Convoy L6... XHP70 Beast!

My take on this light is that it’s a small practical XHP-70 that puts out ?–3500 lumens. I would use it mostly in the 50-2000 lumen range with 3500 lumen turbo sparingly. It could be made larger such 2-3 32650’s but those batteries are too rare limiting the appeal of the light. 4-6 18650’s for better run time and less voltage sag but that makes it bigger. I personally have far too many lights and it’s always the small ones I gravitate back too. As is on the design board this is the largest light I could see myself carrying around. Small it will cook quickly if run on max, large and it gets left at home or in the car. The larger sizes have already been covered three or four times with the Acebeam K60, Lumintop SD75, Thrunite TN36, etc. This is the smaller practical light I want. Larger designs are probably to follow.

I can inquire how the stipple is done, I have an “IN” at FlexinGate Automotive Lighting, but I think it is sprayed on, they do a lot of plastic injection molding of reflectors for automotive head lights. I was told they could re-coat my TK61 and Tk75’s reflectors? As far as how the light looks outside it could be made to look ugly or pretty? Huge or tiny? Like AlexGT said uni-body uni-head or integral head construction!! Yeah that’s the ticket! :wink:

Driver has been out for awhile. It is about $5-6/pc.

Mode and rated output: High(4.5A) > Medium(2.7A) > Low(125mA) > Lowest(1mA)

Mode spacing sounds pretty good to me.

Flashpilot,

Okay so it took a day to recover from that pummeling… I don’t have time to respond to all that but I will try to address a few of the main arguments. I’m a rookie who unintentionally stepped into the ring with a heavyweight. :wink:
Keep in mind I am coming from a different perspective. I can’t build lights like you can. I have a huge amount of respect for you and those like you who can but I’m not there, so I want to buy the best stock hotrod within my budget.

FlashPilot: …several of your comments seem to show a lack of knowledge and experience in what Convoy has offered and what has been offered recently in other XHP-70 flashlights or other large flashlights of recent past.

Me: This is true. If you’ve read my posts you know I don’t claim otherwise. I in fact am completely new to XHP70 lights. I don’t even have proper soldering skills. I do love this hobby though and I’m learning all I can about design along the way. I’ve managed to form a good working relationship with Simon that I saw was missing from BLF and I’m happy to say that has resulted in some new lights and rebirth of ideas that had been shelved.

FlashPilot: At 4-5 amps, the current L6 will be another light that overheats very quickly in high mode while providing far less lumens and throw than its larger competitors.

Me: Maybe, but most of the larger competitors you mentioned (that share the same problems) are 3-5 times the cost of this light which puts them way out of my league. I think there are others that will also want this light because of its budget friendliness. Those that could not afford a XHP70 light will now be able to and look darn good doing it!

FlashPilot: The TrustFire TR-J20 already showed us what is possible, and it would have cost a great deal more to manufacture than the light I have proposed. If not Simon, Trustfire would be the next to approach, and they will be very capable of delivering. But Id much rather it be a Convoy than a Trustfire, and it will cost less.

Me: I like some of what Trustfire does too but in my opinion the TR-J20 is hideous. I can respect it for raw power but dang it’s ugly.

FlashPilot: Its in the same ballpark as other large lights. The X60 is close to 110mm. BTU Shocker and TK70 come in at around 100mm. Pick any and they are large. Besides, the large reflector is what is required to maximize the potential of the XHP-70. The 32650 is the same diameter as a D cell so its quite comfortable to carry and balances the light in longer configurations. Anyone who has handled a TK70 will know the huge benefits when carrying it single handed, especially for any length of time. Far easier and more comfortable than fat battery tube lights with a battery carrier. I personally dont find much difference between handling large 26650 lights versus large 32650 lights, so the choice is far more than obvious from a performance and cost perspective

Me: I can’t afford any of the lights you mentioned there. I’m not arguing that a huge head diameter would better make use of the XHP70s potential but that is considerably larger than anything I want to carry and if Trustfire is my only battery option I’m out. They make some half decent cells but I’m not unwrapping a cell and removing protection circuits to try to see a performance increase. For many that would be just plain dangerous.

FlashPilot: With different battery tube, reflector finish and driver options, this could be a modular system offered from 2 – 4 cell configurations to handle the XHP-50, XHP-70 and XHP-35 while properly dispensing with the enormous amount of heat these emitters generate. A modular system would also keep manufacturing costs down while offering several different configurations… rather than just one mediocre, hot running, inefficient flashlight.

Me: I love that idea and I hope you pursue it.

