New Convoy C8 – Clearly better

What are you going to do when the L.5 (1/2 size) of the L1 comes out? :smiley: Just kidding :smiling_imp:

The driver is based on Convoy’s prior use of the Nanjg 105B, the layout easily accommodates stacking 7135 chips to raise the current. 4.5A with a modern XM-L2 makes for a very nice C8, with little real world difference in output compared to an FET driver. It’s kept simple this way, Simon get’s to continue using the backstock of drivers on hand, and we benefit from a much more widely accommodating UI.

Really nice win for Convoy, and for Convoy fans alike.

Date of release?

Looking very good, big thumbs up to Simon and all those at Convoy (the op too).

Will definitely be getting one of these. Personally I really like the look of C8 visually. Although I must admit, if Simon offered a green one, I really wouldn’t be able to resist it either…

:slight_smile:

From the OP “To help keep the C8 comfortably in the budget range we are still using a 2.8A Nanjg based driver”

It will fill the gap between L1 and C8 or C8 and M1 :sunglasses:

Ok all I’ve posted the complete UI description in post #2 of this thread. I will add more details as I can and of course make any corrections if necessary. Cheers.

Is there an L1 prototype ?
Because i saw you mentioned it also in L6 thread.

I keep pushing for it. :stuck_out_tongue:

I like the UI very much. My only problem with it that I need to have lot unnecessary flashy modes to have battery check function.

Wherever there are 100 ways to provide a solution there will be that 101st person to have a new problem. :wink:

Not picking, but it’s always the case. The ATTiny13A only has so much space, it’s just about impossible to provide solutions that are perfect for absolutely everyone. Our own MattAus found that out with his Hyperion firmware, quite some time ago… and the saga continues…

This is all pretty spot with the exception of “backstock”. That’s probably true of some of the components but these are newly manufactured drivers made specifically for Convoy. The primary goal in this driver choice was to give the very budget minded an excellent C8 option better that what’s currently available. Going to a FET driver would have put this light in the $30 range when we want be closer to the $25 range. That doesn’t mean FET drivers can’t be an option down the line but my goal with this driver redo was to bring a higher level of awesomeness to the lowest priced lights in the Convoy line in true BLF spirit.

This driver will also be used in the S series lights including the next S2+ colors (or lack of) that will be produced. Finally, as Dale pointed out and has tested himself, any modder that can stack more 7135 chips to bump the power higher. :+1:

Well, it’s ATtiny13, so you can ‘flashy’ whatever modes you want! :wink:

Not a real problem. I have BLF drivers but not much times I used the batt check. The stepdown and LVP kick in and then replace batteries if I discharge them so far but mostly I don’t. :+1:

Jared, you done good!! I’m pretty sure there isn’t another budget light with multiple UI choices and a Custom finish for this kind of $$$$$ or is there?? :+1:

David excellent point! :+1: DIY!

Awesome!
Sounds like a very nice driver for quite a few of my lights.
Thanks once more!

It is good that it has DTP, because the smaller package of the XP-L won’t cool as well as an XM-L2 on a non-direct star. The listed thermal resistance is better, so they must have improved or reduced the internal insulating layer, but the smaller footprint would give the heat less area through with to penetrate an insulator on the star.

Very nice.

Bob

BLF noob here, so I don’t quite know all the players involved…

Is this an actual “type 3” model C8 direct from Convoy, or modded/variant of the type 2? (type 1 = pill, type 2 = integrated head)

Maybe I didn’t read closely enough, but I’m not quite sure who’s going to be selling them. :slight_smile:

I always loved the “gunmetal gray” that M*g had. Not that polished-Al (“chrome”) look, nor matte-gray, but a darker shiny gray that I’ve seen at least in the 3xAA and 2xD lights that I’ve got. That would look awesome in a C8…

Question about moonlight/firefly mode, though… Does it ever “stick” off when hot? I’ve heard that when you’ve got the light on high and things heat up, that sometimes if you switch to firefly mode, it just won’t light at all until it cools down (fine in higher modes, though). Which is why… I think it’s in the QLite driver source… there’s a certain minimum (6/256) that you have to set firefly mode to reliably turn on.

Might have to do with the capacitance of 8 parallelled 7135s, too. Little skinny pulses might not be enough to bump them on.

And I’m wondering about PWM flickering when it’s set that low.

Dunno if I’d want to pocket a C8 unless I were wearing cargo pants. :smiley: