Sofirn Q8 Pro/ additional batteries

Hi everyone,

This is my first post, so please forgive me, if I do anything wrong here. Im fairly new to the flashlight game, and Ive been using a Sofirn SP33 V3 thus far. Since I really love that lamp for taking walks at night, and in the evenings during autumn and winter I ordered the Sofirn Q8Pro (to replace the sun during the dark half of the year), which will arrive in a couple of days. This joyous occassion made me think about batteries. The Sofirn Q8Pro comes with 18650 batteries/3000mAh. I cant find anywhere, whether they are protected or not. My question is now: Can I just buy any18650 batteries for the Q8Pro? If I’m not mistaken the Q8Pro needs raised tops (correct me if I’m wrong). Will both protected and unprotected 18650s work in it? Most 18650 batteries I can find online have more than 3000mAh. Can I use these in the Sofirn Q8Pro? Would, for instance, a protected raised top 3400mAh 18650 Panasonic battery fit into it and work? Is there anything else I need to keep in mind when buying batteries?

I’m grateful for every answer

Do not used protected cells in the Q8/Pro. While I doubt they will fit, they will definitely not meet the current requirements.

I recommend high-quality, high-discharge cells like Samsung 30Q, Sony VTC6A, and similar.

Thanks, and is it possible to use batteries that have more than 3000mAh. A battery with 3400mAh for example?

You could but the batteries with higher capacities than those I mentioned are not capable as nearly as much current. So you’ll miss a lot of output with the Q8 Pro - and actually with the Pro it may be able to draw enough from those batteries to be somewhat dangerous, whereas with a normal Q8 it would just be a brightness sacrifice for runtime.

Thanks so much! I certainly do not want to endanger myself! I have found the Samsungs you mentioned in an online store (shipping from my country). I’ll just buy those and be done with it.

Make sure they’re button tops! Or that you’re able to solder and you can put a solder blob on each one :slight_smile:

Thanks a lot! I’ll make sure they are button tops. Haven’t soldered anything in my entire life and wouldn’t even know where to begin with that!

It's nice to see you, TheNightisAlive!

Thanks!

Not that I know but I believe you also want the replacement batteries to be the exact same and to use them together without mixing other batteries into the the light. I’m sure someone else could elaborate.

Thanks, I have read that as well. Would be interesting if someone could elaborate why that is the case. I’d like to learn more about batteries.

Button top 30Q or VTC6A 18650s. Note that there are now many single 21700 lights that can perform as well as soda can lights (in terms of sustained lumens) and don’t have the hassle of multiple batteries.

Battery University

Thanks, I really wanted a soda can light, I really like that form factor. Its not only about the lumen output for me(though of course that is very important), but also about the handling and the feel. I want my flashlight to be able to stand on its tail without problems.

Thank you! That is a very interesting site!

Single 21700 lights might be able to match the output of some soda can lights but they lose out on battery capacity.

Which soda can has the best driver? Would the GT3’s driver be more efficient than to the Q8’s because its batteries are wired in series?

Unfortunately I don’t know that. To be quite honest, as of now, I don’t even know what a driver is. Hoping to learn a bit more though.

The Q8 doesn’t have that great of a runtime for it’s capacity.

I was only making a generalized statement about soda can lights based on their ability to hold more than one cell. (1 x 21700 5000mah vs 4 x 18650 10,000mah-14,000mah) Runtimes are going to depend on factors like driver type and output levels butt the potential is definitely there.