Related: Sofirn C8T premier review/test - Like!
Just received my C8A.
Will try to do some outdoor beamshots 
Here. Sorry not great quality (phone camera) but hopefully you get the idea (Highest mode on both lights) 
(both lights powered by Sanyo NCR18650GA, 3500mAH, unprotected, flat top)
If they would master chemical dedome with protective coating or slicing with a machine this would be so much better
Thanks for the review, SoCal. I really like what I’ve been seeing from Sofirn. They sent me a SF36 to review (here) and I thought it was a nice light. I ordered their C8 host from their Aliexpress store about a month back, should be coming in soon. I like my Convoy C8’s, but I see a couple advantages with what I’m expecting from Sofirn’s C8:
- Anodizing - sometimes I feel like Convoy’s matte is just too matte. Sofirn’s seems very nice.
- AR lens - some, but not all Convoys come with AR. I like that it’s included with Sofirn’s.
- Body tube - nice, something a little different than the standard gnurling
- Tailcap - I like that the cap is formed into the saddle shape. I find it a bit easier to press, and it shows off a lit tailcap more when viewed from the side.
I can’t wait for my host to come in and start playing with it!
Mmm, yep. Nice smooth coating like on my ’502 which I always loved, same like on my new Q8 and TK4A.
The finish on my L2 is, to me, just too rough and chalky.
Nah, I’d prefer a protruding button, forward-clicky switch, just like on an L2M.
Else more ridges or something, but I’m not a fan of the “saddle” shaped rim.
Thanks for the review mate. How many lumens after it steps down?
Hi folks,
I am new here and this is my first post. Please be patient with me!
I have made following observation on the C8A:
If you power the 1700 lumens rated Sofirn C8A with the mystery cell provided by Sofirn it is a little bit dominated by a 900 lumens rated Thorfire C8S powered by a LG high drain cell. If you put the LG high drain cell into the Sofirn C8A and the Sofirn cell into the Thorfire C8S the Thorfire gets 100% destroyed by the Sofirn.
Also with the Sofirn cell the Sofirn C8A only gets lukewarm after 3min while with the LG high drain cell it can almost burn your hand after 3min. The multimeter shows that the C8A pulls more amps from a LG high train cell which translates into much more lumens and heat. With the LG cell the Sofirn C8A delivers more than 1750 lumens considering the warmer light color.
Also see my review of the two lights here:
Nice video review :+1:
You can get the C8A without battery, from Sofirn’s Aliexpress store.
Thanks! So I am not crazy and the “Sofirn mystery cell” indeed limits the C8A. The Panasonic NCR18650GA must be a beast of a protected cell if it still manages to get the maximum out of the Sofirn C8A!
Interesting that you find Sofirn battery less powerful than LG HG2, since many here reported that under the wrap is Samsung 30Q.
Maybe they offering standard cell with C8A, and High drain only with C8F since it have triple emitter…
Btw my C8T XP-l hi after all wires changed to 20awg now pushing 1550 lumens after 30 sec and over 1600 at start !
Amazing performance with close to 100Kcd
My light gets much hotter with the LG cell, much brighter and pulls more amps. But anyway I love to see that Sofirn pushes the C8 design!
What’s the advantage/disadvantage of C8A versus C8T?
The C8T has more throw (but less lumens) due to the XP-L HI emitter, the C8A has a more balanced beam and more lumens.
It was. The cell that came with my C8 trip is differently wrapped, but didn’t look too closely. If it’s 3400mAH, it might be a panny-B of sanny-A under the wrap, but my first Sofirn cells measured a tad over 2800mAH like a 30Q would. Quite nice.
Will look later…
Rewrapping cells is a serious business which certain “brands” use to mislead customers and maximize profits. Example: Azaoste 18650 3000mAh 20/40AH Any tests or feedback? :facepalm:
Unfortunately, only a few companies seem to commit to do it right, like KeepPower (I still don't like some of their rewraps) and LiitoKala (goof with the yet untested Lii-40A). I also like the fact it usually is very easy to identify the actual cell OEM with them.
Cheers :-)
Yeah the GA is my cell of choice for any 18650 application where it will fit. I always get great results with it. I also gave away my trusty B cells.
I never even bother with mystery batteries. I just bin them straight away. I may very well have gotten rid of perfectly good cells but I already have plenty of cells so it doesn’t bother me.
I don’t really understand these specs…
(or I don’t understand how throw distance is calculated)
+Official Factory Specs from Sofirn’s Aliexpress site:
C8A….11500cd 200m distance
C8T……9500cd 500m distance
Can lower kcd = longer throw? I always thought it was the opposite…
Isn’t the calculated distance (FL-1 specification) derived from the peak beam intensity/candela rating? (Higher kcd = longer throw)
Distance (m) = square root of (kcd divided by 0.25)
.
Also apparently the C8T’s factory distance spec has mysteriously doubled since Barkuti’s review of it…
+Official Factory Specs shown in Barkuti’s review
C8A….11500cd 200m distance
C8T……9500cd 250m distance
Or, is it a misprint? (should be 95,000cd not 9500cd)
Then it should spec 616m not 500m
….gotta be a misprint
Gotta be a misprint … or one of the numbers is wrong … or they weren’t measured in the same way. Who knows? But yes, cd should increase with throw.
I’m just curious, how much throw would the Sofirn C8A be?
The XP-L2 of the C8A would throw much further than the older Convoy C8 with XM-L2; but will it be able to out-throw a stock Convoy C8 XP-L Hi?
The Sofirn C8A has a rated max current of 4.5A versus the 2.8A of the stock Convoy C8 XP-L Hi, so lumens-wise, definitely the C8A wins, but in terms of “throwing” how would it compare?
Actually with a fresh-off-the-charger Sony VTC6, I measured nearly 6A (using UT210E ammeter + copper wire) on Turbo mode for the C8A.
With my entry-level DMM, the tailcap current registered 4.5A (which is the manufacturer spec).