Hi - I can see Int-Outdoors has back in stock the XinTD C8 XM-L U2, for $29.95. I've read the reviews and I'm sure this is a super flashlight. Still this is a budget forum and before I pull the trigger what other comparable (and cheaper) C8's are there? Below is just a sample, I'm interested in what you would buy if you had to do it again.
How about the KD C8? Here is the 5 mode with OP reflector. There were reports of under-driven models, but mine proved to be driven at 3A once I made my own thicker meter leads.
This is the only C8 XM-L I have, so I can't compare it to any others. I do like it and haven't had any issues.
I was also looking at the UltraFire C8, can someone also inform us what is the difference with the C10 models? Seems the only difference is the depth of the reflector?
I have three different ones. Ultrafire, Citipower and Romisen T601. Mine is the older Romisen from Shiningbeam. It only has two modes and I hear the new ones are better with a lower low mode and a brighter high mode. The Romisen is my favorite of the three I have. It's brighter and throws better than the other two. It's also the most expensive by about $10.
If you can afford it, the XIN TD C8 is a much better light in terms of overall quality of driver, host, fit and finish, and the Neutral beam (which is important to me). Of my other C8 lights, the KD is probably the brightest, and I think the PrairieFire fits well into that group (if you can still get it).
BTW, once you learn to hate having to cycle through blinky modes, you will gladly pay the $10 not to have to do it.
I'm leaning towards a KD-C8 and then updating the driver. I don't care about the 5 buck saving over the XinTD, I just think something is personally worth more if you put a little effort in to it.
Ok here's the Noob question: I'm sure there's a link on this. Need advise on building a dropin, heatsink-thermal epoxy-soldering-jumping and customizing the driver.
I'm happy with the $12 "C8" I purchased from eBay, but only because it has the tighter hotspot/deeper reflector design. https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/7421
After replacing the driver, it has been an excellent light. I still don't know what this unusual light is, as I haven't been able to find it listed specifically on any site...