Compared to pretty much any other brand, all of Convoy’s prices are promo prices. Simon doesn’t mess around with inflated prices so he can offer “deals” on special occasions; he keeps his prices low by default. He doesn’t skimp on parts or quality either; ever since he got into lights he has consistently made top-notch items. Many of BLF’s biggest projects have attempted to deliver Convoy-level quality but most have fallen short. It’s kind of amazing he doesn’t charge more.
Not to brownnose, but I gotta confess that I’m a newcomer to Convoy goodies, and am suitably impressed.
I’ve gotten generic Whateverfire clones (real and fake) just to use as cheap hosts, including my share of C8s. Some were actually pretty good, others a true race-to-the-bottom as far as cheap and shoddy. Finally got a Convoy host (type 2) from FT, and man, it’s like night and day.
By the time you replace the dinky featherweight Al pill, scratchy tailswitch, plastic(!!) reflector, etc., it’s just cheaper and less aggravating to get the genuine article.
I just have issues with the UI (most lights, not just the C8), else out-of-the-box would do me fine. But with the type 2, if I don’t have to actually solder/desolder anything, tweaking might be easy.
—
My personal druthers? For a true flexible EDC (‘502, S2, etc.), I’d want F/L/M/H (roughly fractional-lumen/5%/10%/50%), quick doubleclick to 100% from anywhere (“hidden turbo”; another doubleclick to revert). Say 5 fastclicks to toggle mem/nomem. For a nice throwy pencilbeam C8, 30%/100% with memory would suffice. Same 30%/100% with mem for a zoomie or mule.
I love the C8, don’t get me wrong, but for me it’s not an EDC kind of light. It’s my “What in Hell’s making noise in that tree?!?” light. One of my faves is a ~4500K XP-E2 driven pretty lightly at 1A (3×7135). The XM-L2 and even XP-L can belt out more lumens, but not as tightly as a smaller-chip XP-E2.
Got some XP-L HIs on order, that’s my next project.
The price difference with previous version is exactly $3, and besides new firmware, this version adds AR coated glass and DTP copper MCPCB.
Copper…
That makes me want to cry inside… in my special Angry Place.
All my emitters are on Al MCPCBs, and I really want them on copper now. Feel like back when ceedees came out and I had to rebuy all my fave albums that I already had on vinyl…
quick doubleclick to 100% from anywhere (“hidden turbo”; another doubleclick to revert). Say 5 fastclicks to toggle mem/nomem.
That works well on e-switch lights, but not so well on lights where the switch actually cuts power. Every time you touch the switch, it physically removes power then reboots the driver, so inputting multi-press button sequences is rather awkward.
For e-switch lights, I normally do the double-click-for-turbo thing, with a single click to turn off or simply holding the button to adjust brightness. But the hardware in this C8 can’t do that.
Anyway, I agree about the C8 not being an EDC. I’ve tried to carry one, but it’s a bit too large for that. I do sometimes carry a Kronos X6 though, when I expect to need something throwy. It’s just small enough to fit in my purse if I take out my sunglasses case (daytime, carry sunglasses… nighttime, carry a compact thrower ;P )
No. Those are the stars that were going to be used in the new C8 until a week ago.
They’re good copper stars I’m sure, but I asked Simon if he could source good DTP copper stars in time for the release of the clear C8. He did.
As far as I know the DTP boards are not available for sale outside the new C8 yet but knowing Simon it’s quite likely that they will be available soon.
No. Those are the stars that were going to be used in the new C8 until a week ago.
They’re good copper stars I’m sure, but I asked Simon if he could source good DTP copper stars in time for the release of the clear C8. He did.
As far as I know the DTP boards are not available for sale outside the new C8 yet but knowing Simon it’s quite likely that they will be available soon.
I certainly think that a stock 12*7135 version would sell well. Approx 100k lux in a stock C8 would be impressive!
Indeed. Not sure it’ll be feasible to stack chips at the factory though, since it’s a pain to do.
