Too bad it was not 28usd as i would have snatched it rightaway. Got the next best thing the "skyray" XM-L for 25USD. Not trying to be cheap but if customs see anything above 22€ my expenses almost double (they make up nonexisting expenses and services along with taxes, just taxes alone are 20%). The postal service also charge up another 5€. Damn bastards.
Nice work, Flash. It's always good to read about a budget light that exceeds expectations, and nicer to actually have one in your hands, so Congratulations!
There is a "drop shipping" option (or a sku you can add to cart) on KD. They usually show the total much less and send as a gift when drop shipping is used. DX puts a sticker on the logo too. I don't knwo how KD does it.
Very good review,This host look like the MTE F15's , is the reflector deeper ? mine is 36 mm wide 21 mm deep.
I agree with KD performance, all my orders, six in this days were shipped very fast.
Since the reflector is interchangeable with the MRV one, I imagine it is the same size. My MRV reflectors are 41.something millimetres in diameter and 32.5 or thereabouts mm deep.
Many thanks, one more reason to stick with the RC-G2 xm-l, 24mm X 21mm
Does this light give more or less spill angle than the P60 hosts? Looks like the deep reflector is more for throw and less spill coverage.
Wow thanks for the review! i've been waiting for reviews on these lights :) Do you think I could use a body tube from my trustfire tr-1200 as a 2x18650 extension?
Since my well driven TR-1200 is still my brightest light (and the brightest Ive seen to date, accept for SST-90 variants) I think you might want to consider a different light for comparison. My TR-1200 is an early example with a great driver and really hammers out the photons. To bad they screwed up the current offerings with a bad driver. Do you have any single P7/MC-E lights to compare?
Thanks for the kind words guys. You're all going to like this new light, and it was done correctly the first time.
Don might be spot on because the bezel screws down tightly (and completely) when the MRV reflector is installed. With a ruler, I measured 31mm tall x 41mm wide on the stock KD C8 XML. My micrometer was lent out this morning so I cant get precise measurements.
Sorry, I didn't want to compare. I was just wondering whether or not I could use the body tube from my tr-1200 on this KD xm-l light to make it a 2x18650 light for longer run time, rather than spend an extra $8 to get the KD xm-l light with that 2x18650 body :)
If I were to compare this xml light i'd be curious how it stood up against my Romisen RC-T6 and my skyray with the xpg-r5 drop-in :)
I don't have an XML P60 to compare and that might not matter. Of the P60's that I do have, the KD C8 XML has a greater spill angle because the reflector is not as obstructed by the bezel ring (or protrusion in front of the lens) as are on P60 lights. Then again, most of my fixed lights (thrower or not) have more spill angle than the P60 variants.
i'm pretty sure you just made me buy it.
The KD C8 XML specs for 1 x 18650. Since its drive current is already pushing 3A with 1 x 18650, I would advise not testing this with more than 1 battery.
just bought it . you made me buy myself a christmas present. can't wait to get it! thanks.
Thanks for the input! Just ordered one anyways. I dont want to fall victim to waiting to long and getting a poorly manufactured light due to changes, like I did with the TR-1200.
The Spiderfire P7 is currently my favorite high output light, and this looks like an awesome upgrade! Thanks for the review.
I also have the Spear clone, which is a Q5 driven at 1.0A. Would you say that the XM-L would throw farther?
I dont think so ..
I have the HS-802 , very deep reflector .. With a under driven XR-E it was about 20,000Lux @ 1 meter ..
With a XM-L , more than double the output [ maybe 300% ] throw is about 15,000Lux @ 1 meter ..
But you never know , until you have a go ...
and now I see no reason anymore to get one. The 5xR2 is the brightest I have. Beside this, I have only some R2 and Q5 in smaller hoists. many zoom lights and one Solarforce R2. I have an experimental canfood light with a R5 at 1400mA and 66mm aspheric lens. I don't think the latter would make a good candidate to compare it to the XM-L C8. LOL