Just like you, djozz, I am more partial to aluminum reflector than TIR optics. I know exactly what the C8F is and what it is not. My point is the $41 - $50 range is pretty crowded nowadays. Many good lights can be purchased (after an appropriate discount) at that price range. The thing is, most people here have already built or owned the original C8F. I for one, is not very keen on getting another C8F. Sure, I’ll buy the host, because I like assembling my own lights and I enjoyed building the last C8F.
Whoop whoop! “List price” for the 18650 version all over the place, depending on which specific listing you look at. I expect the semi-permenant “discount price” will look better.
I’m looking forward to being able to order a bare host.
C8F body is slimmer, but its head diameter is actually larger than D4S.
C8F’s weight is listed as 200g. D4S shipping weight is listed as 187g on Int’l Outdoors - I don’t know if that’s accurate. If so, actual light should weigh even less.
Both C8F and D4S are kind of in between a thrower and a flooder, but yeah, the D4S is going to be a bit more throwy overall.
Current pricing is such that both lights are not far off from each other. Now, if C8F goes on sale for closer to $30, then that’s going to make it significantly more attractive.
I currently don’t own either 21700 nor 26650 cells, so either light would require me to invest in new cell format. Not sure that I care either way.
I already have a C8F and aren’t in any hurry to buy the 21700 version. Looking at the power curves between 18650’s and 21700, quite a few of the curves are very similar, obviously with more capacity.
Once you get to the 15 amp range, the 21700’s do start to shine. I wonder what a FET would pull with 3 XP-L’s in it. The light looks the same, just a fatter tube for the larger cell, tail switch, and an illuminated side switch. Is that about it?
An e-switch tail switch? Outside of the FW3A which uses a double battery tube, I’ve never heard of such a thing. I assume it would have to be a mechanical switch.
If it does limit current, it should be easy to verify. It should also be easy to bypass the rear switch for max current. Then you would need to twist the tail cap for a mechanical lockout.
It’s also possible that Sofirn might offer a “flat” tail cap option later on. I haven’t heard any more about that, though.
I believe the Olight M2R also fits that description. It has double wall body, and when I tried it, it didn’t feel like a traditional mechanical switch.
I helped them come up with a good UI for the SP70 and they said they would also use on the new C8F, but they didn’t. There are a lot of differences.
Assuming that the battery indicator function is still the same, when turned off by the side switch (standby mode), the side switch battery indicator light stays on acting like a locator light. This makes it easy to find the light and the button in the dark.
When the main beam is turned on, the battery indicator light only stays on for 5 seconds, then it turns off.
If you disconnect power at the tail, then the battery/locator lights in the side switch stay off.
China’s business day is just starting. Maybe we will hear in the next 10 hours or so if a Group buy will happen or if it will be a simple sale on their Aliexpress store. There might be a coupon code or something.