[Review] Convoy S2+ my point of vew

The S2 + model of the Chinese brand Convoy is well-known to many people, but I'll try to give my opinion and points of view.

The flashlight falls into the category of everyday carry, but has the ability to perform many other tasks. Its popularity is mainly due to the affordable price and numerous configuration and modification options. In the various Chinese online stores is in the range of 10 to 20 dollars.



I could say that the Convoy S2 + is a kind of platform and everyone can customize it according to specific needs.

By default it is equipped with several types of diodes and drivers that allow a certain amount of current to pass through the emitter, as well as controlling the various lighting modes.

I will summarize the various options in a table below. With a choice of diode, driver and high-discharge battery, more than 1000 lumens can be achieved, which is quite impressive for the type of flashlight..

Emitter

Tint

1050 mA

1400 mA

2100 mA

2800 mA

XP-L HI V2-1A

6500-7000

490 lm

623 lm

860 lm

1067 lm

XM-L2-U2-1A

6500-7000

450 lm

623 lm

860 lm

1067 lm

XM-L2-T6-3B

5000-6500

460 lm

582 lm

803 lm

996 lm

XM-L2 T6-4C

4300-4500

460 lm

582 lm

803 lm

996 lm

XM-L2 T5-5B

4000-4200

430 lm

540 lm

745 lm

925 lm

XM-L2 T4-7A

3000-3200

395 lm

499 lm

688 lm

853 lm

XM-L2 T4-7C

<3200

395 lm

499 lm

688 lm

853 lm

The Convoy S2 + works with a 18650 battery, but an 18350 adapter is available on the market. I still can not confirm it personally, but I assume that if you use such a battery, the weight will be significantly reduced, but it will also directly affect duration.


You can buy it in several colors. Available colors are black, gray, silver, red, blue, green, and desert. The control switch can be with a silicone cuff or metallic, the metal can also be in several colors, as well as backlighted. Some say the metal button compromises the water resistance of the flashlight.But I think that it looks better.

I ordered a plain, gray with silicon button. It arrived in a plain white box, and there was only a lanyard attached.. In addition, I ordered a clip, making it a bit more expensive. I chose a warm T6-4C diode and a driver that supplies 1400 mA current. Since my idea is mainly to use the minimal mode for dog walks in the evening, I want to have a good color rendering (I'm bad with eyes and cold diodes irritating me) and maximum duration . I had the idea of attaching it to the Fenix headband and using it as a headlamp, but because of the larger diameter this can not happen without modifying the holder (I have not done it yet).




The dimensions of the flashlight are designed to fit well in the hand. The body is made of aircraft aluminum with a solid anodized finish. Its length is 118 mm and the diameter is 24 mm. The diameter of the reflector is 17.5 and its depth (estimated) is about 14mm. The body diameter does not change along the entire length of the flashlight, and this can also be taken as an advantage and as a drawback. Kurling is not aggressive, I'd even say it's pretty smooth. Sometimes, the flashlight slips from my hand and only the lanyard saves it from falling. The advantage of the uniform profile, however, is that it will be easily mounted as a bicycle light or as light for firearms. It's also very comfortable to wear in a pocket, and when pulling out the flashlight,, it does not catch anywhere.





The weight without a battery is 81 grams, and with a Samsung cell 2200 mAh - 127 grams.


The diode is well centered, and the reflector is an orange peel type, which provides a very floody and wide beam, with the center point smoothly overflowing to the periphery. The difference with Fenix PD35 is tangible (I can only compare it with). The safety glass is usually without an anti-reflective coating. However, if you decide that you need it, you can order extra. There is also a hidden phosphorescent O-ring between the glass and the housing.


There are also two larger rubber rings on both sides of the battery tube threads. I guess the water resistance will be good, but I did not try it.

The threads are long enough, with trapezoidal profile. Those on the side of the cap are anodized and if you unscrew the cap slightly you can mechanically lock it- the flashlight can not be activated accidentally.



The cap is designed so that the flashlight can stand. Also, as an extra option, a magnet can be placed around the button and thus greatly enhances the flashlight functionality. The cap profile is cut off, which means that pressing the button with the thumb is comfortable. I tried it with gloves as well - no problem.

Convoy S2 + has springs both from the side of the head and from the cap. There is no problem with the use of protected batteries or those with a flat positive contact. However, there is some limitation - the maximum battery length is 67 mm. Also the springs help to compensate any vibrations if the flashlight is used for bicycle front light.

Two types of clips are sold - one that I have attaches to the body. It's deep pocket carry. There is another option that is fitted with screws and nuts in the belt holes. I liked the first one, because it can be quickly removed if it is not used.

The flashlight is controlled by the "reverse click" button of the cap. The interface works in the following way - fully pressing and releasing turns the flashlight on and off. Pressing slightly changes the modes.

