I decided this morning to slice the domes off the XP-L2’s in my Sofirn Q8 and dice the remaining phosphor from the sides of the die to clear the substrate of unnecessary phosphor (to get rid of the ugly aura) This did cost me some lumens, but the resulting hot spot is tighter and easier to look at the aura… the aura is warmer than the hot spot but it’s not the odd sickly weirdness usually present from the flip chip technology. Where I was at 9936 lumens it now seems to be at 8522, charging the Samsung 25S cells to do another run on the box but I think it’s worth the loss, hot spot gains alone with the throw being at 91.75Kcd for 605.8M throw.
Edit: With fresh charged cells it’s now making 9142.5 lumens and at 30 seconds it has dropped to 7210.5 lumens, quite hot stuffed in the light box with no air flow! Thermal step down is probably the greater cause of the drop, Anduril is pretty effective in the Q8.
Is there anything else you’re doing to get such amazing output?
If I remember well, he is using an ULcp AR lens, which is more efficient that the stock one, along with BeCu springs bypassed, and a pure copper plate holding the springs in place.
I think he also replaced the FET with a slightly lower resistance one(not too sure though), and swapped the 18AWG power wires for 16AWG.
I looked through all his posts in the modding thread. The lens and copper spring disc didn’t do much. The spring bypass was about 1200. Brass screws about 300. These got it up to about 7000. I didn’t see a number broken out for the mcpcb wires.
The other mods he’s mentioned were XP-L2 emitters on Sinkpads and A20DP FET. That’s the parts, and there’s also the mods to the head.
Ah! The lens did actually boost the output by a nice margin. He actually gained about +/- 500 lumens from it in an XP-L2 build: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/62724
Just contacted Sofirn through PM and bought another Q8 with a discount code. Code was for Amazon (US) and it was a few cents less than the group buy price.
Had the Sofirn Q8 in my truck for 2 weeks. More than a few turbo blasts, and general use, batteries are reading 4.02 across the board. 1st cool white light I’ve bought in recent memory, no regrets.
Been reading all the good things about the BLF Q8 since it came out, but was never really interested in it. I have several other soda can lights and didn’t really need/want another. But the other day I found a coupon for Amazon for the original BLF Q8 for $50, plus I had some Amazon Visa points that brought it down to $25 so I grabbed one. Now I see what all the fuss was about. It’s smaller than I expected for a 4 cell light, which is a good thing. This is really a sweet light. Stock it’s really nice already, but it’s super mod-friendly too. So I PM’d Sofirn for a discount on their Q8 and have ordered one of those. Got a 3rd one coming from Amazon that I will be modding. I already love the stock BLF Q8 as is. What a great light and a great value for $50 (or less). Thanks to this thread for keeping my interest in this light alive and finally pushing me over the edge to get SEVERAL…
You are welcome. This thread was luckily not really hard to do, I had no part in the Sofirn version of the Q8 and I’m glad that Sofirn took care of sending out the codes. So I just made the list and answered questions.
I remember I’ve read that there are versions with different drivers out? Or that some people talked about problems with their light? Can you help me with a link, I do not find where I’ve read about.
lfowner, it sounds like you may be thinking about the new 21700 version of the C8F. The first batch of drivers had a higher-resistance FET that limited output.
Yeah, must be another light you read about Ifowner. The Sofirn Q8 has been pretty much problem free to the best of my knowledge & recollection.
I know I am really liking mine. The white beam is very nice too, I am loving that.
—
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
When for a warmer version?
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
Texas Lumens Flashlights / M4D M4X Deals : sign up - save $$$$
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Is there anything else you’re doing to get such amazing output?
The low mode should be lower.
Reviews: Efan IMR18350 700mAh 10.5A, <a href="http://
If I remember well, he is using an ULcp AR lens, which is more efficient that the stock one, along with BeCu springs bypassed, and a pure copper plate holding the springs in place.
I think he also replaced the FET with a slightly lower resistance one(not too sure though), and swapped the 18AWG power wires for 16AWG.
My very own high current Beryllium Copper springs Gen 3:
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/67401
Liitokala Aliexpress Stores Battery Fraud: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/60547
I looked through all his posts in the modding thread. The lens and copper spring disc didn’t do much. The spring bypass was about 1200. Brass screws about 300. These got it up to about 7000. I didn’t see a number broken out for the mcpcb wires.
The other mods he’s mentioned were XP-L2 emitters on Sinkpads and A20DP FET. That’s the parts, and there’s also the mods to the head.
The low mode should be lower.