BTW, the numbers I posted earlier with 1000 lumens and 50 kcd lux… those were entirely made up. I don’t have a new C8 yet to actually measure. My XinTD C8 V4 (XM-L2) gets ~900 lm and ~33 kcd lux. I’m guessing the Convoy C8 (XP-L HI) will have similar lumens but significantly more lux.
Wow I go a day without being on here and get back to find a 220 post thread about this new version. I don’t own any Convoy lights yet but this right here is just the ticket. I love the upgrades and the UI. If this UI is incorporated into all of the lights I’m going to have to find new funding for my light budget.
I certainly think that a stock 12*7135 version would sell well. Approx 100k lux in a stock C8 would be impressive!
I was thinking the same thing. It would be one of the first, and one of the best drivers and lights of that type. I am sure a lot of people will upgrade the driver in some way.
I certainly think that a stock 12*7135 version would sell well. Approx 100k lux in a stock C8 would be impressive!
Indeed. Not sure it’ll be feasible to stack chips at the factory though, since it’s a pain to do.
BTW, the numbers I posted earlier with 1000 lumens and 50 kcd lux… those were entirely made up. I don’t have a new C8 yet to actually measure. My XinTD C8 V4 (XM-L2) gets ~900 lm and ~33 kcd lux. I’m guessing the Convoy C8 (XP-L HI) will have similar lumens but significantly more lux.
I’ve seen around 65k lux mentioned for a stock 8*7135 Convoy C8 HI in reviews. So theoretically 12*7135 would result in almost 100k.
Amping up a fat XM-L2 will definitely improve lumens output, but it doesn’t make the beam narrower for more throw or higher lux. Sure, the lux numbers will go up some, but not like that. Drop in an XP-G2 and lux jumps. De-dome it and it nearly doubles again. But 147-150Kcd is fairly tough to get even in a C8. To go over that requires a Buck driver and 2 cells with the de-domed XP-G2.
Like….. here’s a free Porsche motor …
Good thing RMM is studying to be an attorney …I don’t think it took him this long to figure out what open source meant .
I’ve always hated the 2 group driver ..whoever thought that a driver that flashes made sense ….clearly wasn’t
With 5 extra 350mA 7135 chips to an XM-L2 U4 1A it does 4.53A for 1456 lumens in Turbo.
This means that on group 1 it does…
2.07 Lumens
28.64
198.32
661.71
1455.9
Interesting, thanks. It looks like the actual lumen output on that is 0.14%, 1.96%, 13.6%, 45%, 100% instead of 0.1/1/10/35/100.
When I get a sample, I’m planning to test again and maybe send Simon an update with re-adjusted levels. The ones I used initially had weird response curves on the 7135 chips, but it was consistent across multiple drivers. So it’ll be interesting to see if the production units match the devel boards or if they’re closer to your results.
Worst case scenario, the first batch might be a little bit brighter than spec. Not exactly a terrible thing for a flashlight.
Just ask him. No point leaving a specific price number here in a thread people will be reading for years. Stuff changes over time.
And if you ask nicely and are buying other things, and it’s a convenient time, and the sun’s shining over there, your luck may vary.
While I agree with TK and others, we’re on *budget*lightforum.com….. you can’t really blame a guy for just asking for a coupon, can you?
Asking for a discount is one thing. But, upon being reminded that the price is already “discounted” and that the item is well worth the current price, to then continue to push the issue and insist that an additional discount is justified because I’m not going to use all the parts anyway is dangerously close to insulting those who put so much effort into making this great “budget” light for us all to enjoy.
I disagree. I think the discussion itself is quite valid, and I see no attempt to insult anyone.
Normally i believe vendors have a right to a fair mark -up ….but in this case i think since we have supported Simon for years and years and years …almost always people tel a noob to buy a convoy s2 or s2+ ..or a convoy c8 etc AND the fact he is using a BLF driver and members here had to DRAG him out of using stone age drivers …that stupid 2 group flashing driver has been around for 4 + years ..
i think he absolutely ought to run a 2 week splash for BLF members why wouldn’t he ? also his prices are always higher than retailers we normally buy from so why wouldn’t he do us a favor ?
