!! I paid a bit over $5 each for KD’s XPL-HIs so add another $6 to that build. Just saying that for the investment— these are GREAT the way they are.
But this is BLF, so I’ll find out what works best for me with SIX hosts now in the hand. I ALSO will be building a direct drive C8F on one of the host kits. That will be the final gun version (dedicated to ONLY gun use and triggered by Lexel’s “lossless” pressure “FET tail switch”). With a tail spring bi-pass, and the usual tweaks, I’m hoping to run about 18 amps through three (probably XLP HIs) straight off the battery. :smiling_imp:
What I’d want change wise?: SAME 1” battery tube, a boost driver (probably 20mm), larger battery, and XHP-35 HI (or shaved XHP50.2 for tweakers like me) that would pull about 15 amps, and run the larger leds without over-driving them. 4500 - 5500 lumen maybe?
Dreaming is what we do- before we do it, right? But… I know that NOT a lot of people want a screamer in a C8 with the short run times and heat.
Sofirn isn’t into the esoteric market, but the solid budget performance market— so the C8F is kind of a surprise in that regard, but for the $35 or so it sells for— it holds it’s own.
I’d LOVE to put the FET on the trigger, but it will have to work in the handle or rail- I am still working with the (my) ergonomics there.
Yep, I’m on the hook for four builds I’m working on- two are done. About a week away.
And I REALLY tried to get one of those ThorFire codes floating around last week (to get a Q8 for UNDER $45!!!). If someone sent me a code, I’d order one tonight and promise to compare it to my final builds. Any takers???
But it would have to be a great deal (with a code) as I just dropped my MAY allowance on a big order from Sofirn THIS month. As my wife says, “I HAD to get it to SAVE money!”
Anyway, I’ll put up pics and speeds/feeds for each C8F. This list is a few post above though if you’d like a preview.
New poll:
(You can see this post also in the OP)
I talked with Sofirn a lot and they sent me some 3D renderings how the 21700 and 26650 flashlight will look like next to the old 18650 version. I want to ask everybody who interested in these new versions to please post what battery size you prefer from the two new options and how many will you buy as a host or as a complete flashlight. You can see tailswitch on some of them but that and the head design is not sure they staying like on these pics. So the flashlight maybe will be dual switch or maybe not and the head maybe change to more finned design or maybe not. This poll is only about battery size but you can tell your opinion about dual switch or only side e-switch. This is not a groupbuy! Just some help for Sofirn to choose which battery size to go next. I also adviced to make some knurling on tube and if the light will be side switch only I think a tailcap like the SP32A will be more stable tailstanding then the C8 without the switch. After some time I count the votes and forward them to Sofirn.
I don’t have any 21700 flashlights and batteries but I holded one in hand a few weeks ago and that is the best diameter I ever gripped. Feels very comfortable and not too big. So my vote is for 21700 because that is the future 18650 I hope.
Here are the 3D renderings :
The three battery size next to each other:
This is all 21700 and dual switch what is they prefer and to keep the C8 design but If the poll’s result show something else, they will make it that way:
And I prefer to get rid of the typical C8-styling and add fins. Also there is too much aluminium in the head, it makes the flashlight unneccesary heavy. If that unneccesary ‘meat’ is converted into fins, the C8F can be run a couple of seconds shorter in turbo but can maintain a higher output level in the long run.
And there is some potential for a larger battery version with tweaks too.
