Convoy 14500 Light

I don’t think Convoy has or ever had one. Would be awesome if Simon made something like an S1+ that sold for the sub $10 range.

According to Zeroair’s review , the latest generation of the Convoy T2 supports 14500.

I guess the first generation could also take 14500s, but it was less good. I bought mine but I replaced the driver so I just tested it for some moments when I bought it back then.

I guess the situation at the moment is not about making a 14500, as the T2 is already that kind of light, but making a “Biscotti”-like driver to make it more configurable.
This is the post in Simon’s thread where he informs and asks about the UI/levels.

If he produces these drivers and if it is confirmed that they will be usable for AAs and 14500s, I’ll buy a bunch for some AA/14500 lights.

My T2 currently has a 17mm biscotti driver with 3x 7135 chips, but it is only usable with 14500s.

They do have the T2 which takes and utilises 14500’s.

Not sure exactly of the price as I use NZD, can’t be far off $10USD though.

Just looked at it. Not Convoys best.

300 lumens a bit weak.

I just ordered the latest version and 3 of the drivers. A PWM free, 4 mode driver that is dual voltage… could not ask for more! I do wish I could power it from 2 AA cells, will try but may drive the low voltage circuits nuts. Making an AA dummy cell may be a good option for them as well. I have a couple of SHTF AA 2 cell lights that I love, but they both have have the Jaxman 2xAA 2 mode drivers in them. One is a real M2 and the other is a Solarforce L2T with a home built LE based on the Jaxman driver.

My favorite 14500 is the SP10S.

Favorite? Right now FWAA, but no support for AA.

I’ve had Convoy T2 before, it can run both AA or 14500.
It’s a nice and sturdy light but the size is a bit bigger compared to other AA/14500 lights.

The T2 is bigger than some, but the advantage is that it takes a 17mm driver. So you can replace it with a driver of your choice.

Just received a "new" T2 last week and it's a nice little light. Got the LH351D 5000K and it's still a nice clean creamy beam, one of my favorites and I have it in several lights. Simple 4-mode straight through UI, low voltage blink that works. I'm not crazy about the recent trend to put buttons instead of springs on the positive end but the T2 does not cut circuit and turn off when bumped on the bottom like the M3-C does. Takes every AA and 14500 cell I have, no problem. I haven't timed it but run time is pretty great. It's about the same length as the FW3A but skinnier. I don't have a Tool handy but seems like it's about the same size, feels better in the hand, and the tail switch is familiar and feels better than the Tool and similar. FWAA is my new favorite though, although a bit tiny in the hand but wow what a little powerhouse. The one niggle I have about the T2 which should be easily remedied is that the bezel is super easy to unscrew so if removing the head you have to watch that. I'll put a dab of something on the threads of mine. This is only a slight problem because for some reason the gasket and the reflector hole don't seem to quite fit perfectly on mine and I have to do the tap-tap-tilt-tap thing to get it perfectly centered when tightening it up (actually when it's off, it's so little that you can't notice it in the beam unless you're white-walling up close, but no effect in actual use). I may carefully touch up the reflector hole instead/also. I think he definitely improved the T2 driver over the first version and it's such a nice host that is still extremely easy to mod and get parts to use (cheaply). Everything about it is nicer than the Tool, imho, and better than most other AA sized lights I have or have had...plus great emitter choices as always. One wish is that he is able to source a tail ring magnet for it but I don't know if that's even on his radar. I may throw in a Narsil driver soon but the 4-mode it comes with is perfectly decent.

The Tool AA is smaller than the T2 :wink:
L to R: Sofirn P10 > Sofirn SF14 > Convoy T2 > Jaxman E3 > Tool AA V1 > Nitefox ES10K > Nitecore D10 > Wuben E05 > Tool AA V2.0 > Amutorch SS > Sofirn SP10A > Manker E11 > DQG Slim Ti AA

Narsil is an e-switch UI. Unless you mod the light completely, or the driver, you won’t be able to put it in that light!
You can use Crescendo there, though!!

I would like one smaller than T2 and with Tir lens and Deep Red Led

Does the driver have to be specific to 14500? or just fit in the host? i ask because

i recently bought this driver (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000879891929.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.2c204c4dm9e4Fg)

and installed it in my 14500 Xeno E03. It works GREAT, was easy to install, has the 12 mode option, and makes the light a treasure of a edc light. i have 5 E03's (bought for $12 each on a deal on BLF), just ordered one driver to make sure i could do the swap, it was easier than i thought it'd be. Just need to order 4 more.

The driver is a good fit as i have osram -nm1's, sst40, and sst20's in these xeno E03's, so the 5 amp-ish output is a nice compromise. I dont need an FET DD in my 14500 lights, and its better that its not because i also run some colored (red, blue) osram's in these E03's that should run @ like 2.5a - 3amps max. I can set the 12 mode UI for 50% max output which is AWESOME for those lights that need require less amps.

Showing the size of Xeno E03 (its a bigger 14500 light, compared to like the thrunite T10t, but its nice it takes the 17mm driver). The blue one with worn ano is the one i did the driver swap, and i carry it a lot. it has a sst20 2700k in it. its for the times where i dont want to ruin my $60+ KR4 / D4 / E07x / etc, but i need a bright light (doing dirty yardwork, working on the cars, snowblowing, etc).

You'd think I'd have this committed to memory by now, especially after our exchange, what a week ago?? :) D'oh! I may see what MTN has and take a look at the old firmwares' features again...not that I'm totally unhappy with Simon's in this light, but just because.

Just now glancing at the T2 driver and noticed that the positive button actually sits a bit lower than the two chip components that are quite close to it. Most of my 14500 are button tops which are no worry but the H10 cells just barely clear the chips...barely. I don't know if anyone has a super flat or recessed flat 14500 cell on the market but that might be a concern if so.

That's fine, although these tiny hosts have very little mass to dissipate heat, so at 3A or more you'll have to watch it or reserve for short turbo boosts. Also, many 14500 cells don't do very well at all with more than a couple amps. The Vapcell Gold if I remember is ok with 3A or so other than heat/cell life and the reduced run time/voltage sag. The purple H10 seem fantastic so far...hard to believe such a small cell can handle the current it does (and I guess the equivalent orange Shocklii version, too).

Nothing really specific other than general 3v lithium stuff and matching current to heat dissipation. The trickier stuff comes when you want the light to use dual power sources. Some of the AA/NiMH lights that somehow don't self destruct with a li-ion cell in them are a mystery to me but I'd bet it cuts the lifespan of the emitter and components even if it works for awhile. And of course running that on a lithium-only driver just won't give you any light at all. The AA/14500 drivers use a boost circuit for when AA is inserted.

14500 based light are certainly a compromise. Personally, I prefer an 18650 based light if you want small. The D4 if small enough, and damn powerful. Or S2+.

The D4 and FW3A are nice lights, but they do not vanish inside a pocket like an FWAA or Eagtac D25A.

I love 14500 lights for when I want something smaller, lighter and thinner than other lights, without losing much max power.

EVERY flashlight is a compromise. They all balance size, output, throw, battery capacity, etc. 14500 lights obviously favor light weight more than 18650 lights.

Man I wish more 14500 hosts were made like these xeno E03's. Reading the reviews of them from 8+ years ago on blf, people loved them. And I see why! I can run a 2700k sst20 on high (5amps) for minutes without a problem. It gets hot, but not d4 hot in the same time frame. Of course it's more like 600+ lumens not 3000, but with its reflector it's a great mix of throw and spill. Think Reylight pineapple