[Review] Astrolux C8 Flashlight - Compact Thrower

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:

Is the Astrolux C8’s factory-included driver chip re-programmable with a USB ASP programmer?
(I’ve read that the Convoy drivers chip is “locked” and cannot be re-programmed…)

I ordered a USB ASP programmer and just received it a few weeks ago, but can’t seem to get it to work… I think it’s because the SOIC clip that I ordered is not holding tight or maybe the USB programmer is just picky? (will post question in appropriate message thread…)

Well it should be. If it ain’t then there are some tricks to program it.

I believe it’s the exact same driver that the BLF A6 uses, so if you can reprogram it, you should be able to reprogram the Astrolux. I agree the 45 second step-down is too short for the Astrolux C8. It should be 3 minutes, since the light has much more thermal mass and heat dissipation area, and can take at least 3 minutes on turbo.

Interested in this as well. Having purchased few Convoy S2+, BLF A6, I am interested in a thrower and would like to pick one of these two. Then, adding BLF Q8 and I am done buying flashlights for a while :slight_smile:

Sure… until next week.

My Astrolux C8 arrived today. Tried to remove the tail retaining ring to change rubber button but the retaining ring is stuck. It isn’t moving at all, tried with more pressure but then the circlip plier slips and started stripping the holes on the ring. Any idea how to deal with this?

Clockwise to loosen, counterclockwise to tighten.

That’s how I’ve been doing it for all my other lights.

Are you sure about that? I don’t know what other lights you have, but my lights have a mix of standard and reverse threads for the switch retaining ring.