Review: Convoy M3-C. Single 26650, USB-C, XHP70.2, 4300lm, 365m throw

What CCT did you get in the M3 C Zappa? You are pushing my buttons to buy this light.

It’s right at 6.5k Pennzy. I didn’t ask if I could get a 5k (which I’d prefer color wise); but as this will be used outdoors, the 6.5k really is the correct choice for the intended use.

I bought an SP70 in a 5k and as much as it looks great… it does lack some throw compared to a 6.5k light in the same build. As BOTH these lights have sustainable output times at higher lumen output, they are both good “search lights”. Thus, the higher CCT applies and I will probably sell off the SP70 (as the Q8 also covers most of my needs there too).

I won’t be buying many larger lights like this M3C, as I rarely need hours of 1500 lumen run time. But for the few I end up keeping long-term, this M3C IS A KEEPER! :smiley:

Sounds good. Does Simon still give a Blf discount and how long are things from his store taking recently?

Not sure on shipping time BUT CNY has already started and so you are probably looking at a good delay IF Convoy doesn’t have it in stock. Last week… Simon told me that “many mfg. are already gone for New Year” and so the classic “Feb delay” has started.

Well, ordered one in 5000k. Couldn’t resist those run time figures. 40% = 2.19 amps = 1500 lumens+? How is this possible?

Is measuring current with a DMM okay in this case?

I thought it introduced too much resistance and clamp meter should be used instead.

Also, that’s the tailcap current right?

I’ve wondered that myself. Maybe the lumens per watt is unusually high at that wattage. Hardly generates any heat which would suggest high efficiency.

Judging from Texas Ace’s test it might be around 200 lm/W.

I asked Simon if the temperature management/regulation was changed on the C version and he said it’s the same as the old M3 so I guess I can live without the ramping and USB charging on my M3. I really like the light and also my M26C and M21C U and I’m eagerly awaiting the 3×21700 SBT90.2. Convoys are the kind of flashlight you get when engineering designs the lights and not marketing.

My built in charging acts funky. Light turns green way before fully charged, somewhere in the upper 3 volt range. It then continues to charge but unless you have it hooked up to a USB tester you can’t tell when it is done. Anyone else have this problem?

Mine is currently red at 4.04V and charging at 1.2A.

It was green when I first plugged it in though, which was weird. I removed it and plugged in back in a second later and it was red.

Mine will turn green and if I unplug, re plug, it will turn red again and go back up to a high charge current. It always turns green before full charge no matter what I do.

I will say I want to like this light. However rubbing two sticks together is a more convenient UI than what is on the Convoy M3c. Should have never bought an D4. Everything else stinks now.

Has anyone measured the standby current draw?

I don’t use the ramping. The 4 mode is ok and I have found myself using turbo only mostly. Doesn’t seem to step down and never gets very hot in my short walks. The 5000k CCT is a nice warm beam. Warmer than most of my 5000ks. The 70.2 in the OP reflector is very nice. My main complaint is that you can’t get directly back to high from turbo and my charger is wonky. Also the only light I ever bought that doesn’t include spare o rings and the front o ring came cut. Go figure.

EDIT: Now that the temperatures have risen I am now noticing slight thermal stepdown from turbo. Still not much though. Pretty impressive how this light puts out the lumens without getting blazing hot. It is a chunk of aluminum . You could bop someone in the head with it like the old MagLite days. :smiley:

Good light, i ordered mine last year and got it around the end of January. It sat untested or a while until last month.
One thing i noticed is that if i use my (older) 18650s on full the light works for a few seconds then turns off. Not sure why, are my calls not high enough amp draw?

Also when i put the light down on a desk if blinks, the battery is not well secured.

Does it have temperature regulation (i get the impression it does).

Yea, you need a good strong battery to run turbo or it steps down to low. The battery compartment is long on this light. I had to stretch the tail spring out to make good contact. It is thermally regulated but seems to not step down much on turbo. It has a lot of mass.

How does it know to step down to low if the battery is not strong enough?
I’ve had it step down on turbo, put in a fresh battery, put it on turbo, left it tail standing and 20 mins later reengaged turbo. Also i got about 80 ions on a 4500mAh battery, full output surely uses more then 4.5A.

The driver is regulated. Step down occurs at certain battery levels. My only gripe is that it steps down to low rather than to next lower level. It would be better is it went down to high from turbo. Mine usually drops at 3.5 volts. Your battery might not be able to supply the needed current to run turbo even if it is charged. Also make sure all your connections are clean.

Interesting, i will try a fully charged 18650.
I am not a fan of the UI, it has its moments but it has annoying quirks as well.

The UI definitely is a far cry from Anduril for sure. Doesn’t really bother me though. I usually run it on turbo only. That’s where this light shines, pardon the pun, it holds turbo or close to it without getting scorching hot. I get 4 short walks per charge on turbo before recharging.