Reviews: Efan IMR18350 700mAh 10.5A, <a href="http://
Ah! The lens did actually boost the output by a nice margin. He actually gained about +/- 500 lumens from it in an XP-L2 build:
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/62724
My very own high current Beryllium Copper springs Gen 3:
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/67401
Liitokala Aliexpress Stores Battery Fraud: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/60547
Thanks. Here’s the direct link to that comment.
http://budgetlightforum.com/comment/1389012#comment-1389012
The low mode should be lower.
Reviews: Efan IMR18350 700mAh 10.5A, <a href="http://
Just contacted Sofirn through PM and bought another Q8 with a discount code. Code was for Amazon (US) and it was a few cents less than the group buy price.
Sofirn is actively promoting this version. You would do well to contact them directly.
Bump for Htassi.
Yes,but the Thorfire Q8 is XP-L.
I ask for an XP-L HI Warm version
I didn’t change the factory leads from the driver, they looked to be 18ga and that’s enough. I have larger, but have never used it.
I just doubt they will offer it. But that is only “my guess”.
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
Texas Lumens Flashlights / M4D M4X Deals : sign up - save $$$$
Rudeness Level _ mΩ _ {width:70%} _ LightWiki _ LED Tint Chart
Xlamp size chart _ BatteryU _ Flashaholic? Need Professional Help??? TheOriginal _ TAB _ LightSearch _ BatterySearch _ 14500's _ DiCal
Had the Sofirn Q8 in my truck for 2 weeks. More than a few turbo blasts, and general use, batteries are reading 4.02 across the board. 1st cool white light I’ve bought in recent memory, no regrets.
Been reading all the good things about the BLF Q8 since it came out, but was never really interested in it. I have several other soda can lights and didn’t really need/want another. But the other day I found a coupon for Amazon for the original BLF Q8 for $50, plus I had some Amazon Visa points that brought it down to $25 so I grabbed one. Now I see what all the fuss was about. It’s smaller than I expected for a 4 cell light, which is a good thing. This is really a sweet light. Stock it’s really nice already, but it’s super mod-friendly too. So I PM’d Sofirn for a discount on their Q8 and have ordered one of those. Got a 3rd one coming from Amazon that I will be modding. I already love the stock BLF Q8 as is. What a great light and a great value for $50 (or less). Thanks to this thread for keeping my interest in this light alive and finally pushing me over the edge to get SEVERAL…
Just ordered another Q8 with discount code.
Thanks Tracy.
Got a coupon code from Sofirn and bought one of their Q8s to add to my original BLF Q8.
Thanks djozz for this thread and deal!
Hey guys, I’m willing to buy one of them, too. What’s your recommendation for batteries for this light?
Samsung 30Q:
https://eu.nkon.nl/rechargeable/18650-size/samsung-inr-18650-30q-3000mah...
My very own high current Beryllium Copper springs Gen 3:
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/67401
Liitokala Aliexpress Stores Battery Fraud: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/60547
You actually need the buttontop version, also available from nkon:
https://eu.nkon.nl/rechargeable/18650-size/samsung-inr-18650-30q-3000mah...
Btw Blue, I received your springs today, they look shiny and feel good, thanks for all the work that you put in them!
link to djozz tests
Got a coupon code from Tracy at Sofirn and bought a Sofirn Q8 to add to my BLF Q8.
Thanks, djozz, for taking the lead on this deal and thanks, Sofirn, for a great deal on a great light!
Thank you all for answering and for notifying for discount-code.
You are welcome. This thread was luckily not really hard to do, I had no part in the Sofirn version of the Q8 and I’m glad that Sofirn took care of sending out the codes. So I just made the list and answered questions.
link to djozz tests
I remember I’ve read that there are versions with different drivers out? Or that some people talked about problems with their light? Can you help me with a link, I do not find where I’ve read about.
lfowner, it sounds like you may be thinking about the new 21700 version of the C8F. The first batch of drivers had a higher-resistance FET that limited output.
Yeah, must be another light you read about Ifowner. The Sofirn Q8 has been pretty much problem free to the best of my knowledge & recollection.
I know I am really liking mine. The white beam is very nice too, I am loving that.
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
Texas Lumens Flashlights / M4D M4X Deals : sign up - save $$$$
Rudeness Level _ mΩ _ {width:70%} _ LightWiki _ LED Tint Chart
Xlamp size chart _ BatteryU _ Flashaholic? Need Professional Help??? TheOriginal _ TAB _ LightSearch _ BatterySearch _ 14500's _ DiCal
Ah, ok, maybe. I’ve read very much stuff the last days…
Can I use CR123 batteries in the Q8?
No you can’t.
If you were to put in 8xCR123s inside of the light, you would kill it.
My very own high current Beryllium Copper springs Gen 3:
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/67401
Liitokala Aliexpress Stores Battery Fraud: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/60547
More voltage?
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