All that said, my opinions are just that. You know way more about this than I do. I certainly was not/am not trying to challenge you on a knowledge basis. It just seems you are coming from the point of view of a highly advanced builder/modder which excludes some of us, myself included. I am not in your league in that regard and at this point I don’t have the budget or desire to be so some of what appeals to you does not to me. I do however have great respect for the amazing things I’ve seen you build. I’ve read page after page in awe. If you can convince Simon to build the massive modular system you are describing and help him through the design that would be amazing. I hope you do.

I’m still fairly certain I’m going to be happy with the L6 and I can’t wait to get mine.

If you crave high Amps and long staying power then triple 18650 would be far better option than one 32650 in both power, price and convenience.

J-Dub74
Actually, a 2S3P 18650 input looks like a very interesting choice for a powerful XHP70 flashlight. Three commonplace 2600mAh Sanyo or Samsung cells are both cheaper and offer more juice than a relatively rare single 5200mAh 26650 cell. The whole setup takes more weight and space, but I don’t think it’s too significant for a flashlight as large as Convoy L6.

And if you wish for even more runtime with high power, then this would be a very starting point for mods running XHP in 12V mode on a boost driver with those high capacity cells which can be discharged down to 2.5V.

So a battery tube for 3x2 18650 cells should be a nice possible option, offering higher power for less price in batteries (especially considering that 18650 are also used in power banks and other countless flashlights, unlike 26650, and that in dire need you can use only two cells at all for mid to low power), for somewhat thicker grip.
But I’m not sure if manufacturing it instead of 2x26650 is commercially viable.

A 26mm might be nice but all I can find is a 32mm. If Simon could fit this 32mm in the new Convoy L6 XHP70 light, this would be awesome.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/MAXTOCH-Copper-MCPCB-Cree-XHP70-MK-R2-MKR-32mm-x-1-6mm-Direct-Thermal-Path-Copper/32507805677.html

Open the head so the emitter shelf goes from 21mm to 32mm and it should work. Either that or I’d have KawiBoy1428 machine it out for me. :wink:

No matter what, as long the price is right I’ll buy it.
I hope Simon made or will make good decisions.

Obviously we have a lot of different opinions here… and also a lot of good ideas.
Unfortunately, we are too late for changes to the first release of the L6. Simon tells me that production has already begun. I’m not going to make any judgments until I have this one in my hands and I for one am really looking forward to that day. Those wanting different emitters that generate less heat might want to opt for the host or start modding. Simon is having a hard time getting neutral and warmer tints but he is staying in contact with his Cree representative and trying to get more options in the 4500-5000K range. I did confirm that the XHP70 will be mounted on copper. Simon also said that it should run on both protected and unprotected cells. I’ll keep you posted when I hear more.

( Edit: Too late for suggestions, Cool :slight_smile: ) J dub, I have one little suggestions: The fin closest to the LED shelf should be directly in line with the shelf and not slightly above it. YES , it would require a thicker fin or a little asymmetry. Thanks for the preview. :smiley:

It’s obvious that it’s too late to implement any suggestions for now, but it’s still good that they happen and maybe some of them will turn out to be useful in the future.
And I’m amazed by looking at all the interaction that happens here.


I think it like this one. Do you think it?

My how off topic and totally random. My first thought it why is this posted here? My next thought is what does this have to do with the Convoy L6? Perhaps you posted it here in this thread by accident? My final thought is… Pretty cool looking light. What is it?

Wow, :bigsmile: beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder? :bigsmile:

LOL. Hey buddy I didn’t say it was my new favorite or anything. :p. It is different though even if it has no place in this thread. Don’t you have an engine to build or something? :wink:

^ +2, what is that light?

Looks like a Tiablo light or a copycat (jacob and others), The tail and knurling is their style, I remember a 2x18650 tiablo with MC-E led

Well said. It’s only too late for changes to be made in the first release of the L6. That doesn’t mean some of these ideas won’t be implemented in the next version. Simon is open to suggested improvements and it’s always good to keep the ideas flowing. Ideas for improvement are welcome. As we’ve seen many times, some wonderful lights are born in the ideas tossed around here. That’s part of what makes BLF such a great place. :slight_smile:

That flashlight is a Brinyte/OdePro S18… And now back to focusing on L6

I’m waiting for a bit more info but I have asked if the L6 host can have both a smooth and OP reflector option. It’s just a request with no promises yet but I am hopeful. Simon did tell me he would make extra OP reflectors with the first run of the L6. Even more exciting is that it looks like we might have a clear anodized option for the L6 as well. Simon sent me a picture of the double tube for the L2 before anodizing and needless to say it lit a fire that I haven’t been able to shut up about. I’m pushing for bare versions (actually clear ano) for both the L2 and L6. :heart_eyes: