Advice needed on EDC 18650

[PaulorNuthn]

Hi gents, I was hoping some of the vets might be able to give me their opinions on a few choices I have regarding near future purchases.

Firstly I’m looking for an EDC flashlight with great throw in the $50 and under price tag.
I’m sick of reading through seller specs claiming 2000 lumens, 500 metre beams etc
and would appreciate honest feedback from owners of particular makes mentioned below.

As we all know, the C8 is one of the best bang for buck going around, own one that’s DD and its one of my favs, but reality is it’s not much help once a target is over 150 metres regardless of what most specs claim.

Not including any of the aspheric lens types either here as they’re not suited to my needs.

So here is my list so far….

*Crelant V6C6 $26
*Uniquefire UF-V3 $18
*Uniquefire HS-802 $23 (Already ordered, awaiting arrival)
*Trustfire X9 (Already ordered, awaiting arrival - not really an EDC size but couldn’t help myself)
*Eagle eyes X6 $19
*Warsun MX900 $25
*Warsun CT9T $25
*Convoy L4 $30

While I love the look of the WS MX900, the belt clip of the V6C6, and the throw that I’m sure will be delivered by the X9, am I really going to find an 18650 flashlight that will out throw, be generally brighter than and deliver more for my money, yet be compact enough as an EDC light than the HS-802?

Here’s hoping someone will lead me in the right direction, or include any that I might have missed which would only make things more difficult, giving me another excuse for a purchase

[DavidEF]

Well, I noticed you have the Eagle Eyes X6 in your little list there. Have you looked at the special Group Buy that is going on concerning this light? A custom modified version from the factory. It’s being made for us, here at BLF, to our specs! It’s still going to be in the $20 range, although we don’t know for sure what the final price will be. We have a few preliminary details coming in from early testers. Check it out, maybe it’s the one (5, 10, 20?) for you!

[keltex78]

I don't really find any of those to be an EDC size for me... I like 14500 sized for EDC. I'm just curious how you plan to carry? Will it be holster-carry on a belt?

I'm honestly surprised you aren't happy with your C8 as they are great throwers for their sizes. Your's is DD; how much current are you getting? Maybe you have a really poor-bin emitter or poor quality cells that can't provide the 3A+ current the XM-L can handle? Can we get more info on your C8 and your cells?

Regarding your list above, I can't comment on many of those, but have experience with a couple of them:

1. The UniqueFire UF-V3 (purchased as a different brand, but same size body/style. Mine was a decent thrower with a nice reflector, but an outdated XR-E emitter. The reflector is roughly on par with a C8 though, I would expect it to be comparable to a C8 with a XR-E.

2. The UniqueFire HS-802: Nice deep reflector with a needle-beam, and negligible spill. Difficult to disassemble for modding, but again, with an outdated XR-E emitter. I personally like the beam pattern, as the lack of spill really emphasizes the hotspot, but I don't know that it's any better than a hard-driven C8.

[PaulorNuthn]

@DavidEF

Well, I noticed you have the Eagle Eyes X6 in your little list there. Have you looked at the special Group Buy that is going on concerning this light? A custom modified version from the factory. It’s being made for us, here at BLF, to our specs! It’s still going to be in the $20 range, although we don’t know for sure what the final price will be. We have a few preliminary details coming in from early testers. Check it out, maybe it’s the one (5, 10, 20?) for you!

I did notice that actually, thanks for the heads up though.
Going to look into it a bit more and see what the mod version offers.

Thanks.

[DavidEF]

@PaulorNuthn

@DavidEF

Well, I noticed you have the Eagle Eyes X6 in your little list there. Have you looked at the special Group Buy that is going on concerning this light? A custom modified version from the factory. It’s being made for us, here at BLF, to our specs! It’s still going to be in the $20 range, although we don’t know for sure what the final price will be. We have a few preliminary details coming in from early testers. Check it out, maybe it’s the one (5, 10, 20?) for you!

I did notice that actually, thanks for the heads up though.
Going to look into it a bit more and see what the mod version offers.

Thanks.

JohnnyMac has a preliminary review up now, too!

[Chicken_Drumstick]

You must have large pockets to EDC a C8

Throw is a matter of reflector size and ratio to the LED surface area. If a C8 isn’t cutting it for you, then your choices are:

-reduce the LED size in a C8 sized reflector. An XP-G2, or even an XP-E2 in a C8 should out throw an XM-L2 one. But the beam will be narrower, lower lumens and less bright spill.

Int’l Outdoor do (or did) sell an XP-G2 C8. I built myself one with a 3.0A Qlite driver, Noctigon XP-G2 and a Convoy C8. It does have an OP reflector, but I struggle to believe a SMO reflector would transform the light.

