It’s pretty common on aliexpress to list crap like with multiple options for stuff like this where it would be 2carriers 1 cap, 3 carriers 1 cap etc etc etc. Who knows maybe even 1x carrier (even though that would only be helpful to modders or people who didnt buy enough to begin with)
I just hope the tubes will fit the BLF Lantern. 4 batteries in the stock Q8 tubes is plenty enough runtime for me, but would be great to have 8 cells in the lantern. Would last the whole week camping.
I’m really hoping too. I think it’s not a good sign that Sofirn made their own brand Q8 with a slightly different thread from the BLF Q8, even though they are the OEM for both lights (they made the BLF Q8 for Thorfire). If you look at their AliExpress webstore, you’ll see that they also have other SRK clone lights for sale there, that presumably have different threads as well. :person_facepalming:
Sofirn has to realize these tubes will be much more practical in the lantern. (generally speaking)
As far as the Sofirn Q8 and the BLF Q8. I have both sitting here in front of me. I see no difference in the threading itself, and they both thread on to each other fine. What I do see is, the Sofirn tube is threaded slightly shorter than the BLF tube, and doesn’t make contact on the blf head.
Measuring from the lip just above the o-ring to the top, the Sofirn tube is right around 1mm shorter.
Thanks for checking RobertB. Several posts back, djozz did say when he tested the extension tube samples, that they fit on both lights. But it was said that Sofirn will be making two different sets for the two lights because of ‘slight differences’ in threading. Either way, I hope they finish soon.
The difference is in the head of the light. Look and you will see one has 1 less row of threads on the inside and the design of the oring area stops short
Seems like a very limiting approach. Surely, there are multitudes more that would prefer to keep the original lights form factor, but have the option to mod to 2S and 4S voltages. Only a few will want a giant sized tube light in comparison.
I would like a single tube and carrier, but alas, they say they only sell them in sets of 2 tubes and 2 carriers. :weary:
Maybe they will change their minds later.
I would like one set of tubes and carriers for my BLF Q8. Manythanks
If we know the difference between the two flashlights and tubes, I think we should suggest them to make only tubes for the BLF Q8 and change the design of the Sofirn Q8 head and original tube to the same threading.
I think they (Sofirn, Thorfire, Utorch) sold much more BLF Q8 than Sofirn Q8.
And the longer threaded tubes fit to each flashlight.
Its not worth, designing 2 different tubes and different flashlight heads!
When I am making a part or a whole flashlight out in my shop on my lathe, it is I and I alone that decides what is worth doing. Doesn’t Sofirn have that same luxury? I mean, it’s THEIR business after all… pretty sure they have a reason that makes sense to them for doing it the way they are.
They DID say the tubes would be ready weeks ago, but here we are, waiting. I no longer have the cells ready for my 2 sets, so I will once again have to order cells if/when the tubes come through. Of the 16 Samsung 30Q’s I had sitting waiting on these there are only 4 left. It is what it is I reckon.
To be honest, I’m about ready to just make my own and be done with it…
Please add me to the list: 2 sets for the BLF Q8, 1 set for the Sofirn Q8.
Yes, Dale they have shure a reason for two different tubes.
But i am curious what it is.
I see some backsides:
- logistics of parts is higher
- selling to customers is difficulter
no one part fits all.
What is wrong on the org Q8 tubing?
IIRC the original BLF Q8 tube works on both but not sure how waterproof it is due to O ring design.
I know when I build something and then get a chance to re-build it I always tweak something, going for that little bit better…. perhaps this is what they did, applied a bit of a tweak for better water tight seal or whatever. So now there is the old design and the new design. 
If I’m not mistaken they made the tube a little longer so it could capture the carrier at the positive end, each subsequent section captures it’s carrier, you can’t load multiple carriers from the open end this way so I am not sure why they opted to go this route. But in doing so, perhaps the tube is just that much longer that it needs to really be made differently to fit the 2 versions of this light.
Back in the day, ThorFire/Sofirn I believe came to us, looking for ideas for the next gen, or add-on's. Our original proposal was for a mini Q8, like using a quad 14500 setup, but The Miller was the backer of that idea. I think Sofirn came up with the extensions on their own, but also, there was always some critiques against the current battery tube and interest in a carrier based design, but early on, we figured that would be an increase in cost.
Funny in that they basically did build a mini Q8 with the SP36, which I much prefer over a quad AA/14500 light. I think the SP36 was a great decision, but the tube replacement/extension for the Q8, not so sure about, but it's got some interest here.
For me, I'd love to see a replacement.compatible head for a Q8. My thinking was go big - maybe a 90-110 mm wide triple SMO to get lots of lumens and throw, retro to a Shocker for example. The cost of the head wouldn't be much cheaper than the full light of course, sorry to say... Other option would be a wide head to fit maybe 5x quads, 20 LED's total. Dale basically did something similar in a custom mod.
I miss the Shocker - ~4500 lumens that could do 500 kcd, w/dedomed XM-L2's. The Shocker had basically 3 C8 size reflectors, so always wanted a decent cost moddable Shocker but made lighter, possibly as compact as possible. The "BTU" company os gone for a while now and never did get to building the rumored Shocker II.
My Shocker has 9V MT-G2’s in it, I love the big lug! It’s built like a tank and the triple reflectors are exquisite. Surprisingly tight beam even from the largest Cree emitter.
I actually came up with the idea to do the large head mated into the original Sofirn Q8 head because of the carriers. I wanted to bring attention to the Sofirn lights because of their consistent quality and the stackable tubes to add run time seemed like a logical choice for a big monster light. I still don’t know if the carrier’s they are making can handle the current requirements but I do still intend to find out. I tend to forget that the big aluminum head screws into the bezel threads and literally fills the entire void where the reflectors and MCPCB once were. Two screw holes in the emitter shelf of the Q8 that once held the reflector from turning now anchor the big aluminum head. It’s a big chunk of aluminum, and it works. I’ve always wondered why they take so much material out of the big head lights, when they could leave mass in to aid the thermal design? Mine is over 3 lbs, sure it can be heavy, especially if you’re injured or not feeling well, but a sling will take care of that or a lanyard will add insurance against droppage… I would love to see Sofirn step up to the plate and make us a big hoss light to compete with the big boys. 
FWIW, the Ham’r is 101mm diameter at the bezel.
The Q8 came without carryer because it should be as near as possible like the SRK design.
I has voted for carryers but there was no Chance to get them due to the starting point as better SRK.
My BLF Q8 will no longer ramp… I can’t figure out if something is wrong with it or if I am not doing the right thing to get it into ramp mode. I don’t know how it got out of ramp mode. Sorry if this is in the wrong place but I couldn’t find where to look for this info or request it.
Thanks,
Brian
What is it doing?