MiniReview: ThorFire Upgraded C8s

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
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As you’ve probably already read, ThorFire’s upgraded C8s was recently released. Several BLF members have already done a great job detailing the upgrades and overall flashlight. So I will just add a bit and reinforce some of what has already been said.

Freefly’s Addendum: Review: Thorfire "Upgraded" C8s #2 (addendum to ReManG's review)
ReManG’s Review: Review: New Thorfire C8s from Amazon, Updated with 3+ Amps on new driver.

Tailcap upgrades:

A while back I bypassed the driver and tailcap spring on almost every single flashlight in my possession. That included the older Thorfire C8s threaded pill version.

Tailcap current (Amps):
Mode ThorFire C8s Bypass V2 ThorFire C8s Stock V3
Moon 02 02
Low 09 09
Medium 80 792
High 3.20 3.18

Measured with a 30Q at 4.17v there is very little difference between the two. It appears to be the same driver in both versions. Spring bypass seems to do very little here.

All throw measurements are lux values taken at 7ft and calculated back to 1 meter (Rounded to the nearest hundred). Ceiling bounce numbers are just simple lux measurements of various lights to compare relative output.

The C8s stands up very well in the variety of lights. The output and throw of the new C8s is comparable to the notably larger X3. The new C8s also destroys the rather outdated XML Convoy C8, doubling the throw with a significant increase in output.

This is the older threaded pill ThorFire C8s version:

The upgraded ThorFire C8s:

The copper mcpcb thermal pasted onto the shelf. There is a small divot in the integrated shelf (little anodized spot in the center).

The underside of the integrated shelf.

Simply put, the upgraded ThorFire C8s is a very nice flashlight. It is the best C8 I own, with the older threaded pill C8s coming in second. I like the upgrades to the tailcap very much. I never really noticed how recessed the old tailcap clicky was until I got the upgraded version in my hands. The switch is quite substantially easier to access now. Great job ThorFire. :slight_smile:

I’d like to see perhaps an XPL-Hi version, and/or tint options as possible future upgrades/enhancements.

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Great review, glad you had the previous model with the threaded pill for comparison. Good to see the driver was the same.

Thanks!

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nice to see them C8s all four in a row

And I learned a new word “divot”

So thanks for the review and the education!

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Great pics. Nice review.

Thanks for the teardown and comparison with the previous C8s.

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It’s a commonly used Golf term to describe the hole in the turf that the golf club tears up. There’s always a sign that says “Replace Your Divots”.
You could lay pipe in my divots. :person_facepalming:

Nice review unknown00101
This looks as good or better than a Convoy.

I believe I’ll get one to compare.

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I have both the Thorfire C8S and ME’s Convoy C8 de-domed. Adding the de-dome service from Richard puts it in the same price point as the Thorfire C8S. The de-domed C8 throws a touch further, and is a much warmer tint. Plus, for another $2.5, you have the option of guppydrv firmware.

I do really like the new tail cap on the C8S, so it now lives on the Convoy!

de-domed C8 on the right

Convoy with the Thorfire tail cap

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Oooh Cool! I just had a Lego Land moment. I was wondering if my Convoy battery extension tubes will fit the ThorFire C8 and you just answered my question with that tail-cap swap. By the way, that tail-cap looks like it was made for the Convoy.
I prefer the de-some tint. Spot looks nice as well.

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thank you for the review!

I like that new knurled Thorfire tailcap too. It is a good upgrade to have.

If we’re thinking about next-gen mods, I’d like to see a 20mm driver shelf for the GXB20 driver - a single lithium XHP50 driver. Also a 21mm bore for the latest hi-drain Samsung battery. I would love for Thorfire or Convoy to make one!

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The c8s I received in November has a 19mm driver, different from the older c8s (and the ones I see in these reviews, with the new tailcap), and regular c8 models, with a 17mm driver. The actual shelf is closer to 19.5mm on mine. I haven’t seen any new posts on this for a while, so I don’t know if it was a production change, or a fluke.!!

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I received two from this seller on Aliexpress, one late March and one mid April both had a 19.6 mm driver.

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Glad to see it wasn’t just me. Mine came from Thorfire Direct on Amazon. cncyana, is halfway to his goal. Honed to his preference (considering his screen name), would leave the tube pretty thin, but maybe do-able. It certainly does give me ideas for the + 4 of these I have (only 1 with the larger, driver). These really are the bomb for $14 or less. :+1:

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Thanks for the info guys.

DB asked J-Dub about a 20mm bore C8 from Convoy - don’t know the outcome to that question but I think the tube will indeed be pretty thin, especially at the o-ring grooves and clip grooves on the tube itself.

Convoy will need to make the tube, and thus the tailcap, larger in diameter - which is pretty much a total remake of the host. A task not likely to be adopted by Convoy, especially since the 20mm and 21mm diameter batteries are not very popular yet.

Our only hope at the moment may be the upcoming C8-sized host that Texas Lumens is working on. I say “C8-sized host” since it will probably look nothing like the Chinese C8.

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Another question. I notice some C8 tailcaps are rather long, thus making the whole light longer.

I assume this is due to those tailcaps having the pogo-pin contact instead of the standard spring?

Thank you in advance for your answers.