[Review] Convoy S12 - the best Convoy's flashlight?

The best version?? I could say it YES

I own XT21X which used 21700 and now barely used them, since S12 came by, I like much of the tint, yet compact lighter and brighter. I loved it.

Nice build :+1:
SO much red light, I used to like red light because of night vision, but it’s too uncomfortable for me now.

Thanks. I agree, white light is way more comfortable. RED looks like 0 CRI with black pools. Sometimes scary :open_mouth: but has advantages too.
Why do you write “now”? Has there happened anything making red light less comfortable for you than it used to be before?

Hmm let me think… Previously I was fascinated about red light - it’s very good for night vision, so good for sky watching. But now I’m not as fascinated in sky and stars and flares as before, so I’m not using it. It would be still nice to have a red light in my headlamp, but 30lm red light is for just illuminating things near me, not for walking - I can’t find practical use for red light now.

Isn’t it uncomfortable for eyes to walk with your red light for e.g 20 min?

It is. After a while I feel like on a different planet but maybe it just requires getting used to it. And it looks much better in accompany of other light, moon light or dusk/sunrise. In complete darkness it feels like getting inside Diablo 3 :smiling_imp:

It is said that red light helps to fall asleep…so be careful when walking with that much of red light, because you can suddenly fall on the ground and fall asleep. :open_mouth:

Got myself a S12 SST-20 4000K.

Almost perfect. Almost the best convoy light.
Wonderfull shape, design, haptics, optics, beam, tint, 21700, mode spacing, temperature control.

but:

UI just middle age. Massive downgrade from biscotti UI.

Wanted to see it with my own eyes,
but the light will end up unused because i very much dislike unpredictable start mode.

I personally like this UI - it is simple, 4 modes and that’s it. We have Andurils and other complicated UIs, but here is simple UI for non flashaholics too. And Convoy seems (for me) to start making flashlights like for some kind of apocalypse - very thick walls and glass, simple UI. M3 is a great example - so heavy and sturdy.

And mode memory? It is like bicycle gears - you have to think ahead to lower the gear before stopping, if you don’t, it’s very hard to move. And somehow no one is complaining and saying “make auto first gear function when stopping”

Hi Mocarny,

first of all: thank you very much for this review. i realy enjoyed it.
second: i have not bought the light because of this particular review, zero complain or offense
i just put my “i don’t like the UI” post here because the title of your post “inspired” me to do so

Agree on the Convoy is a great brand and builds great lights.

Agree on the Anduril versus “easy to use UI”. For most of my lights i prefer an easy UI

But this (S12 and other recent Convoys) UI isn’t easy for me.

4 modes: great
Simple UI: great
I also like the stock Mode Spacing

But i like to configure (once) Mode Memory +Off+/On and Mode Sequence +Down+/Up to my taste.
Biscotti also allows choosing from different Mode Groups. Not a must for me, but i prefer even 3 Modes over 4 Modes

What i don’t like is starting somewhere in the Mode Sequence were i ended up last time (and i don’t remember) or accidentally ended up (some seconds/minutes before)

It makes me advance all modes until i am sure i am in Turbo or High (and this is what i very much dislike)

1. Turbo because i want Max Output: Now
2. High because i like to use it longer but at max sustainable Output

Thank you :slight_smile:

I agree. It would be nice to have ability to turn mode memory on and off. I like mode memory, so it’s ok for me, but I understand there are lots of people that don’t like it.

Maybe something will change in the future… My personal best would be: one group 4 modes with memory on, and after e.g 5 clicks, other modes group, 3 modes with memory off.

How does the LVP work? Does it shut down or just give you a single “blip”? If it’s a single “blip” does it repeat? I’m always afraid I’ll miss those blips.

Unsure about every mode, but I had it on mode 3 (30% I think?) a few nights ago; it flashes once every 5 seconds or so. At least that’s what it felt like :slight_smile:

Confirmed, on every mode it flashes once every 5s for some time, then it shuts down. So even if you somehow miss that annoying blinks, don’t worry - it will turn off anyway. At…2.9V? Or something like that.

It’s too bad all the reviews of ultra-warm lights have usage pics from urban/forest areas. The 2700k s12 is my new favorite non-headlamp light for rocky/sandy desert and canyon hiking.

I don’t have 2700K version. But canyon… You may see some light canyons in my future thrower reviews :wink:

Dude, am I the only one who see there added led option on Convoy S12:

LH351D 5000K
LH351D 5700K

WOW! Amazing…

Ordered this with LH351D 5000K some ten days ago. Hope it’ll be good.

You’re not, I have already ordered it :wink:

I will update you with my experiences

I did swapped last week 219C with 351D 5000K and i gotta say that i got pronounced circled hotspot.

Tiny as hell and almost the same intensity spill where used to be three petels from three reflectors.

Wasn’t impressed so i swapped back 219C.

Can’t tell if it’s just my crapy swap or smaller dome emitters are better in these tiny redlectors...

Curiois what others will say ••••••• :~}

Do you have any beamshots?
Now I’m a bit less excited to get my S12…