DuckhunterInTN
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I have the opportunity to purchase a new 8AX for a very good price and was just wondering what everyone's opinion was of it?
Opinions on the Surefire 8AX Commander?
- Thread starter DuckhunterInTN
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Carpenter
Enlightened
I have one. I love it, but don't need it for the job it was bought for. I bought it for crawling under desks and hooking things up, but it is too bright for that purpose (100+ lumens). The L1 fits that need now. The B90 rechargable batteries will last 45-50 minutes normally and with the quick charger, you can recharge a cell from the car. The light also has next to no electrical resistance in it's design since the B90's has a positive and negative connection on the same end. The LA connects directly to the body without any current flowing through the body. A very slick design IMO.
Pellidon
Flashlight Enthusiast
Good light. Similar beam to a standard Stinger to my eyes.
If it does not have the updated charger, that blinks when the light is fully charged after it goes green, you will need to get a new charger from SF or use an alternate charger to keep your batteries alive. I used the MAHA 777 until I got the new charger.
I have the 8NX Nitrolon version and the L7 LED version. It is not uber bright but it is good for the task.
If it does not have the updated charger, that blinks when the light is fully charged after it goes green, you will need to get a new charger from SF or use an alternate charger to keep your batteries alive. I used the MAHA 777 until I got the new charger.
I have the 8NX Nitrolon version and the L7 LED version. It is not uber bright but it is good for the task.
NotRegulated
Flashlight Enthusiast
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I have had the 8NX Nitrolon version for many years. It is about the same output level as a standard Streamlight Stinger. I used to use it daily during that time. It is a good light. The AX version is very durable. The weakest point would be the rechargeable batteries.
It is a single purpose light that works in that role very well. It is also expensive relative to other products. I feel it is also a bit dated in today's market. For those who need it, the light lacks flexibility. There is no practical way to upgrade this light other than a custom battery stick for a longer runtime. There is only one lamp/bulb available. You have no options to power it with primary batteries once the rechargeable is exhausted.
I still like and enjoy mine. The beam is flawless.
If you you do not need the flexibility or are not going to carry it around it may fit your needs. If you are going to carry it around you would be better served with an G2L or 6PL which can be run on 17670 rechargeable li-on batteries or primary batteries, will be as bright, will be much lighter in weight, smaller in size, same runtime, and less expensive to purchase.
It is a single purpose light that works in that role very well. It is also expensive relative to other products. I feel it is also a bit dated in today's market. For those who need it, the light lacks flexibility. There is no practical way to upgrade this light other than a custom battery stick for a longer runtime. There is only one lamp/bulb available. You have no options to power it with primary batteries once the rechargeable is exhausted.
I still like and enjoy mine. The beam is flawless.
If you you do not need the flexibility or are not going to carry it around it may fit your needs. If you are going to carry it around you would be better served with an G2L or 6PL which can be run on 17670 rechargeable li-on batteries or primary batteries, will be as bright, will be much lighter in weight, smaller in size, same runtime, and less expensive to purchase.
I always liked my 9N more then my 8X- for the two levels.
... would not get either of them now. Smaller sized lights with led are brighter while running longer and usually offer lower light levels also.
Plan on making Your own batt sticks with good Ni-Mh cells (4000 mA and such), then You get something that might be called runtime.
(but better get a good 18650 Li-Ion cell Led light)
... would not get either of them now. Smaller sized lights with led are brighter while running longer and usually offer lower light levels also.
Plan on making Your own batt sticks with good Ni-Mh cells (4000 mA and such), then You get something that might be called runtime.
(but better get a good 18650 Li-Ion cell Led light)
DuckhunterInTN
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Thanks for the comments guys. I was able to get the light for right at $100. I just purchased it at lunch. :naughty:
Pellidon, I will check to see about the charger. Surely with it being brand new it will have the updated charger.
NotRegulated, I agree that there are probably better lights at a smaller size, but at this price I thought it would make a good "by the door" light for the house.
Yellow, Can I make my own battery stick and still use the incan bulb? I don't believe they offer an LED dropin for the 8AX, do they?
Also, a question for everyone:
Is it ok to leave the battery on the charger all the time? I don't want to damage it or make it lose some of its life by leaving it on all the time.
Pellidon, I will check to see about the charger. Surely with it being brand new it will have the updated charger.
NotRegulated, I agree that there are probably better lights at a smaller size, but at this price I thought it would make a good "by the door" light for the house.
Yellow, Can I make my own battery stick and still use the incan bulb? I don't believe they offer an LED dropin for the 8AX, do they?
Also, a question for everyone:
Is it ok to leave the battery on the charger all the time? I don't want to damage it or make it lose some of its life by leaving it on all the time.
Carpenter
Enlightened
I believe the battery can remain on the charger all the time. Once the (new) charger has the battery completely charged it will go into a trickle charge mode that will keep it fresh and ready.
NotRegulated
Flashlight Enthusiast
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DuckhuntgerInTN,
Thats a fantastic price. I would have bought if for that price too.
Thats a fantastic price. I would have bought if for that price too.
NotRegulated
Flashlight Enthusiast
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SilverFox
Flashaholic
Hello Duckhunter,
If you leave the battery pack charging all the time, no damage will come to your house, but it will dry out the battery pack and you will get extremely reduced performance.
You will be better off charging the pack then removing it from the charger. Every 3 months, or so, swap the extra battery into the light and charge up that battery.
