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…
You can barely or make out or imagine a faint blob like a water color smudge 
I just got mine yesterday in the mail. Absolutely love it! But does anyone know what the run times are for this flashlight? I’ve looked all over and I can’t seem to find any reviewers testing run times. I guess it would depend on the type of 18650 you’re using, but any number would be better than nothing.
Depends on the type of 18650+ driver ... @2,8A ~1h, @1,4A ~2h, @0,2A ~15 hours.