A while back Simon and I had a conversation about the Convoy C8.
It’s an older design as we all know. Most of us here on BLF have owned one (or several) for years. It’s very mod friendly and a great compact thrower in the tried and true single 18650 format favored by so many.
From the start Convoy has in my opinion been making one of the best versions of the C8 that money can buy.
Still, I thought the C8 could use a bit of a makeover to bring it some new life. With that new life of course… it must have a new look. That’s where clear anodizing comes in. This essentially brings the look of bare aluminum with the benefits of anodizing.
If you’ve seen pictures of the new clear anodized L6 you have an idea what to expect.
The clear anodizing is beautiful in my opinion, but why not go a couple steps further?
In addition to its stunning new looks, here is what the new clear anodized C8 is bringing to the table:
- AR coated glass comes standard.
- A Cree XPL-HI emitter in your choice of tint is standard.
- A DTP copper MCPCB for the XPL-HI to rest on comes standard.
Let’s pause to have a look before at this thing we talk about the driver…
Now, onto the driver:
To help keep the C8 comfortably in the budget range we are still using a 2.8A Nanjg based driver but this is where it breaks away from the crowd…
Several months ago I asked a programmer friend what we could do to improve the main line of Convoy drivers without a big cost increase. I mentioned what my goals were and we went back and forth on the details. I am quite happy with the end result. I think you will be too.
Who is this programmer you ask? Why that would be our very own ToyKeeper of course. 
Here is a bit of what the new UI designed by ToyKeeper for Convoy is bringing to the table:
- A total of 12 user selectable mode groups.
- Modes with and without Moonlight mode
- Modes with and without blinkies (not just strobe but SOS, biking flasher and battery-check)
- Modes than run lo to high and modes that run high to low
- Mode memory that can be toggled on or off
- 2 Low power/low heat modes that max out at 50% output.
The new clear anodized Convoy C8 will be the first to incorporate this new driver but certainly not the last…
A small cost increase of around $3-4 is necessary to cover all these upgrades.
Note: Simon will give BLF members the same 15% discount he does on most Convoy flashlights. All you have to do is ask him through the Aliexpress message system when placing your order to adjust the price for BLF 15% discount.
Update 2016-09-09
The clear C8 is available now in the Convoy store!
Direct link: Purchase the Clear Convoy C8 HERE
Simon created a nice diagram for the UI too. That will be added to post #2 along with the driver details.
Update 2016-09-10
I added a note about the 15% BLF discount above and updated post #2 for clarification.
Here is the UI description for the new Biscotti firmware written for Convoy by ToyKeeper:
Note: You will see “tap” used in these instructions. Tap = a half press of the button. The switch does not “click” with a tap.
While off:
While on:
Blinky modes:
Some mode groups have blinky modes. They are not hidden, but if you leave mode memory off you can skip them with a long press which returns you to the first setting in your selected mode group.
Battery check works by a number of blinks to represent battery voltage.
Each blink represents approximately 25% battery charge ( 1 = low battery, 4 = full, 5 blinks = over-charged)
Configuration options:
In config mode you have 2 options. It will blink to show which option is active, then “flicker” for a few seconds. Tap the switch during the “flicker” that follows the desired number of blink to select that configuration option.
How to program your light while in config mode:
Example: To select group 5 , let it blink five times, then fully click the switch button during the pause after the fifth blink.
Caution: Do not leave the light in the mode group selection loop for long periods of time. Doing so can cause unnecessary wear on the driver’s memory and may lead to driver malfunction.
Mode groups: (output is approximate)
Edit:
Simon made a nice diagram for UI.
Edit 2016-09-10: The new firmware has been given the name “Biscotti”
Those who wish to flash this on their own drivers can find the firmware and source code here: Biscotti firmware
Hmmmm…. Something’s missing…
Looks nice though! Now where can I buy some of those isolation discs Simon is using there?
Keepin’ the “B” in BLF
while I like the technical features I am a “black flashlight” guy
silver is just not my cup of tea for lights… but that does not mean it doesn’t look cool!
really outstanding design/execution
This is a great upgrade (or rather, group of upgrades)! Great job guys!
The Cycle of Goodness: “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”
- The YKK Philosophy
What about Blue? Red? Green? Convoy S2 colors would look great on this flashlight, I think (Well, maybe not the green, actually
Edit: Oh yeah! Forgot grey!
The Cycle of Goodness: “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”
- The YKK Philosophy
I forgot to mention that all my S2+ are actually grey – also an amazing color!
Guess I am no longer into black flashlights.
