It works, but thats about it.
The switch is as distinct as a spunge, and the light output has some weird rings in it. The colour is more red/orange then just red.
And now and then it starts to flicker a bit so you have to give it a whack for it to come alive again.
Though, I’ve been using it in a very rough environment for a while so for that price I guess you cant ask for more.
It’s time to get a new one.
Looking at DX and BG there’s a few candidates, but I have no idea if they are good or not, or if the spec’s are totaly of the map.
My knowledge about red led’s are just about zero…
I think the Kinfire WF502 could be a good one, it suits my needs pretty well.
No reviews of it though.
If anybody has some suggestions of other lights, I’ll be happy to hear them!
Wishlist:
Small and compact (501B is perfect in size and weight, could be a bit bigger and heavier but not much).
Single 18650 cell.
More of a flooder then a thrower (not going to use it for hunting).
A zoomie could be OK, as long as it’s not too weak/fragile.
A couple of regular modes to adjust the output.
No blinky modes (strobe could be OK, but no SOS)
More output then my present light in the first link.
Price up to $30
This might lack the oomph you want, and break the budget at $38.00, but you should be aware of the option, it is a pretty cool light for it’s size, and the red is very convenient.
The King of 18650 EDC small sized lights with a red light as bonus has to be the nitecore EC21. Im not sure what you mean with red light, i think you mean a EDC light with additional red light function, i doubt you mean a light with red light only. The EC21 is super small and has an additional red light and voltage indicator. With the correct coupon code you can get this light for about 35 dollar
Can you build your own? I have a Convoy S8 that is a triple, but with 1 red led and 2 white led’s. It’s very compact and has brighter red mode than most other lights, and a white mode over 2000 lumens. If you had to have someone build it for you, it would be way too pricey, but if you can do the work yourself it would be around $30-35.
Take it from a red led flashlight builder, if you want a true red, DIY/BIY or get someone to build it. Your best choices for deep red led are 660nm Cree XPE or Luxeon Rebel. Most anything on the retail market is orange/red 620nm. Mentioned above is a most excellent idea of using a 3up star mentioned by PD68 to get “white & RED” in one light.
In case you haven’t yet: clean the threads (both head and tailcap) — wipe with alcohol — and apply some “bulb grease” conductive lube (auto parts store).
And look inside the tailcap; if its’ threaded inside holding the switch in place try tightening that (needle nose pliers in 2 little holes or notches).
That can solve a lot of flickering problems. After that, you’ll also know how to take the switch apart, they’re pretty easy to replace.
Thanks for the recommendations so far!
Just to make some things clear, that might have been “lost in translation”…
What I’m looking for is a flashlight with just red light. No combo with white/red, just pure red light.
And the body of the flashlight must be in black, or maybe some very dark grey.
I’m gonna use it in dark environmets when I dont want to mess with my eyes dark vision, so using a combo light that starts with white light is not an option. And if I want just white light, I dont want it to start with red light…
Two separate swithces might work, but I suppose thats pretty hard to find.
I have a EE X6 SE that serves as my regular EDC flashlight, and a BLF A6 on the way.
18650 is a must, couse I have like 25 pc of brand new Sony VTC4 at home. So AA or AAA cells is not an option.
I’ve tried to clean the threads, thingtened the retaining ring in the tailcap and checked the solderings in the head, but the problem is still there. As I said, I’ve been using this light for a couple of years now and it has taken a lot of beating, so I think it’s time to replace it anyway.
Building one myself could be an option, if there’s no good “out-of-the-box” lights out there.
But in that case I need help from you guys to select the right components.
Just putting all of the things together would not be a problem, finding them however…
Would it be possible to change the led in a S2+ to a red one? If so, wich one should I choose?
Not sure if its easier to buy a complete light and just change the led, or buy a DIY host version and try to figure out what other parts to use…
The S2+ has everything else I want. Size, shape, weight, beam. Seems perfect for my needs!
Commercially? Sort of. It’s a slightly modified FET+1 driver.
OP: if you buy a host and a red LED, the only other thing you need is a driver. However, Convoys are so cheap it’ll probably be almost the same price to just buy full light and swap the led.
I like the idea of the C21C! But since I already have a EE X6 SE as my main light, I feel that I don’t really need that one.
Also I’d like a bit more output from the red led.
Still wondering if the XP-E2 from MTN Electronics will work with the 6*7135 version of the S2+…
Does anybody know how much lumens the red version of the XP-E2 will produce with 1,4A or 2,1A from the driver?
MTN Electronics says 77 lumens at 0.35A, and 196 lumens at 1A. Should be a way to recalculate that I guess?
I’d guess it’s like the XP-E2 amber, for which RMM’s page says:
But why listen to me? I’m just some guy on the Intertubes (yes, I”ve built S2+ lights with as close to 1.9A as I can get, which is five of his higher-rated 7135 chips, and they haven’t blown up yet)
RMM knows. Let him have his Thanksgiving holiday and ask him next week.
EDIT
Oh, wait, I put “maximum recommended drive” into the Search box at RMM’s site, and found this:
