JasonWW wrote:

He put the SST 40 in a Supfire M6 as well as the blf Q8. I don't think he tried the xpl high but he did mention that the reflectors need to be designed for that particular emitter.

I ask, because I'm wondering it I CAN put 3 SST 40s in one of my C8Fs?

-- might not be the best compliment, but if I shave (or DD) the SSTs- wondering what might happen anyway

Just posted my UV build using this host here http://budgetlightforum.com/node/58969#comment-1277010

And it looks like hosts are not being offered on the Sofirn site anymore. Temporary?

Zappaman wrote:

JasonWW wrote:

He put the SST 40 in a Supfire M6 as well as the blf Q8. I don’t think he tried the xpl high but he did mention that the reflectors need to be designed for that particular emitter.

 

I ask, because I’m wondering it I CAN put 3 SST 40s in one of my C8Fs?

 

— might not be the best compliment, but if I shave (or DD) the SSTs- wondering what might happen anyway

XP-L2 V5 5000K
MTN-17DDm FET+1

3,500 lumens turn on
10.95A @ tail

I would describe the hot spot as VERY strong and very white. There is a noticable yellow corona you see best in pic #2 and the spill returns to a whitish color as you get further away from the yellow ring (white > yellow > white). It’s quite floody overall but the hot spot is very bright white.

Moon:

Turbo (ISO200, WB @ 4700K)

Regulated, couple feet away:

~1ft:

Bonus E2L Nichia 4000k 90CRI with same Camera settings:

However, it doesn’t look nearly this rosy to me in person so I’m not sure how this helps? Am I supposed to keep the camera settings consistent for comparisons?

contactcr wrote:

Am I supposed to keep the camera settings consistent for comparisons?

How about you use a grey card, a neutral color cardboard or a plain white paper to set the WB setting manually? This is how it’s normally done when one is trying to capture an image with a good WB setting. I think this approach will work with flashlights, too. The thing is, the WB setting of your camera must be correct when you capture the color temperature of the light coming from your flashlight.

JasonWW wrote:

Zappaman wrote:

JasonWW wrote:

He put the SST 40 in a Supfire M6 as well as the blf Q8. I don’t think he tried the xpl high but he did mention that the reflectors need to be designed for that particular emitter.

 

I ask, because I’m wondering it I CAN put 3 SST 40s in one of my C8Fs?

 

— might not be the best compliment, but if I shave (or DD) the SSTs- wondering what might happen anyway

You would need to swap to a mcpcb with 5050 pads. Mtn Elec had a few pads left the last time I checked. You could also go with 3 x xhp50 and 2 × 18350 Aspire cells and get 10k lumen! According to DB Custom.

DB Custom wrote:

And if you’re going to all that trouble, you may as well put three XHP-50.2’s in it and Zener modify an FET driver, use 2 Aspire 18350’s.

(my Ti X6 with 3 50.2’s is making 10,200 lumens off two of the Aspire cells, just sayin…)

DB Custom wrote:

Richard shows to have 5 of the TPad’s in XM footprint at $5.45 each, better pounce!

DB Custom wrote:

The SST-40 might require the holes in the reflector to be opened up, the XP-L2 is close in output and would fit without alteration.

Richard did have a 32mm MCPCB from Cutter that was triple XM footprint, that would work.

Now, considering the posted images by contactcr, I’m still undecided if I should reflow my own XP-L2s with 5000K CCT for the C8F. I think the corona of the XP-L2 becomes more pronounced with this host. I have XP-L2s with 4000K CCT, too. I’m thinking with 4000K, it won’t be as bad? I mean, not that greenish.

11A on tail with 3 low Vf XPL2s is not really much, up to 20A from a fresh high drain cell can be possible if you reduce resistances on the host

I think I’m good with 10-11A. I’m not gunning for 20A or anything close to that. I’m not sure if the light as a whole can take that much punishment. Besides, I will be using NCR18650GA and MJ1 batteries for this anyway. I did upgrade the MOSFET of the stock driver with a better one from Vishay. Even the lone 7135, I replaced. I thought of getting Lexel’s but that would come along the way.

Hey, GREAT info JasonWW— thanks for the detailed links too— I (always) have more reading to do.

And Contactmr, thanks for the photos!!!

Jaded wrote:

How about you use a grey card, a neutral color cardboard or a plain white paper to set the WB setting manually? This is how it’s normally done when one is trying to capture an image with a good WB setting. I think this approach will work with flashlights, too. The thing is, the WB setting of your camera must be correct when you capture the color temperature of the light coming from your flashlight.

I set it manually for the first photos and to me that is close to how it looks

Lexel wrote:

11A on tail with 3 low Vf XPL2s is not really much, up to 20A from a fresh high drain cell can be possible if you reduce resistances on the host

On paper maybe but the way this light goes together it is not easy to use very short and very heavy wires. The mcpcb wires have to be soldered first and you have to leave room to solder and close driver. What you say is more practical for TIR or pill type light where you can trim everything right up to fit.

Sorry, been sick.

