26650 bike mount

[garrybunk]

Hmm . . . what about a comparison between the A8 and the Keygos M10? Do you have an M10?

-Garry

[whokilledJR]

@garrybunk

Hmm . . . what about a comparison between the A8 and the Keygos M10? Do you have an M10?

-Garry

Sorry, don’t have the M10. I may get one a little later, but again I appreciate a wide spill in a bike light. There’s a telling pic on this thread post 8:

KEYGOS M10 26650 FLASHLIGHT-Quick and dirty review

I just received this 26650 from an ebay seller for $23 shipped. Compared to my other 26650 flashlights that I have, such as the Shadow JM07 Pro and Fandyfire HD2010 I'm very pleased. It has a smooth reflector like the Fandyfire, so it has a very distinctive hotspot and throws very decently. The fins are reminiscent of the JM07 but the head is a little bigger and the overall length is a little longer as well. Fit and finish is decent with no major machining or anodising flaws. I think size wi…

The HD2010 looks deceptively big, that’s only because the flashlight is angled upwards. In my opinion the JM07 is tops, but everyone has their own preferences and Biggie prefers the M10 from this thread. Really don’t think you could go too wrong in getting any of the aforementioned lights.

[BetweenRides]

JR probably rides his bike at night more than I do!

Garry, I always ride with two lights, so A8 would be used in a pair. It's a good bike light, but everything has to be tightened down or washer added to switch to avoid mode changes over bumps. I haven't used it alone but I can understand what JR is saying, as it is not a very floody light. I recently sold my A8 combo pack to another biker who was interested in getting into lights. I gave him the option of buying about 6 different lights and he picked the A8 with TF5000 and charger, plus a couple of mounts and a spare 18650 with sleeve. He loves it. I fixed the mode change problem, but it still does it when he used the 18650 on a recent ride. I suspect the cell is too short or the sleeve is not tight enough inside the battery tube.

I couldn't resist the new A8 BLF Edition, so I ordered another one today.

As JR mentioned, the JM07 is the perfect cycling light, has it all: bright, even flood and good throw, perfect modes, long run time with 26650. Another favorite is the Shadow BL-21 dedicated bike light, but it really needs to be used with a thrower to complement it's flood, for me at least. 4 of my cycling buddies use the BL-21 and really like it.

[garrybunk]

Thanks for the feedback BTR! I do like the looks/specs of that BL-21. I'm sure I could trust this more than some generic Bike light at the expense of more cost. Still debating between a dedicated Bike Light or a flashlight. I just don't do much night riding to need a dedicated light. The Shadow JM07 sounds/looks great, but it's a bit expensive (figuring even another $1.99 for neutral white at I/O).

I plan to get the A8 anyway, so I'll see how it does.

Thanks,
Garry

[garrybunk]

@whokilledJR

O.K, I’ll put my 2c on the A8. The hot spot is good for cycling, not too small and intense like a C8, put the spill is pants. The emitter and lense are so badly recessed that out of all my flashlights the A8 has the most narrowest spill. You may not notice it at first, but when you go back to using another flashlight or bike light you suddenly realize you have a peripheral vision that has been missing with the A8. It’s especially noticeable on narrow roads or on trails. The SS bezel can be removed which improves the spill, but it’s still very narrow due to its recessed build. Nice light, but mine unfortunately has been resigned to collecting dust.

Bringing this thread back up because I just had a good chance to examine the TF A8's beam (although I need to do it again against other lights for a better comparison). I wasn't cycling (can't cycle around here for at least a month yet unless you stay on pavement) just comparing in my backyard. I really should get comparison beamshots. I have to agree with you whokilledJR, the bezel of the A8 does seem to interfere with the spill. I forgot to try removing the bezel though, so I can't comment on removing it. This is disappointing as I really wanted to love this light and wanted it to be perfect. So I'm thinking to try out the FastTech X-Power clone of the Shadow JM-07 and/or a modded Keygos M10 (I'm cheap, so it'll probably be the M10 even though I'll be close to the same cost of the X-Power by the time I finish).

-Garry

[whokilledJR]

@garrybunk

@whokilledJR

O.K, I’ll put my 2c on the A8. The hot spot is good for cycling, not too small and intense like a C8, put the spill is pants. The emitter and lense are so badly recessed that out of all my flashlights the A8 has the most narrowest spill. You may not notice it at first, but when you go back to using another flashlight or bike light you suddenly realize you have a peripheral vision that has been missing with the A8. It’s especially noticeable on narrow roads or on trails. The SS bezel can be removed which improves the spill, but it’s still very narrow due to its recessed build. Nice light, but mine unfortunately has been resigned to collecting dust.

Bringing this thread back up because I just had a good chance to examine the TF A8’s beam (although I need to do it again against other lights for a better comparison). I wasn’t cycling (can’t cycle around here for at least a month yet unless you stay on pavement) just comparing in my backyard. I really should get comparison beamshots. I have to agree with you whokilledJR, the bezel of the A8 does seem to interfere with the spill. I forgot to try removing the bezel though, so I can’t comment on removing it. This is disappointing as I really wanted to love this light and wanted it to be perfect. So I’m thinking to try out the FastTech X-Power clone of the Shadow JM-07 and/or a modded Keygos M10 (I’m cheap, so it’ll probably be the M10 even though I’ll be close to the same cost of the X-Power by the time I finish).

-Garry

Hi Garry, I used a bit of anti-adhesive gunk to remove the SS bezel on my A8, it does widen the spill, but nothing special. I don’t have the m10 or the Xpower JM07 clone, but if I were to choose I would go the Xpower as I’m guessing it uses the same reflector as the JM07, and like the other OEM lights probably has very good build quality. The M10, judging on another thread on the forum, didn’t have that wide a spill in comparison to the JM07

Edit: here’s the thread comparing spills, post #8:

KEYGOS M10 26650 FLASHLIGHT-Quick and dirty review

I just received this 26650 from an ebay seller for $23 shipped. Compared to my other 26650 flashlights that I have, such as the Shadow JM07 Pro and Fandyfire HD2010 I'm very pleased. It has a smooth reflector like the Fandyfire, so it has a very distinctive hotspot and throws very decently. The fins are reminiscent of the JM07 but the head is a little bigger and the overall length is a little longer as well. Fit and finish is decent with no major machining or anodising flaws. I think size wi…

The HD2010 looks bigger because it’s tilted upwards, but puts out around the same spill as the JM07.

[garrybunk]

I wondered about spraying a light coat of clear coat on the A8's reflector, but I'm afraid that won't widen the spill, just disperse the hotspot (which may not be bad either). Wish I could get an extra reflector for the A8 to try it. Could also try diffusion film (which I have).

-Garry

[whokilledJR]

@garrybunk

I wondered about spraying a light coat of clear coat on the A8’s reflector, but I’m afraid that won’t widen the spill, just disperse the hotspot (which may not be bad either). Wish I could get an extra reflector for the A8 to try it. Could also try diffusion film (which I have).

-Garry

I spluttered my A8 reflector and didn’t like the results, didn’t widen the beam profile just made it smoother with a brighter spill and less throw. I couldn’t find any place that sells a replacement reflector

[garrybunk]

Ah, thanks for that feedback. I don't remember you posting that you had done that (if you did post it). It'll save me the hassle.

-Garry