Of the Convoy S2+ flashlights available at Mountain Electroncs, which one is the floodiest?
Unless I missed something at Mtn there is only two options with a complete light.
A xml2 or a xpl hi, the xml2 version will be much more floodier than the throwier xpl hi.
The xml2 is a 5050 led with a dome, the xpl hi is a 3535 led dedomed. Smaller die with no dome wins for throw.
Thanks Bond. James Bond.
As far as I understand, XM-L2's die size is the same as XP-L (check: Cree XP-L V6 2C led, tested against XM-L2 T6 3C…). But without dome (XP-L HI) apparent die surface gets about halved, which means around twice the intensity (Cd) and twice (√2)x the throw (m) for the same output. 
Thu, 03/12/2020 - 16:52
The hosts to build your own S2+ on MTN seem to be mostly out of stock but building your own in a host with a driver and LED also from MTN might be a better option if you want to go that route with better components and firmware than the factory built.
With those that are factory built there's a few differences depending on which color you choose.
The Sand and Clear S2+ have a smooth reflector and an XPL-Hi LED in either cool white 6500k or neutral white 5000k and 7135*6 driver that can supply up to 2.1A to the LED.The driver is soldered to the brass pill
The older colors(Red,Green,Blue) have an orange peel reflector and XML2 LED and 7135*6 driver that can supply up to 2.1A to the LED that's soldered to the brass pill.
The Red,Green,Blue,Sand and Clear hosts and factory built S2+ from MTN come in a foam lined Convoy White Box and nice lanyard.
These MTN S2+ have coated steel springs and aluminum MCPCB and metal reverse clicky tail switch.
The MTN black host and factory built S2+ have rubber tail switch,OP reflector and 7135*6 driver.....no nice box,standard lanyard.
At this time MTN doesn't stock the orange,cyan and purple color S2+ or the gray model with the SST40/5A driver.
Where can I find a tutorial on building a light using a Convoy host?
First, spell it: Convoy
Then use the Search box (upper left corner of every page here)
Try a likely string like “Convoy host build” and see what’s here
I have never measured it but from here the xpl hi is smaller, not by much though.LED Package/ Die Sizes - WIP -
In pratical purpose about the same as you said. Without the dome though the xpl hi will win the throw contest.
If your looking for flood the xm-l2 is the better choice.
If your going to build your own S2+ and your looking for flood, the xhp50.2 3v might be a better choice. They’re pretty floody in a S2+ reflector.
By the way, just noticed a (now corrected) slip up in my previous post. It is because the formula for throw is:
Throw = √(intensity / illuminance)
Units: throw in meters, intensity in candelas and illuminance in lux.
The ANSI-NEMA FL-1 standard defines the level of illuminance as 0.25 lux (that of a full moon, give or take). So:
Throw = √(intensity / 0.25) = √(4 × intensity)
You can read the following article: ANSI-NEMA FL-1 @ Flashlight Wiki
Thanks
Bruno,I'm fairly new to this also and if you would ask a dozen members which parts to use in an S2+ custom build you may get 12 different answers.I've built 7 S2+ with the hosts from MTN.My avatar has 3 triple LED S2+
MTN has only 2 of the blue S2+ in stock.The other nice colors are sold out until a new batch arrives from China.So not much choice other than black,gray and blue.
The blue host has orange peel reflector for better floody
S2+ host
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=66&product_id=581
MTN 17DDm bypassed driver with wires (with Bistro firmware?).
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=67_117&product_id=663
Luminus SST40 LED on 16mm Noctigon copper MCPCB
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_130&product_id=879
The tail cap spring should also be by-passes with 22AWG silicone pre tinned copper wire or .075" copper braid.For 1st build I suggest the wire.By-passing the steel springs with the wire yields less resistance.
The Samsung 30Q 18650 battery is a good choice for this build.I buy mine from the 18650batterystore.com
Thanks for the info wtp.