Damn, i have 2 convoy hosts that are on the way to me.. and now this?! not to mention my old C8 with removable pill design .. can i have one for free? lol
Olight i3s, Olight S1, Olight S Mini, JetBeam Jet-1, BLF 348, Astrolux S41S, UF SK-98, Convoy S2+ 3*XP-G2, Convoy S2+ 3*XPL, Convoy S2+ 219CT, Convoy M1, Convoy C8, Brinyte B158, Courui D01, Convoy L6, Noctigon M43
The second pic gives the light a more mat finish. Really, really nice. Looks like I’ll keep an eye on this C8…
Super cool!
₪₪₪₪ ΟΥΔΕΝ ΚΡΥΠΤΟΝ ΥΠΟ ΤΟΝ ΗΛΙΟ ₪₪₪₪
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Flashlights & edc gear
K40M F16
Wow!
Sweet looking light wih nice upgrades, without breaking the bank
I will have to get one of those! Really pretty and the driver sounds great! I hope the driver can be purchased by itself.
EDC rotation:
FW1A, LH351D 4000k (second favorite)
FW3A, LH351D 3500k
FW3A, SST20 FD2 4000k
FW3A, Nichia 4000k sw40 r9080 (favorite light!)
FW3A, Cree XP-L Hi 5A3
Emisar D4V2, SST20 4000k
S2+, XM-L2 T6 4C
I have black, blue, green, and grey S2+‘s. My favorite is grey
Boycott Nike
Nice work with the driver! Great upgrade from feedback while still keeping costs low.
My Favorite Modded Lights: X6R, S8 , X2R , M6, SP03
Major Projects: Illuminated Tailcap, TripleDown/TripleStack Driver
That’s quite a bit of firmware for a attiny13 based driver. Nice job!
The color is very good. Mostly because it will not show scratches and dings at all. It will look brand new after 20 years of use. That is why i like gray metals.
The driver will evidently underdrive the led which is a pity. So my question is, will this driver be available with 4 more chips over the existing ones? Or at least will soldering 4-8 chips on top of the existing be a problem for this driver?
Dude Simon’s had a grey C8 for a long time. Same color as the grey S2+. Where you been?
Grey C8
I don’t know about the rest of the rainbow though.
It’s not that hard to believe when you consider the one who wrote the firmware is our very own ToyKeeper!
The Cycle of Goodness: “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”
- The YKK Philosophy
It is not grey… it is clear so the natural aluminum color is visible…
EDC rotation:
FW1A, LH351D 4000k (second favorite)
FW3A, LH351D 3500k
FW3A, SST20 FD2 4000k
FW3A, Nichia 4000k sw40 r9080 (favorite light!)
FW3A, Cree XP-L Hi 5A3
Emisar D4V2, SST20 4000k
S2+, XM-L2 T6 4C
Glad I gave away a stock C8 recently so I have an excuse to replace it!
The drivers will indeed be available for sale but not for a little while yet. As you’ll note in one of the pics the new driver board is red. We did this so there would be no mistakes in whether you have the new version with the new firmware or the older driver. I really like the red color. I’ll announce it when it’s available as a separate item. It may be a month or so.
Love the grey Convoy C8
But MAN this looks so much better!
Great work with the driver.
MOON!
Oh TK, Simon and J-Dub74 you did it, smashing so much lights by making this one, thanks!
It is done when it is done
How my BLF Specials generally work, please read before asking Qs
The Q8, Exciting a groupbuy for a Premium BLF special high lumens soda can light!
The GT, A BLF special GIGA thrower
The FW3A, a TLF BLF special small, elegant, powerful triple
Lithium Ion safety 101 important read
Sorry grammarlovers, I am a real King Typo.
Thanks PD!
Will it be possible to buy the parts to upgrade our existing C8s?
I forgot about the gray C8. That’s nice! I don’t need a whole rainbow anyway, just give me a Blue one.
The Cycle of Goodness: “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”
- The YKK Philosophy
Mine doesn’t have the upgraded driver, yet. I won the C8 through the OL auction that JDub arranged and Simon donated. Much to my surprise, here’s C8 clear ano #1.
You got that right buddy!
TK rocks!
Amazing work!
Are there other differences in the driver, besides new firmware?
Excellent!!
I was happy I could work that out for you buddy. You were quite generous in your bidding to help Old Lumens. Simon was happy to help and was happy to use the new clear anodized C8 host to build your auction winning light. Thank you for keeping it quiet until I made the official post for the clear C8.
You know how crazy these BLF types can get when they see something new.
I’ll buy them all, including the green one. And the clear one too, which really looks beautiful.
It’s not only that I like colors, it’s also much easier to grab the right light when using the same host type for builds with different characteristics.
BLF Q8 Janus --- Emisar D4 RGBW --- Green Lantern and HAL 9000
6th Annual Light Contest Entry --- 7th Annual Light Contest Entry
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