Simply put, let’s say you click on your X8 and it starts on high. You half-press the clicky until you get to strobe. Once it’s on strobe you half-press the clicky again but instead you hold it in half-pressed for about 5 seconds. You then turn off your X8. Then when you click it back on it comes on in strobe. You can do this with any of the 5 modes. So you have the flexibility to choose whatever mode you want to come on first when you want it. To me, that it is one faboo feature.
Regarding the clones mentioned. My X8 is definitely a genuine TrustFire as it came with the fancy magnetic box with foam cut-outs for the light, batts, etc., extra replacement parts such as a lens, tailcap switch, & assorted o-rings plus nice lanyard. I bought mine from DX and it was $52.80 including 2 protected TF Blue 18650’s. Additionally, it appears these clones do not include the option of the X8 running on only one 18650. The extension tube that gives that option comes with the DX version.
DX is now apparently selling two packaged versions. The $56.80 package includes a cheapo charger which needs to be loaded with two 18650’s to function properly - not good IMO. There are much better chargers like the Intellicharger i4 out there anyway. Chargers are akin to what grade of gas you put in your car. I won’t buy cheap gas that makes my car ping. I’d go with the $52.80 version.
http://dx.com/p/trustfire-x8-xm-lt60-5-mode-1000-lumen-memory-white-led-flashlight-with-batteries-set-2x18650-57749?item=10
http://dx.com/p/trustfire-x8-xm-lt60-5-mode-1000-lumen-memory-white-led-flashlight-with-batteries-set-2x18650-961057749?item=2
Note the protective fancy foam cut-out box in both packages. Genuine TF X8’s come in those unless you buy a bare unit.
I do have however a bare unit coming in from AliExpress that supposedly is a genuine TF with the extension tube which allows 1 or 2 18650’s which ran $29. If it arrives as advertised IMO it’s a grand bargain. Personally, I would only buy a genuine TF X8 regardless of how good a clone appears. But that’s just me.
Some folks complain about running it with just one 18650 because it feels “off balance” with the heavy head. Well, if they held it mainly by the head part that issue goes away. Because the X8 is so well heat-sinked dispersed you’re not going to burn your fingers off either. Btw, that head is heavy because the pill is heat-conductive massive. You want that in a blazer.
Out of all the clones listed I would go with the FandyFire. My experience has been that they make a consistently solid unit. I attribute that to most likely tighter QC standards and perhaps better machining. Again bear in mind that those clones apparently don’t give you the option of running just one 18650. For extra runtime that’s important so you have to factor what you plan to do with the X8. Nonetheless, the X8 runs just as bright on one 18650 as it does with two.
Personally and all that said, I would only buy a genuine TrustFire X8 regardless of how good a clone appears.
Postnote….Of the clones you list only the FandyFire has mode memory. Whether it’s exactly the same as the TrustFire’s that I don’t know.
