Just sharing regarding the Convoy C8. I suppose I’m even a more newbie than you, since you knew about Convoy flashlights at least 2 years ago. I first saw a Cree LED flashlight earlier this year (or actually, ‘fake Cree’ as I later find out. My “real Cree” LED flashlight is only a few months ago.)
But anyway, I’ve read about the Convoy C8 from here and purchased them when I saw them on sale in Banggood and GearBest.
So I got my Convoy C8 Clear with the new Biscotti firmware from Banggood. It uses XP-L Hi, SMO reflector and has AR lens. It appears to be exactly the same as it would have been in Simon’s AliExpress store (was $1 cheaper from BG during the flash sale, if I factor in discount request from Simon — I’ve bought from Simon directly twice, previously for the Convoy S2+ Desert Sand he gave a 15% discount for BLFers if you request; recently I ordered a different flashlight from him and he gave 7% discount for it, I suppose price increased or depends on model).
The next Convoy C8 I got was from GearBest recent flash sale (I could only get the ‘flash sale’ price, but not the ‘discount voucher’ prices which are slightly lower since the discount codes unfortunately didn’t work for my country.) — anyway, I just received it — it has XM-L2, SMO reflector, and non-AR lens, and the old (5/3-mode group) firmware.
I’m not familiar with fake Convoy C8s since I ordered only from Banggood, GearBest and also Simon’s AliExpress store (I got Convoy S2+ Desert Sand with Biscotti firmware from Simon directly).
The 7135x8 refers to how much amperes max current (it affects how much total light output), but from what I’ve learned (I think the available models are 7135x3, x4, x6, x8). Each is 0.35A, so:
7135x3: 1.05A
7135x4: 1.40A
7135x6: 2.10A
7135x8: 2.80A
That’s for the max light output. But of course, the flashlight can be set to lower modes, which will then use less than max current. Less current = more runtime.
Since you’re looking for a C8 most likely for a ‘thrower’ type of flashlight, I would think you’ll be looking at the higher amps versions (2.1A or 2.8A) for max throw — you can set to lower modes anyway.
For the “old” firmware (5/3-mode groups), I remember these are set to (percentage of max current):
Low = 5% Med = 40% High = 100%
(old firmware only allows changing between the group with (5-modes group) and without blinkies (3-modes group) )
For the “new” Biscotti firmware, the default 5-modes are:
0.1, 1, 10, 35, 100%
(Biscotti allows to be programmed to have the blinkies modes in the default cycling or others — check ‘Biscotti’ firmware elsewhere in the forum for more info, eg. battery check mode)
You can also select the tint from the official AliExpress store (BG and GB also has tint selection usually). I’ve grown to like a more neutral-white tint (3A or 3D), but the cool-white tint (1A) is slightly brighter.
Ok, sorry but I don’t think I answered your question: which flashlight is right for you…
a) XP-L Hi or XM-L2?
XP-L Hi + SMO reflector + AR lens = more focused hotspot (ie. light throws a bit further)
XM-L2 + OP reflector (no AR lens) = less focused hotspot (maybe slightly wider spill), but since it uses the same C8-sized reflector, it is still throwy (just slightly less than the one above)
b) new or old firmware?
The new versions of C8 (typically the “Clear” or also called “Silver Anodized”) already use the XP-L Hi + SMO + AR by default, and if ordered from Simon directly, it should be using Biscotti already (but verify to be sure).
If ordering from elsewhere (BG, GB, etc.), then you’ll need to check if it still uses the old firmware or not.
I would recommend the new firmware since it’s much more configurable (unless you don’t like too many modes — but those can be programmed in Biscotti),
c) tint
I think this is more personal and subjective… cool-white or neutral-white. There’s even a warmer white/yellow tint available (and seems slightly more expensive)
d) how much amps
7135x8 = max output (hotter), less runtime when used at max mode; but with Biscotti, you could program such that the “highest” mode is just 50% of max current
7135x6 = slightly less max output, if you don’t need
(not sure if there’s a 7135x3 and x4 for the C8 — these options are for the Convoy S2+ since some may not need max output for an EDC light, which the S2+ is. BTW, the Convoy S2+ also has the “new” and “old” versions, much like the C8. The “new” version will typically have XP-L Hi + SMO + AR and Biscotti — which combined makes for a smaller thrower; whereas the older one uses XM-L2 + OP + no-AR (typically available in “old” firmware only, unless you buy from Simon directly and ask him to use Biscotti on it), which is more of a flooder type)
~
And somewhat aside: there appear to be many other “C8”-type flashlights (ie. throwers) recently, which you may also want to check out, eg. the Emisar D1 or D1S — these are about twice the price of the C8 but has a better UI (judging from what I read here, as I don’t currently own one). (Emisar D1/D1S as of current pricing is around $40; Convoy C8 “new-type” around $20; Convoy C8 “old-type” around $14 with flash sale/discount codes)