-Move up a reflector size. But physically bigger than a C8 is, IMO hardly an EDC sized light.

For example, the Jacob A60 uses an old XR-E emitter, but has a slightly larger reflector than a C8. My A60 out throws my XP-G2 C8. But the A60 is strictly a jacket pocket sized light.

I honestly doubt any torches of similar size to a C8 will out throw a C8. The Convoy L4 I think uses the same reflector. Ok it might have a slightly better thermal path, but the reality is, the only improvement you’ll see will be on a lux meter, not with the naked eye.

Obviously more power and higher output the better the throw though. But there can be a fine line where this is noticeable.

De-doming the LED might be worth considering if you don’t mind modding. But can cause tint shifts and other issues if you are unlucky.

Some kind of aspheric lens might offer another solution, but I’m not certain you’ll really top a C8 in throw unless you go for a much bigger light. I’ve got an Aleto, which looks like a giant SK68 and runs on a 26650. I run the same Qlite 3amp driver and XP-G2 as I do in my C8. You’d swear it looks like it’ll throw further with it’s laser looking beam, but the reality is, there is almost no difference between them.

I suppose the other question is, what you need to illuminate at 150 metres distance?

I know my C8 will happily light up the side of a building or a car at that distance no problem.

[PaulorNuthn]

@keltex78

I don’t really find any of those to be an EDC size for me… I like 14500 sized for EDC. I’m just curious how you plan to carry? Will it be holster-carry on a belt?

I’m honestly surprised you aren’t happy with your C8 as they are great throwers for their sizes. Your’s is DD; how much current are you getting? Maybe you have a really poor-bin emitter or poor quality cells that can’t provide the 3A+ current the XM-L can handle? Can we get more info on your C8 and your cells?

Regarding your list above, I can’t comment on many of those, but have experience with a couple of them:

1. The UniqueFire UF-V3 (purchased as a different brand, but same size body/style. Mine was a decent thrower with a nice reflector, but an outdated XR-E emitter. The reflector is roughly on par with a C8 though, I would expect it to be comparable to a C8 with a XR-E.

2. The UniqueFire HS-802: Nice deep reflector with a needle-beam, and negligible spill. Difficult to disassemble for modding, but again, with an outdated XR-E emitter. I personally like the beam pattern, as the lack of spill really emphasizes the hotspot, but I don’t know that it’s any better than a hard-driven C8.

I know what you mean, years ago I wouldn’t have called anything larger than an Eagletac D25C an EDC, but with the aid of belt clips, holsters, or simply in a jacket pocket I’ve learnt to give up some convenience for the extra lumens.

I’m confident that the cells I’m using are fine, and I guess like with all things what once impressed now just seems the standard.
4.6A or so last time I checked.
While I appreciate how well the C8’s perform I was under the impression that the lights I mentioned were on another level.

[Chicken_Drumstick]

As a side note, while the C8 is much smaller, I’ve found my Qlite driven XP-G2 one can only match my old MagCharger still running it’s stock bulb!!! Ok, I now run the MagCharger on 6S AA Eneloops for a slightly higher voltage than the stock battery used to give. But still think the old Mag is impressive for an un-modded incan.

[PaulorNuthn]

@Chicken Drumstick

You must have large pockets to EDC a C8

Throw is a matter of reflector size and ratio to the LED surface area. If a C8 isn’t cutting it for you, then your choices are:

-reduce the LED size in a C8 sized reflector. An XP-G2, or even an XP-E2 in a C8 should out throw an XM-L2 one. But the beam will be narrower, lower lumens and less bright spill.

Int’l Outdoor do (or did) sell an XP-G2 C8. I built myself one with a 3.0A Qlite driver, Noctigon XP-G2 and a Convoy C8. It does have an OP reflector, but I struggle to believe a SMO reflector would transform the light.

-Move up a reflector size. But physically bigger than a C8 is, IMO hardly an EDC sized light.

For example, the Jacob A60 uses an old XR-E emitter, but has a slightly larger reflector than a C8. My A60 out throws my XP-G2 C8. But the A60 is strictly a jacket pocket sized light.

I honestly doubt any torches of similar size to a C8 will out throw a C8. The Convoy L4 I think uses the same reflector. Ok it might have a slightly better thermal path, but the reality is, the only improvement you’ll see will be on a lux meter, not with the naked eye.

Obviously more power and higher output the better the throw though. But there can be a fine line where this is noticeable.

De-doming the LED might be worth considering if you don’t mind modding. But can cause tint shifts and other issues if you are unlucky.

Some kind of aspheric lens might offer another solution, but I’m not certain you’ll really top a C8 in throw unless you go for a much bigger light. I’ve got an Aleto, which looks like a giant SK68 and runs on a 26650. I run the same Qlite 3amp driver and XP-G2 as I do in my C8. You’d swear it looks like it’ll throw further with it’s laser looking beam, but the reality is, there is almost no difference between them.

I suppose the other question is, what you need to illuminate at 150 metres distance?

I know my C8 will happily light up the side of a building or a car at that distance no problem.

EDC doesn’t mean it has to be carried in your pocket, but yeah I was of that way inclined myself too so I see your point.

Really?
I thought the HS-802 reflector was quite a bit bigger than the one in a C8, well much deeper anyway.
Going to have to look that up now, hope my C8 never reads this.

[Chicken_Drumstick]

@PaulorNuthn

While I appreciate how well the C8’s perform I was under the impression that the lights I mentioned were on another level.

They still have to adhere to the same laws of physics though. And by and large are using the same/similar components too.

[PaulorNuthn]

@Chicken Drumstick

@PaulorNuthn

While I appreciate how well the C8’s perform I was under the impression that the lights I mentioned were on another level.

They still have to adhere to the same laws of physics though. And by and large are using the same/similar components too.

While searching I also found a C8 which now is being made with a larger reflector than that of previous models, maybe it’s as simple as sticking to the C8 but with a larger reflector and L2 instead of T6.

[Chicken_Drumstick]

@PaulorNuthn

@Chicken Drumstick

@PaulorNuthn

While I appreciate how well the C8’s perform I was under the impression that the lights I mentioned were on another level.

They still have to adhere to the same laws of physics though. And by and large are using the same/similar components too.

While searching I also found a C8 which now is being made with a larger reflector than that of previous models, maybe it’s as simple as sticking to the C8 but with a larger reflector and L2 instead of T6.

Needs to be larger diameter. Depth will tighten or loosen the size of the spill and it’s intensity, but won’t likely affect PEAK throw.

[PaulorNuthn]

@Chicken Drumstick

@PaulorNuthn

@Chicken Drumstick

@PaulorNuthn

While I appreciate how well the C8’s perform I was under the impression that the lights I mentioned were on another level.

They still have to adhere to the same laws of physics though. And by and large are using the same/similar components too.

While searching I also found a C8 which now is being made with a larger reflector than that of previous models, maybe it’s as simple as sticking to the C8 but with a larger reflector and L2 instead of T6.

Needs to be larger diameter. Depth will tighten or loosen the size of the spill and it’s intensity, but won’t likely affect PEAK throw.

Might just have to dedome and see how it goes.

[bugsy36]

Tale a look at post 18 and click on the links. I swear by all of these. The most powerful will be the group buy special edition X6 but it does not fit inconspicously into a shirt pocket like the tube lights.

My favorite is the F30 for EDC but the X6 is one hell of a light. At what they cost...buy two (one of each).. You will not be sorry and I can promise that.

[Dru_dragon]

Make sure your XML is on copper MCPCB also. Direct drive is wasted on Aluminum, that and a dedome could satisfy your need for throw. I have a Best $2 mod you can get!

[PaulorNuthn]

@bugsy36

Tale a look at post 18 and click on the links. I swear by all of these. The most powerful will be the group buy special edition X6 but it does not fit inconspicously into a shirt pocket like the tube lights.

My favorite is the F30 for EDC but the X6 is one hell of a light. At what they cost…buy two (one of each)… You will not be sorry and I can promise that.

Yeah I can see it’s not going to be a hard decision at all for me here, I’m sold.

[PaulorNuthn]

@Dru_dragon

Make sure your XML is on copper MCPCB also. Direct drive is wasted on Aluminum, that and a dedome could satisfy your need for throw. I have a Best $2 mod you can get!

Best $2 mod?
I’m listening

[theLIGHTINGDUTCHMAN]

Hello, It is not realy a thrower but for EDC it is a great and seriously bright light: Fenix E35UE.
It runs on one 18650 and features a XM-L2 U2. (900 real lumens). Nice modes and verry compact.
greetz Bart

[PaulorNuthn]

@theLIGHTINGDUTCHMAN

Hello, It is not realy a thrower but for EDC it is a great and seriously bright light: Fenix E35UE.
It runs on one 18650 and features a XM-L2 U2. (900 real lumens). Nice modes and verry compact.
greetz Bart

Thanks mate, but it’s purely a thrower that I’m looking for atm.
Cheers.

[Dru_dragon]

Reflow the emitter with an old fry pan onto one of these should get you an extra 20% in lumens, then dedome in gasoline or simply run it in your C8 for 5 minutes then lift the dome of and that should double the lux. Watch this to get an idea of how it’s done.