Great C8

I have about a dozen C8s from various Ebayers and online sellers, these are the best so far and super cheap:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UltraFire-High-Power-C8-CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-1300LM-Lumens-Flashlight-Torch-Lamp-/160855869017?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item2573c1c659

$10.60 US

Wow! Never seen a deal THIS good!

So they perform better than others you’ve received??

Yes, nice bin — very white, perfectly round and even hot spot. Good illumination on a tree at 250 feet, pretty good throw for a 10 dollar torch. About a 10 foot hot spot at 75 feet.

Have you got a baked C8 ?

Yep. 8)

Nice find. I hope they dont have the Q5 LED in them like the middle picture shows.

Flomotion, you also recommended this:
Ultrafire C9 U2
$13.99

Is C9/U2 worth $3 more?

hay flo, do you have a kaidomain, xintd, romisen t601, or a keygo’s ke-5 c8?
if so, how does this one mentioned compared to any of those i mentioned?

No, that C9 is actually a C8-L or some call it a C8 deep. The reflector is deep, and for the first .7 inch it is OP, then turns to SMO, so it is a hybrid reflector. It is not as well driven as it could be, oh, the reflector is plastic. All the C8 longs or deeps are built like this, THIS is not a standard C8 nor is it a true C9. Will post images of all:

True C9

This is a C8 Deep:

Gee wheez! Didn’t know there are so many C8 variations. Why is the C8 Deep so expensive ($37) when you can have Small Sun zy-t08 and Fandyfire HD 2010 for $30? Thanks for the C8 education and await your images.

Ok, I have been trying to post links to the least expensive, but acceptable C8s out there. These are usually 10 to 15 dollars. Of course they are many better lights out there, the KeyGos variations, the XinTD, some Romisens, but they are usually higher priced, and, of course, well constructed for the most part. But like I was implying, there are members who are right now very short of cash, but would still like to have a decent torch. I am trying to point out what I have learnt whilst not being burnt, purchasing these lower priced torches. In general, all branded Citipower’s from the 501, 502, to their C8s (which can be had for 10+ dollars (by bidding on sellers like Pitalam, or madison-computer88, or a few other Citipower reps) — are excellent lights for the extreme budget range.

Examples:

madison-computer88

http://www.ebay.com/sch/madison-computer88/m.html?item=321019738181&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&\_sop=1

Pitalam

http://www.ebay.com/sch/pitalam/m.html?item=360505314271&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&rt=nc&\_trksid=p2047675.l2562

mico.digital

http://www.ebay.com/sch/micro.digital/m.html?item=400331766509&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&rt=nc&\_trksid=p2047675.l2562

more-things

http://www.ebay.com/sch/more-things/m.html?item=160913608235&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&rt=nc&\_trksid=p2047675.l2562

trading_one

http://www.ebay.com/sch/trading_one/m.html?item=280870103040&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&rt=nc&\_trksid=p2047675.l2562

If you are spending the time searching these sellers, from whom I have bought torches from each, then a person may find something they can both enjoy and afford … clear

Flomotion - that first C8 link on the original post, have you taken a good look at the insides? Does it have a brass ring for mounting the driver? Does it have a decent size pill and not hollow (solid aluminum surface for mounting the star on to)? Aluminum reflector, not plastic?

Sorry for so many Q's but looking for a good cheap foundation C8 in which to mod. This one sounds pretty good but a lot of the cheaper lights don't have enough quality insides, requiring more work/$$$.

Beware of so cheap C8. I bought pair from different stores for less $12 each. Both have terrible drivers without memory. One has no heatsink because octagonal led star has contact with body only for perimeter. Tailcap switch of one flashlight stop working after 5 clicks. Both flashlights have nonstandard 20mm drivers.

Yikes, was afraid of that... Things can be done with lights like that, but for a lot more work/parts.

I have a few sub $10 XRE lights with faulty switches. Many times its just a matter of contact from the switch to the body and a few blobs of solder can save it, but sometimes I just need another switch to replace. Do we have a good and cheap source for C8/C2 type lights?

Probably the best quality cheap/budget torch, is a Keygos. Usually have a brass pill, and good threads. Search Ebay or go to keygos.com. You can buy your own stars, buy emitters here:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Cree-Inc/XMLBWT-02-0000-0000T5051/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMu4Prknbu83yyq8B%2FDa%2FkIgx%252bPb%2F7boxQE%3D

New XML2

Buy drivers here:

http://www.intl-outdoor.com/4a-3mode-2745v-circuit-board-p-546.html

Ask BLF about drivers and sources — build your own…