1x18650 thrower with high CRI?

I’m sure there are somewhere here, and plenty of people will happily guide you through any issues too, but it’s really super easy. If you can use hand file, tweezers, and solder two wire joints, you’re set! The host accepts 20mm drivers and 20mm led boards.

The biggest question mark is what driver and UI you want. Convoy’s 12 mode groups are nice for their flexibility.

The light comes pre assembled under the Ekoras brand - model R7. You could start there and swap the emitter later if you like. Everydaysurvivalgear
has a review and teardown of the light. Ekoras R7 Purple Swaggg

Btw, the reason to choose this light over others is that you gain a precious 1-2mm of reflector diameter and also a bit more depth that other tube lights. 21700 is also nice for this style imo since the proportions are better balanced. I’d go to an FW1A (my edc) if you want 18650, but Anduril isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Thanks, I’ll have a think about it. I might wait for the S2+ with 219B to arrive first, maybe I don’t need one light that does everything. I could use the Fenix as a thrower and the S2+ for close-up.

The FW1A looks quite short, would it not be better to get something longer in order to have more throw?

Convoy S2+ with SST20 seems like a good option, not sure how far that would throw

Found a good descriptive list of the S2+ emitters here: Flashlight Review: Convoy S2+ - Light Painting Blog

Seems like it’s a choice between SST20 (high CRI) or Cree XP-L HI at 4000k, but given what was mentioned at the start of this thread I’m leaning towards Cree XP-L HI in 4000k for more throw/lumens but with (hopefully?) neutral colouring.

Am I on the right track? I guess what I’m really looking for is something similar to my PD32 but that doesn’t turn everything white.

Would love to see max throw distance charted for all of those emitters somewhere.

Looks like a neutral equivalent of the PD32/35 isn’t possible because those emitters only come in 6500k colour, so I’m guessing Cree XP-L HI at 4000k is about as good as it’ll get.

I suppose SST40 might be a good choice too for more power, 5000k is still a bit more neutral than 6500k.

For a thrower you want a very small led to maximize focus by the reflector or optic, and Osram seems to be the champion of that.

I’d go for a Noctigon KR1 with an Osram W2 led mainly because it’s Anduril and everyone seems to like Hank lights around here:

I’m sure there are alternatives though. Anyway, look at the candela ratings of the different leds on that page (scroll down) to get an idea of the throw. The Osram would seem to give quite a pencil beam. Next thing after that would be a LEP (white laser).

6000k is too white of a tint, I’m looking for something more neutral.

After more research I’m leaning towards Convoy S2+ with XPL HI in 5000k tint, I think that should be a good balance between throw and neutrality.

Was about to order it but I noticed several reviews where people chose:

XPL HI U6-3A 5000-5200K

with:

7135*6 output current 2100mA

from here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001981991584.html

rather than 7135*8 which would be the highest output driver. Why would you not want the strongest driver? Surely output can be regulated through the software if you want to run it on a lower brightness… so I think I’m missing something.

Oh I guess there’s no 80% mode in the software, so maybe some people didn’t want quite so much brightness?

I looked up the max forward current of the Cree XP-L HI v3, 3A, so I think the biggest driver is the one to get. Will wait before ordering though as I’m sure others on here know more than me.

How about this?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32989670019.html

Only 5000K, but I couldn't find an SST-40 C8 that's any warmer from Convoy or Sofirn.

EDIT:

Oops.

You're looking for a tube light.

They don't throw that far, though.

The original version of the driver had no thermal protection. 2.8A is a bit much for the S2+ host and with 8x7135 chips it could quickly reach very high temperatures. 6x7135 is more manageable.

The newest version of the driver does have thermal management but I don’t know if that is what ships with this light.

Makes sense, thanks. I’ll order the 6x7135 then.

Have you checked out the WildTrail (former LuckSun) BLF-D80v2?

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/55894

It's a compact thrower that's kinda close in size and shape to a tube light.

(It fits in my shorts/pants pocket just fine.)

Okie doke, have requested cancellation and sent a message.

I also have an S2+ with 219B on the way which seems to only have a 7135x8 driver and no other options, so guessing that one has the thermal protection and I’m guessing it’ll work fine with this one too, so I guess it probably doesn’t really matter.