There is no denying that for anyone who mod, especially with hand tools, copper is the way to go. Its just easier to work with. That is why everyone use it. Me included...
There is no denying that MRsDNF makes the holy grail of copper pills that everyone drools over.. :love:
But this is not about modding in general, its mostly about the C8 and HD2010.
One argument some use is that copper should or might help with emitter life, but there is absolutely no reason for that. If you want longer emitter life you want to run the emitter at a lower junction temperature. Copper mcpcb makes the LED run at a lower temperature, which is why there is increase in output.
A copper pill in those lights have shown zero flux increase in the 4A range compared to aluminium pill. If there is zero gain, that means the emitter is running at the same junction temperature as when using aluminium pill. Which means no increase in emitter life when using a copper pill..
Just for reference, picture showing output vs temperature.
Junction temperature is basically measured under the LED die (as far as I have seen). Under the LED die is the built in heat sink in the emitter, then there is solder attaching the emitter to the mcpcb. On top of the mcpcb is normally a dialectic layer, then the baseplate of the mcpcb, then thermal paste, then pill, then flashlight body.
Once the dialectic layer is gone and mcpcb base is copper (Sinkpad/Noctigon upgrade) People should worry more about getting the mcpcb attached to the pill as good as possible instead of focusing on copper pills which basically give you zero gain in those lights (or most lights in general).
Nightcrawl have refereed to tests that showed no gain with copper pill even over brass. Tom E have tested copper C8 pill in the 4A+ range and there was no gain in that case either.
People could claim/hope that you just need higher current in order to see the advantage but we are talking about a C8 and HD2010 here, both single cell lights. Even with resistance mods and high current 26650 cells you will not stay above 4A for a long amount of time. And for people who normally use protected 18650 batteries (Sanyo/Panasonic), peak output will normally be around/below 3,7A to a single XM-L2. And it will decline down towards 3A fairly soon...
Im all for copper, im all for optimizing light output, but in terms of performance, which is the main reason most buys these. Based on what have been documented so far, its not worth it from a performance point of view..
Btw, very recently I ordered a complete Convoy L4 (on sale), cost me about the same as a copper pill. Based on what I have seen on pictures, the L4 does not have a pill. It seems to have direct thermal path to the head. Its even got tapped holes and screws for the mcpcb. Might be a worthy alternative/host for people who are wondering if they should buy a copper pill for a C8 light..
Picture borrowed from this revew.
