I am new to the group and very new to the flashlight world. When I say new I mean I have no idea what I am doing. I am in search of information to build a far throwing green hunting light. I would like to project a beam around 200yards. I don’t want it so narrow that it is hard to pick up at 100 but still want it to be bright at 200yards. They sell the exact light I am looking for on tacticalhuntanddive.com but I cannot get ahold of the company I believe they went out of business. Their blinder series is something similar to what I am looking for. If someone has built their own and could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. A parts list and a how to would be great. Also I need it dumbed down to a extreme degree since I literally have no clue what I am doing. Thank you in advance for and advice.
Their “blinder” is what’s called a C8. If you can do some simple soldering, you can get everything you need to build your own from mtnelectronics.com and be under $40, even including batteries and charger.
I’d be more detailed with links but I’m mobile right now
That blinder style of light is what we all call the C8.
I have no idea of the capabilities of a Green LED emitter for throw.
KDLIGHT C8-COLOR Cree XP-E2 Green 530nm 400 Lumens 3-Mode LED Flashlight - Black ( 1x18650 )
Ok if you could provide the information that would be great I appreciate your reply and look forward to hearing back from you. Thank you again
You can buy a Convoy C8 XPL HI V2-1A plus new driver UI and AR coated glass
for about 25$ at simons shop without modding it yourself
C8
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Convoy-C8-with-XPL-HI-LED/330416_32651190452.html
Driver
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/7135x3-7135x4-7135x6-7135x8-with-new-firmware/32734523412.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.OSVnyt
Or he fladhes the stock driver for 1$
Beamshots with that Convoy C8
I also got a more pocketable light the Eagle Eye X6 with XPL HI V2-3C
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Eagle-Eye-X6-CREE-XP-L-HI-V21A-1200LM-4Modes-LED-Flashlight-18650/32446517329.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.OSVnyt
Got a nice CC driver with 4 modes plus hidden strobe ant stepdown timer and has AR glass
C8 X6 and 1” light
I forgot KD sells a pre-made green C8. I say go for that one if you need green. Good link vw
Ok a friend of mine has one of the blinder lights and it measures 41.81mm wide by 30.74mm tall. And the what I am assuming is the light bulb is Nanjg rohs 106a I don’t know if this helps any. Thank you
Would green even be usable at 200 yards even driven to the max on copper?
I feel like an XPL-hi, at 3amp in a c8 would be struggling at that distance.
I do need green I feel that is shows up better at night over red not to mention some of my scopes have illuminated red reticles.
spent too much time on there today… wanted translucent tailcaps and escalated to 20+ items in cart.
And some more information about the KD Light C8.
You can buy a variety of swappable inserts with a Huge selection of LED emitters and drivers already installed.
C8 has optional remote pressure switches for weapon mounting, but you may want to get a Single Mode drop in emitter an driver option for that.
Think the Green I linked above has a Smooth (SMO) reflector. But you can also buy an Orange Peel (OP) to help smooth out the Hot Spot center beam. SMO will have a bit more distance or throw.
Here is a link to “C8” search on KD site.
KaiDomain.com C8 Search
For less that $100 you can have enough batteries, charger, 2X complete C8 lights, spare reflectors, and a few built inserts with different LED. I suggest an XP-L HI in the 5000-6000K range.
Thank you for all the help I believe I will go with the kd.
Which green emitter would you recommend for the brightest light?
What do you mean by built inserts?
Which inserts would you recommend for my application?
I don’t need strobe or anything like that just a solid beam I really don’t need a high medium and low setting.
Is there any other configuration that might be better than the c8?
Is there any other modifications I can do to make it brighter/ throw further?
Thank you again you guys have been allot of help.
The new convoy driver can be programmed as you need it
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/7135x3-7135x4-7135x6-7135x8-with-new-firmware/32734523412.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.Qoap8a
If you replace the original aluminium MCPCB with a direct thermal Path one you can overdrive the LED adding more 7135 chips on the driver
Just swapping from alu to DTP MCPCB should give you 10% more light as the LED is more efficient at lower die temperatures
http://intl-outdoor.com/noctigon-xp20-v2-mcpcb-cree-xpl-v6-3d-led-p-811.html
For better performance use a Convoy Host without pill
Here is just one example of a built insert for a C8, Not Green but on the warm side of Neutral White
I personally would build my own with my choice of emitter and color temp. But I know nothing about the Green colored emitters and their current requirements.
Empty brass pillars are here for building your own.
DIY 26mm(D) x 13.5mm(H) Copper Driver Pillar Set for C8 LED Flashlights
Knowing nothing of the Green emitters I would buy the complete light.
But with spare brass pills I would get a serious thrower built in a White emitter.
Can you and are you equipped to solder up your own light? This opens possibilities a lot more.
Yes I can solder.
this host
(out of stock right now)
or this host, which will allow you to twist the head to “zoom” your beam wider or narrower
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=66&product_id=580
this led
this driver
Have Richard take off 3 or 4 7135s unless you’re comfortable desoldering small parts. Also have it flashed with guppydrv so you can choose mode#7, which is high only.
These batteries ( I know these will fit, probably others will as well)
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_88&product_id=50
(out of stock right now)
This charger
(out of stock right now)
That should give you some ideas. Hope it helps
I second basically everything vwpieces has said. As a total beginner to this, I say buy the KD C8 that comes with the green emitter linked in post #3. Then later (or now if you want) you can buy extra pills (the brass part that all the guts go into to make light) that are either pre-made, or empty to make your own like was linked in post #13.
Now, about batteries. Are you familiar with 18650 Lithium batteries? If not, it’s something you should read up on before jumping in. We can give links to good deals on batteries if you tell us where you live. Shipping internationally has become a problem for lithium cells.
No modify convoy c8.
I don’t really know anything about the batteries as far as a technical aspect.
Number 1 rule about batteries and chargers: Don’t buy anything just because it’s cheap.
18650 batteries are one of the most faked products ever. Some sellers have fakes and they don’t even know it. A fake battery might just give you awful performance, or it might be a dangerous fire hazard. Do some research, then only buy from sellers you know aren’t selling fakes. The same for chargers, only buy a charger that has been tested as being trustworthy.
Also, these batteries are not like normal Alkaline batteries. You need to be somewhat careful with them and make sure you don’t physically damage or short them out (don’t throw one in your pocket with your keys for example). If abused they can spew toxic fumes or even explode. Some batteries can be bought with active protection circuits built-in for extra safety.
Now that you have been warned, as long as you are careful they can be quite safe (we all use them every day) and quality does not always mean expensive.
Are you in the USA?
What makes one light brighter than others?