Convoy C8 Flashlight Review

The Convoy C8 is a 18650 cell flashlight, in this instance using a Cree XP-L HI emitter. The mechanical switch rounds out the package.

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Convoy C8 XP-L HI Official Specs

Convoy	C8
Color	Black
Mode Group 1 (3-Mode)	5% > 40% > 100%
Mode Group 2 (5-Mode)	5% > 40% > 100%> Strobe> SOS
Lens Type	Glass Lens
Mode Count	3/5
Reflector Type	SMO
Switch Placement	Tail
Switch Type	Clicky
Tail Stand	Yes
Light Source Brand	Cree
Light Source Model	XP-L HI
Lumens (Max)	992.8 LM
Batteries Included	No
Battery Form Factor	18650
Required Battery Count	1
Head Dimension	44.5 mm
Length	143mm
Diameter of body	25.6 mm
Product Weight	145 g

Led Options	Tint
XP-L HI V2-1A	6500-7000K
XP-L HI U6-3A	5000-5200K
XP-L HI U3-7A	3000-3300k

The above section contains the manufacturer’s descriptions and claims, not my impressions or results.

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Short Review

Convoy quality (excellent) at Convoy prices (excellent). Impossible to go wrong with this light; it’s the perfect combination of components for a small thrower. Definite buy.

Long Review

The Big Table

Convoy C8
Emitter:	Cree XP-L HI (U6 3A)
Price in USD at publication time:	$17.00
Cell:	1×18650
Turbo Runtime
LVP?
Switch Type:	Mechanical Clicky
On-Board Charging?	No
Claimed Lumens (lm)	1000
Claimed Throw (m)	–
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s)	2750lux @ 4.37m = 52516cd
Throw (Calculated) (m)	458.3^
All my Convoy reviews!

^ Measurement disclaimer: Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.

What’s Included

• Convoy C8
• Lanyard (attached)

Quality, Build, and Disassembly

By now everyone knows what to expect from Convoy (I hope!) – if you don’t, be advised that Convoy makes very high-quality lights. This is no exception. The anodizing is nice (though, maybe slightly thin), the threads are square-cut and well lubed. The head has nice thick fins and decent mass generally for great heat dissipation. The reflector was very clean and had exactly zero defects. The spring in the head is very thick and sturdy (but not bypassed or double sprung). And you can see the 7135 resistors (there are 8 total). The glass lens is held in by a crenelated bezel. I know Simon knows what he’s doing, but I’d love to see more mass in here, and some fins going up the side of the head to get rid of more heat.

The “new version” c8 has an integrated aluminum shelf. The old version has a removable aluminum pill. If you’re building your own, note that you need a 17mm driver, and 20mm MCPCB. Both the head and tail end thwarted my attempts to unscrew the retaining ring – I am not sure if the built models from Convoy have loctite or I’m just too weak to unscrew them. I will say I was rather forceful (but add that I did not really have proper tools for that job)….

The tailcap also has a thick spring, which is not bypassed or double sprung. It works great at keeping the battery secure, but I like the brass button on the XinTD light better. The tailcap has anodized threads, so the battery tube side with anodized threads matches up to that.

All the parts one needs for flashlight joy.

Package and Manual

One of the simplest packages I’ve seen thus far. A very thin cardboard box (and I do mean cardboard [not corrugated], and I do mean thin). However, mine was in a shipment box, inside a shipment bag, so it was well protected. I’m not sure how it’d ship if that’s all I ordered, but probably bubble wrap at least. (?) Has the usual GearBest sticker.

No manual was included with the light. This is why Convoy’s official page for this light is necessary: it describes the UI and how to change the modes etc.

Power

Power is provided by a single 18650 battery. I found every type I have fit just fine (protected and unprotected, button and flat top). Convoy makes no special requirements on the battery either (ie, doesn’t require a high drain or anything).

Here’s the graph. I think the output of medium cooled v uncooled is actually the same – I did the tests on different days with a potentially different setup, so…. essentially just observe the very minimal difference in runtime, not strictly the difference in “relative output %”.

High terminated at 3.10 V.
Medium terminated at 2.96 V.

Note that in any mode where LVP kicks in, the light will bounce from approximately 1% output to zero…. (Light will stay on at 1% and flicker Off). I’m really not sure I love this because it does continue to use the battery – difference in my listed termination is probably when I shut the light off. IE I am not sure where the light will stop the 1%/0% flicker, or if it’ll actually drain the battery completely.