18ga wires will fit in the C8F, it’s just not easy. I gave the C8F I put XP-L2’s in away. Don’t recall it’s numbers and can’t find any record in my notes. Gave it away literally right after building it. Will ask and see what it’s doing. (he has a lightbox)

Edit: He says he got 3800 OTF with the XP-L2’s in the C8F, but he uses older Samsung 20R cells. I seem to recall I got like 4200 with a top cell, I just can’t find my notes on it. (probably scribbled on the side of something else)

DB Custom wrote:

Edit: He says he got 3800 OTF with the XP-L2’s in the C8F, but he uses older Samsung 20R cells. I seem to recall I got like 4200 with a top cell, I just can’t find my notes on it. (probably scribbled on the side of something else)

Dale, glad you’re back and feeling better I hope.

I recall your post on that light, I think you mentioned adding thicker wire and modding the tail spring for over 4K— got me excited enough to order a pair. I got them today- they look really nice!

You ALSO chimed in on my tail switch mod I’m planning with Lexels’s FET tail board. Sadly I NOW know my old C8 tail caps don’t fit this C8F with square threads. So wondering… do you think I could use the Convoy tail (assuming I can find two of them somewhere close by), or should I just order them from Sofirn?

-Russ

Thanks Z… sounds like the way to go then. Message sent to Sofirn, I also asked about the kits being gone too. I’ll post back after I get the scoop.

Hey Dale, hope you’re feeling better. I took a break from the maglites to build a pair of these beauties and I’ve got to say they’re a joy to put together. The XP-L2 version I built draws 19 amps on turn on with a VCT5 which would reasonably output 4200 lumens. The second host got high CRI Nichia 219c and pulls 17 amps off the same cell and I wouldn’t want to try for more. Not sure I could get more from these as they’ve got 18 gauge wires, good FETs, and 22 gauge spring bypasses.

DB Custom wrote:

Sorry, been sick.

18ga wires will fit in the C8F, it’s just not easy. I gave the C8F I put XP-L2’s in away. Don’t recall it’s numbers and can’t find any record in my notes. Gave it away literally right after building it. Will ask and see what it’s doing. (he has a lightbox)

Edit: He says he got 3800 OTF with the XP-L2’s in the C8F, but he uses older Samsung 20R cells. I seem to recall I got like 4200 with a top cell, I just can’t find my notes on it. (probably scribbled on the side of something else)

I finally got mine. Shipment/delivery was delayed but overall a very good purchase.

Funny isn’t it, we finally have a manufacturer giving us a C8 sized flashlight that makes 3000 lumens out of the box and it’s not enough for us.

These really are a great smallish light, the sheer amount of output they are capable of just never ceases to amaze.

Exactly, Dale. The sheer performance and good value we get from a host of this size is just amazing. Good thing the manufacturer made this host available to the enthusiast community and they continue to listen to our suggestions.

Zappaman wrote:

Message sent to Sofirn, I also asked about the kits being gone too. I’ll post back after I get the scoop.

From Cissy at Sofirn…

Quote:

Sorry for our late reply because of the Chinese New Year Holiday.

The tail cap of C8A suit for the C8F screw, but i am not sure it could be work perfectly because C8F have a side design there, may have some influence for the driver position.

The host of C8F out of stock recently and may have them from 1st, March.

And… with regard to modifying the tail switch (In my case, I am using Lexels FET tail switch): I can confirm the C8 host’s clicky tail (*in the larger 20.8mm host Sofirn sells) does seem to fit well on the rear-end of the C8F. With that said, I’m not yet sure if it’s making good contact at the thread-end where the battery tube/body needs to make contact with the tail’s retaining ring/board. And further… as I intend to modify whatever tail switch I can get from Sofirn, I won’t really know how it’s going to fit together until I get to it.

Another observation: the battery tube + clicky tail of the C8 host ALSO do thread into the C8F’s head fine (but it takes a few more turns to get it snug- so a slightly deeper fit- out of the box with no driver in either).

I again asked Cissy if she can find an old “clicky tailcap” from the first C8F rev… I’ll report back when I get more info now that CNY is over.

EDIT #2: FACTORY IS OUT OF THE REV A CLICKY TAILS… SO ONE WILL HAVE TO USE THE C8A (SAME AS C8T) TAIL SWITCH (MODS NEEDED?… TBD.)

I asked through AliExpress messages about the C8F hosts being out of stock. The reply stated they would be available on Feb 25th, and they do seem to be back on the site now, but with an adjusted price of $13.78.

Heck, I should have looked first!!! I’m ordering another set now- thanks guys

ZozzV6 wrote:

korpzgrinda wrote:

….but with an adjusted price of $13.78.

It is still a very good price! I corrected the price in the OP.

I love these kits… Just snagged another pair for $25 and change with coupons! I have a pair already (still building and using Lexel’s Narsil driver), but I’m going to do a direct drive build with this pair (and max out my 30Qs). Should be fun.

Can Paypal be used for payment here?
The offer on ali is not consistent about it. There are 2 payment sections on the offer site and the upper does list PP while the lower doesnt.

I used paypal for my order.