Review: Four-way Convoy S2/S3 mini-review

So what you are saying is that the S2 has a better beam than the S3, and since fasttech sells a 2.8A version, I need to buy it. Right?

Try using a Sanyo 16650 in your D25C2. A perfect fit.

I’d definitely recommend the S2 over the S3 for a general purpose EDC. The 2.8A version gets hot quickly on high, but if that doesn’t bother you, go for it. I’d probably go for the 2.1A driver, myself. Either way, it’s hard to go wrong for less than $20.

I never knew such a creature existed, and yet there it is on intl-outdoor’s web site. I think I’ll add one to my next order and see how I like it.

Thanks for the suggestion. :bigsmile:

Yeah I already ordered the 2100mah S3, but I think I will ahve to order the S2 now.

Did you notice if any pocket clips fit them?

Great review. Wish I had read it before I bought.

Just got my 2.8 Convoy U2 from Fasttech today. And like you, every time I thumb through the modes, I keep waiting for there to be one extra mode to push it into real turbo. But I can see why they did what they did, I think. Overdrive it any more and you could boil a can of soup on it.

Having said that, it’s a great little light. Nicely built. Takes unprotected and protected 18650s. Small. About 3/4” shorter than a 501B; 1/2” smaller than the Ultrafire 2100; about the same size as the dismal (horrible beam, low power) SacredFire NF-918. So the size is definitely right.

The flood has its place for walks and around-the-house use where you don’t want to burn out your eyes.

But where is that turbo mode?

Oh and the ability to turn off disco modes is STELLAR!!! Manufacturers take note: Hide the blinking modes or just kill ’em altogether. They are annoying beyond words. Tear-out-your-hair annoying.

Thanks for the great review!!!

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I tried a Solarforce L2 clip from solarforce-sales.com. It physically fit between the tailcap and body, but the tailcap did not make electrical contact. It might be possible to make it work by shimming the contact ring in the tailcap to compensate, but I haven’t done that yet.

The S2 body is 24mm in diameter, if that helps your search.

Thanks, Ubehebe.

It is a decent little light; I’m actually quite impressed with the build quality. And if you need a “room sweeper”, the S3 is your huckleberry.

I’ve played around with the S2 a bit more, comparing it to the Eagletac P20C2 and D25C2. The S2 beam profile is almost identical, and conforms well to my idea of an all-round EDC.

Good point on being able to disable the disco modes. That was the first thing I did to each light, but I failed to mention that.

Have you checked if we can add a few more 7135’s easily? Get that turbo?

>>>>>Have you checked if we can add a few more 7135’s easily?

I should know how to do that, but don’t. Is there a BLF FAQ kicking around about it?

Hi
My “S3 convoy” arrives tomorrow, my only 18650 are Nitecore, do you think that will take? I am somewhat concerned, I think they are too large.

>>>>> do you think that will take? I am somewhat concerned, I think they are too large.

I noticed kind of an odd thing with the S3 — so you may have a battery issue, but maybe not. I can use keepower protected, Fasttech’s Samsung and sanyo protected, teneregy, etc. But here’s the deal. The threads are anodized (or painted), so the only way you can get a contact is to screw the cap on +ALL+ the way until it contacts the body tube. The tube top has the paint removed, which contacts the switch retainer ring. If the battery is too long, you can just remove a patch of paint on the tube and cap and that will give you a contact with the cap not screwed down all the way for long batteries.

I can see (I think) why they did this. You can leave the light in an “unarmed” state by unscrewing the switch cap by like a 1/2 turn, if you want to leave batteries in it for a long time and are concerened about shorts or whatever, or the battery draining over time. However, the downside is that some longish batteries fit pretty snugly, maybe too snugly. I get a driver whine when I use the fasttech sam/sanyo longish protecteds. Probably nothing to worry about, but maybe it is. Looking down in the barrel, the extra pressure could be causing the spring to bend and touch one of the chips or chip contacts? Or maybe it is just a peculiarity with the fasttech protected circuit.

Another neat feature: The s3 blinks when you get down to about 3 volts left in the battery. I should have let it go and see if it shut off the battery, but I didn’t. :–0

The more I use this light, the more I liike it.

Thank you very much for your quick response.
Tomorrow I will find out.

What about this clip at Wallbuys? I have no idea what diameter it fits though - any ideas? Ah, I see it's for a Jetbeam PC20 - EDIT - no, I think PC20 is just the clip's model number, it says "Suitable for:T20,T25,M20". Gotta look up those diameters.

-Garry

Ok that clip seems to be for an Olight T20 which is stated as being 24mm diameter.

-Garry

Fenix clip with an O-ring works as well. Pictures of the Fenix clip in the other EDC 18650 thread.

I wonder if the intl' outdoor clip would fit through the lanyard holes of the S2.

The issue with that is that it would hit the switch boot. I think someone mentioned or did use a clip like that but drilled new holes instead. Which probably would be better as to not intrude onto the switch boot.

Maybe a small countersunk bolt would fix that problem without having to damage the anodizing? The main question is, would the distance between bolts fit? For the rest I would find a way to make it work.

Now I have S2 with T5 5C and 1,4A driver.
The best EDC light :bigsmile: