EE X6 vs. Convoy’s C8 and M1. Replacing a Romisen from Shinningbeam that is a couple of years old. Being used for security guard use. The head on the C8 seems large, but will throw the best. The silver C8 seems to have a lot of upgrades. Not sure if will fit in a duty belt holster. Would like to keep the price under $25 if I could. Any thoughts?
The c8 has good throw, but the reflector is not perfect for the XPL HI
There are lights with bigger LED and smaller reflector with same size of hotspot like the Klarus XT12GT
but for low budget its a good light
C8 with xpl hi is one of my favorite go to lights. My edc is a ee x6 with a xpl hi with fet driver, spring bypasses. I think the c8 or x6 would work well depending how far you really need to see. The x6 goes to 3.5 amp stock on turbo the c8 2.8. But has a larger reflector.
If you can use a soldering iron you can get the parts from mtn electronics. And put it together yourself. Driver $8, host $10, led $5-7 and have one running max amps when you need it and lower modes when just scanning
For slightly smaller heads, check out the Thorfire VG10/VG10S and the Sofirn SF36. Still lots of light and lots of throw, in a more pocket-friendly form-factor.
Another vote for the C8. It should fit a holster when bezel-up.
Just putting it out there: the M1 is no thrower by any reasonable standards. The beam on it sits right between throw and flood - jack of both trades, master of neither.
Hi.
I have a coupla C8’s, both Ultrafire cheapies.
First is an older model. (4 yrs or so) Wes $7.50 del, With a Q5 in there…
Wasn’t bad but dull after buying second with XPLHi.
So Dropped in a XM-L2 with 7135? 8. driver. $6.70 del
5 way sw.
That LED\driver didn’t seem to improve throw more.
Just a little more\brighter spread.
So more powerful LED is only part of equasion hey.
Second one is same body. with a XPL-hi 7135.8 driver.
I’ve soldered springs. and extra solder t’ween Driver and Pill mount.
That one is probably 25% better throw. and a LOT brighter.
At $17AUD del. a good buy.
Also have a Convoy S2. with 7135.8 and XP High.
VERY nice throw and spread. But not so Comfortable to hold for long time.
Keep off Turbo. It stays near cold after even 2 1\2-3 hrs.
For in-hand comfort. best torch I have is an old Original
Sky-Ray S-R5. XML-T6.
With soldered spring\Switch and a XM-L2 Pill\driver in there.
SUPER comfortable, Shape. Size,To hold all day if needed.
Leaves ALL other torches I’ve tried for long time in-hand comfort
for Dead.
Those tiny mini things leave me dead. I like a torch I can hold thank you.
Was thinking of Making a Brass pill. with Cree XHP 50 and driver to suit?
and 2 or 3 way sw.
Or would that be too much for that body\Reflector, (SM not OP)
Anybody??
M1 with an OP reflector is my favorite do-everything, general purpose light. Solidly built and tough as well.
My words exactly. Add in Biscotti (like mine) or another firmware that isn’t the creaky old 3/5, and you have one heck of a torch. I use mine for walking though dark streets, moving around the house, checking when the dog barks oddly, and as a nightstand light in 0.1% mode with a Thrunite T10 diffuser on top. The beam is so decent all around, I rarely feel the need to use any mode set that isn’t mode 8, where max mode is 50%. I have it since April and only felt a need to go full blast with it twice.
The only part where I favor another light for regular use is the feel on the hand (large hands + annoyingly thin skin on palms + aggressive heatsinking fins = soreness in long-term use), and the cake goes to the S2. And, of course, throw, which my C8 reigns supreme over (even if the reflector is OP).
I am for Convoy C8.
If you want something compact than BLF X6 / Astrolux S2 is an option.
Tube light thrower with momentary ON - Eagle Eye X5R XPL HI.
Out of the three that you mentioned, the C8 will throw further. However, it would be best if it was modded with a fet+1 and a dedomed XM-L2, dedomed SST-40, or dedomed XP-G2. The EE X6 (40mm head) would have similar throw to the C8 (45mm head) but with a much better beam profile. The M1 isn’t a thrower by any means but it would give balance between flood and throw.
What djburkes said. Except, doesn’t the XP-L HI compare to a dedomed XM-L2 or XP-G2 candela-wise?
Ha I have both Convoy C8 (3 1 stock 3+5modes driver XML2 NW, grey with Bistro XPL hi nw lighted tailcap and clear Biscotti XPL hi NW) and a stock Eagle Eye X6
I would not be able to choose between the two stock (in fact I got the X6 to put the good stuff of the Kronos X6 in but liked it too much so it ended up in the grey C8 
X6 is a little bit smaller
I’m still a huge fan of the Luckysun D80, . It is sold out in most places but Fasttech still has it in stock.
https://www.fasttech.com/product/4098700-luckysun-d80-led-flashlight-gift-set
The driver and led on a non-DTP board is a bit outdated now (but you could upgrade them if you are handy) but it is still a nice flashlight.
Just throw away the crappy charger and battery that is included.
A dedomed XM-L2 and a dedomed XP-G2 both out throw a XP-L HI when all are fet driven.
Ooh, how do I not know about this light?
Throws nicely?