RE: the S8… while I’ve never held one, it doesn’t do much for me due to these speculations & observations:
- lots of sharp angles (lack of chamfer on most parts of the light) = anodizing won’t hold up in those areas.
- tiny square grip pattern = slippery
- weird over-diameter fins = snaggy in pocket? grab/grind/drag against my other stuff every time I pull the light out?
- large crenelated bezel - what’s up with that?
- no square-cut threads at all! At least the S2+ has one set of square cut IIRC
- appears to be somewhat inspired by the cheaper imitations of the Roche F12: square ‘knurling’ , tube light with fins on head, scalloped thumb-area in tailcap… also the timeline fits pretty well with the F12 showing up in 2012 or so and the S8 showing up in 2013 or so.
The S2+ features:
- Wide square cut threads on tailcap for less chance of cross-threading. (Head uses bare triangle threads - probably on purpose but I do suspect that bare square threads would work just as well? Maybe someone else has deeper insight into that than I do.)
- Chamfering on pretty much all surfaces, ranging from good to decent. The tailcap on my most recent S2+ host leaves a bit to be desired (and has already flaked ano off from the factory! still in the little gift box!). Still, much more effective looking chamfers overall than the S8.
EDIT: And I just like the appearance of the S2+ much better than the appearance of the S8. Personal preference!
I think that this is a tricky one. Sturdy and permanent black markings on anodized aluminum is a completely different thing from the ‘white’ markings done with a laser.
EDIT: In any case the Tan/Black sounds great.
I also vote for this.