The driver has two groups with 3 and 5 modes, respectively. The difference is that the second group adds strobe and SOS. In order to change the groups, you have to be on the lowest mode. After about 5 seconds. the flashlight flashes. Right at this point, you must turn off and on to toggle the groups. It's a little annoying if the flashlight is only used at th low mode, but you can get used to it.

At the lowest mode, it lights at about 5%, the middle is 40%, the maximum, the strobe and the SOS are at 100%. On my flashlight they are 29 lm, 233 lm and 582 lm.

The low mode gives me about 30 meters of good illumination. I didn’t measure the other two modes but it easily reaches more than 100 meters.

.

I have not tested the duration of the different modes for different modes, but I have been using it for at least 2 hours a day for quite a week, often changing the modes to compare it to Fenix.

What I like about Convoy S2 +:

- the wide variety of options;

- compact physical dimensions;

- comparatively low weight;

- the ability to stand upright;

- beam width;

- the color of the diode;

- the price!

What I do not like:

- may slip out of the hand, especially when using ordinary gloves;

- there is no possibility of instant on;

- in a "straight grip" it is impossible to change the modes with one hand;

- it is not possible to immediately turn on strobe or maximum regime;

- flashes to change groups when running low mode;

As a conclusion I can say that despite the listed cons, Convoy S2 + is a very good budget flashlight and I can honestly recommend it. It is hardly possible for this price range to find another brand or model that offers such diversity.

Hi kiak! Thanks for your review and points of view :wink:

You summarized some things very well :wink:

Please just let me say some things about this light as well, that you may already know, or not!

To use it as a “headlight” there are some headbands that “allow” you to use this light as a “headlight” despite its design!
Here you have 2 of them (from AliExpress, but you can search them in other stores):

- https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-shipping-flashlight-headband-for-22-30mm-flashlight/330416_1532841941.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.18c659e1jyJUaK

Also, unless I didn’t saw that information, you didn’t mention where you bought the flashlight. Please notice that there are some places where you can buy them with a 3/5 modes driver (Gearbest, Fasttech, Banggood, ….) but you can also buy it with a the Biscotti driver installed on the Convoy Store in AliExpress .

There you can ask Simon Mao to install the Biscotti driver on your flashlights.
This driver allows you to configure a lot of options and output levels including:
1 - configure it to have 100% on the first click (with or without memory)
2 - have strobe in 1 click (with memory settled in some group levels)
3 - not having “flashes” to change modes
4 - Always start on low modes or high modes, depending on the group you choose !

Also, you can ask Simon to incorporate a “forward switch” in you flashlight so that you can have “mometary on” feature with half click.

Hopes this helps! And being a new member here, welcome aboard :wink:

Thanks for keeping this as a simple primer for those who aren't intimately familiar the S2+

Thanks for the warm welcoming, MascaratumB!

I bought the flashlight from Fasttech, because at that point the price was the lowest.

After that I started reading here in the forum about the Biscotti driver, the Aliexpress oficial store and so on. I would not mind to test the driver ( If I decide to keep the light). May be it doesn’t make sense to bother, because I’m waiting for BLF A6 to arrive.

As for the headbands - I’m aware of those, that you showed. One problem (and that is why I don’t like them) is, that if you want to change the angle, you have to move the whole band. I’m adjusting it frequently, especially when the weather is not so nice. With the Fenix headband it is very easy and convenient.
I decided to enlarge my flashlight collection and solved the problem by ordering Skilhunt H03!

The links that you gave could be very useful to someone who is planing to buy the Convoy S2+, or any other model. Thank you!

@Terry Oregon
A month ago I was not aware of that flashlight as well. When I took it, I thought that it would be good if I can share what I know, like or unlike.

Nice review.
Just to add. New Biscotti driver also has twice fast PWM than old one.
You can also check Eagle Eye X2R and X5R on AliExpress store. They are nice budget flashlights too.

I was thinking to mention PWM in the review, but I forgot. Anyway, it is with enough high frequency and it is very hard to see. I had to shake the light really fast, and even though i hardly noticed it.
Thanks for the other budget recommendations - I’ll take a look.

Nice review of a great flashlight! :smiley:

The lumens of the XPL HI V2 are not right

993 Lumens @2.8A 25°C Tj

those are taken from Cree LED comparator tool, so OTF lumens will be lower lens, reflector and LED temperature

There’s no need for a high-discharge battery with S2+.
Nearly dead laptop pull won’t do, but any high-quality battery should be fine.

Anyway, nice review, thank you. I haven’t seen the magnet trick before. :slight_smile:

a stock Convoy S2+ wont hit 1000 OTF lumens unmodded

The LED bin is too low, the MCPCB is not DTP so LED gets hotter and less efficient

with XPL HD V6 or XML2 U4 you can get 1000 OTF lumens

Those LEDs on a DTP star with 65°C Tj you get 1150 LED lumens which should be about 1000 OTF lumens

I took the data from the flashlight manufacturer, so it might not be correct.
Note taken and next time I’ll try to find more proven data.

