Looks like I joined the C8 club without even knowing. 
I ordered this from FastTech two days ago - https://www.fasttech.com/p/1212403 - Convoy C8 Cree XM-L U2-1B AMC7135*8 version - and it shipped today. Did a quick Google search for this light on forums and found this light to come highly recommended by BLF members. I was just looking for a cheap yet durable 18650 light to play around with. Haha.
Guys, my Flashlight addiction has just started, checkout here, but it’s hitting me hard…
After reading this thread I ordered the C8 AK47 from BG on 7 january and received it today.
Already played with a SK68 clone (running on AA cells, waiting for 14500’s), so I was looking forward to compare the little one with the C8.
I quickly ripped open the envelope and was immediately impressed by the built quality of the C8. Very very nice & solid! Beautiful glow-in-the-dark ring in the front.
I grabbed a NCR18650B, put it in and pushed the button: Holy moley, it outshines the SK68 completely. Never expected this flood, C8 is a major league! Didn’t compare throw yet.
Already happy with this flashlight, though feeling the need to buy something even more impressive. Anyone recognizes this behavior? 0:)
My eye fell on this big baby: [Review] DQG Tiny26650 (Triple CREE XP-G2 R5 CW, 1x 26650), or maybe someone recommends another, more impressive competitor (good bang/buck ratio)?
Jps, I can relate. I’ve got a simular situation right here. What are you looking for throw/flood? What batteries? Form an issue? What is your priority runtime/output?
Just received my Convoy C8 today and it’s a beauty. Just compared it to the Tangsfire it seems a little bit brighter. It also looks like it throws a bit further, which is strange cause the Tangsfire has a smooth reflector. But I’ll do a decent test tommorow when my new XP4 has charged my new panny 18650’s. Damn this hobby can be expansive, even though I’m buying the budget gear.
Quality wise it is also better compared to the Tangsfire. Threads are smoother and I like the annodizing better. It has more of a matt finish compared to the Tangsfire. All in all I like the Convoy more then the Tangsfire, it is a little higher priced, but worth it in my opinion.
I also have both SMO and OP Convoy reflector and I confirm ! SMO have ugly artefacts in the beam pattern, I have only seen this problem on convoy C8… The OP is so much better and produce a very smooth light but with slightly less throw.
If you want a beautiful light beam with good color rendition (+80 CRI) order XML2 T4 5B1 for Neutral White or XML2 T4-7A4 for Warm White from Simon at aliexpress Best C8 ever, it will make the 3C NW tint look ugly next to it.
7A4 and nice color? It’s not even yello, it’s basically orange. Pretty awful tint.
having several lights with different tints, 1c is my favorite in an xml2.
I went to the Website, and got Simon to email me back for the T4 5B1, but he wanted 19.97 for it. If left a note but I still paid 18.33 for it, could not figure out how to pay more, how does that work? Anyways, I left a note and PP account email and told me to bill me for the difference, or $1.75. So, I do not know what I am going to get???
Received my Tangsfire last week and the AK47 today :bigsmile: it disco light time tonight… 
wth. Buy this light or not? The price seems good…
How much lumens? Runtime? How much flood? How far will it throw!?
I know you are looking for our more spec-minded members to weigh in (I am, too), but I’ll just say this in the meantime; while I don’t have the equipment to do these fancy numbers tests, when Rusty says something is bright, it is bright. 
This is why I am real darn careful to make specific lumen claims.
But if you like “pocket power” and are into the C8 format, then why pass this by when it is the perfect combination of modern technology, flood/throw, build quality, beauty, regulation, and just plain all-round usefulness? It’s the brightest C8 I’ve ever handled (and I’ve owned 12 of them) and throws pretty far—better than many smooth-reflectored lights. To me, that would say something.
Then again, you may have ten other good C8s at home and may not need another. But one good one goes further than about twenty regular ones, I say. So, no, whether or not you need one is ultimately up to you. This is for sure going to be on my “lights of 2014” list, hands down. Again, what does that tell you?
Lovely. Would it be possible to get an outdoor night beamshot just before I snap this up?
Can it use protected cells? And what is your estimate on throw?
I’ll bring it out tomorrow night and take a couple of shots. And yes, it can use protected cells. I’ll give the estimate tomorrow.
I think he don’t have T4 5B1 anymore based on his LED list but instead T5 5B1 which is same tint but a little brighter and without the 80+ CRI (around 75CRI), should not be a huge difference, alternative for +80CRI are T4 6A3 but its warmer. Usually he change the price after you have order so you have to wait before paying the order but if you have already paid I think you can order an item and he can change the price to $1.75 for the price difference.
But don’t worry about the non 80CRI version because tint are the most important, I have 90+CRI LED and to my eyes it look worst because the tint is too yellow to my taste.
If you don’t pay the difference you will have the stock version : XM-L U2-1B with 6*7135.
Its a matter of personal preference I think, for me its perfect. :bigsmile:
Here is my Ak47 and Tangsfire with their older brothers my L4 and UF Xml-T6 :bigsmile:
Comparison of their beam in the same sequence and look like Tangsfire is the brightest followed by L4, AK47 and UF Xml-T6 
Nice pics.
Only see 3 beams.
The first on the left appears to be the brightest. Isn’t that AK47?
I agree but you wrote that:
90 CRI LEDs are usually warm, just like 7A4 which is not only yellow but also orange.
There are 4 beams. UF is barely noticeable.
Did you mod your L4? Mine is probably 3/4 the output of my tangsfire, both stock.
UF beam is the most right not very clear in the pic and the most left is Convoy L4 not AK47. From my naked eye view when you joint their hotspots together Tangsfire is just a little bit brighter than L4…
Not both mine are stock too but when you switch on the L4, it is brighter than Tangsfire just for a second but planning to dedome and copper braid the spring of my UF Xml-T6…