[Review] Airpro DC7

Like I don’t have enough Q8s… I hate you guys.

Yeah, I got one, even with evil usb-c instead of micro. :stuck_out_tongue:

I had it in my cart, but didn’t pull the trigger. Already have Q8 and a Mini TN30, and would miss the exercise of pulling the cells and charging the old fashioned way.

I prefer the BLF Q8. It was clear that some knock-offs will hit the market if you see what a sucsessfull light it is. I think the main reason why there are not more knock-offs is, the low price of the Q8.
Not much margin if you want to deliver the same quality.

Not nice if they use Toms/TKs code without mentioning it! The two are so kind to let everybody use their work without getting money for it. So they sure can expect that its mentioned in the description!

I would not buy this IMO.

They aren’t following the GPL, will probably cut corners somewhere at some time, which I do not like.

Hey, where would someone get one of those “key ring holders” for a Sofirn Q8? The Q8 has the same threaded hole. I like that!

I’m pretty sure companies we all know that worked with TK had the same problem before being told how to comply. They might still be crap though…

Yeah I know.

That’s why we are here to straighten them out a bit.

It can be a weird thing for companies to wrap their heads around. It’s a “share and share alike” license but, by default, companies usually seem to want to do the exact opposite of sharing. They often want to set the lock bits too, to prevent “theft of the program”… not realizing that people are supposed to be able to copy it, and anti-theft measures are forbidden by the license which gives them permission to use it.

Anyway, I sent a message… but it’s the weekend so I’m not expecting a response right away.

Here you go :

Thank you very much! People here are so helpful!

My Airpro DC7 arrived and I am very pleased to say the least. I just ordered a second one from Amazon Promo.

I love the Type-C charging.

Excellent deal IMHO.

Yes, a real Q8 knock-off. The Amazon seller who seemed quite knowledgeable about this light responded to my question about it being like a Q8. He pretty much admitted it's a Q8 knockoff, and I suppose, we should take it as a complement, at least I do. I doubt it's using NarsilM, though it's possible they used it and modified to their needs. He said they wanted a simpler UI for the more average customer.

The OP author posted a review on Facebook, group he admins, couple days ago and I commented on it there. Strange he does not even care to mention the Q8 similarities??

If anyone is capable who owns one, cares to take a peek at the driver, we would be very interested in pics. Love to see if it's our driver design as well, but wouldn't be the first time. I really like what they did with the styling and USB-C charging, though the SP36 might be a better option. Was considering getting one, if only for curiosity.

Any owner know if the bezel is SS like the real Q8? Can't tell from the pics or specs.

Edit: Price went up and promo code no longer is working . Wow! That was fast!

Ohhh - just saw they suggest putting the manual in the tailcap. That was definitely a joechina original idea...

Hhmmm. I would just like to see a little mention that we (BLF) were behind the idea of this one, just a weee bit...

I guess I’m being picky here, but the above is incorrect. The XPL-HI are not dedomed, they are domeless. Dedomed implies they originally had a dome which now has been removed, usually resulting in horrible tint shift.

Sorry, should have mentioned - nice review! Thanks!

Couple minor issues/questions:

  • you mention the light is powder coated. That would be pretty bad if it is. Pretty much all these lights are anodized, not painted. Anodizing bonds into the metal, resulting in a strengthening of the surface.
  • as Mike C says, we call these type of LED's "factory dedomed" sometimes, or simply XPL HI's, by their true name - domeless
  • you did mention the BLFQ8 - could you take a side by side pic of the two?
  • could you take a pic of what the driver contact side looks like? You should get easy access to it.
  • is the bezel true Stainless steel like the Q8?
  • you mentioned the ring around the switch is aluminum. The Q8's is SS - are you sure of the aluminum?
  • compared to the BLF Q8, do you have pros/cons?

Thanks!!

Any owner know if the bezel is SS like the real Q8? Can’t tell from the pics or specs.

Yes … The bezel ring is SS. I am not equipped to dissect my light but I must say the build is top notch in my opinion, I own three O8’s to which I base my comparison. All in all a very nice homage to the Q8 “King of Can lights”.

Interesting knockoff that looks nice. Surprised the promo period already ended especially considering the Q8 is still on sale for $45. Nevertheless the slight update over the Q8 with the usb charging is demanded by many but IMO the silicon flappers they use to seal them never, ever work as intended and the IPX7 rating is really IPX6. I’d never purposefully submerge a silicone flapper light. Watched a video of a guy who destroys his Olight X9 testing it’s water resistance in a 1m pool. Flashlight filled with water and I expect the same result from any light with a silicone flapper.

Other than that, it’s a nice light and hopefully a compliment to the Q8

weklund - thanks for the info! Could you take a pic of the contact ring, driver side facing the batteries? Wondering if it's screwed down, glued, etc.

For under $45, I'd buy one, but at $75 - little pricey... Ohh wait. I see a $25 coupon right on the page, interesting.... So $50

I didn’t get an answer on Facebook yet, though it says the question was seen 3 days ago. So I asked on Amazon. Amazon’s question system is awkward at best for this kind of thing, but maybe it’ll work? If not, I can try some other method.

Yea, searching I can't find anything on the brand name, not yet, but funny this DC7 model was listed back in January so it's been on Amazon for a while.

Easy access … screwed not glued. I loosened the screws on mine and the contact plate is free.