The S3 has an integrated head that should transfer heat better than a pill, it is several mm shorter, and (IMO) looks better than the S2/S2. Why does it not get the same attention from BLF and modders that the S2 and S2 enjoy?
I don’t own any Convoy lights (yet), but I do get the impression the C8 and S2(+) are the standbys for many here on BLF. Looking at the S3, I am curious to the answer to your question as well. Seems like the better choice (unless for some reason, it’s not as easily mod-able…which I don’t personally do….yet).
EDIT: I mean, from the looks, with the U-shaped tail cut-out, the S3 might not tail-stand as easily….but hey.
Just bought my first S3 Host and it arrived last week. I have not even taken it apart to see what it’s about. But certainly going to be a single emitter light.
I don’t know about it’s attention but It’s integrated head is interesting.
I really like the aesthetics of this light, but it’s not a good go-to because of the integrated shelf design which makes it harder to mod. I vastly prefer a removable pill design, making it easier to disassemble, modify, replace emitter, etc. This design also makes the connection with a good spacer for a triple build worse than a brass-pill design.
My personal favorite is the Convoy S6, which has the removable pill, sleek design, and no branding:
…Just found my post here from back when I found my S3 wasn’t as described…
Can you use a protected cell in the S3? The S5 would not accept them.
It works, but it’s pretty tight.
Panasonic 3.4Ah protected
But my S3 in grey is modded - triple XP-G2 and the RMM FET-Driver.
That is my EDC since I built it - I just love this light.
hmm a S3 head, S6 tube and S4 tail would have my preference
Thanks.
S2+ is extremely popular for triple mods, that is harder with an S3 because of the integrated head.
I also personally think the S3 is the least attractive looking of the bunch
I have a few S3’s .
I like the shelf, and the SS bezel. Sold or gifted my S2+s .
I did have a S3 with shorty tube from S2+ worked great. I tried shorty tube on another S3 and it stuck.
Not hard to mod to triple at all.
the reason i ended up with S3 and not S2/+ is because mtnelectronics only sells the fat copper spacer for a triple LED conversion for the S3 so that summed it up right there (Because who doesn’t like a 10+ amp 3k+ lumen 1 cell flashlight?)
Just fell in love with the F8! that one in matte black (flat black) would be awesome.
yeah, the integrated head would mean everything you craft has to be an exact fit and you’d have to mod/build/solder inside the cavity. It is feasible in the C8 because it is a bigger light (everything worked on my second attempt) but since the S3 is smaller I’d have to see it in person. with enough time and patience everything can be done though.
Doesn’t look too bad but the S2+ is my favorite.
Haha, that’s why I made sure to note that the S3 looked good - in my opinion!
I guess I though more people would go for the potential performance increase of the integrated head, even if it did make modding slightly harder.
The S3 triple in my earlier post is my most dropped light. The shiny bezel keeps it looking nice.
On max you can feel heat reach the outside head almost instantly.
I never found the S3 attractive… in fact I think it is the least visually pleasing light from Convoy.
Took a better look at the S3 Host. Appears it now has the Flat Black finish as on the newer production models. I like that. But no pocket clip groove… don’t know why not. I would never “deep pocket” an 18650 light. Maybe a clip on a pocket.
I just bought it to try something different than the S2 or S2+ I have too many of already. Wanted to get an S4 before they are NLA. Maybe I should have gone S4 just to have one. My S3 Host is not at the top of my build list.
Idk if the integrated head really makes that much of a difference here. The pill is a lot of mass — in fact that extra mass is a big draw for me — and has quite a few threads into the head. On a triple mod, an S2+ can be scalding hot in under 30 seconds, depending what you put in it. I almost prefer slower thermal response to protect my hand.
No metal clicker on the S3. 
True. I’m really surprised Convoy hasn’t made that metal clicker switch available as an accessory or upgrade for their other lights, considering how popular it is. They’d sell a ton.