My favorite general purpose flashlight is the Convoy S2+. It is powered by a single 18650 cell. Its design is very well-thought out - nothing fancy (almost utilitarian), but with a few refinements that make it special. Wonderful beam - large hot spot feathering smoothly to bright spill. More floody than throwy, perfect for everything around the house. Headsprings and tailsprings so that you can use flat-top batteries. Nice steel button tail-switch, one of the best switches in the business - it’s a pleasure to use. 
It comes in a number of different colors:
- “[Red]”:http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Convoy-S2-Red-Cree-XML2-U2-1A-EDC-LED-Flashlight-torch-lantern-self-defense-camping-light/330416_32252638688.html
- “[Green]”:http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Convoy-S2-green-Cree-XML2-U2-1A-EDC-LED-Flashlight-torch-lantern-self-defense-camping-light/32564860692.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.10.wOsh0r&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_2,searchweb201644_1_505_506_503_504_10032_10020_502_10014_10001_10002_10017_10005_10006_10003_10021_10004_10022_10018_10019,searchweb201560_3,searchweb1451318400*–1,searchweb1451318411*–1&btsid=c5387e41-070e-4f36-9d3f-871b7827f133
- “[Blue]”:http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Convoy-S2-blue-Cree-XML2-U2-1A-EDC-LED-Flashlight-torch-lantern-self-defense-camping-light/32445361280.html
- It also comes in gray and black, but with only a standard rubber cap tail-switch, so I really can’t recommend that you buy them.
- Future (possible) colors: “[Pink]”:Waiting for the light to turn green - Green Convoy S2+ - #168 by vulpes [Desert Tan] “[Orange]”:Waiting for the light to turn green - Green Convoy S2+ - #208 by nofear87
Choice of LED Bins (emitter rating and tints)
Being a relative newbie to the gamut of LED types, I’d recommend going with the 3B Neutral White tint (option T6 3B). If you’re willing to try something new, then I’d heartily recommend trying the slightly warmer 4C tint (Option T6 4C). It’s, by far, my favorite tint of the 80+ flashlights that I own. Or if you just want the maximum possible output, then choose the 1A Cool White tint (Option U2 1A).
You have a choice of power levels:
- Standard order options:
- 7135*3 *`_ 1.05 amps (output ~460 lumens, runtime ~2:40 hours)
- 71354 _` 1.40 amps (output ~580 lumens, runtime ~2 hours)
- 7135*6 *`_ 2.10 amps (output ~800 lumens, runtime ~1:20 hours)
- 71358 _` 2.80 amps (output ~1000 lumens, runtime ~1 hour)
For the best mix of output/runtime, I’d recommend the 7135*6 option (800 lumens). Personally, I find anything over 300 lumens as overkill for most tasks around the house. And 500 lumens is more than enough for outdoor tasks, such as walking the dogs. I’d use the 800 lumens to light up the living room (ceiling bounce) during power outages. You may want to choose the 1000 lumen option, simply because it is there. All it costs you is shorter runtimes and some additional heat that you may or may not be able to tolerate depending on your comfort level and ambient conditions.
- You may also make a special request for customized power levels (by messaging the owner, Simon):
- 7135*1 *`_ 0.35 amps (output ~160 lumens, runtime ~8 hours)
- 71352 _` 0.70 amps (output ~310 lumens, runtime ~4 hours)
Why would anyone want any underpowered options? Well, I just received my green Convoy S2+ with the 7135*1 option. I ordered it because I found my two other S2+ (7135*8 and 7135*3) too bright for my night-adjusted vision. The low mode for the 7135*1 turned out to be about 8 lumens. I was hoping for 5 lumens, but 8 will do. And its runtime is a ridiculous 160 hours on low. With the amount of usage that it gets every night, I’ll need to recharge it just once a year!
You also have the choice of modes:
- The default is a 2-group UI:
- Group 1: 5% - 40% - 100%
- Group 2: 5% - 40% - 100% - Strobe - SOS
The groups are user selectable.
- Customized modes:
- (Mode option 1) 5% - 30% - 100% - SOS - Strobe
- (Mode option 2) 5% - 30% - 100%
- (Mode option 3) 10% - 100%
- (Mode option 4) 10% - 100% - Strobe
If you order customized modes, you only get one set of modes. They are customized at the factory, they are not user selectable.
If you want a custom mode, order it during the checkout process, when it prompts you to “Review and Confirm Your Order”. Enter the information in the window labeled “Leave a message for this seller”. See example, below.
Member Discount
Don’t forget to request a 15% discount for being a BLF member from Simon. Do this by contacting him through the website’s “Contact Seller” messaging system.
Simon will say okay, but he handles the discount in an unusual manner. After you receive delivery of the item, he will ask that you go through the Dispute process and request a partial refund of 15% of the cost of the item. He will then accept the dispute and refund you the money. (I don’t know why he does it this way, but I guess he has his reasons.)
I usually document Simon’s approval in the “Leave a message for this seller” at checkout. This is not required, but I do it anyway. As part of the dispute process you must submit an attachment documenting the complaint. The dispute form will not process without an attachment. So, I used to just enter a screenshot of the item. Now I enter a screen shot of the order form, which shows the comments entered in the “Leave a message for this seller” window.
Why Order from Aliexpress When There Are Cheaper Vendors?
Because Simon is Convoy. All genuine Convoy products come from him. Order from him to ensure that you get the right product.
Because Simon is a valued member of BLF. We like to support him.
Because Simon listens to our input and concerns. The additional colors are from our input. So are the shorty tubes and pocket clips.
Optional Shorty Tubes and Clips
There are 18350 battery tubes available for the S2+. The shorter, compact form makes for a great EDC. [Red tube] [Blue tube]
Simon recently started selling pocket clips that fit the S2+. Very inexpensive, $0.88 each at the time of this writing. “[Clips]”:http://www.aliexpress.com/item/universal-clip-suitable-for-S2-S2-M1-C8/32579921654.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.212.rYq9Tx&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_2,searchweb201644_1_505_506_503_504_10032_10020_502_10014_10001_10002_10017_10005_10006_10003_10021_10004_10022_10018_10019,searchweb201560_3,searchweb1451318400*–1,searchweb1451318411*–1&btsid=0ab721d9-f302-4992-8bd3-abf01a26db32
Other Details
Mode Memory _ The S2+ remembers the last mode used.
Low Voltage Indicator _ The S2+ will start flashing when the battery voltage drops down to ~3.0V. (Not a cut-off.)
Battery Reverse Protection _ The S2+ won’t suffer any damage if you insert the battery backward. The flashlight simply won’t work until you re-orient the battery.
Tail-Stand _ The S2+ has large lanyard holes cut into the tailcap, allowing the flashlight to easily stand on its tail - even with a lanyard attached.
Dimensions _ 118mm x 24.1mm
Holster _ If you are looking for a holster, I recommend this one: [Jetbeam holster] It’s slightly long, but still secures the S2+ just fine. Made of fine quality ballistic nylon, it looks much nicer in real life than it does in the pictures. (Also fits the BLF SE A6.)
. . .
EXAMPLE: Comments left in the “Leave a message for this seller” window during checkout.
. . .
If you need further convincing:
[CPF Review including Beam Shots]
[BLF Discussion Link]
Sorry for such a long post, but the ordering process was not self-explanatory. :nerd_face: