Convoy C8 XPL HI (v2 1a - new firmware)

MetalSir said:

Hi guys, I need some help from you.
I have a convoy C8 with XM-L2 T6 led. Since I need a similar flashlight with much more throw I'm considering to buy the "new" C8 (claiming a new firmware and fasting cooling) with XPL HI CREE LED.

I read that lumens are lower compared to XM-L2 T6 but the domeless led should guarantee much more throw.
The seller on AliExpress, Simon, seems to be very professional and suggested to me the V2 1A version (6500-7000k).

I also read that domeless LEDs like XPL HI are so powerful in throw that could be a smart idea choosing warm tint. I'll quote here what I read:

"In addition to what others have mentioned about the XP-L HI trading total output for focus, thereby increasing throw, I think it's important to point out that cool white scatters more in any haze, dust or fog that might be in the air. With a light that reaches out to 500m FL1 throw or more, you'll find some even when you thought there was none. The result is that a warm white tint lets you see solid objects better at a distance regardless of actual output."​

What do you think about? Anyone have these flashlights and can help me with my choice? Any suggestions highly appreciated as always

Tks a lot guys
M

Ps: I can link here the article if permitted.

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jorn said:

banggood now sells the astrolux c8 with a fet driver + xp-l hi led. 102000 lux. Just google "Astrolux C8 XP-L HI 1300Lumens 7/4modes A6 Driver Tactical EDC LED Flashlight 18650"
If you buy one, make sure you have high drain 18650 battery. The fet driver will push the led and the battery really hard.

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MetalSir said:

The Astrolux seems cool but I can't find any test on YouTube and any evidence or comparison with any other flashlight (including convoy C8). So I'm not confident in buying this product. If you have some comparison with other flashlights please link them here

Any suggestions on cold Vs warm light for better visibility at long distance? Tks guys

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MetalSir said:

Hi man, tks for your reply!
I'm a professional security guard and I do patrols in the middle of the night. Right now I'm quite satisfied of my C8, I just want more throw in a flashlight with the same dimensions of my actual C8. I don't want anything bigger or equipped with more than one 18650 battery. I'm quite on a budget so I can't spend much more (this is why I don't want flashlights hosting more than 1 battery, I don't wanna buy any new cell right now).

Do you think that the tint cloud make a serious difference? My actual C8 is totally cold and I really like the feel. Swapping to a warmer tint, to me, could be an option only if there are real benefits in seeing solid objects in the long distance, due to dust or fog in the air.

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KITROBASKIN said:

Excellent and Thank You. I did security in the 1980's and know it does not always get recognized for its importance.

I would say it does not make a serious difference for your work. If you like the feel of it, that is what's important. CPF members like to go on about their own preferences, and may site valid evidence but the difference is sometimes not really visible in the real world. You may come to prefer a more sun-like tint in the future. Or you may end up preferring something even warmer, but just go with what you like now. It is good to have a backup flashlight anyways. Hopefully you already have, or will get another 18650 battery. The C8 form factor really is great. Good luck!

Some would say the cool tint may do a better job of keeping you awake.

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derfyled said:

I would suggest Samsung 30Q for the battery or a Sony VTC6. They have less mAh but can deliver more amp than the EagTac. A light that has a FET driver should be driven with an high drain battery (more amps). Just be sure that you have an over-discharge protection on your driver.

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derfyled said:

The C8 has already a quite good 7135 driver. A FET driver might give you an higher start but will drop quickly in output compared to a 7155 driver. If you need a light that will keep a more constant output, go for a 8 x 7135. If you need to have a little bit less power but want a light that will run for a long time on a lower level, go for a 6 x 7135. If you don't care about runtime and just need some quick burst at maximum power, go for a FET. Please note that a FET driver might shorten the led's life (if always used on the highest level for a long time) and that the light will become very very hot if you hold it on the highest level for more than a minute or 2.

About suggesting a good FET driver, sorry, I can't help. I'm more a 7135 type... To be honest, the difference between a FET and a 8 x 7135 driver is not very noticeable, you won't see a big difference between 1000 and 1200 lumens... Don't think that there is a 20% difference, your eyes don't see it that way. Here's a a good explanation taken from Henry at HDS:

What is the logarithmic nature of my eyes? Your eyes respond to light in a logarithmic way. That means they require a significant percentage change in light output for your eyes to notice a small but visible change in brightness. A 50% (1.5x) increase or 33% (0.67x) decrease will produce a small but visible change in brightness. An increase or decrease of half that - 25% (1.25x) and 20% (0.80x) respectively - will probably not be noticed.


You are probably already familiar with logarithmic scales in other areas of your life. For instance, earthquakes are measured using the logarithmic Richter scale. Sound is measured in logarithmic decibels. If you are a photographer, you are familier with the logarithmic f-stops and the logarithmic progression of shutter speeds. Even the musical notes in an equal temperament scale are logarithmically spaced. Logarithmic scales make it much easier to represent very large variations from tiny to huge because the scale represents a progression of ratios instead of a progression of linear units. The perception of most physical phenomena by our bodies - sight, sound and touch - are essentially logarithmic. It is difficult for us to perceive small percentage changes.


Many people are surprised to find out that going from 0.17 to 0.25 lumens looks the same as going from 167 to 250 lumens. From your eye's perspective, the step size is the same in both cases - a small but visible change. Notice that in the first case we only increased by 0.08 lumenswhile in the second case we increased by 83 lumens - a difference of 3 orders of magnitude.


You might be surprised to find out that you need a 10x increase in light to produce what most people consider to be a doubling in the amount of light. Again, this is due to the logarithmic nature of your eyes


Credit: http://www.hdssystems.com/Content/LightFaq/

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derfyled said:

You're welcome sir ! :thumbsup:

I'm confident that you will love your C8. One of the best deal on thrower in my opinion. Convoy is possibly one of the best price/quality brand you can get.

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derfyled said:

The C8 has already a quite good 7135 driver. A FET driver might give you an higher start but will drop quickly in output compared to a 7155 driver. If you need a light that will keep a more constant output, go for a 8 x 7135.

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