I agree with you in principle. In arithmetic, not-so-much:
Convoy S5 clone host: $6.87 Nanjg 105c 2800mA: $3.05 Cree XM-L2 T6-3B: $3.62 60° Optic to make it useful for work & to blend the ooky Cree Colors: $0.322 (If you want a 10° pencil-beam “thrower”, the cost is ~the same)
Total Homemade Cost: $13.86
Convoy S5 Host ONLY: $13.64 Convoy S5 Cree XM-L T6-3C: $17.50, and it will still need the 32-cent Optic to make it useful. Call it $17.82 apples-to-apples.
That’s with the host I know. If the OP host has a decent screw-in pill, that total cost (not counting the leftover LED you can use for other projects) goes to $9.98!!
I wouldn’t throw that Convoy in my tool box, but I loan out my EDC “S5 clone” constantly & would build another if it didn’t come back.
Not saying you’re wrong, just maybe you’re being a little-bit hyperbolic. I’m (we’re) impressed with the Convoy’s reputation. Everyone I meet is impressed with the actuality of this little light I made.
$3.96 less for my “clone” host or $7.84 less with the OP one, not counting the “I made this” bragging rights.
I picked up a couple of these today. About $3-3.50. I like to carry a backup to get home if my C8 etc goes out. Although if its a wide beam could be good. These look small.
So it’s an XR-E?Any idea about amps, lumens, modes? Says 5 mode.
It's not an S5 like was suggested, but the internal are the same. Floating pill with a retaining ring, plastic reflector, and plastic lens. Lens O-ring is slightly too small so it wont sit flush under the lip. I can't tell for sure, I think the emitter is an XP-C... I'll probably drop an XP-G or G2 emitter in with an OP or Wide TIR optic and a low-powered driver, 101AK or similar. Maybe glob some Fujik in to fill the space around the pill. I don't think it's up for any more than that.
Cosmetically, the host is a scaled-up version of the 602C host from Fasttech.
Got one today. I like it. $2.99 , took less than 2 weeks from Shenzhen!
Looks like glue, so I couldn’t take it apart, though I haven’t tried yet. A mixed blessing! Pulled about 0.4 A on high, 0.1A on low, so not a bright light, but not bad.
Fairly light and small, though I have a zoom that’s a little smaller.
I received mine today. It is cheap and working, but it is not bright and I don’t like the tint. The beam pattern is bad so I put a 60 degree TIR on it. I may replace the led and driver in the future.
I got my other one today. Less than 2 weeks from Beijing. 5 modes, brighter than the other one. Really blue tinted, though. Not bad for $3.56 or whatever, says S5 on it. Not sure how to get to switch, though, not a bad light.
Not sure what emitter is, how do I tell if it’s an XR-E or XP-G or something?
