Shouldn’t the beam profiles of U2 and U3 be different?
U3 looks a lot bluer to me.
First of all, we don’t know if its really a U3. Second, I have two Tangsfires in my hand, one has a U2 1A, and the other a stock “U3”, and they are identical in tint, from the hot spot to the corona.
Tom E questioned if it’s really U3 in TangsFire C8:
#17
can you verify the specs listed for this light having a true XM-L2 U3?
#37
Really really doubt it’s a U3
not sure….is there anyway to tell besides opening up the light?
It’s an XM-L2! Who cares if it’s U2 or U3? Most places are still trying to fob off the old XM-L T6. I believe its a U2…what’s there to complain about?
+1
And we are going to swap the emitter with XM-L U2 1A/1C/1D (or whatever you prefer) on Noctigon anyway. 
I swapped XM-L2 U2 1A and it is exactly the same profile and tint. No difference at all. So the “U3” is probably U2 1A. As far as the slight violet tint in the corona, stop standing five feet from a white wall, go outside and use it in the wild. It is just fine.
If it’s not U3, then it shouldn’t be called U3.
If a flashlight isn’t 6500lm then they shouldn’t say it is.
My cheap UltraFire C8 “w/ U3” didn’t cost much more than the U2. If I bought the U2 instead, I doubt I’d receive a U3. IMO, paying a little extra for at least a “chance” at actually getting a U3 is worth it. I really don’t have a reason to doubt it’s not a U3 because it seems brighter than my U2s but even if it wasn’t a U3, it’s nice to have XM-L2 U3 already printed on it. 
It really does not matter to me if it is U2 or U3 as long as it is an XM-L2 . I am just curious to see what kind of numbers it puts out with the DD east092 driver. I had a c8 with an XM-L2 from Lightmalls that had great start up numbers but fell behind the Xin TD by the time 30 seconds were up. I also had the C12 from KD with the XM-L2 but it was driven much milder and started below where the lightmalls ended up but it held it very well. I really am buying this one because the OP said it is a nicely built host. I will end up changing to a Q-lite and an XM-L2 1A on noctigon anyway because an emitter driven at 4+A on aluminum star can’t last imo.
3 of my last 4 purchases turned out to be bogus.
Only this TMart C8 turned out to be the real deal. U2 or U3, I can’t tell, but cat eyes is right. We should be able to buy with confidence. This Keeppower thing is just stupid on the part of Keeppower. Why would they enable a dealer to sully their name? It would appear that they do not understand how important brand recognition and brand loyalty really is. As these lights, flashlights and home lights go mainstream, all these vendors will be going by the wayside. We are already seeing it with the lights at Home Depot, Lowes and other retailers. At least with them, you have confidence in what you buy. Notice that the Defiant triple emitter is rated at “only” 1000 lumens? That’s because it is only 1000 lumens.
I like TMart, USA warehouse.
Is there any active coupons for this tangsfire c8?
My C8 can get way too hot even with a 3A driver. I’d think it would be dangerous if it was sold a DD driver in it and I’d be wary about lending it out.
This just in…………Everything in life has a good chance of being a lie.
Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear and the rest, Well, you’ll just have to figure that out as you go.
It’s called experience.
If you are going to go all apeshit because some battery company used a wrapper that you believed to be gospel, and you didn’t like what was under it, you will continue to be disappointed.
If you want to believe a Politician that makes promises they can’t possibly keep and vote for them anyway and act all shocked when in fact they can’t deliver, don’t be surprised…
Back to THIS thread, This Flashlight works very well, If you think it’s not a U3, big deal.
I don’t know if it is or isn’t and frankly, don’t care.
I deal with things that matter, not labels.
Call em as I see em, you mileage can and probably will vary.
Later,
Keith
New coupon code is up
coupon code: tmtblf0103
Drops it down to $12.99 for me.
Enjoy!
a lot a lot disapproved leds they have bought cheaply at Cree?
color tints,bvb…
I just got mine in yesterday. From what I see so far everything the OP said is true. Nice thick tube, and good threads and seems very bright. We will see just how bright tonight when I stick it in the light box. Looks pretty comparable in out put to my Xin TD V4 but we will see. I like it. It is a little taller than any of my other C8`s except the Xtd.
I think that the best way to get the manufacturers to stop inflating their specs. is to use these forums to call them on it when they are wrong. I no longer buy a light that hasn’t been reviewed. By the way, I love the Tenergy 2600 mAh button top 18650’s. They compare well with my Orbtronic, Eagletac and Nitecore batteries and are ~$8.50 a pop.