Hello everyone. Yesterday my new KD C8 XML T6 came in the mail. I had to sign for the package which was strange but that is ok. I like the light and from useing it last night I found that it is the brightest flashlight that I own. I put it up against my SF L2P with MF XML T6 3 mode drop-in....and the KD C8 is brighter. The KD C8 has an OP reflector yet it is far more throw than my P60 light is. I think that I am going to enjoy this light and it is a very nice bargain and value for the money.
Looks good! I can see why it throws :)
Regarding signing for it...I always have to sign for anything from DX or KD unless the total order is under $15 and then they don't send it registered.
Does the bigger head help make it a thrower?
Yes it does help focus the beam making the hotspot tighter, but it also allows a little extra side spill making the total beam larger so it's a win win situation. Does the reflector rattle when you shake the light?
Did you get the 3 or 5 mode version? I ordered the 3 mode last week. I'm glad to hear almost everyone is happy with them!
Thanks.one more reason to upgrade my XR-E C8 
. If you do have MF XML drop-in with a SMO reflector, how is throw/brightness when compared with KD C8?
I have the OP KD C8 and it beats all my P60 MF XML drop-ins except when i put IMR cells in them with a SMO reflector. Id put an IMR into the C8, But thats just not needed unless you only want 5 minute runtimes due to heat build up.
I found this SMO C8 reflector and have it on the way but not in my hands yet as im not much of an OP lover.
SMO Reflector for C8 SKU: S010019
http://www.kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=11283
The only downfall of the C8 is the short runtimes on high but the light cant be beat due to its physical design even when given equal internals of a P60.
Its about time I bought another one. Did yours have a brass pill?
Yes, Mine has the brass pill.
I ordered it on 7/3/2011 And is part #S009844 as i stuck with the 5 mode just in case they made driver changes in the 3 mode. But ive not read that has happened.
Nice!
If no 18650 cell is in the light the glass lens rattles but the light is tight and solid with a battery in it. I have the five mode model but I wish I had a three mode. If you want me to, I will do beamshots of my SF L2p with MF XML T6 with OP reflector. My KD C8 has a brass pill in it. These pics are at 70 feet.
SF L2p MF XML T6 3 mode
KD C8
Nothing wrong with the L2p at all....the KD C8 is just that much brighter. Both are on XTAR 18700 cells @ 4.15 volts. Both have OP reflectors and both were @ 70 feet. :)
I got the 5 mode smo reflector kd c8 and mine has an aluminum pill that screws into the head but it is brass where the driver is soldered on. Mine will draw 2.9 amps from a crappy gtl battery. I have some salvaged laptop cells as well but they will only deliver 2.2 amps so good cells with this torch is a must!
On an XTAR 18700 2600Mah cell @ 4.16v I get 2.2amps draw on high.
Buck driver? not to deep in flashlight tech stuff....whatcha wanna know and how do I find out? On the back of the pill it says "SG PCB"
alright, if that is the case then I am not sure. :) I do know that it is brighter than my SF L2p with XML T6 and that it gets hot....fast.
Hummmm mine doesn't get hot at all, just a little warm after a few minutes use.
I'm still not the slightest bit comfortable with the beamshot of the SF L2p MF XML T6 3 mode at 70 feet !!!
I just can't see how a MF XM-L T6 (on high) could be that dim at that range. It just makes no sense to me.
I have the KD C8 5 mode and 3 lights with the MF XML 3 mode drop-in and there is no way there is that much difference. Id really be looking into that SF light for issues.
Even my IMR run SF L2 w/ MF XLM starts giving the C8 a run for its money, I think its has alot to do with the reflector. BTW the IMR pushes the XML too 3.5A and i dont run it long like that either.
But with the C8 i don't think its a good idea to run it on high for longer than 15-20 minutes as the heat build up is enormous and comparable to my Sky Ray 3800 on high if not even worse.
But thats the same with any light that pushes its emitter to its limits even with having a large frame to wick heat away. Anyhow medium in these lights is usually enough to compare and beat many lights on high anyhow.
Buy a lux meter. I am past P60 lights after i got the lux meter. But then i am a performance person. I suppose XP-Gs are still somewhat ok if you wrap carefully, not too bad. My P3/P4 also, i got them WW and NW. So my seven P60 lights (all Solarforce) are more for collection. The drops happen with all, so it is not a faulty drop-in.
I have the Manafont sourced ultrafire XM-L too. Maybe not as dim as the picture, but trust me there is a whole world of difference from 0:01 and 0:30 and beyond. The best wrapping gave me a least drop of 30%, it was nearly 50% unwrapped.
One thing i learnt is that our eyes don't tell the whole story. My Ultrafire U80 and UF-980L looks the same in intensity that the throwers, even the 46k lux Fandyfire...if you look at them individually. Yes all have around the same size hotspot. The thing is, our eyes stop down automatically.
Unwrapped or loosely wrapped performance, 2.2A and 3.5A.
