[Review] Convoy M21C

Convoy M21C



3 in 1 review. At the end there will be a summary for those who like only particulars, in each topic I will color the key sentences for those who read a little more, and a long waffling for everyone else. Enjoy!



For VERY large photos: click -> on the photo page right click -> "Open image in new tab"

I got this flashlight from Convoy (Simon) for review. Link to official Convoy store and the flashlight:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000439733293.html?spm=a2g0o.store_home.productList_644232540.subject_2

Table of Contents:

- General parameters
- Package content
- Appearance, parameters
- UI, runtime
- PWM
- Waterproof
- Light pattern, tint
- Beamshots
- Usage and my experiences
- Gallery
- Summary



General parameters

Material: Aluminium

LVP: Yes

Reverse polarity protection: Yes

Glass: AR coated

Reflector: SMO

Switch: Reverse

Mode memory: Tes

Tail standing ability: Yes

Integrated charger: Nope

Battery: 1*21700

Size: Head/battery tube: 55mm/28mm , length: 163mm

Weight: 275g

Package weight: 370g

Package size: 181 * 87 * 59mm



Package content


Simple cardboard box


Inside was only the flashlight, but well secured



Appearance, parameters



Size comparison to M21B in Gallery





And there are:

- SS bezel

- AR coated lens


- SMO reflector, very well made



- SST40 5000K led (you can also get cold white, 6500K)


- Head with big fins


- Bypassed spring


- Battery tube - but the design is just perfect. I love it.


- Tailcap with reverse switch, bypassed spring and lanyard hole




UI, runtime



UI
Simple, 4 modes: 0,1% - 3% - 30% - 100%, mode memory. Convoy is making simple flashlight for everyone.

Runtime
At 100% - good heat dissipation!

About an hour of runtime, flashlight can handle 1500lm for ~ 9min. Impressive, and keep in mind this test was done inside, at 22degC.

PWM



I did not notice any

Waterproof



Any stated IP standard, as usual. But I put it in my fish tank at 25cm deep for 40min. We'll see...


And well...It is as waterproof as I've previously anticipated. Pretty bad.

Inside the battery tube...


There was plenty of water. As I expected, o-rings are thick, but not thick enough. It is hard. Don't give me wrong, it will survive rain and momentary submerge, but you know, nearly an hour at 25cm deep is...too much, to say at least.
However, there was no water in the head where the diode and reflector were.
But the flashlight was shining all the time. Yes, Convoy is making sturdy flashlights.

Light pattern, tint



M21C seems to be next version of M21B - more focused light, typical thrower. M21B is between flood and focus light. SST40 5000K has a great tint.



Beamshots



ISO200, t2s, f/3,5 WB: sunlight













Good throw. Declared throw distance is 626m. I...don't think so. This shot was taken at 200m distance and we can clearly see it is just on the edge of being comfortable bright. I guess ~ 300m is just max.

Usage and my experiences



In general, I recommend the gray version. I walked with it several times - a handy searchlight. For me, these are the maximum dimensions (including the width of the reflector) where the flashlight can still be considered as "overall usefull". It is a bit heavy, because it is Convoy, so sturdy and durable flashlights, but on the other hand it helps to dissipate heat from the diode and keep these 1500lm for a long time. O-rings are too thin for me, and this is the reason why M21C is not submerge resistant. Unfortunately, the M21B is more waterproof. M21C has many advantages and looks nice.

Gallery









Summary


M21C is a cool flashlight and certainly worth attention. At nearly $30, it has everything a $30 flashlight should have, and even more. It only lacks submerge resistant, although it should not leak in the rain. So it can be said that this is a flashlight for standard, not extreme usage.

Pros:
+ Design
+ Sturdy and durable

Cons:
- Could be more waterproof

About host - threads, knurling o-rings and so on
Rating: 7.5/10

About light - Tint and so on
Rating: 9/10


1 - very bad flashlight hurts to look at, terrible quality, not worth any (even very low) price
5 - average flashlight, at a reasonable price - for the average person "great". Or better flashlight, but overpriced
10 - flashlight meets all my expectations in a given category (e.g EDC, headlamp, thrower), it's durable and neatly made, perfect light tint, worth its (even slightly inflated) price - just pure perfect, so I doubt any light can get a 10 from me




I hope you enjoyed!

Id’d rather put and XHP-35 HI in it since the driver probably has a 22mm diameter.

The driver is 22mm for sure.

Does this have the programmable driver like the C8+?

Only 4 modes

How long does it take for mode memory to catch?

The Convoy 4-mode driver uses off-time memory (as all lights should IMO) so you can flip to a mode, immediately turn the light off and it will be saved as long as you don’t turn it back on for a couple seconds.

That’s no good at all since you can’t use it tactically. That’s just a deactivated form of “long memory.” Down with “long memory.” Needs a separate mode switch.

Convoy was never a tactical brand, and it’s not about to start now. Get an Olight or whatever.

swap to convoy 3 mode ramping driver if you need tactical. It has no memory and you can program it to all high.
Plus the mode change is so tight it deliberately needs fast clicks to change mode.

I have my solarforce forward clicky to med>high>high and it’s been good for me

but of course if you are in tactical situation and you tap your lights for more than 5/9 times, you’re better off with reputable lights

You can order Biscotti driver now when ordering M21C.

Just leave Simon a msg.

Thanks.

Where would I go to do that?

order direct from aliexpress convoy store
buy without paying
message him changes
proceed to pay when simon say ok

Hello. Please tell me Convoy M21C, M26C have 2300lm at 100% mode in the description, why is it 1550lm in the photo 100%? Sir Simon Convoy usually provides true data. Sorry, I couldn’t understand the subtleties of the review correctly, or these are my difficulties with the translation.

I measured 1550lm at 10s of shining, max brightness could be 1700lm, I think.
Now Convoy launched M21C XHP70.2, so if you need more brightness, this is the way :slight_smile:

Mocarny, спасибо за ответ, я написал в Convoy, и я обязательно закажу другой фонарик M26C с XHP70.2, когда они сделают драйвер для 12 групп, у меня уже есть M26C sst40. Спасибо за ваш совет и ваш отзыв.

I think there will be no 12 groups for XHP70.2 though…

Fortunately you were wrong :slight_smile:

Is the xhp70 version an FET / direct drive turbo? Thank you