LOL, and apart from the minor critic…. how do you like them?
There’s two levels at which the Q8 can perform:
1) as a stock light out of the box. This is the toughest one: someone without solder iron and with two left hands should have a well performing flashlight without having to check, adjust, clean or even solder things. It is especially tough because Thorfire is not really a brand that makes lights like this, whenever I got a Thorfire light I had to check if everything was tight and a centered led was a bonus.
2) as a light with potential: all the structural features are well thought out and well made, but out of the box you may have to tweak stuff. But there’s nothing so wrong that it is not corrected with some minor modding skills. And with medium modding skills a lot of different mods can be done.
I think that the Q8 as it is now almost meets 1) but not quite, and I hope that number 500-2000 do meet it. But every Q8 reported thusfar meets 2) which was the initial drive for BLF to start the project. And I am very pleased that even level 1) is almost there
The machining of the light and the design is great
Definately lots of lumens out of the box
for a non modder or non reviewer this light can be used as it is out of the box with good performance
just on some samples there are some points that can reduce the turbo current a bit
if the screw heads are damaged who cares they were tight
if a few % less throw from lightly uncentered LEDs who cares
I guess the M3 screws for the driver were a mistake when they machined the heads someone placed there a M3 thread instead M2.5, miscommunication?
I will do a full review with a lot pictures later today
I had no problems purchasing from the link in my thread (fast delivery as well) & I know another member purchased a couple from that link with no problems :+1:
Prices are cheaper than from DX as well I think.
I must admit though that although the UF”s are nice for what they are (genuine Cree leds as well not fake Latticebrights & just over 3000 lumens on start up measured in my light tube which seems fairly accurate) they are not a patch on the Q8”s
The Q8”s totally blow them away in every respect :+1:
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Everybody who likes the UI of the Q8 should look at this Lamp: FW3A
As the Q8 is a bit big for EDC and you know how compact a SK68 is?
This 18650 light is within millimetres the same size. Has a tail switch (not lighted), triple LED AND based on the same UI as the Q8. I expect a newer version of NarsilM
It is another Group Buy here on BLF, lamps should happen next year.
Thank you for reply
I do not seem to be able to purchase Q8 right now, I read the thread, but is the quality okay?
Because I want to get on the car, the size is best for UF and Q8.
There are several ways the Q8 goes beyond what big-name companies offer, but I think Tom’s firmware is probably the part which should embarrass them the most.
All the quality issues we've pointed out are pretty minor - always that ~1% with more serious issues like a scratch or gouge, etc., but the quality issues we are pointing out for the screw, glue, etc. have only a limited effect on power, resulting in at most, roughly a 10% difference between the best and worse, which in the grand scheme of things, is pretty darn good for such a high performance, custom spec'd light.
You gotta look at these things in relative terms, and of 9 Q8's I've gotten in my hands, all 9 worked out of the box, seem to be perfect in exterior condition, no finger prints on the glass, reflectors look perfect, beam tint between all 9 seem to match perfectly. Yes, they have had a share of over tightened somewhat damaged screws, and some glue where it shouldn't be, but those issues do not effect the operation/reliability, and only a limited effect on performance. Again, roughly 10% difference between the best and worse.
I am interested in FW3A
I do not mind if it is high, I think that it would so cool if the material was titanium and 219C.
Light satisfied with all people is difficult.
Silicoon if you want an SRK/SODA can type light then the Q8 is the one to have at this price.
The few little niggles that have been found on a very few of the first production run (my 2 are fine however) will be ironed out quickly & before you get a light so if I were you I would PM The Miller & get in on the group buy for the Q8
Got two Q8 today. Really nice toys, thanks a lot to the team!
But - Thorfire should definitely improve packaging for the next batch. I got the lights in a thin bag, the cardboard box only wrapped with a foam sheet. The two small sides of the box were free of protection. Box and tailcap of one light have a big dent, the bag probably fell down on a solid edge during transport. The tailcap is also somewhat bent, you notice it when screwing.
And threads need more lube - there was an awful squeaking when screwing battery tube and tailcap on both lights.
