(BLF) Sofirn Q8 V1.5: The XPL HI monster, DIY parts + Extended 8x18650 tubes GB Interest List

Battery tubes is ready to manufacture for BLF Q8, but a group buy interest list will help.

Oh OK then.

Perfect. I’ll perhaps be in line to buy one.

So…

:innocent:

Ok then. Since I’m free this evening, perhaps I should start a group buy thread list for this extended tube/light.

Or I’ll just repurpose this thread for both info about the Q8 V1.5 and the extended battery tube GB.

I would def be in for the one of the Extended battery tubes and carriers!

I can see no need or reason for this so put me down for one :smiling_imp:

UPDATE 2

The BLF Q8 and Sofirn Q8 extended 8x18650 tubes have started to be manufactured.

I will be starting a group buy interest list to gauge interest and how many tubes you want so Sofirn can produce the right amount of carriers and tubes necessary.

BlueSwordM has been added to the list for +1

Fate0n3 has been added to the list for +1

Sillen has been added to the list +1

Add me but wouldnt you need at least 2 tubes to make 8 batteries? It replaces the existing one?

They are probably going to send an extended tube with threads that can be turned on the normal tube+2 carriers.

TLDR: 1 tube that threads on the existing one+ 2 carriers hopefully.

contactr has been added to the list +1

Edit: Not so sure about that anymore.

This is what I was going to ask if these will be sold as an almost “Kit” such as 2ea tubes and 2ea battery carriers to make this work or if we need to purchase 2ea of each. If that make sense lol

Can the BLF Q8 original tube be used with a carrier it looks like it is machined tube? Sheesh this is gonna make me buy the new Sofrin edition also now so I can have a light each way… lol

Yes. That’s why this took some time for Sofirn to manufacture them.

They’ve had to make special battery carries that work like in the BLF GT, and make an additionnal tube that threads on the original one.

That would mean you can just remove the tailcap, screw on the new tube, put in the carriers with the cells, and screw down the tailcap onto the new tube, and voila! 8x18650 Q8.

Edit: Not so sure on that aspect anymore. I’m waiting for Sofirn to respond on that.

Thank you big time kind sir for the response!!! That is awesome and great news. One last question for us looking to purchase is to ask if we will be required to run Button top cells? not that is a deal breaker just so that all of us interested know and make sure we have button top cells ready to go for this.

Uh… The “original” BLF Q8 tubes were quad bored pretty tightly in order to be able to load a single cell (or two or three cells) and have it (them) stay in position. I’m fairly certain there’s no spare room for a carrier, unless it is simply two PCBs and a center bolt! :open_mouth: Can we get a picture of the carrier? :innocent:

I’ll ask them for some details. What I said doesn’t make a ton of sense indeed.

I hope it’s not going to be a completely separate tube and carrier.

Unless they are making a completely customized carrier though. I do doubt that however, just looking at the CAD renders.

I was perhaps completely wrong :person_facepalming:

Let’s ask Barry.

Well, a couple of PCBs and a bolt or better yet, two or more bolts to keep from spinning, might actually work, but I can’t imagine it being very durable.

Looking at the video they for sure used a carrier on both the one that screwed into the head and the secondary tube. Which if that is the case i am STILL IN, but maybe inquire about a complete light setup. A new Sofrin head and 2ea battery tubes/Carriers for the few of us that would rather have separate lights to do this with.

I have shared the information about the extension tube+carrier on TLF and that it is yet to be clarified if the extension will fit and work with the original tube w/o carrier. Sofirn has meanwhile checked if availability on Amazon could be an additional option to their store on AliExpress. They replied back on TLF:

"the extension tube has to connnect with the BLF Q8's head, not original Q8 tube.
I just got a notice, the group buy of extension tube will only be available in aliexpress store."

@BlueSwordM: Please add 3 extension tubes + carriers for me. Thank you! I wonder if a 12p configuration is still sort of "lightweight"...haha. :-D

Hi, if i have one Blf Q8 (4×18650) and i want have 8x18650 tube version, what i must buy?

Sorry for my bad english.

This is what I got as a sample two weeks ago, I do not know if it is the final version. I have not have time to really dive into it, sorry about that. You need both the two new tube parts because they need to be completely hollow to fit the battery carriers. They are made for button tops because no reverse polarity protection goes wrong very easily with battery carriers. But as you can see it is easy enough to solder shallow brass buttons on the carriers if you want to use flat tops (and are not scared of battery shorts every now and then :smiling_imp: )

The system works very well and despite what Sofirn said this works with both my Sofirn Q8 and BLF Q8’s. But I have not checked resistances yet compared to the stock Q8 battery situation. I have the hope that the springs used are copper-alloy springs