Review: Convoy S2+ (the red one!) – Fantastic 18650 EDC

Yep… it is Simon’s shop.

Hope someone can help me sort out my S2+ dilemma.

I am trying to figure out which model to order from either Simon, or any other place is preferable?

I definitely like the metal tail switch, I am not such a big fan of the green/orange rubber ones.

Looking at the store, only the RED or BLUE lights have the METAL switch right?

It’s not easy to navigate Simon’s store there are just so many S2+ models.

I think I prefer the brightest possible light, so I guess the 7135*8 chips

and the U2-1A tint would be the brightest?

Thanks for any suggestions,

Depending on you use, the 8* version could be too powerful, making the lower modes not very useful for extended usage. My advice comes from using the light as a tool and not as a bunny burner or toy.

I have the 6* version and while at 100% it’s nice and bright, it takes less than 1 minute for the head to start heating up noticeably, and at 3 minutes the light starts becoming uncomfortable to hold. The 8* will be even worse, especially since brightness does not linearly scale with current after some point, and the two extra regulators will heat up too. Note that the driver of the light has no thermal limiting so temperature will keep rising if left unchecked. I would personally get the 4* version if I could go back in time.

Tint is preference and 1A tint falls into the most efficient U2 bin. Note that it’s quite bluish and green outdoors nature will lack contrast and be suboptimal. I like the 3B tint for general outdoors usage, it’s neutral with a very slight greenish tint.

The metal tail switch also comes with the green color. It’s a shiny desaturated green that I think looks good and is not very flashy. Simon’s shop on Ali is the best source I think.

the 7135*4 gets not too hot if left alone on high

tested that at least 3 times with mine in warm summer nights

I am pretty sure the 7135*6 will damage itself if left alone on high with a good cell

With a (not so “fresh”) Samsung 25R, my 7135*6 S2+ reached 80C on the head after 10 minutes (measured with contact thermocouple) at tailstand orientation.

I don’t think it will damage itself.

I only have the 8*7135 Convoys and I run them on high a lot. They will get hot to touch, but are fine. LEDs can actually take a fair amount of heat. The 6*7135 really isn’t driving the LED all that hard.

I personally wouldn’t trust the safety of a LiIon cell in an aluminum tube with temperatures above 80C. I’m not even sure whether the S2+ has a pressure relief system in case of cell venting, or whether it would grenade from the pressure buildup

Not sure if I’d updated this thread or not. But thought it might be helpful to share some S2+ insights since writing this review.

Firstly, despite owning many many flashlights (don’t we all :smiley: ). My S2+’s still get very regular EDC use. And are probably used at least a few times during the week, every week.

My collection of S Series Convoys has increased with a blue edition. Also worth noting the new deep carry clips work brilliantly on these.

I actually swapped in a Nichia219B into this one and a Qlite 3.04A driver. The driver swap was because I wanted a moonlight, although I’m pleased to see Simon now has an entire new driver UI available that addresses this short fall. :smiley: :smiley:


But for those interested, a driver and emitter swap on these is super easy and an ideal ‘first modding’ opportunity. The Nichia also works brilliantly in these.

Something people often ask about is durability of these little lights. To date I’ve had zero failures with any Convoy light I own.

And they fit and finish seems good. Here is my S2+ plus compared to a Klarus. The Klarus is slightly older, but they have probably done similar amounts of work and EDC use. Maybe slightly more EDC with the S2+



And compared to a Soloarforce as well.

The S2+ has held up brilliantly with practically no marks on it at all. It still looks like new.


As I like to fiddle with torches and flashlights, I couldn’t leave alone. So I’ve also fitted some TIR optics to these. And all I can say is WOW, they work amazingly well. I think Simon sells a range of optics, although these ones are some I got out of an MR16 triple house bulb.


What’s the expected run time in ‘low’ mode with 7135x8 driver on 3400 mAh battery, roughly?

What kind of optics are those?

Roughly, the low mode is 5mA…so 3400/5=680 hours runtime

They are TIR optic, available in different angle diffusion (10°, 45°, 60°…) on Simon’s store

are you talking about the moonlight mode on the new firmware or about the low mode in the old firmware? IIRC the low mode is 5%, that is 140 mA. There is no way it is 5 mA.

What’s this new firmware? How do I get that?

I just ordered the 7135x4 version from Banggood. It did not mention a moonlight mode…

I mean the firmware used in the clear edition of the C8 (New Convoy C8 – Clearly better - #2 by J-Dub74). For other models, if you order directly from the Convoy aliexpress store and request it before paying, Simon will put the driver with the new firmware (Page Not Found - Aliexpress.com ) instead of the default driver for an additional cost (I think it’s $1 or something like that)

Thanks. Is it easy to replace the driver in the S2+? Is soldering required?

You have to re-solder two wires that power the LED

My red S2+ arrived yesterday. I ordered 4 x 7135, 5B tint, 2 modes: 100% and 10%. This configuration fits perfect on my wife’s needs.
She will use mostly on max, which is around 550 lumens. Estimated run time with Samsung 30Q should be over 2 hours in this mode.
Also get high quality Convoy case for S2.

She should like it quite a bit. The red S2+ is one of the lights I carry on-duty daily (along with the Astrolux S1). It’s been a very dependable light and is almost always brighter than the more expensive lights my partners carry.

Newb here also and everyone is so helpful without making me feel stupid like over on that candle power forum or whatever it goes by. So thank you BLF!!

I was also about to ask that same question about the different Ma. Now I know.

Also does anyone know what’s up with the on/off switch? I go on to mtnelectronics website and some of the S2+ hosts show the metal switch and other colors show the rubber boot.

Can I only get the metal button on certain colors?

Thanks

Yes, the switch varies depending on the colour. Black is rubber button. Desert Tan, Red, Green, and Blue have the metal button. Not sure about other models.