For us it’s a hobby but for him it’s a business. As such he has every right to charge what he wants and we have every right not to buy.
Speculating on what a fair mark-up is, whatever that means to each of us, is just that.
To avoid translation issues, please let me explain.
When someone puts their money into a business, it’s all about making money to support their family and themselves. Doing favors for the customer can be a good way to do business, of course, and isn’t that what Simon is already doing? Going far and away over the top to bring us clear anodizing, AR Coated lenses, clear button and/or a contrasting black button, and even being open to an updated/upgraded modern firmware, taking a chance on his very clientelle to make this happen? All these changes without a doubt run into expense to implement, on the speculation that it will become profitable for having taken the chance. Right? And still, his lights are bargain priced with high quality easily surpassing all but the most determined of the competition, again, right? Even while developing new models to further appease our hungry appetites? (stay tuned, he IS working on options, as JDub has clearly explained)
Pretty obvious he’s given us his ear, put his monies to work on our requests, and now once again it is our turn… make it pay.
FWIW, I feel no entitlement to compensation for making the new driver code. I’m merely happy to help someone I like, someone who has been consistently good to BLF.
And it was a fun project. I approach lights strictly as an enjoyable hobby, and don’t want it to become “work”.
Just putting that out there, in case it’s relevant.
… though I was admittedly a little grumpy about having to include SOS mode. Silly survivalists. ;P
Not to brownnose, but I gotta confess that I’m a newcomer to Convoy goodies, and am suitably impressed.
I’ve gotten generic Whateverfire clones (real and fake) just to use as cheap hosts, including my share of C8s. Some were actually pretty good, others a true race-to-the-bottom as far as cheap and shoddy. Finally got a Convoy host (type 2) from FT, and man, it’s like night and day.
By the time you replace the dinky featherweight Al pill, scratchy tailswitch, plastic(!!) reflector, etc., it’s just cheaper and less aggravating to get the genuine article.
I just have issues with the UI (most lights, not just the C8), else out-of-the-box would do me fine. But with the type 2, if I don’t have to actually solder/desolder anything, tweaking might be easy.
—
My personal druthers? For a true flexible EDC (‘502, S2, etc.), I’d want F/L/M/H (roughly fractional-lumen/5%/10%/50%), quick doubleclick to 100% from anywhere (“hidden turbo”; another doubleclick to revert). Say 5 fastclicks to toggle mem/nomem. For a nice throwy pencilbeam C8, 30%/100% with memory would suffice. Same 30%/100% with mem for a zoomie or mule.
I love the C8, don’t get me wrong, but for me it’s not an EDC kind of light. It’s my “What in Hell’s making noise in that tree?!?” light. One of my faves is a ~4500K XP-E2 driven pretty lightly at 1A (3×7135). The XM-L2 and even XP-L can belt out more lumens, but not as tightly as a smaller-chip XP-E2.
Got some XP-L HIs on order, that’s my next project.
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
Copper…
That makes me want to cry inside… in my special Angry Place.
All my emitters are on Al MCPCBs, and I really want them on copper now. Feel like back when ceedees came out and I had to rebuy all my fave albums that I already had on vinyl…
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
Are these the stars used in these C8 ?
Or these in the link are non-dtp ?
Free shipping 20mm*1.6mm copper plate for CREE XPE XPL XPG http://s.aliexpress.com/73eMnEBz
- George
My Reviews : KDlight C8 / ThruNite Archer 1A V3 / Thorfire C8s / ThruNite TN12 (2016) / Utorch UT01 / Utorch UT02 / Jetbeam WL-S2 (xp-l) / ThruNite TC12 V2 / Massdrop Brass AAA / Manker LAD / Lumintop SD26 / ThruNite Mini TN30 (3x xm-l2) / Qualilite D81 / Nitecore MH20GT / Odepro TM30 / Klarus XT30R / Nitecore NU20 CRI / Ultrafire XM-L2 / Foursevens Mini MK II / Manker E02 / Manker E14 II / Teekland Flashlights / Lumintop Elfin / Thorfire S70S / ThruNite Neutron 2C / Jaxman M8 / KDLITKER C8.2 / Zanflare F1 / Nitecore Concept 1 / Emisar D4 / Astrolux MF-01 / ThruNite TC10 V3 / Amutorch JM70 (xpl hi)
This new driver already has 8 chips correct? I don’t think Simon offers chip stacking services, it takes a lot of time and patience…
USB power meter/tester thread
I certainly think that a stock 12*7135 version would sell well. Approx 100k lux in a stock C8 would be impressive!
