Convoy C8+ - single mode option?

there is about 35 ramp settings in steps

so i could imagine it would start from 5% or something very low and go to 100% in steps. im not sure how it works out the steps but ive just tested it

mode 1 and 2 can be configured in what every steps you want

say both at 20% or 15% etc

and the 3rd mode is a bit funny , it can be a flasher, a strobe or beacon. or 1% or 100% or a slow flash at 20% brightness

ive not tested it at low on how long it lasts
but ive configured mine as this

1st mode is about the 5th ramp
2nd mode is about the 10th ramp
3rd mode is 100%

100% gets hot

i could think that if you put for example put the first and second mode to say the 5th step like me and the last mode as 1% . it could work

ill test how many mAs the 5th step draws in a miniute

5th ramp step draws 300mAs

3000mA battery would last you theoreticly 10 hours on the 5th ramp setting

id be happy with 9 hours

You can get a C8+

with a biscotti driver and only ONE 7135 on board giving you a 350mA high (10 hours on a 3500mAh 18650)

and set the driver for one mode 100% only. (option 12)

You can probably order this driver configuration from Simon at Convoy.

This would be the perfect option

Thank you, that sounds promising.

What would 350mah translate to roughly in lumens? And would the output be regulated (ie a constant ’X’Lumens for most of the battery life?

And how would I phrase the order request? “Can I order 3x Convoy C8+ with a 7135X1 driver for 350mah, set to 100% only?”

350mA could be 150 lumens but that is a very rough estimate.

Output would indeed be regulated for most of the battery life.

Your order request would be for Convoy C8+ with biscotti driver with ONLY ONE 7135 (350mA).
Also led and led tint of your choice. (xpl-hi is a good option)

Setting to one mode is something you will do yourself.

Thank you! 150lm x 10hrs would be ideal performance for a general purpose, newbie proof flashlight.

Would this Clear C8+ work?

I would prefer a clear one, they are both pretty and easier to locate.

Sure, it will work perfectly, just make sure to mention it while ordering.

Thanks again. I just messaged Simon, I will report back.

I hope it works out; frankly I could see this being a popular mod for those looking for a simple 18650 light to give to friends and family.

So the project is a go, I ordered the C8+ XPL Clear, and Simon agreed to do the 1x7135, single mode @ 350mah.

Will report back once I know more.

If the light ends up a success, I plan on ordering 4-5x more, and pairing them with the Keepower USB rechargeable 18650, then handing them out as gift lights.

Sounds like you got a handle on things pretty good. I have some S2’s with 1 chip and a few with 2 chips. They are the wife and kid’s single mode lights. The XP-L Hi in those C8’s are pretty throwy. Are you positive they wouldn’t like something a bit more floody? I think the C8’s are awesome. The fairly throwy beam with the large smooth reflector and XP-L Hi doesn’t exactly make it the best all around light. I have a few C8’s with XP-L Hi’s and they don’t get used much around the house, the fairly narrow and intense beam make me grab the S2’s for that kind of stuff.

If throw is whats needed, those C8’s will definitely do the trick on a budget.

Seems a waste to do something like this to a throwy C8, but diffusion film works wonders.

Just used my (Xeno) E03 with DF on the front lens. Great for a nice even blanket of light, perfect for indoors and close-up. Whether lighting up a crossword puzzle to try to read smudged-newsprint clues, or lighting up the steps going down to the basement, a super-floody beam from DF is perfect, moreso than even a normally floody light.

And unless you put it on the inside surface of the front-glass, it peels off easily if you want to remove it (temporarily or otherwise).

I had and am still considering the S2+ as well.

My reasoning for the C8+ is that ‘throwier’ lights are more ‘lumen effecient.’ For example, the 150lm setting on my Armytek Predator Pro can still punch out a long ways; at 100yds its much brighter then my 780lm Quark.

So for a single mode, ~150lm light, I figured the C8 would end up punching above its lumens, especially if used outdoors (walking the dog, looking for the lost cat, dazzling tresspassers, etc.)

That said, I have been quote satisfied with the range of my Malkoff M61LL, which is a 100lm OTF light, and uses a reflector thats much smaller then the C8 / Closer to the S2. However, all the pics of the s2 seem to show a really floody beam, whereas the Malkoff has a decent spill + strong hotspot.

Another option is M4U with 1*7135 - same Biscotti firmware, bigger battery and very important for newbies - USB charging.

some great options people have been saying

my pennys-cents worth

you cant go wrong with convoys
ive got 3 convoy c8s and a few more on te way
ive got 2 s2 on the way and a fw1a on the way

it adictive torch owning! but its fun

sand coloured c8+ that i took the gubbings out of the black c8+
running sst40 6500k 2000lm (factory specs) and standard firmware that is factory, programming is super easy and actually very good. this is my EDC ,tail cap says 4.8amps

clear c8 with xhp50.2 6500k with bistroHD firmware configured with 4 mode, .low-med-bit more then med-max (temp controlled) not sure the lumens but matt smith says the are about 3000 . tail cap test on high makes 9.65amps on my multimeter but i dont trust that so much

the convoys s2s that come are 1x sst40 5000k and one host that is a project , not sure the led or driver going in

the fw1a maybe my EDC when it comes and i ordered the xhp50.2 .not sure the tint but it has OP reflector

one thing missing from convoy c8s is usb charging. it would be super cool if someone made a tail tap that had some usb charging in , im sure there could be a engineer that could make one

imight even try salvage a zoomie i have and try make something

1*7135 C8+ reminds me of the old 6-cell alkaline maglites. Not a ton of overall brightness but a lot of throw that made them surprisingly useful.

Absolutely; 5D maglite was 151lm - but only for 30 minutes, after which brightness decreased by 50%.

Beyond that, the 150lm setting on my Armytek Predator (C8 sized) is surprisingly effective. And the 150lm setting on my Armytek Barracuda (64mm head) is awesome with how far it throws, can easily light up a palm tree at beyond 100yds.

For a regular person / muggle, I think a 150lm C8 would seem incredibly bright and effective; when I checked my Aunt’s 3D maglite in her drawer she keeps for emergencies, the batteries had degraded to the point that it was putting out ~1lm….

For 3D and 2D Mags, I kinda like the LED replacements. They ain’t screamers, but they’ve got more consistent output vs hotwire bulbs, and even alkaleaks last longer.

Still gotta pretty much beat people over the head with said Mag to get it to sink in that alkaleaks don’t last forever, and “emergency” or not, dead cells in a light won’t be of any use.