[Review] Astrolux C8 Flashlight - Compact Thrower

I have never experienced any “smoke” in the reflector. I like the UI and the light itself. I would buy it again in a heartbeat.
It has a really far reaching throw, it surprises me everytime because im expecting small lights to not reach very far. Not the case with this.
I havent had ANY problems with my C8

Got my astrolux c8 today:) great throw for its size. Looks to be similar cd as my Utorch UT02, but with more Lumens. I noticed the astrolux has a better quality beam to the standard convoy c8, more focus and cleaner. Your not going to find a better thrower at this low
Price IMO. I got it on sale for under $30 canuckistan copacks, lol

Has anyone compared the Astrolux C8 head-to-head with the Sofirn C8T?

Very nice review!! Thank you…… . :+1:

I received my Astrolux C8 today, and it is quite impressive. I’m easily impressed because I don’t have much to compare it to, yet, besides the Convoy C8. One thing I noticed right away is a distinct and bright yellow spot in the center of the beam. This is not something you need to search for, it is prominent. I got the 3A NW tint. Is this normal?

Yes with xpl hi leds the middle of the beam is a different color. On cooler leds like my nitecore p12gt you can really see it

What would happen if I use an ICR cell instead of INR with this C8? would it simply give it’s max discharge current and be fine or would it burst into flames?

It would just give its max discharge current, and be fine. I’ve used old ICR laptop cells in direct-drive lights, and it’s fine. You don’t get as high output as you do with high-drain cells, but you still get good output.

I suspect it’s hard on the cell, and you likely will get fewer cycles out of the cell than you would if you used it lightly, but it’s fine.

Keep in mind that you probably won’t even exceed the max sustained current recommended on the cell’s spec sheet. That’s usually around 2C for a ICR cell, or about 4.4 - 5.2 amps. Because the voltage sags pretty far with “low drain” cells, the flashlight won’t use as much current compared to a high-drain cell (which is why you get lower output).

I’m curious about the “2C” for ICR cell — where can I find “generalized” max discharge current info about the others — for instance for INR and IMR cells (or LiMnCo like LG HG2)?

Thanks, I always use my lights on sub-200 lumen modes so it won’t be that hard on the battery I presume. Turbo modes will be used only in case of emergency.

The stock tail spring current limitation might also be to my advantage :slight_smile:

2C for ICR is usually pulse discharge and continuous discharge should be less than 1C.

You can find the info you’re looking for over here.

You can usually find a datasheet for whatever cell you want on Google. Sometimes it’s a PDF file sometimes it’s a website

My LG cell datasheet mentions standard discharge current at 650mA and Max discharge at 4.8A.

Yes, always check the datasheets for the cell, easily found via google.

I’m basing the 2C discharge on the datasheets for most of my laptop cells, the Samsung ICR18650-22F and 26F. Generally, they list the max (continuous) discharge at 2C (4400mA or 5200mA). They list charging at 0.5C (standard) up to 1C (for rapid charging, but probably hard on the cells).

Anyway, for most decent 18650 cells, this light probably won’t push the cell higher than the rated discharge current. The voltage will sag and drop the current if the battery isn’t high-drain.

Of course, all bets are off if you use an Ultrafire battery or something like that.

Sure, I always do check datasheets but what I didn’t know is what would happen, that is would the light draw too much current and the cell would burn or will the cell simply supply it’s maximum. Thanks for the info. So I guess it will be safe for me to occasionally use the turbo mode without worrying about burning my hands. :slight_smile:

In a direct-drive light (such as the Astrolux C8), I think you’re fine. You won’t exceed the max rating of the battery, because the voltage will sag and thus drop the forward voltage of the LED.

In a light that uses a boost-driver (such as one that uses a 12v XHP emitter), it may be a different story. Depending on the driver, it might be able to draw more current than the battery is rated for. With a name-brand battery, it’s probably not good for it, but won’t result in anything exploding or catching fire. They test batteries with an external short (at less than 50 milliohms) to make sure they don’t blow up or burst into flames. IOW, way more amps than a flashlight would ever use.

I see. one more thing, what size is the rubber tail clicky? I don’t need measurements just need to know are they of the same size as convoy s2+ or not?

Looks about 17mm diameter.

I have one XP-L HI that does the same, the others i have don’t.

I dislike the Astrolux C8 stepping down after around 40-45 seconds (due to timer-based stepdown from BLF A6 driver).

Would it be possible to change it instead to the BLF X6v2 (Bistro) driver (driver swap)? That would give it more controls.

Why you could just change the delay time and simply reprogram your existing driver. :slight_smile: