Recently the Convoy S2+ is now being sold by Convoy with either the Luminus SST20 or Nichia 219c LED. Both default configurations offer the SMO reflector.
Out of interest I purchased the SST20 version and was surprised that the ‘hotspot’ is small (ie more of a thrower), much like an XPL-HI with SMO reflector.
I guess I incorrectly assumed that because the SST20 has a dome shaped LED it would be more like an XML2 and offer lots of ‘flood’.
I understand that the reflector contributes to the tightness of the hotspot (OP vs SMO) but the LED itself must also have an impact on the throw as an XPL-HI will still offer more throw than an XML2 even when running the same reflector.
Question: Does the 219c offer the same sort of tight, thrower like hotspot as the SST20 does?
I already own the S2+ with SST20 4000K and find the hotspot too tight. I was preferring more flood. Fitting an OP reflector helped a little, but it was still tight. I found the OP reflector just smoothed out the edges of the hotspot and not really improved the flood. In any case it’s still a great light so I’ll happily keep it.
Yes I agree the SST20 does provide a very nice colour and tint, but I find this is only after putting 1.5A - 2.8A through it. On lower current/mode it looks a little green. I assume this is normal?
-The size of the led die is very important in determining flood/throw.
The SST20 is tiny compared to the XML2 that is why it produces more throw in the same reflector.
-A de-domed led increases the light angle, so more of the emitted light will hit the reflector and become throw.
Johm, I do understand what you mean now. I incorrectly assumed that the shape of the dome contributed to the flood but yes the SST20 die is tiny. Thanks for pointing this out!
On another note, I see in Convoy’s store Simon now sells a C8+ but with SST40. When I look at the SST40 from google images, it appears this die looks large like XML2 (not small like XPL-Hi or SST20)
Can we hope for a tight and far throw with C8+ SMO and SST40? I have C8 with XML2 and the throw was not so great, but my C8 with XPL-HI produces great throw.
And that’s the point, I am looking for indoor use light, more flood, in camping, 10m max distance, in tent, reading and so on.
I have one XML2 and it looks little rosy, 3D in ANSI. Would rather have 3C, don’t like this red colour. But I guess Nichia 4000K nad SST20 looks little rosy, right?
Hmm I can’t get quad, planning to put this LED in S2+ to have small, low power camping light. I am so close to get this Nichia 219C 5000K, but I’m afraid it is little bluish. Maybe I should buy both 4000K and 5000K and find this out myself. And SST20