Indeed. Not sure it’ll be feasible to stack chips at the factory though, since it’s a pain to do.
BTW, the numbers I posted earlier with 1000 lumens and 50 kcd lux… those were entirely made up. I don’t have a new C8 yet to actually measure. My XinTD C8 V4 (XM-L2) gets ~900 lm and ~33 kcd lux. I’m guessing the Convoy C8 (XP-L HI) will have similar lumens but significantly more lux.
Wow I go a day without being on here and get back to find a 220 post thread about this new version. I don’t own any Convoy lights yet but this right here is just the ticket. I love the upgrades and the UI. If this UI is incorporated into all of the lights I’m going to have to find new funding for my light budget.
I was thinking the same thing. It would be one of the first, and one of the best drivers and lights of that type. I am sure a lot of people will upgrade the driver in some way.
Amping up a fat XM-L2 will definitely improve lumens output, but it doesn’t make the beam narrower for more throw or higher lux. Sure, the lux numbers will go up some, but not like that. Drop in an XP-G2 and lux jumps. De-dome it and it nearly doubles again. But 147-150Kcd is fairly tough to get even in a C8. To go over that requires a Buck driver and 2 cells with the de-domed XP-G2.
Interesting, thanks. It looks like the actual lumen output on that is 0.14, 1.96, 13.6, 45, 100% instead of 0.1/1/10/35/100.
When I get a sample, I’m planning to test again and maybe send Simon an update with re-adjusted levels. The ones I used initially had weird response curves on the 7135 chips, but it was consistent across multiple drivers. So it’ll be interesting to see if the production units match the devel boards or if they’re closer to your results.
Worst case scenario, the first batch might be a little bit brighter than spec. Not exactly a terrible thing for a flashlight.
Just ask him. No point leaving a specific price number here in a thread people will be reading for years. Stuff changes over time.
And if you ask nicely and are buying other things, and it’s a convenient time, and the sun’s shining over there, your luck may vary.
To avoid translation issues, please let me explain.
When someone puts their money into a business, it’s all about making money to support their family and themselves. Doing favors for the customer can be a good way to do business, of course, and isn’t that what Simon is already doing? Going far and away over the top to bring us clear anodizing, AR Coated lenses, clear button and/or a contrasting black button, and even being open to an updated/upgraded modern firmware, taking a chance on his very clientelle to make this happen? All these changes without a doubt run into expense to implement, on the speculation that it will become profitable for having taken the chance. Right? And still, his lights are bargain priced with high quality easily surpassing all but the most determined of the competition, again, right? Even while developing new models to further appease our hungry appetites? (stay tuned, he IS working on options, as JDub has clearly explained)
Pretty obvious he’s given us his ear, put his monies to work on our requests, and now once again it is our turn… make it pay.
FWIW, I feel no entitlement to compensation for making the new driver code. I’m merely happy to help someone I like, someone who has been consistently good to BLF.
And it was a fun project. I approach lights strictly as an enjoyable hobby, and don’t want it to become “work”.
Just putting that out there, in case it’s relevant.
… though I was admittedly a little grumpy about having to include SOS mode. Silly survivalists.