I have the S2+ Blue and Desert Tan. I have been using them for some months now, stock and unmodded. I will eventually upgrade the drivers one way or another, but I don’t mind keeping them stock for now. I know that the S2+ is superb for indoor use and for EDC. It is a fine host for “rolling your own” because of its proven design and good value. I think I will continue to support the Convoy brand, but just out of curiosity, I would like to confirm if the host of the newer S2+ is really made of 6061 grade aluminum and is it Type II anodization?

this is why we all are so different in what features we like from our lights.

OP: CON- “” it is not possible to immediately turn on strobe or maximum regime;””

ME: PRO- “” it is not possible to immediately turn on strobe or maximum regime;””

Typically I’m not “strobe” guy at all, and I don’t mind to cycle trough the modes to get to the highest. Usually I’m using the lowest possible. But now the situation is a bit different - I have to walk the dog every evening, and we are walking at some rural fields and small woods. From time to time I have to “shine” with the high beam to see the dog eye’s reflection, or when we run across some wildlife (moistly dears and rabbits). In cases like this I wish I have shortcut to maximum mode. Because for me two is one and one is none, I always have my trusty Fenix PD35 on the strongest mode on hand.

Nice Review kiak,

I got one of the Desert tan S2+ a few weeks ago because I couldn’t resist the color.

Eventually I want to convert it to a 219c triple.

One thing that I couldn’t stand (although I never hear anyone else mention it… so it’s probably just me) is the action of the metal tail switch .
I just could not stand the weird, gritty, clunky, janky action of that thing…it drove me nuts.
Anybody have any thoughts on how to replace that?

for now I just removed the suction-cup/ metal plunger piece, made a little washer to move the switch closer to the end and covered with a rubber switch cover…but that doesn’t work so well either because you really have to push in far to get it to work.

please help…I want to get this switch sorted before I spend time making a triple with a switch that I cant stand.

Thanks

Although I am one of those person that really likes the metal switch, there are lots of people mentioning things about that in several threads. Maybe you can find some things here: Convoy S2+ Desert Tan Available Now! .

To replace the switch it seems you have to have a “special kind” of pliers. Maybe other members can inform you about that. Post it on that thread or search for something about that there, I guess there are some tips about how to retrieve it :wink:

Thanks for the input…sorry I called your switch Janky :smiley:

Ahah, it’s not “mine”, but I really like it and I wish I could put one in my other Convoys :smiley:
With time I learned how smooth it can be and how silent it is, being a “clicky” without loud “click”. I’ll also make some mods on my S2+ Tan, in some time, but the metal switch will prevail! More: one of the reasons I’ll choose this host for the mod is actually…the switch :wink:

A good review, kiak. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the S2+.

As others have mentioned, your lumen figures are a bit high compared to real life, because the LED manufacturers don’t account for losses in a real flashlight head. For example, reflectors are not perfectly smooth and reflective, so they lose some light. Light can also bounce back into the head from the lens, instead of going through as it should.

If anyone wants a more numeric approach, I posted some tables on CPF a couple of years ago showing LED outputs for Convoy lights with 3/5 mode drivers and XML2 LEDs in various colour temperatures:

Note: those tables don’t apply to the new Convoy lights with XPL HI and Biscotti driver.

Yesterday I was able to compare few Convoys with different emitters. The red one is with XM-L2-U2-1A, and the silver one with XP-L HI V2-1A. Both of them have 2800mA drivers.




Several differences are noticeable on the visual comparison. First, that matters only if you are planing to use the flashlight as a gift, is that they came in more luxurious boxes. The silver is equipped also with pocket clip.

The buttons are metal, but unfortunately I didn’t make a picture. On the red one, the button is gray, and on the silver one - black. The other main differences are, that the silver one has AR coated glass, smooth reflector, and at the end I noticed that the clip can also be put on the head. On the other models that is not possible.

We waited for the dark to make some outside pictures. I want to say, that the conditions were not perfect - there was a full moon and clear sky. The spot was not so good, the time was limited, and it was quite cold. It was the first time for me to make such photos, so please, don’t judge me so hard!

All shots were taken with the same camera settings and are in consequence with flashlights modes:

XM-L2 T6-4C

Low:


Medium:


Hi:


XM-L2-U2-1A

Low:


Medium:


Hi:


XP-L HI V2-1A

Low:


Medium:


Hi:

Just for reference I made some shots of Fenix PD35’s modes:

Lowest Low:


Low:


Medium:


Hi:


Turbo:

At the end, as a result of all that testing, shooting and playing is that my wife liked the silver one a lot, and making the things easier for the upcoming gift shopping! And ours flashlight collection will grow with one more light!