This will be a short review of Simon old-new flashlight: Convoy S2 with XPL-HI emitter. For a more detailed review read my blog. The site has a google translator.
Specifications::
Brand: Convoy
Model: S2 XPL-HI
Emitter : Cree XPL-HI – V2-1A/U6-3A/U6-4B/U4-7A
Luminous Flux: 1000LM/940LM/840LM/840LM
Color temperature: 6500K/5000K/4500K/3000K
Body material: Aluminium Alloy
Lens: Glass (without coatings)
Reflector: Aluminium (SMO)
Switch: Reverse clicky
Battery: 18650 li-ion
Mode: 5 (low, medium, high, strobe, SOS)
The Convoy S2 comes with a simple cardboard box:
Just a cheap wrist strap is included, nothing more.
Its handling is the same as the other Convoy s-series flashlights. Use reverse clicky switch. Its appearance did not change, the old S2 remained. The color of the eloxation is new, slightly bluish-gray, well suited to it.
The usual nanjg 105D driver gives us two mode group, 3/5 modes. Group1: low/medium/high, group2: low/medium/high/strobe/SOS. Its handling is exactly the same as the well-known S2 + and S3 models.
Unfortunately, warmth has been maintained. I compared the S2 + 8×7135 version. There is no significant difference.
Measured current:
0,13A
1,17A
2,87A
The usual structure:
There is little difference. The longest is the S2 head, then the S2 + and the S3.
Disassembled can see the difference. S2 has a longer reflector, shorter pill.
The body is about the same, minimal difference. They can be replaced.
The tailcap is small difference only. Also interchangeable.
Luminous Intensity measurement: It is clearly visible in the picture that the S2 light is much more concentrated than S2 +. The hotspot is very narrow and well defined.
I measured the following values from 2m distance 30 seconds after switching on:
Convoy S2+ 8×7135 Cree XM-L2 U2-1A: 5156cd
Convoy S2 8×7135 Cree XPL-HI U6-3A: 12280cd
Of course I also made outdoor photos. Here is the difference:
The light of S2 + reaches approx. 50m providing clearly visible illumination. The “new” S2 XPL-HI version illuminates further, approx. 80m distance is good for lighting.
During the nighttime hiking, I experienced a couple of times that this “small” difference would have been needed to see my environment well. Since its size can be the same, so now I’ll take him with me if I need a flashlight in my pocket.
I think Simon gave us another excellent flashlight at exceptionally good prices. The usual good quality coupled with good brightness, everything cheap. What else need?
Convoy S2 XPL-HI on BangGood
External links on GearBest:
Convoy S2 XPL-HI V2-1A
Convoy S2 XPL-HI U6-3A
Convoy S2 XPL-HI U6-4B
Convoy S2 XPL-HI U4-7A
P l e a s e f o l l o w m e : F a c e b o o k - I n s t a g r a m
My review page (Hungarian language, use google translate): elemlampablog.hu
My short reviews in BLF: UltraFire 950LM, UltraFire 885LM, UltraFire 900LM, Nitenumen H01, Convoy L2 2016, Convoy S3, Zanflare F1, Nitenumen TA01, Nitecore LA10 CRI, Eagle Eye X2R, Zanflare F2, Convoy S2 XPL-HI, Convoy S2+ XPL-HI, Imalent DT70, Fitorch P20R, JETBeam E40R, Nitecore Tube, Zanflare F6, Nitecore TIP 2017, Palight BOSS II 2018, Maglite ML300LX, Rofis MR30, Convoy H1, Maglite ML25LT, Olight Perun, Ledlenser MH3, Nextool XHP50.2, Olight i5T EOS
This new s2 has the smooth reflector right. Looks like it from the slight side picture posted. Wonder what kind of throw it would make at 5-6 amps? Maybe 20k? I’ve heard a built s2 with xpl hi is very similar to nitecores p12gt. I only have a s2+ with a xpl v6 3d and op reflector so I can’t compare. But this light definitely has my attention. I actually have a old ee x6 driver that would go nicely in one of these. 3.5 amps
2/9 Fox Co (2009-2015) Semper Fi 0311/0331 Rifleman/Machine Gunner
Blf has changed a lot since I've been here. Lots of snow flakes and easily offended over nothing. When the forum use to be great and people joked around and could take a joke. It's a forum it's not that serious. Let's make BLF great again!
Thanks for review.
I think, one of S2’s down point is it’s too narrow spill for a non-thrower.
