Has anyone found a standard, unmodified (non XML2) C8 with same throw as the Skyray STL-V2/FF STL-V6/Maxtoch SN6X-2? It has been suggested the smaller head C8s can match the Skyray for throw but in my experience they are well short - more medium range i.e. out to 300m. This light is suggested as equalling the Skyray:
Does anyone have experience of C8 comparisons with the Skyray/FF - in standard form and before new XML2s added. Lux data etc.
Again from my own experience of playing with a number of C8s the smaller head size (45mm) limits their long distance throw when compared to the Skyray at 62mm.
I dont have a STL-V2 or a C8 XM-L. I do have a HD2010 driven at 5 amps and a couple of C8 with Q5 LED's driven at about 1.6 amps. These Q5's throw a lot further than an XM-L with a lot smaller hot spot. This maybe a way to get close to the STL-V2.
I have both the SKYRAY STL-V2 and the XIN-TD C8 (2.8amps). The V2 visibly out-throws the C8 no question.
Having said that, the C8 is a pretty good thrower for its size.
There is a thread somewhere with various C8 lux readings: I think most of the XML versions came out at around 20-25K lux, with one or two XML and most of the Q5 versions reading 30-35K lux but the high XML readings may have been due to badly calibrated lux meters.
The short answer is: no a good C8 will not out throw a good STL-V2.
If I had to guess what it would take to level the field between the two: a bad STL-V2 only delivering 1.5 amps to the XML might be about the same as a good C8.
In my experience you can get a C8 up to around 40K lux fairly easily via de-doming which would put it within a stones throw of the STL-V2… if it happened to be a very good C8 it might break the 50K lux threshold, I believe there is someone on here with a good lux meter and a de-domed C8 measuring 48K lux.
Again, I didn’t say it matches it for throw, Ive said that my best c8 (xre and to a point my xml u2) throws within 10-20m of my (now sold) sn6x-2.
Also, both of my Jacobs a60’s, throw noticeably better and further than my sn6x-2 did as well. (albeit with a much smaller hotspot)
You suggested once that my sn appeared about 20-30% dimmer than yours, can you see why I have suggested and found my c8’s suited my needs better?
I love both torches to a point, the c8 for being compact and the sn for it’s slightly extra throw, but I think for me to be as excited as you about it, I would have had to have a better example shipped to me in the first place, which is highly understandable as you have had 50 odd so clearly would have seen better versions than mine.
My de-domed t6 c8 alllllmmmooooost throws as good as my best a60 (dome intact), so hopefully with a few mods that means we will be able to throw over 50k lux with a small, cheap, c8 host.
In no way am I suggesting an equally good c8 and sn will compete with each other! They are a different kettle of fish, one of them I don’t need
