How Many Companies are in the C8 game?

I’ve always been into flashlights, but in the past month or two I just got into the newer flashlights.

I picked up a Convoy L6 from Gearbest, I ordered a Convoy S2+, and ordered a KF8 from Kaidomain.

Then I read and see other L6’s, C8 and on from other sites. Now realizing that I guess their many that use the C8 body and then sell.

Who can tell me how many and who is the better to use?

I started talking to Simon and ordered a S2+ from him.

So is my L6 not the same company as Simon’s?

I am really looking foward to the KF8 with a XHP50.2.

Thanks

A lot.
Some history:
Ultrafire (the real company) was AFAIK the first one to make the C8, also called the ultrafire C8. It had an XM-L emitter. It was very succesful. Then came the cheap “ultrafire” clones. These were of generally worse quality with worse tints and nowadays even fake LEDs. However, some companies took the C8 design and improved upon it. The Convoy C8 is one of the more widespread ones, but other respectable companies like Thorfire, Sofirn and KDlikter (kaidomain) have also produced a version of the C8, sometimes with differences to the body, like square instead of triangular threads, better heatsinking or better LEDs. One of the best C8’s made was the XinTD, which was highly regarded, but is no longer in production. The Pflexpro C8 is a modded Convoy C8 with potted internals and a better driver. One of the more recent C8’s is the astrolux C8 which also has a better driver.

The best C8 to buy is the one that’s right for you. On a budget? The Convoy C8. High lumens? The KDlikter C8.2. Looking for a light that will last you a while? The Pflexpro C8. The list goes on.

TL;DR: The C8 is an old design that was changed, cloned and copied a lot by a lot of companies.

From what I know, the L2, L6, and S series flashlights are originally from convoy. Your L6 is most definitely genuine.

Just to grumble a bit :slight_smile: :

I really like the C8 form factor, the reflector size is a great balance between size and throw. But from the first Ultrafire C8 on, I hated the typical cut-outs in the head and tail (give me some fins instead and it would look sooo much better). And guess what, as the iron chinese business law is: “do not change what sells”, that exact feature is copied over and over again by everyone. :weary:

So unlike many on BLF (there was a thriving dedicated C8 thread for years) I always have mixed feelings about the C8.

I agree djozz. I don’t really like the design of the C8 and the one I had I gave to a friend. Now I have an emisar D1S, which fills the same role but much much better.

It’s a shame the XinTD is no longer made. I love my lightly modded one but I’d love to have another couple for other projects.

I totally agree with the head design djozz mentioned, fins would look way cooler. But the size/form factor, throw, mod factor and peer pressure is the reason why I keep my Convoy C8.

I have a few XinTD lights —I always wondered who chose that wonderful color—— :frowning:

I guess you either love or hate (like or dislike) the C8 design with the typical cut outs.
The cut outs do have a function though, they prevent the light from rolling off a table, they provide grip on the tail cap for screwing on or off, it loses a little weight.

I think the post 2014 Convoy C8 looks best of all C8 models.
Better than the earlier Convoy C8, which was also nice.
Especially in matte black, the Convoy C8 looks great (i.m.o.).
Looks very functional and a bit ‘army’ like (i.m.o.).

I’m always sorry to see brands put on a different tail cap or battery tube, like ThorFire and Sofirn do.
But they are the same good quality as Convoy.

I don’t own any KD C8 so i don’t know about them.

Is the color different from the grey Convoy C8?

I liked the form factor of the c8, but like many here I did not like the styling of it. I opted for the Uniquefire c108, which in my opinion was an awesome looking light. Wish I never sold that one.

It’s sort of a grey/Blue and has a smooth surface. Really a good quality and nice looking finish.

My XinTD x3 has one of my favorite finishes on it. The C108 had a very similar finish to it also. Made the mistake of selling my c108, I notice there is still on ebay right now. Would love to get another, but the x3 fills that niche in my collection

XinTD C8—-Not sure if it’s considered Grey—— Definitely has a Green tint