[Review] Convoy M3 (Cree XPH70.2 , 1 x 26650) #Update 01.02.2020: Modded with Thermal Pads - New Turbo Graph added!

Well then the obvious solution is even more lumens :wink:

I just ran it partially with the electronics outside the host. The driver slightly heated up then kicked in the drop. I believe she is just programmed too low on temp kick in. I don’t have any on hand but a big dab of thermal doping will probably help. In or out, kick in is about the same time

He arrived yesterday. After switching off one chip slowly goes off. What can be the problem? Poorly soldered LED?

Niiiice. That’s the first time I see a comparison with the L6, a torch I always wanted but couldn’t get. Also more compact form factor but most importantly single-cell, with all the quality-of-life advantages of it such as no need to pair batteries from the same batch or needing a 2-bay charger to charge it in one go.

That’s not right. 5000k is neutral white, not “cold”.

I just received mine. It only took one week to ship to the UK :slight_smile:

Its bigger than I thought, definitely not pocketable, and feels very solid. Usual good Convoy quality. I am very impressed with the output, and I actually like the UI. Admittedly I have not had it long so the delay in switching modes might begin to be annoying. I am not worried by the thermal sensitivity really, as I tend to use 100% power rarely and most often when showing the light off. On the lower modes the massive runtime is much more useful to me. It seems pretty fool proof so will be the light I lend to my wife when she goes camping with her youth group.

I wonder if the next generation will adjust the current issues, which would make this light a must have.

Mine does the opposite 3 dim slowly 1 goes off straight away.

Just got mine today the 5000k version, to be honest I find it a bit 'warm' wish I had ordered 6500k now.

Comparing to my others below, maybe I'm used to the white of Sofirn lights :)

I bought the convoy m3 came to the defective light is running in turbo does not go to other modes problem did not understand my driver
works in the turbo warms up the battery quickly finishes

I can only get either an iJoy INR26650 4200mAh - continue 40A pulse 85A or an Efest IMR26650 5000mAh - continue 18A pulse 45A.
Which would be best for longer Turbo enjoyment?

nice thanks for the review.

Thermal Pad Mod

Today I decided to do a little Mod on the M3.
I received a thermal pad from eBay (they are sold for dirt cheap).



Cut two strips, split the strips in squares, stacked them and placed them inside the driver's groove.
I made sure to align everything so that the conductor sits directly on top of the thermal pads.



And the results.



This time stepdown occured at 2:40, which means that I got an extra minute of Turbo sustainability :)

First off thanks for the insightful review!

I ended buying 2 of these but with all the craziness going on in the world it’s been a month and no trackable movement so now I am getting antsy and want to start planning mods haha. Anyway, based on relative size to the diode I guess the MCPCB to be 20mm in diameter and I was hoping someone may be able to confirm? Also could anyone give me a model number from the driver if one can be found?

Long time lurker BTW, this is one of the first times I couldn’t just dig up the info I needed through searches lol.

Do you mean the inductor is sitting on the thermal pad material? Nice result.

Please inform Simon about this. Perhaps he will change his build standards and will produce flashlights with improved driver cooling.

Here’s the driver used by the M3: 9.65€ |XHP 70,2 fahrer für Convoy M3 taschenlampe|Taschenlampen| - AliExpress
I’ve measured its diameter to be 25mm-26mm, which matches the manufacturer’s description

Yes, pretty much I’ve aligned the inductor to sit on top of the thermal-pad cushion I created.

That’s weird yours steps down originally at 96sec

Mine steps down at 2m 30. I guess it will depend on the outside temp

Thanks for your review. Will this flashlight sustain 1600 lumens after turbo step down or will the thermal protection continue to throttle it further? Has Simon adjusted the thermal regulation since the first releases to allow longer turbo? Also, is the 6500K white or blue. Thanks for any help.

Thanks for the review l, definitely one. Of the reasons I bought the light, mine steps down on turbo after 4 seconds, I’ve been working with Simon on the issue, I’ve tried 5 different high drain cells that work on all my other hot rod lights, I’ve had 2 new tail spring board replacement sent and installed, it actually acted worse with the step-down, shutting the light completely off, he sent me a driver to install and I’ve never done a replacement with an electronic switch and feel it is beyond my skill at this point.

Does anyone have anymore recommendations on what the next step is, thank you and enjoy your Sunday

You should have been sent a replacement instead of agreeing to a new board.

I use circlip pliers to undo the ring around the side switch. It’s easy from there, it just slides out between the two cut out grooves

Thank you, I appreciate this, I will attempt to do it tomorrow after work!:slight_smile: Have a good rest of your evening