New Convoy C8 – Clearly better

[Lightbringer]

@DB Custom

For me, the boost driver and constant current drivers are unnecessarily hard on the cell, requiring ever more current from the dying cell. Hard discharges will shorten the cells life as well as leave you suddenly without light in a worst case scenario, while the regulated boards that use 7135 chips will eventually dim and let you know you need to take precaution, as with the direct drive FET drivers. Tit for tat, I guess.

Hence, never ever ever run the cells down that far.

That’s the same reason why I don’t trust multicell (series) arrangements. Even with nominally balanced cells, the slightest imbalance will run down one cell more than the other(s). Only way to keep that from happening is to make sure you don’t get close to burning them down too far.

[ZozzV6]

@XXX-Man

@Jack Kellar

I’m gonna say it straight: I’m not bothered with Convoy cutting a corner just once or twice given how much modding is a factor for them. And I have way more reason to complain than two semi-inadequate screws, as I see it: the pill on my latest light (an S2) doesn’t have the driver retaining ring - instead, the driver board is welded directly on the pill in two spots. I’ll post a photo when I can.

Every C8 or S2(+) with 6*7135 or 8*7135 is soldered, only up to 4*7135 can use retaining ring. It’s the way it’s always made.

No the Convoy C8 never have soldered in driver in any version. It always has retaining ring. Only the threaded pill S series had solreded in drivers with 6 or 8x7135s and maybe the early pilled M series. For example the S3 doesn’t have threaded pill so it is a retaining ring type fitting even with 8x7135.

[JasonWW]

@ZozzV6

@XXX-Man

@Jack Kellar

I’m gonna say it straight: I’m not bothered with Convoy cutting a corner just once or twice given how much modding is a factor for them. And I have way more reason to complain than two semi-inadequate screws, as I see it: the pill on my latest light (an S2) doesn’t have the driver retaining ring - instead, the driver board is welded directly on the pill in two spots. I’ll post a photo when I can.

Every C8 or S2(+) with 6*7135 or 8*7135 is soldered, only up to 4*7135 can use retaining ring. It’s the way it’s always made.

No the Convoy C8 never have soldered in driver in any version. It always has retaining ring. Only the threaded pill S series had solreded in drivers with 6 or 8x7135s and maybe the early pilled M series. For example the S3 doesn’t have threaded pill so it is a retaining ring type fitting even with 8x7135.

Right, the C8 has a bigger driver and can use a ring. The S2 uses a tiny driver.

[ZozzV6]

@JasonWW

Right, the C8 has a bigger driver and can use a ring. The S2 uses a tiny driver.

Both 17mm same drivers. Only the head has more room for the retaining ring in C8 than S2 pill.

[JasonWW]

@ZozzV6

@JasonWW

Right, the C8 has a bigger driver and can use a ring. The S2 uses a tiny driver.

Both 17mm same drivers. Only the head has more room for the retaining ring in C8 than S2 pill.

Huh. Your sure right. I had to look just now. I’ve changed drivers in both before, but didn’t realize they were the same size. I thought the S2 was 15mm and the C8 was 17 and that was why the S2 needed to be soldered.

[XXX-Man]

My mistake.

C8 comes with retaining ring, I don’t know why I thought it doesn’t…
S2 6/8 * 7135 doesn’t

[MascaratumB]

From stock, the 6 or 8*7135 versions are soldered, but 8*7135 can be used with regular retaining ring! It is a more “fragile situation” as the ring can “jump” if the flashlight falls, but it can be done
Can tell about the C8 as I don’t have one. :arrow_right:

[renton83]

For those who have the new clear version would you say the extra price is worth it? Looks like it comes with quite a few good upgrades

[WalkIntoTheLight]

@renton83

For those who have the new clear version would you say the extra price is worth it? Looks like it comes with quite a few good upgrades

Yes. The only UI wasn’t very good at all. The new UI is much better.

[Delta_V]

@renton83

For those who have the new clear version would you say the extra price is worth it? Looks like it comes with quite a few good upgrades

Yes, although you don’t have to get the clear version if you want those upgrades. The main upgrades are the XP-L HI emitter, Smooth Reflector, Biscotti Firmware, and AR Glass. There is a Black model with the XP-L HI and smooth reflector; you can add that to your cart and add a note requesting Biscotti and AR glass, then wait for Simon to adjust the price before submitting your payment. For the Gray model, you have to include the XP-L HI and smooth reflector in your note.

So the Clear model is the easiest to order, but you can get the other colors if you prefer.