Recent Reviews: Light Flashlight Painting Buying Guide 2020 // LumeCube 2.0 // Lumintop FW1A // Light Painting Paradise Lightpainter // KDLITKER E6 // Sofirn SP31V2.0 // Convoy S2+
Affiliate links: Neal's Gadgets
Instagram: @stephenk_lightart
That works well on e-switch lights, but not so well on lights where the switch actually cuts power. Every time you touch the switch, it physically removes power then reboots the driver, so inputting multi-press button sequences is rather awkward.
For e-switch lights, I normally do the double-click-for-turbo thing, with a single click to turn off or simply holding the button to adjust brightness. But the hardware in this C8 can’t do that.
Anyway, I agree about the C8 not being an EDC. I’ve tried to carry one, but it’s a bit too large for that. I do sometimes carry a Kronos X6 though, when I expect to need something throwy. It’s just small enough to fit in my purse if I take out my sunglasses case (daytime, carry sunglasses… nighttime, carry a compact thrower ;P )
No. Those are the stars that were going to be used in the new C8 until a week ago.
They’re good copper stars I’m sure, but I asked Simon if he could source good DTP copper stars in time for the release of the clear C8. He did.
As far as I know the DTP boards are not available for sale outside the new C8 yet but knowing Simon it’s quite likely that they will be available soon.
You answered all my possible questions.
Thanks
- George
My Reviews : KDlight C8 / ThruNite Archer 1A V3 / Thorfire C8s / ThruNite TN12 (2016) / Utorch UT01 / Utorch UT02 / Jetbeam WL-S2 (xp-l) / ThruNite TC12 V2 / Massdrop Brass AAA / Manker LAD / Lumintop SD26 / ThruNite Mini TN30 (3x xm-l2) / Qualilite D81 / Nitecore MH20GT / Odepro TM30 / Klarus XT30R / Nitecore NU20 CRI / Ultrafire XM-L2 / Foursevens Mini MK II / Manker E02 / Manker E14 II / Teekland Flashlights / Lumintop Elfin / Thorfire S70S / ThruNite Neutron 2C / Jaxman M8 / KDLITKER C8.2 / Zanflare F1 / Nitecore Concept 1 / Emisar D4 / Astrolux MF-01 / ThruNite TC10 V3 / Amutorch JM70 (xpl hi)
This is the funniest thing I’ve heard all day! Thank you for sharing your special Angry Place.
Indeed. Not sure it’ll be feasible to stack chips at the factory though, since it’s a pain to do.
BTW, the numbers I posted earlier with 1000 lumens and 50 kcd lux… those were entirely made up. I don’t have a new C8 yet to actually measure. My XinTD C8 V4 (XM-L2) gets ~900 lm and ~33 kcd lux. I’m guessing the Convoy C8 (XP-L HI) will have similar lumens but significantly more lux.
With 5 extra 350mA 7135 chips to an XM-L2 U4 1A it does 4.53A for 1456 lumens in Turbo.
This means that on group 1 it does…
2.07 Lumens
28.64
198.32
661.71
1455.9
Or on level 4 it does…
27.26 Lumens
375.02
1407.6
Or on level 7 it does…
2.24 Lumens
27.53
190.79
693.45
Variations show the cell changing voltage levels during these tests.
Wow I go a day without being on here and get back to find a 220 post thread about this new version. I don’t own any Convoy lights yet but this right here is just the ticket. I love the upgrades and the UI. If this UI is incorporated into all of the lights I’m going to have to find new funding for my light budget.
