Flashlight purchased with Brian's Input

I know there is a flashlight thread but I wanted my own so the title would show.

A little background.
My wife, ML, typically does not walk the dogs at night. We have coyotes around. In November she did and was amazed at the brightness of the Slyde 250 lumen LED flashlight we have. She wondered if there was something brighter and a touch smaller. I mentioned that Brian ( ShadowsDad  ) had started a thread on flashlights and maybe she could ask him.

She PMed Brian and he provided excellent advice  on all that ML would need. I mean flashlight recommendation plus the color tint and lens type to get. Battery suggestions and a charger as well. He provided links to everything.

I placed the order and kept Brian appraised of the details. The flashlight was hung up somewhere in China. Brian sent emails asking about the flashlight. I think he was at least as excited as ML about this. Maybe more   The flashlight arrived yesterday.

This is the flashlight, the spare battery and the charger. I like that this state of the art electronics are pictured with a pewter oil lamp that we dine by.


This is a scale picture of the light.


This is the LED.


The flashlight is a Convoy C8 rated at 1000 lumens. It is 5 3/4 inches long.  It is made of machined aluminum and has a solid feel. While lightweight it does not feel cheap. I ordered the brightest color but this light does not have a characteristic blue tint so I may have something else. More on that later. I also got anti reflective coating on the lens.
I ordered two batteries, one in the flashlight and one being charged. I also ordered the charger.


I had charged the batteries awaiting the arrival of the flashlight. It arrived yesterday. I brought it into the house and let it warm to room temperature. I put the battery in and handed it to ML.  We tried it in a darkened room and were underwhelmed. Did not seem overly bright.

Once it was dark enough we took it outside to try. Wow what a difference compared to the indoor test. Very bright. We have a 100 yard long driveway. At the end is a tree. I had two other LED flashlights. Shining toward the end of the driveway you can tell there is something there and most likely a tall tree trunk. Then we aimed ML's flashlight at it. You could tell it was a tree, see the scale of the bark and all the trees in the forest across the street. Just amazing.

Our two test flashlights throw light with a blue tint. I expected this to do that as well. But it throws a clear "daylight". I rechecked my order and it was for the high output blue tint so I don't know why the difference. But it does not matter. The light is bright. We can easily see the dogs in our woods to keep an eye on them. Though they may not like being spotlighted as they tend to business And most importantly ML loves it.

So a heart felt thanks to Brian for all his input and help. I admit to perusing the Budget Light Forum he mentions. But it was much easier to get Brian's help. He was very through and concise. He gave the "whys" for each of his recommendations. It was very helpful. And as I mentioned he was very excited about the whole process and ML getting a suitable flashlight.

Phil

I have 3 of these. Wonderful.

Thanks for the review and the kind words Phil.

The blue tint isn't noticeable to me either. To me it just looks like daylight. The ultra blue tint you describe on other lights is from, OK, I'm going to be brutal because the manufacturers deserve it, cheap Chinese made LEDs. They are known for that horrible blue tint. They reduce the amount of coatings that correct the blue to whitish, and thereby increase the brightness but at what an expense! The tint on those are just horrible. You have a CREE LED and not Chinese. That's why I suggested you go with the supplier that I linked to. You also got pretty much state of the art as it exists in a commercial C8 today. I got 5 counterfeits before I figured out what was going on (long story) and I didn't want that to happen to you and your wife.

PhilNH5 and ShadowsDad, I am not surprised. Brian is our "go to" for so many things that might not be shaving related (as well as shaving related, of course ).  He almost literally walked me through his 'no knead' bread (and, sorry Brian, it is you who 'held my hand' through the process so the credit is all yours and not the person who posted the recipe) and it came out to perfection.  Phil, I am not the least bit surprised that Mary Lou and you are delighted with your flashlight.  Brian is a perfect mentor.

A quick update. When I first posted this review it was after one test. That was outside during a snow storm.
I used the flashlight the next morning (the dogs like to go out at 6 AM). There was no snow falling. I was amazed at how far the beam reached.
I did not realize how much light was reflected back by the falling snowflakes in my initial test.

