Convoy C8+ - single mode option?

I hadn’t really considered them in awhile, but their newest Rechargeable light actually looks pretty solid:

Maglite Rechargeable

A USB charging version based on 2x21700’/ 2x26650 would be really promising as a ‘civilian’ light. Even moreso if they designed it to also function as a power bank.

I feel like a 150 lumen C8+ is just not going to be enough light

I’d recommend a driver with 4* 7135 chips which you could remove one at a time to get what you want. It’s going to be disappointing to receive a light that’s too dim and you have to buy another driver.

this is what i was thinking, a c8+ running 150 lumens is such underkill

ive want 2 modes , 150 and 500 at the least

c8 is such a nice torch to be running 150 lumens

but if its what he wants then its ok

I spent $100 on a Malkoff MD2 M61LL, specifically to have a single mode, 100lm light that could run 10hrs.

So by comparison, 150lm is 50% brighter, and at $25, the C8 350mah is 400% cheaper.

I’ve been around flashlights a pretty long time; I had a 65lm incan Stinger, back when that was considered ‘blindingly bright,’ and later Innova X5’s ~2003, back when that was the height of LED tech. That was pumping out ~31m (on High!)

As such, I remember that 150lm is actually really bright. And paired with a decent reflector, 150lm has plenty of effective range; my Armytek Predator on 150lm mode (44mm head) has no problem at 100yd.

That’s why real garbage C8 clones on Amazon would still appeal to some as “blindingly bright”.

Stick a cheap Angry Blue™ XP-E clone (not even a real one) behind a plastic reflector and belt out a whopping 70-80lm into a teenytiny hotspot, and it’ll be pitifully dim but still manage some decent throw. And they’ll get those 5-star “Wow! That’s BRIGHT!!” reviews on Amazon.

Can someone confirm that 350mA on the XPL HI is 150 lumens out the front not just led lumens.

You could also ask Simon to do 1*7135 S2+ with XPL HI and a smooth reflector for better distance. I used to have one and thought it was excellent.

I’m also curious what the 350mah translates to in actual lumens.

You had a 1x7135 S2?

Sort of along these lines, has anyone made a C8/S2 with a Head Tight - Head Loose UI?

This was the old ‘Tactical/Utility’ UI used by Fenix/Foursevens, and currently Armytek on their tactical lights.

Head Tight = Turbo / 100%

Head Loose 1/8 turn = Low / Multi Mode.

Example C8 ‘tactical/utility’

Head Tight = 1000lm w/ momentary

Head Loose = 150lm w/ momentary

Foursevens used a even more versatile one:

Head Tight = Programable single mode

Head Loose = Programable single mode

—> You could have it set up with your 2x most used modes, always available. So 100% + 30; or 50 + 1, or 100 + Strobe, etc.

You could get Convoy’s ramping driver and set the 1st mode to whatever brightness you like. It always starts on the first mode. You can’t accidentally change modes either, to get to the 2nd level it’s a very quick double tap, 3rd level is a quick triple tap.

I see this was first suggested by forsh but was ignored. He said to configure to 50% which is probably why.

I have this driver in most of my C8’s and it’s awesome. You can then set the first level to anything you want from 2 lumens up to 1250.

Get Simon to install his ramping driver into the C8 with XPL HI, he’ll then suggest it’ll burn out the led but it’s perfectly okay.

I guess the question is, what is the advantage of some programing driver vs just a single 350mah mode, when the goal is a single, 100-150lm level for 10hrs?

Does the 10% setting (presumably ~125lm if 100% is 1250lm) run longer then then the 350mah single mode?

I’m just making the point that it’s adjustable to the level of lumens you want. Wouldn’t that be better having the ability to change it later on.

Okay, so I tested my Convoy on the ramping driver

140 lumens it’s 378mA
114 lumens it’s 304mA

Thank you for testing that. So 350mah should be ~125lm. Were those ‘OTF’ lumens?

In terms of multi mode, I’m well aware of the advantages, and the vast majority of my lights are multi mode, and with a better UI to boot (the previously mentioned ‘head tight - head loose’ interface. As such, I have no interest or need in a tailcap switching multi mode C8.

The goal here is a single mode light with an goldilocks level of light to runtime (~100lm x 10hrs). Which is actually an extremely hard to find flashlight; at this point there are hundreds-possibly thousands - of multi mode flashlights on the market.

There are a handful of single mode flashlights - but they are almost exclusively Turbo Lumens X 1hr runtimes ala Surefire. Useful for blinding muggers, but little else.

As of right now, there’s only 1 Single mode light that offers ~100lm x 10hrs - the $100+ Malkoff MD2 w/ M61LL lamp.

M61LL Review

To me, this is pretty crazy, because thats the flashlight best suited to 99% of the worlds regular human beings.

The Average Person:
-Doesn’t collect flashlights
-Is not up to date on multi mode user interfaces (and does not want to learn them)
-Views a flashlight as a tool / emergency device, similar to a hammer or fire extinguisher
-Will use a flashlight for either basic utility (inspecting a dark area, walking at night) or as a primary light source in a power outage
-Doesn’t regularly change / charge their flashlight batteries, or even think about their flashlight until its needed

All of which points to a single mode flashlight (fire extinguisher simple) that offers enough brightness for the majority of tasks, and can last for hours even at 25% battery life (because batteries are likely to be old.)

Yet this simple, practical requirement has been completely neglected.

Which leads to this C8+ project. To create a practical, optimized performance flashlight for regular people. Or at least in my case, for handing out to friends and family.

Perfect , if it does it job how you want , then all is good , c8 is a great torch !

Okay mate, if you’re happy with 125 or so lumens then that’ll be perfect going with the Convoy which you’ve ordered.

Just make sure they don’t tap the switch rapidly 8 times otherwise it’ll go into config mode.

The tests were OTF lumens.

If they’re gifts then I highly recommend bundling with protected 18650’s just to give a bit of extra safety.

Awesome, thanks again for running that test.

I’m planning on giving them with protected, USB recharging cells:

Keepower USB 3500mah

That way they don’t need a charger, they can just charge them using their ubiquitous Micro USB cables.

Quick question - does the C8 have ‘momentary’ on, where it lights with a partial forward tail press? Or does it have to actually be ‘clicked on’ to turn on?

It has a reverse clicky that has to be clicked in. A forward clicky has the momentary which is used on almost all dual switch lights

It would work though if you find one and swap it. I’d recommend programming the driver first though

Based on the reviews of other usb 18650’s the positive end heats significantly. Make sure they aren’t covered with anything during a charge.

So the C8 350mah Single Mode arrived 2 days ago, and it’s awesome. I’m writing up the full review with runtime tests now.

Short answer - it maintained full brightness for 9hr 30min, then dropped in brightness steadily, ending around 5lm at 11hr 30 min where I ended the test.

Driver Pic:

50yd Darkness:

50yd Brightness fresh battery:

50yd Brightness 9hr 30min:

Just finished:

C8+ Ultra Muggle Review

The only issue is that config can be entered by someone playing with the light resulting in it becoming a multi mode light. Simon also sells a single mode only driver