BLF Q8: Mini-review with X-Ray Image and Diffuser

Well the X-ray is most interesting.

IF what were the MCB fixing screws have now been re-purposed, turned around, and are now screwed into new threaded holes in the reflector, then I think I probably like it better than before. Though the screws could be a lot longer, with better thread engagement, the X-ray shows plenty more depth in the new holes in the reflector.

And, IF the assumptions are correct (insufficient resolution to see any threads) the central fixing screw is pretty much redundant

However this needs verifying with a teardown

Personally I have always considered that the central fixing screw is misconceived. Instead of just clamping the MCPCB against the reflector (and dishing it in the middle when over-tightened) it could have been arranged so that the head of the screw butted on the rear side of the shelf (with LED wires led through their own hole, or a “bridging piece” used to achieve the same effect).

The most important area for the MCPCB to be clamped against the shelf is directly beneath the LEDs. A properly configured central fixing screw butted against the rear of the shelf would achieve just this, force being applied from the screw to the reflector, through the emitter spacer rings, directly to where it is needed.

To be frank, no other screws required, except to locate the MCPCB in a symmetrical manner, for cosmetic reasons.

Do Thorfire have anything recognisable as a change control process, or do they just make things up as they go along ?

Edit: for The Miller, please understand this is not a criticism of the BLF design, just my personal observation of how things could be done slightly differently, i.e. “more than one way to skin a cat”.

And it seems as if Thorfire have just come up with yet another one. Nothing could be worse than the one Tom E got, with far to short MCPCB securing screws, and insufficiently (or not at-all) threaded holes in the shelf.

Did I miss something about the reflector being distorted on the Q8 from the central screw?

Think he means distorting the MCPCB, which does happen. On a couple of the 1st 500 Q8's, the reflectro screw was super tight and the MCPCB was bulging up in the middle - easy to tell when sanding the backside. I took a big punch, gave it a couple good hits from the top in the middle and it actually did flatten it out - proven by flat surface sanding.

Yes Tom, that’s what I meant. A great big over-tightened central screw that does nothing at all useful. The only thing holding the MCPCB tight against the shelf were the other two small MCPCB fixing screws, which in at least one of yours, weren’t even doing that. The only thing pressing anything together would have been the bezel/lens/O-ring.

Edit: take a careful look at the X-ray, It may be that you can see the MCPCB being dished by the central screw, though to be fair it looks so gross and obvious that I must surely be mis-interpreting it.

Edit: and take a look at the lovely fit of the threading from the tube to the head. And contrast that with the crappiness of the tail cap threads.

Beautiful radiography by the way, forgot to say that, really nice and useful. Hospital or industrial ?

Medical x-ray unit, imaged during system “testing”. Required about x6 more exposure than an 18650 tube light (55kVp/30mAs).

As it’s still raining here in Brisbane, preventing outdoor beamshots, I thought I’d get an indoor beamshot instead!

Nice pic!

^ Thanks. A few more photos coming soon…

I have to admit that when I was comparing the Q8 against the L6 indoors (for white wall beamshots) I was a bit underwealmed. Yes, it is brighter, but not by a huge degree. However after using the Q8 outdoors I was amazed with the Q8’s ability to turn night into day, and such a nice neutral tint too! It’s great to have so many lumens in a light that doesn’t take up half my camera bag!!

I would like to know where did you get your VTC6 button tops….

From Aussie eBay seller supersports600. I don’t know if he ships internationally. http://stores.ebay.com.au/supersports600

Tom has the NarsilM v1.2 BETA cooking and it will have a modus with momentary on.
Maybe it’s usefull for light painting?
:slight_smile:
And Toykeeper said she will have Andúril for the Q8 .

Nice review.

I was being a bit picky complaining about lack of momentary in the Q8 as it isn’t really a tactical light. However having momentary as an option for Narsil would be great, especially for 18650 tube lights. I probably should contribute to the Narsil thread.

Hi StephenK
Thanks for the review

The X-Ray sure provides a different insight (like what I did there?)

I wouldn’t put it past you not having a spare CT scanner lying around - look forward to that review!!!

Ha, I do have a CT scanner, but can’t justify the radiation use. The x-ray images are taken during routine tests, so have to x-ray something.

Some outdoor beamshots taken last night with the BLF Q8. The Q8 was only on approximately 33% output!
Warm white Convoy S2+ used for a bit of foreground lighting.

And great nightshots too - very skillful

Thanks. I had to use the Q8 on only 33% output so that the cloudy night sky would not be over-exposed. The Q8 on max is quite a revelation!

Niiiiiice! Thanks for the nice review and shots. Can’t wait til I get my hands on one of these, unfortunately mine are still on the slow boat from China and I don’t expect them to arrive for another 4 months or so.

Nice review, Thanks.

Great pictures too.
I also practice vape and lights too… and spend quite some time watching the evolving and intricate structures revealed by an intense beam of light.

The X-ray shot i saved for reference. It should be printed on the Q8 box IMO. :smiley:

Another photo with the excellent BLF Q8 on full power, with Fenix AOD-L diffuser. 3sec exposure, f/14, ISO400.