Take care of your flashlight and your flashlight will take care of you.
Thanks for the outdoor beamshots comparison (every flashlight review should have some IMHO)
Flashlights, blades & beer
Let’s stay relatively optimist!
The P12 GT has a larger diameter reflector which is pretty deep and well matched to the emitter
At 5-6A it depends how good the S2 reflector is for the XPL Hi if it can come close or overtake the P12GT a little,
the problem with those DD currents is that the light gets hot very quick
But generally for more throw I would take a light that has a slightly larger head diameter to fit a 24-28mm reflector,
this helps also keep the light cool for longer time at 5-6A
[Reviews] Miboxer C4-12, C2-4k+6k, C2, C4 / Astrolux K1, MF01, MF02, S42, K01, TI3A / BLF Q8 / Kalrus G35, XT11GT / Nitefox UT20 / Niwalker BK-FA30S / Sofirn SF36, SP35 / Imalent DM21TW / Wuben I333 / Ravemen PR1200 / CL06 lantern / Xanes headlamp
[Mods] Skilhunt H03 short / Klarus XT11GT, XT12GTS / Zebralight SC50+ / Imalent DM21TW / colorful anodisation
[Sale]
Drivers: overview of sizes and types
DD+AMC based drivers Anduril or Bistro OTSM 12-24mm, S42, 24-30mm L6, Q8, MF01(S), MT03, TN42
Anduril or Bistro 8A buck driver for 20-30mm, MF01/02/04, TN40/42, Lumintop GT, MT09R
UVC and UVC+UVA drivers
programming key
Remote switch tail DD board with FET
Aux boards:
Emisar D1, D1S, D4, D4S, D18, Lumintop FW3A, Fireflies ROT66, Astrolux MF01, Tail boards like S2+
Thanks for the review, Bam. Some love for the S2 is always appreciated, it’s a very underrated model.
A modern firware (Biscotti/Bistro/whichever you like), most definitely. 3/5 blows chunks nowadays, moreso on a tube light like this that you’re likely pulling out mostly to check things right quick before turning it off, with the ON-timer memory switching the mode you’ve set it to and the blinky on low doing the same with mode group. I have an S2 and can confirm this is ridiculously obnoxious unless you’re keeping the light on for a longer period of time, which is not too common for an EDC tube light. And that’s to say nothing of the lack of mode variety and short runtimes even on Low, moreso on 7135*8.
The S2 is an awesome host + reflector combination, but having one that I all but retired in favor of an M1 with Biscotti (despite loving the tube light form factor and my pants disagreeing with the bezel and fins of the M1 at times) and will effectively retire as soon as I have on hands my recently-purchased Biscotti-loaded S2 (until I get a new driver and learn some soldering), the stock 3/5 firmware hurts it. A lot. You NEED something more versatile for an EDC light, and with OFF-timer.
I found that I like that narrow spill. Coupled with the large spot, the beam is as uniform as it gets without a TIR optic (which I don’t want, I like reflector torches better), and the surface bounce covers the rest anyway.
Thanks for the temperature measurements. Gets really hot left on High.
I’d be interested if you were to measure it on a 50% mode if you have one with Biscotti.
SoCalTiger
Recent Reviews: Klarus G20L / Thorfire S70S / Thorfire VG10S / Thorfire S1 / Thorfire TK15 & TK15S / Thorfire TK4A / Thorfire TG06S / Wuben T101 / Wuben TP10 / Zanflare C4 Battery Charger / Zanflare F1 / Zanflare F2 / Sofirn C8A / Sofirn SF22 / Sofirn SP31 / Orcatorch WR10 / MiBoxer C4-12 Battery Charger
Unfortunately, I do not have a biscotti fw driver
P l e a s e f o l l o w m e : F a c e b o o k - I n s t a g r a m
My review page (Hungarian language, use google translate): elemlampablog.hu
My short reviews in BLF: UltraFire 950LM, UltraFire 885LM, UltraFire 900LM, Nitenumen H01, Convoy L2 2016, Convoy S3, Zanflare F1, Nitenumen TA01, Nitecore LA10 CRI, Eagle Eye X2R, Zanflare F2, Convoy S2 XPL-HI, Convoy S2+ XPL-HI, Imalent DT70, Fitorch P20R, JETBeam E40R, Nitecore Tube, Zanflare F6, Nitecore TIP 2017, Palight BOSS II 2018, Maglite ML300LX, Rofis MR30, Convoy H1, Maglite ML25LT, Olight Perun, Ledlenser MH3, Nextool XHP50.2, Olight i5T EOS
WestBam, thanks for the review. This has always been one of my favorite setups, but as others have mentioned, the driver/firmware needs to be updated.
