Review: Four-way Convoy S2/S3 mini-review

>>>>>Have you checked if we can add a few more 7135’s easily?

I should know how to do that, but don’t. Is there a BLF FAQ kicking around about it?

Hi
My “S3 convoy” arrives tomorrow, my only 18650 are Nitecore, do you think that will take? I am somewhat concerned, I think they are too large.

>>>>> do you think that will take? I am somewhat concerned, I think they are too large.

I noticed kind of an odd thing with the S3 — so you may have a battery issue, but maybe not. I can use keepower protected, Fasttech’s Samsung and sanyo protected, teneregy, etc. But here’s the deal. The threads are anodized (or painted), so the only way you can get a contact is to screw the cap on +ALL+ the way until it contacts the body tube. The tube top has the paint removed, which contacts the switch retainer ring. If the battery is too long, you can just remove a patch of paint on the tube and cap and that will give you a contact with the cap not screwed down all the way for long batteries.

I can see (I think) why they did this. You can leave the light in an “unarmed” state by unscrewing the switch cap by like a 1/2 turn, if you want to leave batteries in it for a long time and are concerened about shorts or whatever, or the battery draining over time. However, the downside is that some longish batteries fit pretty snugly, maybe too snugly. I get a driver whine when I use the fasttech sam/sanyo longish protecteds. Probably nothing to worry about, but maybe it is. Looking down in the barrel, the extra pressure could be causing the spring to bend and touch one of the chips or chip contacts? Or maybe it is just a peculiarity with the fasttech protected circuit.

Another neat feature: The s3 blinks when you get down to about 3 volts left in the battery. I should have let it go and see if it shut off the battery, but I didn’t. :–0

The more I use this light, the more I liike it.

Thank you very much for your quick response.
Tomorrow I will find out.

What about this clip at Wallbuys? I have no idea what diameter it fits though - any ideas? Ah, I see it's for a Jetbeam PC20 - EDIT - no, I think PC20 is just the clip's model number, it says "Suitable for:T20,T25,M20". Gotta look up those diameters.

-Garry

Ok that clip seems to be for an Olight T20 which is stated as being 24mm diameter.

-Garry

Fenix clip with an O-ring works as well. Pictures of the Fenix clip in the other EDC 18650 thread.

I wonder if the intl' outdoor clip would fit through the lanyard holes of the S2.

The issue with that is that it would hit the switch boot. I think someone mentioned or did use a clip like that but drilled new holes instead. Which probably would be better as to not intrude onto the switch boot.

Maybe a small countersunk bolt would fix that problem without having to damage the anodizing? The main question is, would the distance between bolts fit? For the rest I would find a way to make it work.

Now I have S2 with T5 5C and 1,4A driver.
The best EDC light :bigsmile:

Congratulations, nekdo12, that sounds like a great combo.

How do you like the 5C tint? I haven’t used a light with that tint yet, but I sure like the 3C in my C8.

3C is better, but 5C is also ok.
I also sended 3 requests at Fasttech for S2 with 3C. After CNY I will send another :bigsmile:

…but 4C is sublime.

I’m just going to have to buy a couple more lights. My wallet weeps.

Come on, make a request. More requests, faster they will get 3C tint

FWIW, the Solarforce L2 clip works nicely on these lights and provides a good grippy element for cigar-style use. You simply need to add a bit of wire or paperclip inside the tailcap to complete the circuit, since the threads are anodized and the clip will effectively lock out the switch otherwise.

This is how I keep an EDC 18650 clipped to my purse.

… also, I like the GITD boot and lens O-ring. It’s nice being able to find the thing in the dark. I don’t like a 5C tint though; it’s so yellow it hurts my eyes. 3C is about as warm as I can get.

Yes. A Solarforce L2 clip fits nicely, but you must add a bit of wire into the tailcap to complete the circuit. I simply bent a paperclip around an AA battery, widened it a little, and dropped it in. Works great. I had to try two different thicknesses of paperclip to get the right size though.

Here are some pictures of the result:

Sorry for all the dirt/dust in these pics… I’ve been EDCing it and I didn’t clean it first.

Just ordered the Convoy S3 T5 5C with the 2.8A driver. :bigsmile: It’s the super wide spill comment that got me, as a wide spill is very handy for cycling and I was looking for a nicer straight tube with a NW tint compared with my current HD2011. I was considering more expensive options like the Xtar BK-12 or the Jetbeam St Cycler, however price and a lack of a NW tint was the decider. I’m hoping the spill can match a typical bike light for width. Also ordered some black tail caps to replace that horrible cheap looking green one.

I’m anxiously awaiting warmer weather so I can try my Convoy S3s on my bike at night. One of the two I got is specifically for that purpose (XP-G2 1.4A model), but it has been way too cold to go out for long at night. I should be able to get 450lm for ~2 hours or 135lm for ~7 hours from it, and I suspect 135 will be about right. My ZL H51w seems good for biking at 86lm, so a floodier 135lm should be good too.