SF 8AX/8NX rechargeables need buying advice

[bigcozy]

Played with one of these recently and decided I must have one. Leaning toward the Nirtolon, doesn't scratch and is cheaper. Couple of questions.

Can you buy the charging unit seperate?

Can you use non rechargeable batts?

8 series versus 9 series rechargeables, worth the extra bucks for the 9?

Any other comments appreciated. Only thing is I am going to have to sell my beloved E1 to help finance it.

Please ignore earlier post when I said I wasn't going to buy anymore SF's, talking out my you know what.

 

[Lonewolf]

bigcozy I would recommend the 8AX over the 8NX because the 8AX comes with the pyrex lens the 8NX has the lexan lens. Also both colors in the 8AX series are type 3. I am not a fan of the 9N series because the bulbs are in the same assembly so if one goes you have to replace both and they are at least $30 for a LA. The LA are $20 for the 8xx. Just my opinion.

 

[bigcozy]

They don't use the same LA in 8A and 8N?

What is the advantage of pyrex over lexan, that it won't be affected by heat as much?

Can you get a pyrex lens aftermarket for the 8N?

I don't want to give up anything by going Nitrolon, it is just cheaper and more scratch resistant

 

[lightlover]

bigcozy,
the 8AX and the 8NX both use the same LA, the 110 Lu X80. (50 minutes constant-on runtime for both models).

Pyrex is very heat resistant. No Lexan lens SureFire can be converted to a Pyrex lens - the way they are secured is too different. Some models can be fitted with another head, but not the 8AX.

The charging system components should be available separately, just check with your particular dealer.

You can't use anything but the B90 rechargeable battery supplied, although people have built their own rechargeable battery packs for the 8-series. (Runs at just over 4V.)

5by5 is talking about the 9N which has a LA with two lamps, (a low/high set-up), which means a replacement of the whole thing, even when just one lamp fails.

As he says, the 8AX is available in a black or Millenium grey (grey/green) finish, both are HA3.

Another idea - if you get the 2-cell 6P and also the KR2 rechargeable kit, you can run the B65 with the 120 Lu P61, with a 15-20 minute burn. Add an A19, and the 6P becomes a 3-cell 9P with a 200 Lu P91 option.

Umm, sorry, these are all in black anodised, not HA, and the 6P has a Lexan lens.
I think it's just that I'm obsessed by the idea of a really versatile system. Even though I have a black 8AX-415, (the complete system with two batteries) and love it ......

lightlover

 

[Redball]

Hi bigcozy. Just recently joined this forum and I am happy to see that a lot of people are as much of a gadget freak as I am.

I currently own a variety of SF lights including the 8NX and the 9N.

I am ex-military and have used the 9N consistently for 2 years on night operations.

During that time I have changed the lamp module three times, mainly the low output bulb going out. The bulbs are expensive, but I have gotten my money's worth not having to buy 123A batteries.

Unfortunately I can not recommend the 8 series at this time. I purchased mine 10 months ago with an extra bulb. The first module lasted less then 50 mins of intermitent use the second one about two hrs.

I became fed up and called Surefire Customer Service (great people to talk to) and they sent me a replacement bulb. That bulb lasted less then one hr. Instead of going out like the other two, this one EXPLODED when I installed a freshly charged battery!

My experience with other Sure Fire products have been very positive, I wish I could say the same for the 8 series.

 

[geepondy]

I've had both 8AX and NX. No problems on the NX for ruggedness, in fact easier to grip then 8AX IMO. Biggest difference to me is the differences in lens which has already been posted but also the 8AX metal body dissipates heat more evenly, meaning the 8NX bezel assembly gets much more hotter then that of the 8AX. Also as it has been posted in a few different topics, Surefire seems to have a lamp assembly problem with the 8X series as of late.

I like my 8AX but wish I could just plop the light in a charger when not in use (like I believe you can with the new 10X). You have to judiciously remember to keep the second battery charged because you get very little warning before a battery goes dead.