I posted this in the general LED Flashlight area but thought it might be more appropriate here…
First off, I have been lurking around this forum for a few weeks doing research and gobbling up all the information I can get. What a wonderful resource this place is. My hats off the the operator.
I am looking at making my first budget LED purchase and I think I have an idea of what I want but I figured I would ask the fine people of the forum for their opinion and recommendations first.
The reason for purchasing this light is for some night time hiking, camping. I want something that isn’t to big but I am open to flashlights bigger then the Convoy M1&C8 if they fit the usage. I also would like good if not very good run time at least on medium for around the inside of the tent and campsite as I may not be able to charge it for a couple of days. Just for reference I have looked at larger flashlights like the Skyray King 3xCree I’m just not sure what the runtime is on something that size.
I am going to list what I have picked out so far with links to Banggood.com just for referance. I may or may not purchase from them, again your recommendation my sway me.
My first question, is the Convoy M1 a better light then the Convoy C8? What is the expected run time on both these flashlights? My second question, would you recommend a different flashlight altogether? If so which one? My third question, are the NCR 3400mAH 18650 batteries a good fit for this flashlight or are there better batteries for this application that might increase the run time. My forth question, the total for the items I listed above comes to just under $54 dollars does this sound about right? Should it cost more then the flashlight to power and recharge it?
I know this is a lot for a first post and I apologize. Thanks for taking the time to read it and I would appreciate any suggestions or help you may be able to supply.
You can change subforum location by clicking edit above your post.
1. Anyway, the 2 lights should be similar as far as quality goes. Beamprofile will be different. The C8 should have a more concentrated beam and throw further than the m1.
2. I think you’re on the right track with the M1 for hiking/camping.
4. A lot of low budget lights will be around 1:1 ratio(flashlight cost:Battery Cost). I know a good portion of my collection is. The cost of the charger I would count as ‘start-up gear’ and the price be divided among future light purchases. So $19 for the cells (~9 per) for a $19 light is reasonable. You do NOT want to be spending $3 a cell and get low quality _fire cells.
I can’t speak to the M1 on personal experience, but it’s Convoy and should be very nice quality for the price. I know a lot of people here have the M1/M2. Also note the protected NCR18650B cells may not fit the M1 (they are rather long 18650 cells); I would wait for confirmation from an owner of the light before buying.
Also: There is a coupon code for banggood… not sure what it is but it will give you around 5-15% off.
I’m not a big fan of buying from banggood, i prefer fasttech, but the items you have selected should be fine, i don’t have those panasonic batteries but i am pretty sure they will fit the M1, it has space for a bigger battery but i can’t be sure without actually trying it.
In a tent you will only need low (over 14 hours a charge), medium should net you about 2-3 hours of runtime and high 1.0-1.5 hours.
The M1 is one of the best budget lights i have tried, i use it and the Convoy S2 more then any other lights, i probably have over 1000 hours on these lights so far and they still work great
For hiking and camping I would first go for a small floody(!) headlamp, then perhaps a small 18650 with a diffuser. And I would make sure to have warm tints. You are not after maximum lightlevels 100 meters away, but comfortable and relaxing lightlevels for work within at most one or two meters. And preferably lightweight and cheap. And you want your hands free to actually do some work.
A small floody warm white AA Zebralight would be perfect. At low it would give off enough light for you to work comfortable after dark with typical camp tasks. Food preparation, cooking, eating, washing up, planning with a map, going to bed, reading. And a single AA or 14500 would last for days, and spares would be cheap and lightweight.
However a new Zebralight isn’t cheap. You could investigate other small floody headlamps as well. Petzl and Fenix has some nice ones. For close quarter work around the camp, floody is really important. For walking about in the woods, or bicycling, a floody headlamp can be annoying.
For tent illumination a small 18650 flashlight at low, with a diffuser, would work great. It would give very good runtimes and you could also use the flashlight for distance illumination or moving about if needed.
A small 1050 mA Convoy S2 Cree XM-L T4-7C with a diffuser would be perfect. Could hang from the roof or tailstand.
I myself use an old Zebralight H50 Q5 as a headlamp for work when camping, and an old 3-mode 18650 Aurora R2 with diffuser for camp and tent light. It is a little too bright and I am not pleased with the tints. I am in the process of upgrading to more current tech…
1- The M1 looks like it has got better heat management due to the heatsinking on the head. I’ve got an Convoy C8 and I just love the quality, especially for the money! Don’t know what the runtimes on these lights are, my C8 is more of a playlight then one I actually use… 0:)
2- Both the C8 and the M1 are not very pocketable due to their large heads. If you are looking for a more pocketable flashlight, the Convoy S2 would be the better choice. The M1 and C8 will both have more throw, but I expect the S2 will have more flood which can be nice when walking in the dark.
3- Choose the protected batteries as specified by Unknown00101.
4- You could opt for a more inexpensive charger, maybe a 2-bay charger like an Ultrafire WF-139 sorry the protected panasonics don’t fit the WF-139.
Hi Allshookup
Among all the lights I’ve purchased (more than a few :bigsmile: ) the Convoy M1 has to be one of my best buys.
I got the one in 3C tint (2.8amps). I don’t have the 3400’s but my 2900mAh Panasonics fit OK.
I don’t have the (Convoy) C8 but I hear it’s agood one: just my 2 cents worth
IMHO, you will need a thrower like the C8, but a thrower don’t fit for all task.
You should get a S2 (or another Convoy in the S line from S2 to S8, but the S2 it’s the best to me) and a C8.
for your first light… may I suggest C8 XM-L2 from lightmalls? it’s very versatile for everyday use… although convoy S series is nice but unfortunately it’s not something you can hold for longer period in high mode
C8 is better choice, not to mention the one that I got from Lightmalls pretty much wow a lot of people with it’s output… dollar for dollar nobody beat that light ( under $17 )
I bought 6 of them for gifts
Just an idea…. For home use, go to Home Depot and pick up one of the Defiant 650 Lumen monsters that are typically at close out prices right now. I put it on the wall with my stock SmallSun zy-t13 and the hotspots are almost exactly the same size. The smallsun overshines the Defiants hotspot, but not by any amazing amount. I was pleasantly surprised at the performance coming out the business end of that thing….
So $19 for the cells (~9 per) for a $19 light is reasonable. You do NOT want to be spending $3 a cell and get low quality _fire cells.
( under $17 )