A comparison for bike / cycling: Convoy M1, Convoy S3 and modified SK68

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

This is a comparison of 3 flashlights that are only considered for using in a bike. I do not consider other aspects of these models.

The three flashlights are:

From left to right.
1.- Convoy M1, XM-L U2 tint 1B, driver of 2.8 A.
2.- Convoy S3, XM-L T6, tint 3C, driver of 2.8 A.
3.- Clon of Sikip SK68, modified by me. Led XM-L T6, driver of 2.1 A.

The M1 has a bit of advantage due to the 1B led instead of T6 for the other two models.

Another picture:

For biking, less weight is an advantage. Convoy M1 is larger than the rest…so it must be heavier. Let’s check the weights, without battery.

124 grams for M1.

67 grams for S3.

63 grams for SK68. Hence, considering weight, S3 and SK68 are very similar, having M1 the double of weight.

However, less weight means less heatsink. It is know that convoy S2, S3 and similar flashlights get hot after few minutes in high mode. Nevertheless, I have checked that this is not a problem when cycling, when the flashlight receives fresh air all the time. Do not worry about heating, unless you stop cycling. Anyway, of course M1 has a better heat dissipation.

As Convoy M1 is not very well know, let me show some pictures of it:

The driver Nanjg 105c.

Previous picture shows the two switches, top M1, bottom S3. I do not like the excessive size of M1 switch.

A couple of pictures of the pill, no hole there, and copper is employed.

A picture of the light emitted. M1 left, S3 right.

I really like the 3C tint. Some green is visible in the borders of the 1B light. Of course S3 produces more flow… what is going to be an advantage for cycling…see later. In the real use, the central spot is not visible.

Follows a picture taken on white paper.

NIGHT PICTURES.

Battery at 100%. Pictures taken completely dark. All the light comes from the flashlights.

Convoy S3. As picture shows it is very difficult to see the central spot. To be honest, in person you cannot see it. The lateral vision is great, better than the picture can show. Excellent.

M1. Much better throw. However, the central spot is too prominent. Check the sides of the picture to see the worst illumination there. The problem with this flashlight is that the central spot is too bright and closes your pupil! You cannot avoid looking to this so bright light… and the final result is that you have less visibility.

On the other hand, when cycling this central spot is moving all the time… and this is very distracting. But of course M1 is a better flashlight for other purposes.

Modified Sk68. Sorry for the quality of the picture. The picture shows the typical pattern of a zooming. To be honest, I was surprised of the usability of the flashlight. S3 is better, but a modified SK68 makes a good work. The weak point is the low duration of 14500 battery.

More pictures:


Convoy S3


Convoy M1


Sk68


Convoy S3. Look that beautiful 3C tint.


Convoy M1.


SK68.

SUMMARY.

CONVOY S3.
Advantages: best light distribution for cycling. Good weight and size.
Disadvantage:; a bit more of throw would be fantastic. Heat problems when stopped at high mode.

CONVOY M1.
Good flashlight, but too mach thrower for cycling. Too heavy and large, as well

MODIFIED SK68 .
The best option for cycling in city where short rides do not need the better runtime of 18650 battery.

2

Thanks for the summary Paco. :thumbsup: Beam profile is a matter of preference. I cycle road/trail at night and use a S3 with a warm/neutral XPG on my helmet. It has a smaller and brighter hotspot than an S3 with an XML and that is the main reason why I use it. I need a diffinite spot. I need to see clearly >100ft in front of me and for that I need some throw. The beam profile of the M1 in my opinion is ideal for my cycling personality but, the light is a bit heavy so I don’t use it… (neck issues.) If i however need a light in the 800 lumen range, I’ll definitely go for the M1 (or the shadow BL-21 :stuck_out_tongue: )…

I used a Convoy S2 with XML in a race the other day because I thought the extra light produce by the XML LED would be an advantage. (both have 1400mA drivers.) It has a hotspot similar to an S3 with XML but the side spill is a bit brighter and a little smaller. In comparison to my S3 with WW, XPG, the hot spot was almost non existant and I felt a bit out of sync with a wall of light in front of me instead of a spot with side spill… :smiley:

3

Thanks for the comparison. I currently have two bicycles which I use sk68s with cheap holders. I found a bargain on everything, so my bike lights cost about $5 total each. The light holders aren’t flexible, so about all I have that fits them is the 68.