We have used the flashlight for almost a month now. It is used at least twice a day. The morning and night time dog walks. They are great for reaching deep into the woods to keep an eye on the dogs. Just incredible brightness and reach.

I swapped out batteries after 3 weeks use. The flashlight is not on much but always on high for maximum brightness. I took Brian's advice and purchased two batteries. One in use in the flashlight and the other charged and then waiting to be swapped out.

It is a great little light and I love using it.

Phil

I was wondering how it was working for you but didn't want to be a pest. I'm so glad you like it and that it's doing the job. Does your wife ever get to use it? :-)

Phil I turned my brother onto the lights also. He has a Q8 coming his way when they're finally produced. I told you about it, it's the 4000+ lumen "soda can" light. Anyway, I mentioned about the Manker E11 that I bought and lost within a week, so he had to buy one. He was telling me how when it arrived he was wondering what he'd use it for. Now he keeps it on his person, same as I do, and uses it frequently. BTW, he lost his E11 within the first 12 hours but recovered it. I might find my lost one when our snowbanks melt.

So I mentioned about a light slightly larger light than the E11, but with about the same output and reach as your C8. It uses a cell the size of a AA and special circuitry to do that magic act. Yup, he has one on order. It can be a slippery slope if one allows it. FWIW, that light wouldn't have been a good match for you. On full output the cell is drained fairly rapidly.

Another light that you might like is the L6. That's an off the shelf light that's available right now. I have mine rigged with a sling and it hangs at my belt line for hands free operation. Unlike your C8 with a tight central beam, the L6 has a much wider beam and lots of spill. It will easily reach out 100 yards, but does it with sheer output, 3000 some odd lumens at maximum. Everything about the light is bigger than your C8 (including price) but slung, one doesn't even know it's there.

If you want to better understand the Li-Ion cells we use there is a Nova show on PBS, The Search for the Super Battery, or some such title. It helps to understand the dangers and why we do some of the things we do with Li-Ion cells. Such as the importance of recycling a cell that gets dented or damaged. OK, it doesn't state that, but it's not hard to read between the lines. It has some impressive video of cells in thermal runaway and shows the future of cells that are absolutely safe with 2x the capacity of what we're presently using.

I can go on can't I ? :-)

Just a quick update.
Now that fall is in the wings it is getting darker earlier. Last week I found I needed a flashlight for the dogs evening walk.
I last used this flashlight some time in may. When I grabbed it last week I was amazed at how bright it is. And how well it has held it's charge. Still shining bright after using it twice a day for walking the dogs. It is a great little light.

Phil

Glad you're still liking it!

Li-Ion cells have an approx' 3% self discharge rate per year. It varies a bit from cell brand, model#, and such, but figure on 3%.

I don't think I told you about this Phil, nor do I think I posted it. But I was recently reminded of it.

Some time ago I commissioned a gent from the BLF (budget light forum) to make a C8 for me to my spec's. It's one heck of a huge performer and designed for throw. It resides in my EDC pack along with other EDC gear. Your light has a reverse clicky switch. The custom one I had built has a forward clicky so that I can tap it to have it come on momentarily. It was the first that this gent built that way.

My other, and easier to get to EDC pack light is a BLF designed A6 "tube light". Another great performer, but a flood beam with a reverse clicky.

But clipped onto my pocket is an always with me Emisar D4 that gets used for everything. It's max' output is just phenomenal but it's not what you want for your use. It will overheat at max' output (my version) in 12- 15 seconds. I almost never use it in that "dragster mode" but it's nice to have when required. I mostly use it to supplement existing light. Just today I was putting canned items away and I used it to light the deep interior of a cabinet; that sort of use. But blinding light (to others) is just a double click away.

Every time I use these lights, especially the Q8 with the diffuser, I'm reminded of Gandalf on the bridge, "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!". Folks into the movie will understand.

Another brother from the same mother requested I get him a Q8 and he just bought another at full retail. He loves the thing. He has "sold" maybe 4 others where he works. Folks see it and want one. During the last power outage NH had (ice) one of those gents had his Q8 in hand and cells charged and thought it was fantastic; great timing!

They are definitely not granddads 2 D cell flashlight.

Anyway, I had to share.