But I’m looking for some ideas of a new EDC pocket torch. I carry one every day in my right hand jeans pocket.
I’ve had/got a lot of lights. But time to look for another.
I have a number of Convoy S2 or S2+ lights. But recently a lot have stopped working… either switch failures or just becoming unreliable. A shame, as I am/was a huge fan of the Convoy lights.
Must haves:
-pocket clip (ideally deep carry)
–18650/21700
-Tube light or maybe slightly larger head if an 18650 light. Would consider up to a classic p60 size
-Moonlight or ultra low
-NW tint
-Non annoying UI
-MUST not turn on in pocket
Should haves:
-Instant access to moonlight from off
-Quick easy access to Turbo or high either from off or other modes
-mechanical switch preferred over electronic one
-Tailstand
Just had a look at the Manker, Convoy and Astrolux ranges.
The Manker MC11 II and Mankerlight MC01 both look interesting. Although probably don’t fulfil all many wants in a light. Anyone have either of these?
My current fav EDC lights:
-BLF A6
-Maglite XL200
-Convoy S2+ SST triple (has started to flicker a bit)
-Zebralight SC600w
-EagleTac D25LC2 twisty
Some other EDC lights I have and use (not all by any means):
-Convoy S2 XP-L HI (broken switch) Convoy S2+ three different ones, WW, NW TIR optic. All 3 have developed faults on the drivers.
-BLF Ti ( a bit flickery and gets too hot)
-Convoy S4 (rough/sharp edges)
-Octigon KR1 (turns on in pocket!!! Beam profile a little too specialist)
-EagleTac D25A Ti Ltd (poor run time)
-Klafrus Mi7 (turns on in pocket, no clip, poor runtime)
-Astolux S41 (bit heavy, lacks range unless running hot)
-Manker E14 II (bit heavy same as S41, worse UI)
-Manker U11 (dreadful UI)
-Sunwayman G25C (turns on in pocket)
-Limintop FW21 Pro (too heavy/wide)
-DQG Tiny 18650 (flickery UI)
I might suggest a couple of Hank’s newer models if you don’t mind the Anduril UI (some people find it very complex but it doesn’t have to be…very configurable but once you’ve done (if you don’t like the simple set up out of the box) you can leave it alone…quick moon and turbo, stepped or ramping adjustment which you can configure lots of ways…only thing really lacking compared to most UIs is quick access to strobe modes, which was done on purpose since most people do not like or use them much).
First, Convoys are still ridiculously easy to maintain and/or replace worn parts. Flickering is almost always just poor electrical connection caused by grime or, more often, retaining rings that have loosened a little in use. Battery changes and heat/cool cycles can cause them to move a little. A cheap pair of snap ring pliers or stout fine tweezers that you don’t care about is all you need for that. If you did wear out a switch those are super cheap to replace and it only takes a couple minutes, literally, to swap it out. You might try just cleaning and snugging up those lights that are flickering and see if they’re happy. Cleaning, constituting the bare metal contact surfaces on the ends of the tube, bare metal threads (fresh lube after cleaning), end of the spring(s)/battery contact points…a little isopropyl alcohol or acetone and some q-tips, perhaps a pink pencil eraser if anything seems a little oxidized.
Hank has the brand new D4K 21700 quad for sale now. If you don’t mind the slight added diameter of 21700 compared to the S2 18650, there’s a whole lot more capacity and current delivery in those cells and the prices on the cells are comparable to what we’re used to with 18650 or just a buck or two higher, depending. The head diameter of this is maybe 4mm wider than the S2 head and the length is appreciably shorter than the S2. Not long ago Hank introduced a buck driver that you can add to most of his light models for an additional $12. It knocks a little off the high end of lumens (turbo) but it gives sustained output and lower heat compared to the linear and fet drivers we’re so used to. On this and some others the side switch has a pressed in stainless trim ring….you can order that with a flush fit or in a raised version that protects the button from being easily activated in a pocket. He has a decent deep carry clip-on clip for it as well. Wide choice of emitters, too, so you can get whatever you like there.
He’s also got the KR4 18650 quad if you prefer a tail switch. It’s an electronic switch similar (but much better) than the BLF FW3A brought to life a few years ago. The clip for that light is a captive ring so it’ll never pull off accidentally, and it’s a good stout clip. Same head diameter as the 21700 above, tapered tube with a different and nice feel in the hand. For accidental pocket activation you’ll need to get in the habit of doing the electronic lockout in Anduril (4 clicks) but it’s not super easy to activate that tail switch accidentally as is unless it’s inside a pocket with other stuff maybe.
Both are very nice lights, well done, good parts, and he’s got the same fantastic communication and after-sale service/parts as Convoy does. E-switches, which is necessary for Anduril but they’re great and frankly most people never have issues with the switches (these are good ones, not mushy or weak…that’s usually what people quibble about with e-switches, not the reliability). Both tailstand and are stable unlike lights with the “eared” tail cap (like the S2) which sometimes need to be positioned the right way…some of those are bad now where they’ve but away a lot of material leaving less “rim” for tail standing. There’s a little price premium compared to most of our budget brands but you actually get higher quality for that increase. With the boost driver I’d say that Noctigon/Emisar have surpassed Zebralight in most aspects for the same or lower cost, and you get to customize lots of those to suit you. His lights are mostly easy to maintain and work on but if you need to do disassembly/soldering for the top end that’s more complex compared to Convoy and most.
Lots of good lights now but many are coming with side e-switches so if tail and/or mechanical is important that’s going to limit your choices.
Yeah I would suspect loose retaining rings on the S2+’s.
If you really just want an excuse to get a new one consider the wurkkos FC11. Available in 2700k, 4000k or 5000k. Or the wurkkos HD15 right angle with a spot beam and a flood beam. 4000k or 5000k. If you’re only going to carry one light it gives you a lot of options.
I’ve been researching a compact light for my partner. I’m leaning toward the throwy KW CULPM1.TG emitter myself, but for edc there are many other options:
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