User Interface and Operation

User input is from a single reverse-clicky tail switch. Probably easiest to paste the UI from Simon’s site and work from there (emphasis mine).

 Default mode:   
      2 groups
           Group 1 (3-Mode): 5% > 40% > 100%  
           Group 2 (5-Mode): 5% > 40% > 100%> Strobe> SOS  

 Notes:   
 1. **Mode memory function**: if the flashlight is turned on more than 3 seconds, current mode can be memorized.  
      Turn it off and then turn it on, still the original mode.  If less than 3 seconds, turn it off and then turn it on, it goes
      into the next mode.
 2. **Low voltage protection** function: when the voltage of battery is 2.9-3.1V, the flashlight flashes 2 times/sec with 
      low brightness, it's a low voltage alarm.
 3. **Battery reverse protection**: if your battery is reversed, don't worry, no any problem will happen.

My light is the default 2 mode selection. To pick between those, turn the light into Low mode and wait 5 seconds. When the light flashes, click (half or full click will work), and the other mode group is now selected. What you’ll note here: this means every time you turn the light to “low” you’ll have a flicker after 5 seconds. Is that the end of the world? It’s not, but there should be a more finessed approach to changing mode groups. (Maybe I should be happy that mode groups are an option: my XinTD does not even have this option.)

The UI is simple and easy to grasp. It is reverse clicky. I like forward clicky lights myself because I like having a momentary option. If you like a reverse clicky, then this is great! If you don’t like it, then just replace the clicky with a forward, and while you’re at it, change the driver for something very fun from Mtn.

The UI as is does have memory as mentioned above. I don’t really love mode memory (I prefer most lights to start on low). And thankfully also has low voltage protection.

GearBest only offers the default 2-mode selection. On his store site, Simon offers more choices but each of those choices has fewer groups. So the offering at GearBest does seem to be the most versatile of the choices.

LED and Beam

The led, a Cree XP-L HI, is surrounded by a smooth reflector. Being a smooth reflector, and an XP-L HI (ie, factory dedomed emitter), one should expect the beam to be quite intense. The Convoy C8 is. It’s a great thrower. (The best thrower your boy here has, as a matter of fact!) When testing the Convoy L6 recently, I was genuinely surprised to note that the XinTD C8 throws better than the L6. The L6 isn’t a thrower, granted, but it’s just so much light. The XP-L HI will throw better than the XinTD C8, which throws better than the L6….

There’s light spill, but really, not much. Most of the light is nicely directed as you want – throw to an intense spot.

Beamshots

These beamshots always have the following settings:  f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level, and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.

 

Retention

There’s a lanyard included and attached to the light. The light will still tail stand very easily, as the lanyard does not interfere with a flush tail area. There is no place for a clip, nor should there be – the head would make it hard to pocket…. And there is no pouch provided with the light. I’d say that’s one place the package could be more robust – a Nylon pouch would be a great addition to the package.

Size

Size is quoted as 44.5mm x 143mm x 25.6 mm. It’s a pretty typical C8 size, though shorter than my XintD C8. Here you can see it sized against other lights you may know and love. Almost as long as a dollar bill, but much more narrow. The battery tube is the same length as an 18560.

Random Comparisons….

This isn’t really a random comparison, but I did compare it a lot to my XinTD C8, which is the old model. It’s a little longer. Ok maybe a lot longer. The anodizing on the XinTD is shiny and I’d argue, thicker (maybe better). The breakdown is pretty similar. Different drivers, but that’s expected. Tailcaps are vastly different – the XinTD has a brass spring button.

Summary

Pros

• So much throw.
• Small light (especially considering point number one).
• Well built
• PRICE!

Cons and Conundrums

• I’d love to see a GITD (or even LED-lit) button come stock
• No nylon pouch

Final Thoughts

I love this light and I’m very happy to have it in my arsenal. It’s a great thrower – all I need – and extremely well built. I recommend you buying a bunch!!

Parting Shot

Maybe in your dreams.

Parting shot for real though.

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Notes

• This light was provided by GeraBest for review. I was not paid to write this review.
• This content originally appeared at zeroair.org.  Please visit there for the best experience!
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