Best value C8 with Xp-l HI(for throw) or XHP(for sheer output)?

Thre is nothing better than a heavy modded C8 m8, check Tom , Dale or other US based blf modder, they will make one for you : it would be prolly 40-50$ yet for this youll get 1800lm( min) and 140+ cds - a pocket rocket, with modes you can .

Those default HI based C8 aint that good, especialy when you know you have a “cut off” rocket in your pocket :slight_smile:

Hmm…
I think you can’t beat a stock C8 for that money.
And when the battery runs low it’s probably similar output as a modded one.

You can buy a C8 host,

XPL HI V3 on Noctigon Star 20mm
http://www.kaidomain.com/p/S024438.Cree-XP-L-HI-V3-1C-6500K-White-LED-Emitter
Or a dedomed XML2 U4
http://www.kaidomain.com/p/S025971.Cree-XM-L2-U4-1A-6500K-White-LED-Emitter
And a FET +7135 DD driver

Plus a good high drain cell like Samsung 30Q or Sanyo 18540GA

Don’t forget the Eagle Eye X6, very very nice light.
I brought a NW to swap the good parts of a Kronos X6 with but like it so much the parts went into another light and I keep it stock :wink:
Slightly smaller then a C8

Any build tutorials?

Skip all that, just got these 2 lights from Aliexpress and it came very quick too… apparently somebody is a big fan of BLF, the new C8 came with 12* 7135 ( 4,2A) driver and XP-L HI V2, the only bad thing it’s only 1 mode
but for the price, it’s not a bad deal at all… in fact it is the brightest C8 I ever own without modding :smiley:
12* 7135 C8

As for C8s, Convoy, Thorfire, and XinTD are all Highly Regarded. Not sure if XinTD is still being made, though.

Straight out of the tin, all 3 are damned good for <30bux. Thorfire has a kick-ass light for 17bux on Amazon, like, RIGHT NOW. (That’s pretty much what I pay just for a C8 host to roll my own, fwiw.)

Rather than modding the Hell out of a C8, you might just want to get an L2. Twice the bux, but Very Throwy.

Modding a small C8 too much just gives you a curling iron in your hand if you keep it on high too long. Lots of “Ooooh!” factor, but not very practical, if you ask me. At least the L2 has lots more thermal mass and more cooling fins to deal with the heat.

I already have something of a C8 Army, but I’m tempted to get a few more Thorfires, Just Because.

Use thermal paste to star, screw it to head
Solder the driver to star
Screw in driver retaining ring

4,2A it’s not enough for a small light? :person_facepalming:

Depends.
When you run a triple you will want 6 Amperes or more. :slight_smile:

Triple in C8? hmm never seen that before, anyone got the pic or tutorial pic? :smiley:

Triple xpg2. Modded by 18sixfifty quite a while back ago. I bought this host like 5 years ago, not sure if you can find these triple c8’s anymore.

x2 on this…. IMHO the C8 is kind of in no-mans land. Too big to on-person EDC. Yet compared to a well designed 26650 host the C8 has lower thermal capacity and less wattage power reserve. If your’e putting forth the effort into a DIY, make it really worth your efforts. Sure it will cost more, but IMHO the added $$ is well spent for the added run time, thermal management, and depending on the host throw.

Here’s what I’d do…

L2 host

Emitter
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_106&product_id=794

FET Driver

Cells
http://www.gearbest.com/batteries/pp_360841.html?wid=21

You can surely save some $$$ if you take the time to shop around and find better prices.

Actually, I love the C8. May not be EDCable for pocket-carry, but certainly jacket-pocket. :smiley:

Anyway, it’s my go-to light for snooping at what’s in the yard, etc., at moderate distances.

As much as I love my P90s, especially my (’502) EDC, it’s best for general-purpose lighting, whereas something floodier like an S2+ is best for close-in work.

The L2 is a brick by comparison: thick heavy head, wide and heavy battery-tube, 1 or 2 26650s (vs 18650s), and a chalky sandpaper-rough finish that I absolutely would not want to carry on me on any regular basis. But!, it shoots light like a laser, unmatched except maybe for a Maxtoch (which unfortunately I only know by reputation).

The C8 is that perfect compromise between “laserish” and smaller carryable size. No, you can’t really carry it in your pants pocket, and even though I holster my ’502 (borderline dorkdom) I wouldn’t want to holster a C8 (well on the dorky train to Dorky Island where the dorky natives drink dorky nectar out of dorky coconuts).

But damn, even with a fairly low-stressed XP-E2, it’s got lots of reach, and the really tight hotspot holds together for long distances (almost like a zoomie!). And an XP-L HI is a thing of beauty in a C8, and despite the wider hotspot (and more spreading) it’s bright enough in sheer lumenage to make up for it.

So actually, the C8 (one of several) is always nearby, either the XP-E2 or the XP-L HI, depending on what I’m going to be looking at. It may not be pockettable, but damn if it isn’t one of the most useful lights I have.

http://m.banggood.com/Convoy-Clear-C8-XP-L-HI-7135x8-New-Firmware-LED-Flashlight-p-1089132.html

Just ordered this version(looks to be the “new” C8 from BLF).

A little over $20 with the 20% code banggood put out.

I’ll use it as a litmus test for further C8 purchases.

Chose xp-l hi U6-3a.

I always favored 5000K or so, like the 3A, but if you get another one, try the 4C. At first I thought it was a bit warm, but now I’ve really gotten to like it, a lot.

The XP-E2 I went on about is ~4300K, really nice, too.

But no, nowhere near WW, so don’t worry, they won’t look yellow.

I’m growing to like warmer lighting, though. Replaced all the interior lighting in my car (1 dome + 2 map lights, front and back, so 6 LEDs total) with the usual CW bulbs, but just recently redid all them in WW. Soooooooo nice.

Yeah you could call that the BLF version for sure J-Dub74 and Toykeeper put a lot of work in it.
What code? $20 is too tempting not to order

Seconded! Heh. Over here I haven’t had the weather to use a jacket yet, so my C8 is exclusively backpack-carry, and flip me 540º if it doesn’t get almost everything in its small package. Not to mention, its form factor feels good in the hand - the last time I was this satisfied to hold a torch was when I got a 2xD M@g-lite (practically a holy grail for a non-flashaholic in the 3rd World, though I sure know better by now).

“c8series”

Found it cheaper on fasttech. Use code BLF.
Less than $20.

I just didn’t want to cancel my order for a $1 lol