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:
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.
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.
Funny, most of the Convoy C8’s I’ve seen had an OP reflector, had to order a smooth independently.
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.
Hmmm, we’re these all older lights? I’m pretty new to the flashlight world so I’ve only seen stuff fairly new.
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.
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.
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.
Fenix
Klarus
Convoy C8
Woah! Big pics.
Another trick is to set the width to 95 when you have big pictures. You have to use the popup box for that.
Quote my post and you can see how the width is added on.
That Klarus does seem brighter than the C8.
Yes it does, but after some time it also gets hotter than Convoy. For my needs (job) the Convoy is a great flashlight. If only i would find the Convoy before purchasing the Klarus
I had to look up to see what that Klarus model was. It’s got an xhp35 at 1600 lumen. That’s about 14w.
The C8 has an xpl at 900 lumen. That’s about 10 watts.
That’s why it’s brighter and gets hot faster.
A friend of mine just got in some XM-L2 U4 0D emitters, found that de-doming with Coleman lantern fuel left the tint very nice and it came clean in about 20 minutes. He used it in an L2 and absolutely loves the result!