Anyway, recently Banggood sent me a 3xml dedicated bikelight for review. I also won a single XML bike light from Wallbuys from Wallbuys. I am beginning some in depth testing of them both for video reviews. The problem is both of those lights are $30ish-$50ish. For the little bit of night riding I do, I need a light that is more useful for illuminating the road in front of me by about 15 feet and letting cars know I’m on the road. The Sk-68 does that well. The jury is still out on how well these lights will improve my night rides. I’m guessing battery life will be the major benefit over the 40 or so minutes runtime I get out of the 68 on a 14500. It will no doubt be brighter, but again the street lights provide most of the light I need around here.

4

Thanks for the review. The S3 flood looks good, but do you think it throws far enough for road/path cycling at about 30 km/h?

Also, the intl-outdoor site states the EDC18650 is IPX8 waterproof, but fasttech’s S3 listing doesn’t mention it. Can anyone confirm if the Convoy S3 is actually IPX8 waterproof?

5

you can cycling at 30km/h… however, you have to pay a lot of attention.

This is just one XM-L… you cannot ask more…

BTW, when I was taking the pictures I switch both flashlights on. The result was very similar to have connected only M1. Central spot was closing my pupile.

6

Thanks for the review! I would have to try for myself about the "central hotspot" vs. no hotspot issue. I do like that S3 though! Wonder how that M1 would do with an OP reflector (or sprayed with clear coat for a similar effect.

-Garry

7

Yes, i was going to suggest if you want a bit more throw try an S2. Or for a hotspot with more spill, an M2, but really, I don’t think a person could be too far off the mark with any of these lights for biking. I sometimes roll with a C8…and talk about tunnel vision, but I run it on low and it blends better, it’s too bright on high… I’m thinking that with an OP reflector it would be in the ball park. Those 100yd distant potholes are easily seen, tho…:slight_smile:

8

what’s the trick for strapping a light to your helmet?

9

Nitecore makes a great headband that will hold two S2 /S3 lights very handily. Or, I suppose one could resort to duct tape!

10

I got 2 Convoy M2’s that I clamp on my moped handlebars.
Judging by the beamshot pictures of the M1 and S3, the beam of the M2 falls right in between.
Although it leans more towards the M1, it doesn’t exactly have a hotspot with sharp edges, like a HD2010.
It’s more like a hot glow that fades into the corona then spill, very useful beam.
I was going to get the Convoy S2 at first, but I wanted more mass in the head to dissipate heat.
I read a lot of reviews saying the Convoy S body lights heats up fast.

11

For flood the S3 is far better than the M1. Just as an FYI though, that pill is brass, not copper. ;)

12

I cannot wear a headlamp when I ride at night because here in paradise there are too many bugs . They are attracted by the light and will fly right into your face .

( June bug in the eye , anyone ? )

Regarding throw , me and my riding crew ride fairly fast and downhill we sometimes reach speeds of ~ 30 MPH . Since we ride on a trail with curves and wildlife we need to be able to see far enough to avoid obstacles at speed .

We all use bar mounted C8 style lights and a couple of us use the Convoy M1s as well .

13

Does anyone know if the S3 is waterproof?

14

I ride with a convoy m2 and convoy s3 mounted on my handlebar with two fish mounts. I ride this set up on the road at night and I ride between 20 - 32 mph. If I ride my local mountain bike trails at night I mount the m2 to my helmet and ride with 2 convy s3’s on my handlebar. For mountain biking to keep the lights from slipping I use a two fish mount and I reinforce it with one of these http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10003997/1287400-silicone-bicycle-parts-holder-mount-tie-strap-band

15

Pls forgive my ignorance, but what’s a fish mount?

Where could I get one?

16

1) The faster you go, the further ahead you’ll need to see —-> The more throw you’ll need. (Hence me not liking too floody.)
2) I can’t say of the S3 meets IPX 8 rating but, it’ll happily handle being dunked in 4ft of water. (I did not press the switch under water since it was in a barrel of water and my arms could not reach the bottom.) Same goes for the M1 and S2 lights.

Garry, the M1 comes with a light orange peel reflector. If you want more flood, you’ll have to use a diffuser or aim for something with a shorter reflector.

I’ve cut two small groves in the center line of my helmet (with a dremel) to keep the light in the center line and zip tied the light down at the right angle. “This”:

is also available from fasttech. I haven’t used mine as yet but, if you’re attaching it to the helmet, it has to be in the center. Not all helmets can accommodate a light in the middle.

17

http://www.twofish.biz/bike.html

18

I found this Cycleblock on Ebay. Is that the same thing?

19

Yes. Same people makes it. Just a different size from the other one they make.

20

Thanks for that link! Added to my wishlist for a next purchase!

-Garry