[JasonWW]

@Delta_V

@renton83

For those who have the new clear version would you say the extra price is worth it? Looks like it comes with quite a few good upgrades

Yes, although you don’t have to get the clear version if you want those upgrades. The main upgrades are the XP-L HI emitter, Smooth Reflector, Biscotti Firmware, and AR Glass. There is a Black model with the XP-L HI and smooth reflector; you can add that to your cart and add a note requesting Biscotti and AR glass, then wait for Simon to adjust the price before submitting your payment. For the Gray model, you have to include the XP-L HI and smooth reflector in your note.

So the Clear model is the easiest to order, but you can get the other colors if you prefer.

I’ve never seen a Convoy C8 with an OP reflector. I’ve only seen smooth.

[DB_Custom (Dale)]

Funny, most of the Convoy C8’s I’ve seen had an OP reflector, had to order a smooth independently.

[J-Dub74]

@JasonWW

@Delta_V

@renton83

For those who have the new clear version would you say the extra price is worth it? Looks like it comes with quite a few good upgrades

Yes, although you don’t have to get the clear version if you want those upgrades. The main upgrades are the XP-L HI emitter, Smooth Reflector, Biscotti Firmware, and AR Glass. There is a Black model with the XP-L HI and smooth reflector; you can add that to your cart and add a note requesting Biscotti and AR glass, then wait for Simon to adjust the price before submitting your payment. For the Gray model, you have to include the XP-L HI and smooth reflector in your note.

So the Clear model is the easiest to order, but you can get the other colors if you prefer.

I’ve never seen a Convoy C8 with an OP reflector. I’ve only seen smooth.

My very first Convoy flashlight was an early Convoy C8 with an OP reflector. Love it. They’ve been around for a long time, most people just go for smooth reflectors. The OP reflector has a beautiful beam pattern. It’s a pretty light OP but it makes the transition from the hotspot out very smooth and eliminates any rings that might have been there. This ultra smooth beam transition does cost you a bit of throw though. I actually just got an OP C8 reflector from Simon but it’s for the older 7mm opening so it’s not a direct swap in a current model C8 unless you have the smaller centering rings. Old opening is 7mm. New opening is 9mm. The other upgrade that happened at the release of the clear C8 was a new DTP copper MCPCB.

[JasonWW]

@DB Custom

Funny, most of the Convoy C8’s I’ve seen had an OP reflector, had to order a smooth independently.

Hmmm, we’re these all older lights? I’m pretty new to the flashlight world so I’ve only seen stuff fairly new.

[Delta_V]

It looks like the Gray C8 may come with a smooth reflector as well. But the AR Glass, Biscotti, and XP-L HI are not there by default.

[gmajnkek]

I ordered another c8 with everything on it and asked Simon for other button and black body color. As before, he said no problem and gave me a discount Probably the best seller i have seen

I have “tested” the beam of my Klarus xt12gt, c8 and Fenix rc20. Fenix has the worst beamshot. Klarus is the best, but is getting hot on max output. C8 is not far away from Klarus beam distance.

[mortuus]

@gmajnkek

I ordered another c8 with everything on it and asked Simon for other button and black body color. As before, he said no problem and gave me a discount Probably the best seller i have seen

I have “tested” the beam of my Klarus xt12gt, c8 and Fenix rc20. Fenix has the worst beamshot. Klarus is the best, but is getting hot on max output. C8 is not far away from Klarus beam distance.

hm the klarus says a bit over 600m throw, can the c8 with xpl hi really come close to that? its more around 300-350m throw at most no? either way the convoy wins any day if u look at the price and what u get, clear winner to me.

[gmajnkek]

@mortuus

@gmajnkek

I ordered another c8 with everything on it and asked Simon for other button and black body color. As before, he said no problem and gave me a discount Probably the best seller i have seen

I have “tested” the beam of my Klarus xt12gt, c8 and Fenix rc20. Fenix has the worst beamshot. Klarus is the best, but is getting hot on max output. C8 is not far away from Klarus beam distance.

hm the klarus says a bit over 600m throw, can the c8 with xpl hi really come close to that? its more around 300-350m throw at most no? either way the convoy wins any day if u look at the price and what u get, clear winner to me.

Yes it says 600m. How to post pictures? Cant add them.

[JasonWW]

@gmajnkek

How to post pictures? Cant add them.

They need to be on a website, first. Then you take that pictures url and copy paste it into the pop up box when you click the orangish sunset looking button above the post window.

Or just add ! in front of and behind the url.

[gmajnkek]

Fenix

Klarus

Convoy C8