Yeah #7 is quickly becoming one of my favorites too . I just stuck some on my D10 Boruit headlamp and now the beam is perfect . #7 is like a very fine micro frosting... Glad it helped :)
Had to think about that for a while… “hownahell’d you stick DCF on a TIR lens?!?”… ’til I realised that I swapped mine, and the come-with is a reflector. :person_facepalming:
Think I got the original #1 on the 2×D light, though. But on the 2×AA light (compared both side-by-side), it’s just as nice. The #1 still leaves it a bit “directional”, but the #7 spreads out the beam soooo nicely.
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Back to the OP… I got a C8A and C8T today, just joined my C8 Army™.
Get the C8A (wider beam to begin with, brighter overall beam) and slap on some #7, and you’ll have exactly what you want.
Just get a C8 or C8+.
Leave most others that size for dead. in throw or flood.
In Their price ranges.
Depending on model you buy.
I have 5. ALL different. ALL great.
I hate that they glue their lights, but the SP32A v2.0 kit for 21 bucks and change after code from Bezos’ Emporium US is a nice deal for a very good all-around light.
That’s what I use around the house; capable, small and easy to pocket, and closest to an S2+. A C8 won’t fit in as many pockets, and can be made to have a better rounded beam, but why bother? It was built for and better suited to another purpose.
But what distinguishes the Sofirn is that is can take CR123A cells and be left or forgotten in a drawer or glove box on stand by as needed, without having the need to periodically refresh an 18650. That makes it much better as a “home” light for most average people.
I don’t know if they’re still available, but there is a Convoy S4 that’s almost a dead ringer for the S2+ except that it has a ventilated head.
I have one, and it cools very well.
Definitely agree with the M1. With an OP reflector, it has a very similar beam profile to an S2+ with a smooth reflector.
Don’t really agree with the C8’s assessment however. I use my C8 all the time indoors at 0.1% and 1% modes (Biscotti, OP reflector), and the C8 is no different as far as internals go.
No, the reflector is much larger on the C8 and will have a tighter hotspot compared to the M1/M2 or MUCH tighter compared to an S2 when the emitters are the same.
With an OP reflector and a domed XM-L2 on both the M1 and the C8, at lower levels like the 1% I mentioned it really doesn’t make much of a difference, both are comfortable to use in confined spaces. And actually, the OP M1 is very comparable to an S2+ with a smooth reflector and a Nichia 219C and its smaller die size.
Yeah I mean with a big emitter like the XM-L2 just about any single 18650 light won’t be super throwy.
OP vs smooth doesn’t really make much difference at all except for smoothing beam artifacts based on all the testing done though. It’s possible the dimensions between them are different though which could make a huge difference, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case actually since the OP and SMO on Convoy lights are designed for different emitters IIRC.