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.
Count me in for 26650 variant (would prefer single switch, as tailcap can lock out mechanically).
Probably I’d take 2 hosts at least.
Further changes requested (not so closely related to the poll):
1. There is a very thin, but noticeable ring in the beam pattern, the reflector design would need a revision (I would also prefer fixing the reflector by the bezel, not by the back spring).
2. Possibility to use larger driver boards as well (if possible, with keeping original driver compatibility e.g. by an adapter ring pair)
3. Better heatsinking/heatspreading abilities for more prolonged high output usage.
Why not build it such that you could have interchangeable battery tubes to fit the same head and tailcap?
That way, everyone gets their choice and if they decided to switch to a different cell, all it would take is a cheap & easy battery tube swap? Kinda like switching between 18650 and 18350 tubes… you’d just need to have some diameter transitions built in.
Edit: as others have said, probably side-switch only. Lockout can be done by twisting the tailcap if needed.
21700 :+1: :+1:
Knurling on tube: :+1: :+1:
SP32A tail cap :+1: :+1:
21700 Host version :+1: :+1: (please make two versions of host for choice, single and dual switch, or sell the switch cap separately)
.
Also please make a version with single emitter/reflector, I think many would like a quality C8 host w/side switch.
(XHP35 HI would be nice for the complete light)