My Light Collection (Post 172)
I was thinking the same thing. It would be one of the first, and one of the best drivers and lights of that type. I am sure a lot of people will upgrade the driver in some way.
I’ve seen around 65k lux mentioned for a stock 8*7135 Convoy C8 HI in reviews. So theoretically 12*7135 would result in almost 100k.
Recent Reviews: Light Flashlight Painting Buying Guide 2020 // LumeCube 2.0 // Lumintop FW1A // Light Painting Paradise Lightpainter // KDLITKER E6 // Sofirn SP31V2.0 // Convoy S2+
Affiliate links: Neal's Gadgets
Instagram: @stephenk_lightart
That’s probably wishful thinking.
Amping up a fat XM-L2 will definitely improve lumens output, but it doesn’t make the beam narrower for more throw or higher lux. Sure, the lux numbers will go up some, but not like that. Drop in an XP-G2 and lux jumps. De-dome it and it nearly doubles again. But 147-150Kcd is fairly tough to get even in a C8. To go over that requires a Buck driver and 2 cells with the de-domed XP-G2.
Yay !! yippie !! whee…
Like….. here’s a free Porsche motor … Good thing RMM is studying to be an attorney …I don’t think it took him this long to figure out what open source meant .καὶ τὸ φῶς ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ φαίνει καὶ ἡ σκοτία αὐτὸ οὐ κατέλαβεν
Dc-fix diffuser film >… http://budgetlightforum.com/node/42208
Interesting, thanks. It looks like the actual lumen output on that is 0.14%, 1.96%, 13.6%, 45%, 100% instead of 0.1/1/10/35/100.
When I get a sample, I’m planning to test again and maybe send Simon an update with re-adjusted levels. The ones I used initially had weird response curves on the 7135 chips, but it was consistent across multiple drivers. So it’ll be interesting to see if the production units match the devel boards or if they’re closer to your results.
Worst case scenario, the first batch might be a little bit brighter than spec. Not exactly a terrible thing for a flashlight.
Remember the added 5 chips, it bumps the curve.
Just ask him. No point leaving a specific price number here in a thread people will be reading for years. Stuff changes over time.
And if you ask nicely and are buying other things, and it’s a convenient time, and the sun’s shining over there, your luck may vary.
Can we get a smiley emoticon made with his jaw hanging slack in amazement? (aimed at Boaz)
Speculating on what a fair mark-up is, whatever that means to each of us, is just that.
To avoid translation issues, please let me explain.
When someone puts their money into a business, it’s all about making money to support their family and themselves. Doing favors for the customer can be a good way to do business, of course, and isn’t that what Simon is already doing? Going far and away over the top to bring us clear anodizing, AR Coated lenses, clear button and/or a contrasting black button, and even being open to an updated/upgraded modern firmware, taking a chance on his very clientelle to make this happen? All these changes without a doubt run into expense to implement, on the speculation that it will become profitable for having taken the chance. Right? And still, his lights are bargain priced with high quality easily surpassing all but the most determined of the competition, again, right? Even while developing new models to further appease our hungry appetites? (stay tuned, he IS working on options, as JDub has clearly explained)
Pretty obvious he’s given us his ear, put his monies to work on our requests, and now once again it is our turn… make it pay.
FWIW, I feel no entitlement to compensation for making the new driver code. I’m merely happy to help someone I like, someone who has been consistently good to BLF.
And it was a fun project. I approach lights strictly as an enjoyable hobby, and don’t want it to become “work”.
Just putting that out there, in case it’s relevant.
… though I was admittedly a little grumpy about having to include SOS mode. Silly survivalists. ;P
You could have “spelled” it wrong.
. . _ .
. . _ .
. . _
. . _ _ _
LOL
Man I hope we can, or like one of these. It appears we need it. (aimed in the same direction)
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
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Should the diagram say Enter the last used mode or something like that, instead of “Enter into next mode” after the flashlight is turned on?
Btw, I would love to see a Chinese manufacturer make a minimalistic mount like this Gear Sector ($72.95):
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