Quick review of KaiDomain's XP-L HI C8 dropin and a couple of reflectors.

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

I am sure that some of you are aware of my liking the KD C8 lights, have said it many times. This is the host I am using for testing C8’s. I have 2 hosts and so far 3 pills, 1 de-domed FET driver XM-L2, 1 de-domed FET driver XP-G2 and now 1 XP-L HI. My standard outfitting for these lights is to braid all springs, or use a brass button in place of the driver spring and install an Omten reverse click switch.

KD C8

But, this review is really about their 3 mode XP-L HI V3 dropin for this light.

!

!

KD XP-L HI

The drop in came packaged very well. Included in the package were the somewhat thick insulator and a very low profile centering ring, as seen in the photo. Both fit well and were easy to install. The emitter star is copper, I doubt that it is a DTP board. At a rated 3 amps, it would not hurt for it to be replaced. But, the light spreads heat very well and I would not be concerned about leaving it stock, if you are not inclined to replace the stock driver with a FET driver.

The stock star is a 16mm star and the driver is 17mm, a 20mm star will fit in well. I have one complaint, the driver is soldered in. I would much prefer a pill with a ring retainer.

Modes are as follows, KD % ratings:
Low .01amps (2%)
Medium .88amps (35%)
High 2.96amps (100%)

The low mode would almost qualify as a moonlight mode, I really like that! The medium mode is good for anytime that you don’t need to throw a long way. The high mode is just that, really bright! I am not set up to do beam shots, but with the correct reflector and a little time the hotspot measures about 2’ at 25’. This is very comparable to my XP-G2 de-domed drop in. In town, my reference tree tops is 185 meters away and about 100 feet up, and it lights the tree top very well even with ambient light of a small town.

I have a selection of reflectors:
KD SMO XM
KD SMO
And the stock XM LOP reflector that comes with the light above.

The SMO XM reflector had a horrible beam with artifacts and a poorly defined hotspot.
The SMO (assume XP) reflector had a very tight and clean beam after about 5 minutes of tinkering with focus, you really do need the insulation spacer that is provided.
The LOP (assume XP) reflector had a wonderful beam with more spill, as one would expect.

Empty pill

Over all, this is a really good drop in. It could be driven harder, not sure I will. :slight_smile: Installation was very easy. This host also appears to have a good thermal path, a hard driven FET warms the head up quickly but seems to shed heat well.

I would not hesitate to suggest this to someone who has no desire to mod. But, I would also suggest it to someone who does not have an XP-L HI drop in for their C8 and may want to change the driver at some point.

Matt

2

Thanks Matt - I really appreciate the report!

-Chuck

3

Thanks for this. I have been thinking about getting one.

4

As the others said thanks for posting your thoughts up.

5

Nice. They also have XM-L2 for $8: http://kaidomain.com/product/details.S024708 — looks like the same driver?
Maybe a savings for anyone planning to swap emitters.

6

Nice. They also have XM-L2 for $8: http://kaidomain.com/product/details.S024708 — looks like the same driver?
EDIT — I do like the description of how that driver is set up, and agree it’d be a pain to desolder.

Maybe a savings for anyone planning to swap emitters.

7

If you are looking for an empty pill, here you go…
KD C8 pill

8

Thanks for sharing , Matt .

I just ordered a couple of one mode KD C8s .

Would anyone know if the KD V2 driver can be configured for 1 mode use ?

Or is there a good one mode driver out there with 2.8 amps ?

9

If so, just about any can be 1 mode, assuming they are running an Amtel MCU. I am sure that Richard from Mountain Electronics could set you up with a single mode Qlite as well. I think, but I am not sure… that a basic 105C with out an MCU and with a couple of parts added can be made to run 1 mode, full out.

Someone here will correct me if I am wrong.

10

Thanks for the reply , Matt .

I do not flash drivers , so it will have to be a purchase for me .

I have seen a thread here and there with instructions on how to mod a driver to one mode , but the drivers shown were always ones I didn't have .

11

Have you experienced any discoloration in the beam center or anything?

12

I did notice that the beam center seemed to be off color with the XM-L reflector. But, with the XP-L reflector it is flawless.

RustyJoe, have you noticed something with the same drop in or with the XP-L HI?

13

I have noticed that the beam from my KD C8M3T2 shows the square LED very faintly in yellow, right in the centre of the spot. But its only visible on a white wall, up within 20 or so feet. Outdoor usage - can’t detect anything. Just a nice white.

14

Yes. The BLF TE Maxtoch thrower, and the Eagle Eye with XP-L HI, both had a slight yellow miscoloration noticeable on white walls up close. Annoying, but not a huge issue.

15

That is what I noticed as well. For me a reflector change fixed it. Maybe reflections off of the flat dome?

16

I don't know, but that issue has been stopping me from buying quite a few XP-L HI lights.

17

It is faint alright, but annoying. What kind of reflector did you use to kill the yellow ?
Did the beam profile change ?

18

Update :

I just received my two 1-mode OP reflector XML2 KD C8s. ( I prefer 1-mode lights for bike lights as they don’t mode shift when traveling rough terrain . )

Well anodized host with no branding at all . The clicky button is flush with the tailcap , so tailstanding is possible . The tint appears to be 1A or so , the hotspot is warmer than the slightly blueish spill .
The OP reflector provides a nice transition between hotspot and corona and the beam is very bright .
A classic flashlight design at a good price .

19

These are not square threaded, I doubt that they will fit the Thorfire.

Here is a link to the pill.

As far a the reflector goes, I chose to use the following SMO with the XP-L HI.
Reflector

20

Hi Jack

Yes. KD V2 driver can be modified to be 1-Mode only.

If you need to do that, please let me know.

Best Regards

Ban