If you are using up a battery pack every week, please ignore my previous comments...
Tom
If you leave the battery pack charging all the time, no damage will come to your house, but it will dry out the battery pack and you will get extremely reduced performance.
You will be better off charging the pack then removing it from the charger. Every 3 months, or so, swap the extra battery into the light and charge up that battery.
If you are using up a battery pack every week, please ignore my previous comments...
Tom
Carpenter
Enlightened
NotRegulated
Flashlight Enthusiast
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I was able to get two of SilverFox's custom GP 3700SP battery packs to replace me stock B90's for my 8NX. The light runs much longer, stays charged longer and the beam is a bit whiter and brighter than what you get with the stock battery.
SilverFox,
If you find new cells that perform well be sure to let us know!
SilverFox,
If you find new cells that perform well be sure to let us know!
DuckhunterInTN
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What is the approximate rate of discharge for these batteries?
NotRegulated, Yeah, it was hard to pass up. Apparently I just missed getting a rechargable mag for around $40 and a polystinger for around the same price too.. Oh well...I did get a Surefire M4 for $140...:naughty:
SilverFox
Flashaholic
Hello NotRegulated,
I just ordered some Saft cells to try out. I have heard very good reports about them, but right now they are out of stock. As soon as the new stock arrives, I will put together a couple of prototype packs and test them out.
Tom
I just ordered some Saft cells to try out. I have heard very good reports about them, but right now they are out of stock. As soon as the new stock arrives, I will put together a couple of prototype packs and test them out.
Tom
SilverFox
Flashaholic
Robocop
Mammoth Killer
This is one workhorse of a light and follows the style of duty lights I wish for and that is simple in usage and make. The light has no fancy stages or switches and simply works when you need it to do so. I carried one on duty for years and eventually sold it to another member long ago and yes it still worked fine.
I most appreciated the light for its toughness and I am not sure as to what type glass is used on the lens but it is amazing. I had mine foe at least 3 years and not one crack after several drops. I even used the light to bust a few windows when needed and again not one failure.
Honestly the only reason I switched to another duty light was simple brightness. At 3.7V the light was enough for patrol however there are many more lights the same size now with 9 or even 12 V set ups with similiar run time. I do miss my old Commander 8AX however do enjoy the added punch of a higher output duty light.
I most appreciated the light for its toughness and I am not sure as to what type glass is used on the lens but it is amazing. I had mine foe at least 3 years and not one crack after several drops. I even used the light to bust a few windows when needed and again not one failure.
Honestly the only reason I switched to another duty light was simple brightness. At 3.7V the light was enough for patrol however there are many more lights the same size now with 9 or even 12 V set ups with similiar run time. I do miss my old Commander 8AX however do enjoy the added punch of a higher output duty light.
really wondering on all the (especially) Fenix-bashing, while lights I dont consider more rugged always come through with being considered THIS rugged
:thinking:
the tube of the 8X has a wall thickness of 1 (?) mm - all the way from behind the threads to the end. Then add that really "rugged" end switch part ...
.. sure it survived my 15 years of heavy use, including to be mounted to MTB-bars numerous times, so this seems to be the sidewall thickness a rugged light still works on,
but compared to an actual led light in size 2AA, 2 CR123 or 1 18650, there nothing it is better, not even more reliable. Add its single level and the short running original batts ...
PS: I never dropped it and would bet on the batt no longer leaving the light when it hits with the flat side on a pointed object (say a stair) from 1 meter - a "test" any light survives now, even the cheap DX parts
... probably an indicator how extremely and crazy picky we have gone the equipment why this is not necessary?
Carried one onduty for almost 8 years, and just replaced it with a Tiablo A8S. It's a tough durable light. I'm still on my first lamp assembly. My two batteries run for 45 min and 20 min, so one is shot. Good brightness and throw, but it's been overtaken by new developments. However, it's a good light for the non-flashaholic who won't take care of it.
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DuckhunterInTN
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Robocop
Mammoth Killer
If I remember correct when I first purchased mine it was still very new to the public and I did have a few battery issues. Surefire sent me 4 replacements within a week and I never had another problem with the B-90s batteries after that.
Yellow I really did not understand what you were trying to say however if you are saying the walls were thin I never had an issue with mine. It was simply a rugged and very simple light that always worked for me. I must have dropped mine at least 30 times over the years and sometimes at a full run onto concrete. Many times the lamp was on when dropped and luckily I never had a failure. The switch was simple and effective and must have had thousands of activations on it with zero failures.
I would not hesitate to carry this exact light again however again with so many higher output makers these days the output is simply not as good as many others. If I remember correct the tint was very brownish even for an incandescent. In spite of a brown tint and 3.7v output this light served me very well for years....no doubt I would still be using it now if I had not been spoiled by sampling various 9v duty lights.
Yellow I really did not understand what you were trying to say however if you are saying the walls were thin I never had an issue with mine. It was simply a rugged and very simple light that always worked for me. I must have dropped mine at least 30 times over the years and sometimes at a full run onto concrete. Many times the lamp was on when dropped and luckily I never had a failure. The switch was simple and effective and must have had thousands of activations on it with zero failures.
I would not hesitate to carry this exact light again however again with so many higher output makers these days the output is simply not as good as many others. If I remember correct the tint was very brownish even for an incandescent. In spite of a brown tint and 3.7v output this light served me very well for years....no doubt I would still be using it now if I had not been spoiled by sampling various 9v duty lights.
