【convoy】H4 and B35AM options are updated

Noticed that Nichia 519A is now available on Simon’s store! I’ve hoped for years for such an emitter, being the first ever R9080 3V led with standard footprint and LH351D level output. My only potential concern about it is angular tint shift, which is common in domed emitters with large die size. If that’s a problem, slicing should take care of it, though I’d be very interested in seeing how CCT and tint changes, as well as output loss. A detailed slicing study like this would be extremely helpful.

@Simon: do you by any chance have a spectral analysis (CRI, R9, tint/duv) of Nichia 519A? Would be very interesting to compare with 219B and B35AM. Also, do you plan to stock 519A in temperatures other than 4500K? Thank you so much for keeping the community up to date with new emitters and innovative designs. We really appreciate what you do.

Hey Simon, does the S21D use a Carclo 10620 series optic? Think you’ll offer this host in the future? Thanks so much, it looks great!

Some of these new models are using the brass post instead of a spring on the driver. Do they have the same issue as the S11? Even a small impact can cause the power to disconnect momentarily, changing modes on mechanical switch drivers. I imagine it’d cause a flicker at least on an e-switch driver.

I’m so not fond of the brass pillars instead of good springs. I noticed the same disconnect issue that others have when I got my M3C and there’s no great way to fix it, although thus far Texasshooter’s idea of adding a P60 spring in the tail seems to be the best. The new M21F shows the same setup with the pillar and the “triangle” spring in the tail…with a lighter 21700 cell maybe it’s fine, but for sure the weight of the 26650 and 26800 overcome the strength of the spring. On moon and sometimes lowest ramp, a slight bump will turn the light off. On higher modes it’s a temporary flicker with the stock drivers…suppose if other firmware was used it could result in a mode change.

It’s not a good design. Other manufacturers have been following this trend lately, unfortunately. Or rather than saying that it’s not a good design, maybe I should say that it’s best suited for small lights like AA/14500 (but then where’s the benefit of the pillar, right) or up to 18650. That or perhaps make the spring stronger, although there’s a balance of supporting the weight of the cell vs. too much resistance that may damage the cell terminals. Always the risk of positive terminal denting and/or driver board damage, too, if the light drops hard onto the head end or face.

I want to know how the new Convoy L8 differs from the Convoy L7, apart from using the (very difficult to find) 26800 battery?

From the photo on the Convoy flashlight Store on Ali Express, the L8 looks longer than it should be, since it is using only one 26800 cell.

Has anyone found any good Group Buy offer for the L8?

Too much electronics being crammed into a small area. A light spring on either side works and protects the cell from bashing the base of the board. With that brass stud a much heavier spring is needed. How critical is it, is up to the user. Myself it’s a bit critical.

Some of hose pictures show it with a 26980 extension on it. A cell even harder to get. I hope you can finds some 26800’s. The format as a single cell light fit the hand well without pinkie dangle, great runtime and amperage. Try contacting https://alofthobbies.com I’ve heard they have worked out some of the shipping issues for European customers. Maybe they can help you on your side. The cells go for $5.90 each when they have them in stock.

I think the only optimal solution is to use a double spring in the tail.

Thanks Texas Shooter for your kind advice. :+1:

Will check with Alofthobbies. A QB26800 cell for US$5.90 is a very good price. But I suspect they cannot ship such a big lithium battery to Singapore.

Actually, a shop on Ali Express is selling QB26800 for about US$30 for two cells, shipping included.

I have a few older (non-QB brand) 26800 cells. And if I buy the Convoy L8, it comes with another 26800 cell. This is good enough.

But I am waiting to read reviews of the Convoy L8, especially when compared with Convoy L7 and/or Wurkkos TS30S. :smiley:

Hi Simon, would you consider using the XHP70.3 90 CRI with good bin below BBL?

Agreed! I was toying with Simon’s spacer boards in the MC3 and even with two of them in there it would still bounce and cut out…added a third and dented the top of a QB cell…dangit. I think a thicker wire on the same spring design might work but I’ve got some P60 springs on the way and will give that a shot. Toying with the idea of trimming the pillar and adding a small spring to it but that seems like a great way to get dust-shorts or destroy the driver. I do love the light, though. The design does keep me from buying similar lights in large cell formats, though.

This sounds great! Please offer 70.2 in warmer temps like 4000-5000k :slight_smile:

I’ve got an idea but not the skill level to do. An upside down spring on the head side. Would use a small foot print like the brass stud and give a tension push stopping bounce cut out. I imagine that shock on that stud is much greater than with a spring to cushion impacts.

I was thinking similar but just one of the small diameter straight springs, trimmed shorter…those are pretty stiff, though, and I haven’t looked to see if their diameter is small enough. I’m sure it would cost Simon a lot in $ as well as headaches to have his driver mfr attempt to change back to springs, but it sure would be nice on some models. I’m rather amazed at alllll of the new lights and work he’s been putting in over the last year, or two years!

Regarding the models with the brass post and cutting out,how hard of an impact are we talking about? Slap the flashlight in the palm of your hand or a small drop on the ground?

The only one like this that I have is the S11. It doesn’t take much of an impact at all. Smacking it with your hand will probably do it. The weight of the 26650 battery definitely makes it worse. The 21700 based lights probably won’t be as bad.

It still just needs a spring on the driver. Simon said before he can’t find a small enough diameter spring that will handle high currents while still fitting in between all the components on the back side of the driver.

I did get some of the 26mm spacers and using one seems to fix the problem. The 26650s I have are Sofirn branded ones with button tops. I imagine a normal flat top would need two spacers in the S11.

That are very nice news. Blue, green or sand color would be awesome.

Please consider producing this or a thrower flashlight with 90-100mm head diameter.

I like the light grey used on the S11

A brass pillar/post/stud is far from being the best option as contact between the battery and the driver, because it lacks damping ability; this is clear.

For this reason, better high conductivity springs are needed. Months ago I made a comment about copper clad steel springs in Bluesword's EX3 High Current Beryllium Copper Silver Plated springs thread. With copper clad steel, I am sure that both high conductivity and optimum damping capacity can be achieved. It is a matter of choosing some proper high tensile strenght steel (high carbon steel: spring steel, piano wire, etc.) and clad it thick with copper. With this a very high IACS is possible, easily well above 50% equivalent copper conductivity. With this in mind, and for example choosing an AWG17 equivalent copper clad spring diameter (≈1.15mm), the conductivity of such spring would be no less than 10A continuous (check here all sizes copper wire ampacities by Prof. Steven Errede). No need for exotic, inferior or potentially toxic alloys.

Hi Simon will you be adding the new Convoy L8 to your Taobao store?