The NEW Sofirn C8F Triple XP-L W2 w/side e-switch

Got my switch retaining ring off today, it came loose relatively easy with 5” curved jaw hemostats but then seemed to lock up before it was out, I started it back down then unscrewed it with my fingers and it came right on out. Went back in easily.

I’m still trying to figure out why the switch pcb has emitters and resistors on board if they weren’t going to be enabled? Maybe they are still revising it…

Just dawned on me what you said vw, as a host needing emitters and driver I can imagine Anduril pushing 3 XP-L2’s…. wow! I sliced and diced an XP-L2 in my D1S and it’s doing 2000 lumens, so could 3 be doing 5000? More? Interesting indeed!

Yes, I want hosts!!

I think ZozzV6 got in touch w/ SF in IMA4W review. I did just check SF Ali store and nothing listed yet.

Did you utilize the Side SW LEDs? it has the same SW board as the Q8 with green LEDs installed. I changed mine out to white but my lights still on the bench apart. The SW button is translucent black, looks neat lit up.

Could you describe, post pictures or show a link on how to enable the switch LED’s?

Thanks!

its easy, there is an empty pad on back of the SW board. Ad a wire there and solder it to the red wire for emitter on the driver.

Ima noob…I would need a picture of that…

I thought the flashlight business was all about copying what works and selling a lot of them. You don’t want to turn folks away with a weird UI that is only weird for the sake of being weird.
They did copy the basic C8 body so they should just make the light easy to use. You will sell more units in the end.

One of those red wires goes to the emitter and is hot all the time (at battery voltage). You just add an extra wire there and then solder the other end to the extra pad on the back of the switch pcb. This is assuming the leds are wired into the switch ground already on the switch PCB.

Great review Dale :+1:

I have one of the “old” model C8F and I think the XP-L HI emitters gives it a much better beam. I don’t have two C8F’s but here is a comparison between a UniqueFire UF-1408 and a C8F :


UniqueFire UF-1408 XM-L2 (left) C8F XP-L HI (right)

Maybe it’s not a completely fair comparison but I think it illustrates the difference quite well.

The picture below is two identical Q8’s one with XP-L HI and one with XP-L HD

Q8 XP-L HD (left) Q8 XP-L HI (right)

Damn bright! But the run time @ 10 amps from a 3000mAh cell has to be awful.

Just great. another flashlight I have to buy now :person_facepalming: :smiley: Very nice specs!

The key is to use the turbo only in bursts and to use the lower levels for longer times. It would be nice to see this light with a 26650 tube. Then you would have a high drain 5,000mah battery.

I agree. 26650 would be better for sure.

With C8 body, hardly possible, but 20700 might be best solution ! High drain 4250mah

No, what I meant was keep the C8 head diameter, just make the body the same size. There is a lack of 26650 sized lights with triple reflector setup and side switch.

Nice review Dale and great pics! I got my version last week and put a D4 V2 driver in it. Had to alter the lighted e-switch switch, it was making the driver do silly things! :person_facepalming:

Great light, love the ramping!

Nice review. Good catch on the cell. That explains its performance and low internal resistance in my review.

35$ on AE…
I already have a C8F - tho first one with triple XP-G3 (now triple 219C)… pretty rare light, huh?
I will buy this one, also.
One can never have too many C8s.

Hey KB,
What did you alter on the SW and why do you think it causes the wonky driver?
Considering the D4 UI driver too with lighted SW on the C8F and ther lights.
Did you keep the OTC or remove it?

btw
Where can I get the D4 driver from?
I love this Ui and I love Side-Switch-Only lights