I have an S2 SMO reflector shoehorned into an S2+ host with a filed down copper pill. It’s got a MTN-DD driver in it. I’ll take some measurements tonight and post them.
WillyD, I’m not a modder.
Because most of the readers (my blog readers) are not able to solder, so I present stock lights in my articles, not modded. So they know what to expect if they buy a flashlight.
P l e a s e f o l l o w m e : F a c e b o o k - I n s t a g r a m
My review page (Hungarian language, use google translate): elemlampablog.hu
My short reviews in BLF: UltraFire 950LM, UltraFire 885LM, UltraFire 900LM, Nitenumen H01, Convoy L2 2016, Convoy S3, Zanflare F1, Nitenumen TA01, Nitecore LA10 CRI, Eagle Eye X2R, Zanflare F2, Convoy S2 XPL-HI, Convoy S2+ XPL-HI, Imalent DT70, Fitorch P20R, JETBeam E40R, Nitecore Tube, Zanflare F6, Nitecore TIP 2017, Palight BOSS II 2018, Maglite ML300LX, Rofis MR30, Convoy H1, Maglite ML25LT, Olight Perun, Ledlenser MH3, Nextool XHP50.2, Olight i5T EOS
You don’t need to be a modder to have a better version of this baby. Simon sells any 18650 lights with Biscotti at his Aliexpress store on request, it’s just a matter of shooting him a message before paying.
Thanks for the review WestBam! Hard to go wrong with any Convoy flashlight. Nice to see the difference between the models.
I’d rather use my flashlight around the house than turn on the lights.
Hmmm. I was just thinking today that if the S2/S2+ fits an 18650, the optics (glass, reflector, etc.) might be the same size(ish) of a standard 20mm TIR lens. Anyone ever try this?
I’m looking for as close to drop-in as possible, so no chopping down the edges of the TIR or drilling out the head, etc., if I can avoid it.
And with the different reflector/pill sizes, one might be better suited to a TIR w/o needing to go crazy with spacers.
Not sure I even remember where I “retired” my S2+, so can’t run now to go measure it. Anyone know the dimensions offfhand?
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Is there a way to PM Simon on here? Would like to ask him a question or 2 about this. TIA
Not simon directly, no, but you can have a word with his close mate J-Dub74. He’s directly involved with Convoy and will be more than happy to answer any doubts you may have.
I just built a s2 with an xpl hi right before Simon released his. It’s great as a mini thrower! Good enough for medium range stuff. It is a bit too tight of a hotspot for close range stuff, but I like it!
Thank you Jack Kellar.
Okay, no wonder I don’t recall ever dissecting my S2+… it’s soldered shut.
Anyhoo, goggled around. The S2 is a no-go, with roughly a 20×20 reflector, but the S2+ has roughly a 20×12 reflector. The glass is 20.5mm×1.6mm.
“Standard” 20mm TIRs are 20mm×13mm. So… reflector+glass is about the same depth as a TIR+holder.
Now I just gotta find one of my S2+ hosts and try it…
Damn, my S5 host is on par with the S2, ie, a longer reflector.
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Okay, so if anyone’s interested, it works a treat.
Solder-blob broke free. A bit gritty rubbing along the threads, but it loosened up by the time I removed the pill.
TIR lens with shoe was hard getting into the head, but basically pushing it in and out a few times, the threads themselves abraded away the small protrusions along the outer diameter of the shoe. No idea what angle the TIR is (just grabbed the first one I saw), but it slipped right in there, and the XM-sized square hole fit right into the 4C XM-L(2?) that my S2+ came with.
Pill back in, making sure the LED went into the hole in the shoe nicely, and snugged it up. Everything back in, light it up, and it’s a pretty nice beam. From memory it’s about the same-sized hotspot as the reflector, but the colors are more evenly blended, no more “fried-egg” beam. The beam’s a little ringy, maybe the LED didn’t seat all the way in, but it’s a nice color, sort of between rosy and cream. (Rosy-cream?)
I’m really liking this…
Okay, sorry for the diversion, but if anyone wants to try it, I did the legwork already. Single-emitter TIRs fit perfectly into S2+ lights.
We now return to our regularly-scheduled thread…
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